Pulse oximetry sensor adapter

Abstract

An adapter allows the interconnection of a sensor originating from one manufacturer to be coupled with conventionally incompatible monitors originating from other manufacturers to form a properly functioning pulse oximetry system. The adapter matches a sensor driver in a monitor to the current requirements and light source configuration of a sensor. The adapter also matches a sensor's light detector signal level to the dynamic range requirements of a monitor preamplifier. Further, the adapter provides compatible sensor calibration, sensor type and security information to a monitor. The adapter may have a self-contained power source or it may derive power from the monitor, allowing both passive and active adapter components. The adapter is particular suited as an adapter cable, replacing a conventional patient cable or sensor cable as the interconnection between a sensor to a monitor in a pulse oximetry system.

1 . An adapter capable of modifying information exchanged between an optical sensor and a patient monitor, said optical sensor configured to output a signal indicative of light attenuated by body tissue, said patient monitor configured to determine measurement values for one or more physiological parameters of said body tissue responsive to said output signal of said optical sensor, said adapter comprising:
 an input from said sensor, said input including information stored on an information element associated with said sensor;   a translator configured to receive said information stored on said information element and output modified information different from said information stored on said information element; and   an output to said monitor, said output including said modified information, wherein said modified information being configured to replace information expected by said monitor thereby enabling said monitor to provide said measurement values.   
     
     
         2 . The adapter of  claim 1  wherein the information stored on said information element comprises an indication of a type of sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The adapter of  claim 1  wherein the information stored on said information element comprises an indication of sensor origin. 
     
     
         4 . The adapter of  claim 1  wherein the information stored on said information element comprises calibration information for light sources of said sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The adapter of  claim 1  wherein the information stored on said information element comprises information indicative of sensor use. 
     
     
         6 . The adapter of  claim 1  wherein the information stored on said information element comprises sensor identification. 
     
     
         7 . The adapter of  claim 6  wherein the information stored on said information element comprises a unique sensor identification. 
     
     
         8 . A method of communicating modified sensor information to a monitor, said sensor configured to output a signal indicative of light attenuated by body tissue, said monitor configured to process said output signal to determine measurement values for one or more physiological parameters of said body tissue, said method comprising:
 attaching a monitor to a first end of an adapter cable;   attaching a sensor to a second end of the adapter cable;   receiving through said adapter cable originally stored information stored on said sensor;   modifying said information; and   providing said modified information to a reader expecting to read said originally stored information on said sensor, said modified information changing the behavior of said monitor from behavior corresponding to having received said originally stored information.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the originally stored information stored on said sensor comprises an indication of a type of sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the originally stored information stored on said sensor comprises an indication of sensor origin. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the originally stored information stored on said sensor comprises calibration information for light sources of said sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the originally stored information stored on said sensor comprises information indicative of sensor use. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the originally stored information stored on said sensor comprises sensor identification. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the originally stored information stored on said sensor comprises a unique sensor identification.