Bidirectional physiological information display
View Patent ↗A patient monitor for displaying a physiological signal can include a visual element having a middle portion indicative of a transition in the physiological signal between physiological states. The visual element can also include first and second extremity portions, the first extremity portion extending from the middle portion in a first direction and the second extremity portion extending from the middle portion in a second direction. The visual element can also include an actionable value indicator to specify a value about the middle portion and the first and second extremity portions. The patient monitor can also include a processor configured to cause the value indicator to actuate in both the first and second directions according to changes in the physiological signal.
1. A method of displaying physiological information, the method comprising:
by a processor:
providing a value of a physiological parameter to a display of a patient monitor, the physiological parameter value reflecting physiological information obtained from a physiological sensor coupled to a patient;
calculating a freshness of the physiological parameter value;
adjusting an output associated with the parameter value based at least in part on the calculated freshness;
setting the value of the physiological parameter to a minimum value in response to a predetermined freshness period elapsing; and
providing functionality on a display of the patient monitor for a clinician to adjust the predetermined freshness period.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said calculating the freshness of the physiological parameter value comprises determining an amount of time that has elapsed since a valid value for the physiological parameter was obtained.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said calculating the freshness comprises adjusting a counter associated with the freshness.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising freezing the output associated with the parameter value for less than a threshold period of time.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising unfreezing the output associated with the parameter value in response to one of a valid measurement for the physiological parameter being obtained or the counter reaching the threshold period of time.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the output comprises a signal quality indicator associated with the physiological signal obtained from the physiological sensor.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said adjusting the output comprises outputting a reduced value for the signal quality indicator on the display.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said adjusting the output further comprises reducing a value of the signal quality indicator in response to a decrease in the calculated freshness.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein an amount of the decrease in the signal quality indicator corresponds to an amount of the decrease in the calculated freshness.
10. A method of displaying physiological information, the method comprising:
by a processor:
outputting a value of a physiological parameter to a display of a patient monitor, the physiological parameter value reflecting physiological information obtained from a physiological sensor coupled to a patient;
outputting a signal quality indicator reflecting a quality of the physiological information obtained from the physiological sensor;
determining whether the value of the physiological parameter is valid;
adjusting the signal quality indicator responsive to said determination;
setting the value of the physiological parameter to a reduced value in response to a predetermined freshness period elapsing; and
providing functionality on a display of the patient monitor for a clinician to adjust the predetermined freshness period.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said adjusting the signal quality indicator comprises flashing the signal quality indicator.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein said adjusting the signal quality indicator comprises reducing a value of the signal quality indicator.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein said adjusting the signal quality indicator comprises reducing a value of the signal quality indicator in an amount responsive to an amount of time having passed since the physiological parameter value reflected a valid measurement.
14. A method of displaying physiological information, the method comprising:
by a processor:
providing a value of a physiological parameter to a display of a patient monitor, the physiological parameter value reflecting physiological information obtained from a physiological sensor coupled to a patient;
determining whether the value of the physiological parameter is valid;
freezing an output associated with the physiological parameter value;
calculating a freshness of the physiological parameter value, in response to said freezing;
adjusting the output associated with the parameter value based at least in part on the calculated freshness;
changing the output of the physiological parameter in response to a predetermined freshness period elapsing; and
providing functionality on a display of the patient monitor for a clinician to adjust the predetermined freshness period.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the output comprises the value of the physiological parameter.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the physiological parameter comprises a respiratory parameter.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the physiological parameter comprises respiratory rate.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the output is represented by a bidirectional value indicator.