Devices, Systems And Methods For Plethysmographic Monitoring At The Nose

Abstract

The present invention relates to optimized gas supply utilizing photoplethysmography. Flow rate, pressure or amount of gas is adjusted as a function of blood oxygen saturation data, photoplethysmography signals, or both, obtained from the pulse oximeter probe.

1 . A device configured to secure to a nose that comprises: 1) a pulse oximetry probe; and 2) another sensor for monitoring at the nose. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the other sensor for monitoring at the nose detects air flow, air pressure, or both. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sampling structure to direct exhaled gas to a capnometer, a capnograph, or both. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cannula integrally combined with the device. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A system for monitoring an individual, comprising: a device configured to secure to a nose that comprises: 1) a pulse oximetry probe; and 2) another sensor for monitoring at the nose. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the system is configured to analyze data from the pulse oximeter with data from the other sensor for monitoring at the nose. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the other sensor for monitoring at the nose detects air flow, air pressure, or both. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the system is configured to analyze data from the pulse oximeter with data from the sensor that detects air flow, air pressure, or both. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a supply of oxygen or oxygen-rich gas. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the supply of oxygen or oxygen-rich gas comprises a cannula that is integrally combined with the device. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the system is configured to increase or decrease the supply of oxygen or oxygen-rich gas to the individual based on data from the device. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the system is configured to determine respiratory rate. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the system is configured to evaluate changes in the envelope of a photoplethymograph from the pulse oximetry probe. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the system is configured to monitor data from the device to analyze the individual for a sleep disorder. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a sampling device for capnometry. 
     
     
         21 . A method of monitoring an individual, comprising:
 (a) securing onto the individual a device configured to secure to a nose that comprises: 1) a pulse oximetry probe; and 2) another sensor for monitoring at the nose;   (b) collecting data from the pulse oximeter probe and the other sensor for monitoring at the nose; and   (c) analyzing with a processor the data from the pulse oximeter probe and the other sensor.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the data is analyzed to monitor respiration of the individual. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the other sensor for monitoring at the nose detects air flow, air pressure, or both. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising sampling breath of the individual and obtaining end tidal carbon dioxide measurements. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising (d) increasing or decreasing a supply of oxygen to the individual based on the analysis of the data from the pulse oximeter probe and the other sensor.