# US 8,571,623 B2 · System and method for detection of venous pulsation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,571,623 B2 - Document ID: US8571623B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/547,881 - Filed: 2012-07-12 - Published: 2012-11-01 - Granted: 2013-10-29 - Earliest claimed: 2007-03-09 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Clark R. Baker, Jr.; Paul Manneheimer - Inventors: Clark R. Baker, Jr.; Paul Manneheimer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8571623B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/14551: {for measuring blood gases} - A61B 5/7207: {of noise induced by motion artifacts} - A61B 2562/085: combined with means for recording calibration data - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract In accordance with an embodiment of the present technique, there is provided methods and systems for detecting the presence of venous pulsation by adjusting the sensitivity of a detection algorithm based on a sensor characteristic and/or notifying a caregiver of the presence of venous pulsation by ceasing display of physiological parameters. An exemplary embodiment includes receiving one or more signals from a sensor, the one or more signals corresponding to absorption of light in a patient's tissue; calculating one or more physiological parameters of the patient based on the one or more signals; displaying the patient's physiological parameters; enabling detection of venous pulsation with variable sensitivity based on a location of the sensor; and suspending or terminating the display of the one or more of the patient's physiological parameters when venous pulsation is detected. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A monitor, comprising: a processor configured to: receive one or more signals from a sensor, wherein the signals correspond to absorption of light in a patient's tissue; determine a characteristic of the sensor; perform a venous pulsation detection algorithm on the one or more signals, wherein the venous pulsation detection algorithm is performed at a sensitivity level based on the characteristic of the sensor; and determine whether venous pulsation is present based on the performance of the venous pulsation detection algorithm. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The monitor of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine an intended location of the sensor from an encoder in the sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The monitor of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine a location of the sensor from a user input. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The monitor of claim 1, wherein the processor executes a sensor location detection algorithm to determine a likely location of the sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The monitor of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the sensor is located or intended to be located on a digit or forehead. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The monitor of claim 1, wherein the sensitivity level of the venous pulsation detection algorithm is greater when the sensor is located at a site where venous pulsation is likely to occur than when the sensor is located at a site where venous pulsation is not likely to occur. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The monitor of claim 6, wherein the sensitivity level of the venous pulsation detection algorithm is greater when the sensor is located on a forehead of the patient. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The monitor of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to calculate one or more physiological parameters based on the one or more signals corresponding to absorption of light in the patient's tissue. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The monitor of claim 8, wherein the one or more physiological parameters comprise blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The monitor of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the sensitivity level of the venous pulsation detection algorithm is by selecting the venous pulsation detection algorithm from among a plurality of venous pulsation detection algorithms with different sensitivities. ### Claim 11 A system, comprising: a sensor configured to acquire one or more signals from a patient, wherein the one or more signals correspond to absorption of light in a patient's tissue; and a patient monitor comprising a display and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: receive the one or more signals from the sensor; determine a characteristic of the sensor; calculate one or more physiological parameters of the patient based on the one or more signals; determine if venous pulsation is present based on the one or more signals by performing a venous pulsation detection algorithm at a sensitivity level based on the characteristic of the sensor; and cause the suspension or termination of display of the one or more physiological parameters on the display based on detection of venous pulsation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to cause the one or more physiological parameters to cease to be displayed on the display until venous pulsation is undetected for a period of time. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to cause the one or more physiological parameters to cease to be displayed on the display until a reset is activated. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to cause the one or more physiological parameters to cease to be displayed on the display when venous pulsation is detected for at least a time equal to a time threshold. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more physiological parameters comprise blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the patient monitor is configured to provide an audible or visual notification of the presence of venous pulsation. ### Claim 17 A system, comprising: a patient monitor comprising a processor configured to: receive a first signal from a sensor indicating sensor type; receive a second signal from the sensor, wherein the second signal corresponds to absorption of light in a patient's tissue; enable or disable a function configured to detect venous pulsation based on the sensor type and determine whether the venous pulsation is present when the function is enabled; and subsequent to enabling or disabling the function, calculate one or more physiological parameters based on the second signal corresponding to the absorption of light in the patient's tissue. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to determine a location of the sensor from data received from an encoder in the sensor, a user input, a sensor location detection algorithm, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the function configured to detect venous pulsation is enabled when the processor determines that the sensor is located at a site where venous pulsation is likely to occur and is disabled when the processor determines that the sensor is located at a site where venous pulsation is not likely to occur. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the one or more physiological parameters comprise blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate, or a combination thereof.