Snapshot Sensor

1 . A pulse oximetry system, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect electromagnetic radiation from a tissue site;

a monitor operably coupled to the sensor and configured to process information collected by the sensor; and

an actuation device remotely located from the monitor and communicatively coupled to the monitor, wherein the monitor is configured to take a snapshot of physiological parameters and relay the physiological parameters to an electronic medical record (EMR) in response to receiving an actuation signal from the actuation device.

2 . The pulse oximetry system of claim 1 , wherein the actuation device is located on the sensor.

3 . The pulse oximetry system of claim 2 , wherein the sensor comprises a cover generally positioned over the actuation device.

4 . The pulse oximetry system of claim 1 , wherein the actuation device comprises a foot switch.

5 . The pulse oximetry system of claim 2 , wherein the actuation device comprises a push button switch.

6 . The pulse oximetry system of claim 2 , wherein the sensor comprises control inputs for operating the monitor,

7 . An electronic medical record (EMR) system, comprising:

an electronic media storage system; and

a medical device for determining physiological parameters coupled to the electronic media storage system, the medical device comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a physiological signal of a patient;

a monitor operably coupled to the sensor, the monitor configured to compute a physiological parameter based at least in part upon the physiological signal received from the sensor; and

an actuation device communicatively coupled to the monitor, wherein the monitor is configured to relay the computed physiological parameter to the electronic media storage system in response to receiving a signal from the actuation device.

8 . The EMR system of claim 7 , comprising a computer network for coupling the medical device to the electronic media storage system.

9 . The EMR system of claim 7 , wherein the actuation device is located on the sensor.

10 . The EMR system of claim 9 , wherein the actuation device comprises a push button.

11 . The EMR system of claim 10 , wherein the sensor comprises a cover positioned over the push button.

12 . The EMR system of claim 7 , wherein the actuation device comprises a foot switch.

13 . The EMR system of claim 9 , wherein the monitor comprises control inputs on the sensor.

14 . A method of operating an EMR system, comprising:

computing a physiological parameter using a monitor;

taking a snapshot of the physiological parameter in response to detecting actuation of an actuation device located remotely from the monitor; and

making an entry in a database of the physiological parameters of the physiological parameter of the snapshot.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein making an entry in the database comprises providing the physiological parameter to the database via a network.

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein computing a physiological parameter comprises computing a pulse rate.

17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein computing a physiological parameter comprises computing percent oxygen saturation of hemoglobin.

18 . A sensor for use with a non-invasive medical device comprising an actuation device configured to prompt entry of data into an EMR upon actuation.

19 . The sensor of claim 18 comprising a hinged cover configured to cover the actuation device.

20 . The sensor of claim 18 , wherein the actuation device is located on a side surface of the sensor.