Isolation and communication element for a resposable pulse oximetry sensor
AssigneeMasimo Corporation
InventorAmmar Al-Ali
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sensor has a connector adapted to electrically communicate with a physiological measurement instrument. A breakable conductor incorporated by the sensor transitions from a continuity state to a discontinuity state as the result of sensor wear. An isolation and communications element (ICE) has an instrument port and an electrically isolated loop port. The instrument port is in communications with the connector and the loop port is in communications with the breakable conductor. The ICE generates a control output responsive to the discontinuity state to render the sensor inoperable.
Claims14
A sensor comprising:
- a connector adapted to electrically communicate with a physiological measurement instrument;
- a breakable conductor that transitions from a continuity state to a discontinuity state as the result of sensor wear;
- and
- an isolation and communications element (ICE) having an instrument port and an electrically isolated loop port, said instrument port in communications with said connector and said loop port in communications with said breakable conductor, wherein:
- said ICE further comprises a control output responsive to said discontinuity state, said sensor further comprises an electrical component, said ICE being connected in parallel with said connector and said electrical component, and said component being operable from said instrument via said connector according to said control output.
A sensor comprising:
- a connector adapted to electrically communicate with a physiological measurement instrument;
- a breakable conductor configured as a current loop that becomes an open circuit as the result of sensor wear, said conductor electrically isolated from said connector;
- an electrical component operable from said instrument via said connector said electrical component rendered inoperable in response to said open circuit;
- a driver configured to provide a current to said breakable conductor;
- and
- a receiver responsive to said current so as to provide a control output indicating said open circuit, wherein said driver and said receiver are adapted to provide electrical isolation between said conductor and said connector.
A sensor method comprising the steps of:
- incorporating a breakable conductor within a sensor to indicate sensor wear;
- isolating said conductor from a measurement connector;
- and
- disabling a sensor circuit in response to a discontinuity in said breakable conductor, wherein said isolating step comprises the substeps of:
- providing a current for said conductor from an optically isolated driver;
- and
- detecting said current in said conductor by an optically isolated receiver.
A sensor configured to connect to a measurement instrument comprising:
- a conductive means for indicating sensor wear;
- an optical means for isolating said conductive means from said instrument;
- and
- a switching means for disabling a circuit portion of said sensor in response to a discontinuity in said conductive means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.