US 8,754,776 B2 · Interference detector for patient monitor

Abstract

A system is disclosed for detecting and calculating the level of ambient and/or environmental noise, such as electromagnetic interference generated by electric power lines, ambient lights, light dimmers, television or computer displays, power supplies or transformers, and medical equipment. In some embodiments, the system performs frequency analysis on the interference signal detected by light photodetectors and determines the power of the interference signal concentrated in the analyzed frequency bands. The worst-case interference level can be determined by selecting the maximum from the computed power values. In some embodiments, the determined interference signal power can be compared with the noise tolerance of a patient monitoring system configured to reliably and non-invasively detect physiological parameters of a user. The results of the comparison can be presented to the user audio-visually. In some embodiments, the system can be used to perform spot check measurements of electromagnetic interference.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A noninvasive monitor for determining measurement values for one or more physiological parameters of a monitored patient, the noninvasive monitor comprising:

an input configured to receive from a sensor one or more sensor signals responsive to optical radiation, said sensor including an optical radiation source and one or more detectors housed in a sensor housing configured to position said optical radiation source and said one or more detectors proximate tissue of a patient;
and
a processor configured to:
process a first sensor signal of said one or more sensor signals to determine measurement values for one or more physiological parameters of said patient, said first sensor signal responsive to optical radiation attenuated by said tissue of said patient,
process a second sensor signal of said one or more sensor signals to determine an amount of ambient electronic interference proximate said sensor, said second sensor signal responsive to ambient electronic interference proximate said sensor, and
output an output signal responsive to said amount of ambient electronic interference to provide at least a visual cue on an analog gauge indicative of said amount of ambient electronic interference.

3 more elements

A method of testing an environment to be suitable for patient monitoring with a sensor including an optical radiation source and one or more detectors housed in a sensor housing, said sensor housing configured to position said optical radiation source and said one or more detectors proximate tissue of a patient, said sensor configured to output a sensor signal responsive to optical radiation attenuated by said tissue of said patient, the method comprising:

receiving from a sensor, at an input, one or more sensor signals responsive to optical radiation, said one or more sensor signals including a sensor signal responsive to ambient electronic interference proximate said sensor;
electronically processing said sensor signal responsive to ambient electronic interference proximate said sensor to determine an amount of ambient electronic interference proximate said sensor;
and
outputting an output signal responsive to said amount of ambient electronic interference to provide at least a visual cue indicative of said amount of ambient electronic interference.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Interference detector for patient monitor

Life of this patent

Interference detector for patient monitor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22