Illuminator probe with memory device and method

Abstract

An improved medical illuminator ( 103 ) with memory chip ( 241 ). The memory element retains information useful in the operation of the illuminator, such as probe identification, probe serial number, use history, calibration details, or other information. Further, the illuminator with information chip can be incorporated into a medical probe or device, such as a pulse oximeter system or probe, as well as to be used in surgical devices or other equipment that require illumination. A method of use is also provided.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . An illuminator medical device, comprising:
 a probe having a probe body;   an illuminator for emitting light; and,   an information chip integrated into the probe body and configured to retain information useful in the operation of the device.   
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the useful information comprises any one or more of calibration parameters, a reference database, a library of characteristic discriminant features from previously identified tissues, probe identification, probe serial number, use history, calibration details, or other information useful in the operation of the illuminator device. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the medical device is selected from the group of medical devices consisting of probes for medical endoscopic use, targetable injection needles, catheters, catheters with extendable needles, nibblers, devices with jaws, scissors, probes that measure colon oxygenation, probes that measure by pulse oximetry, probes that measure arterial oxygenation, probes that measure oxygen delivery to the body's core organs, probes that measure in the gastrointestinal system including the oropharynx, nasopharynx, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, ileum, colon, or other gastrointestinal tissues. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the medical device is an oximeter probe configured for use in performing oxygenation measurements. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the medical device is an oximeter probe configured for use in performing pulse oximetry. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the medical device configured for use such inside, or in contact with, living tissue. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 24 , further incorporated into a spectrophotometer system. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein light from the illuminator is pulsed. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 24 , further incorporated into a system in which light from the illuminator is analyzed as time-resolved, frequency-resolved, or spatially-resolved. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the illuminator is a broadband LED 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the broadband LED is a white LED 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the broadband LED emits at least a portion of an emitted light in the ultraviolet or infrared wavelength range. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the broadband LED is composed of multiple light emitting elements, such as a combination of different light emitting diodes to produce a spectrum of light. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the broadband LED is comprised of a combination of different light emitted diodes to produce a broadband and continuous spectrum of light. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein the multiple light emitting elements operate in at least one wavelength band. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the broadband LED contains a blue LED and a phosphor. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the illuminator operates to produce at least a portion of its illumination in the infrared spectrum. 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the illuminator operates to produce at least a portion of its illumination in the ultraviolet spectrum. 
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 33 , configured for use in the measurement of the oxygenation of hemoglobin. 
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 33  wherein the illuminator is incorporated into a pulse oximeter. 
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the illuminator is incorporated into a medical device that analyzes in vivo or ex vivo hemoglobins selected from the list of hemoglobins including methemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin, and other hemoglobins with or without oxygen. 
     
     
         45 . A method of tracking the use history or other information useful to the operation of a medical illuminator probe configured to emit light, comprising at least the steps of providing an information storage chip, and accessing information useful in the operation of the device from the chip before, during, or after device use.