Method and circuit for storing and providing historical physiological data
View Patent ↗Embodiments of the present invention relate to pulse oximeter systems and methods. Specifically, one embodiment includes an oximeter system including an oximeter sensor comprising a light emitting element configured to emit light having a wavelength, a light detector configured to receive the light, and a memory storing signal quality data that facilitates determining a quality of signals sent from the light emitting element to the light detector via the light. Further, the oximeter system may comprise an oximeter monitor, comprising a receiving circuit configured to receive the signal quality data from the oximeter sensor, and a processor configured to use the signal quality data to calculate an optical transmissivity of a material for the wavelength.
1. An oximeter system, comprising:
an oximeter sensor, comprising:
a light emitting element configured to emit light having a wavelength;
a light detector configured to receive the light; and
a memory storing signal quality data that facilitates determining a quality of signals sent from the light emitting element to the light detector via the light, wherein the signal quality data comprises one or more of:
an inherent brightness of the light emitting element;
a sensitivity measurement of the light detector;
a light emitting element power value;
a value of the wavelength; and
a secondary emission level; and
an oximeter monitor, comprising:
a receiving circuit configured to receive the signal quality data from the oximeter sensor; and
a processor configured to use the signal quality data to calculate an optical transmissivity of a material for the wavelength.
2. The oximeter system of claim 1 , wherein the material is a patient's tissue.
3. A method of manufacturing an oximeter system, comprising:
providing a light emitting element within an oximeter sensor, the light emitting element configured to emit light having a wavelength;
providing a light detector within the oximeter sensor, the light detector configured to receive the light;
providing a memory within the oximeter sensor, the memory storing signal quality data that facilitates determining a quality of signals, wherein the signal quality data comprises one or more of:
an inherent brightness of the light emitting element;
a sensitivity measurement of the light detector
a light emitting element power value;
a value of the wavelength; and
a secondary emission level;
providing a receiving circuit within an oximeter monitor, the receiving circuit configured to receive the signal quality data from the oximeter sensor;
providing a processor within the oximeter monitor, the processor configured to calculate an optical transmissivity of a material for the wavelength using the signal quality data; and
providing the oximeter monitor and oximeter sensor as the oximeter system.
4. A method of system operation, comprising:
emitting light having a wavelength from a light emitting element of an oximeter sensor;
receiving the light with a light detector;
storing signal quality data that facilitates determining a quality of signals sent from the light emitting element to the light detector via the light, wherein the signal quality data comprises one or more of:
an inherent brightness of the light emitting element;
a sensitivity measurement of the light detector;
a light emitting element power value
a value of the wavelength; and
a secondary emission level;
sending the signal quality data to an oximeter monitor; and
calculating an optical transmissivity of a material for the wavelength using the signal quality data.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the material is a patient's tissue.