Patient monitor capable of monitoring the quality of attached probes and accessories
A system and method to help maintain quality control and reduce cannibalization of accessories and attached probes in a highly sensitive patient monitor, such as a pulse oximetry system. One or more attached components may have information elements designed to designate what quality control mechanisms a patient monitor should look to find on that or another component or designate other components with which the one component may properly work. In a further embodiment, such information elements may also include data indicating the appropriate life of the component.
1. A patient monitoring system, comprising:
a cable device comprising:
a first connector configured to connect to a patient monitor;
a second connector configured to connect to a patient sensor;
a cable extending between the first connector and the second connector;
a cable information element positioned on or in the first connector or the second connector, the cable information element storing at least:
a cable authentication code that is readable by the patient monitor to determine that the cable is authorized for use with the patient monitor, and
a sensor requirement table that is readable by the patient monitor to determine whether the patient sensor is authorized for use with the cable; and
the patient sensor, wherein the patient sensor comprises:
a third connector configured to connect to the second connector of the cable device; and
a sensor information element storing a sensor authentication code; and
the patient monitor, wherein the patient monitor is configured to determine whether the sensor is authorized for use in the patient monitoring system based on a comparison of the sensor authentication code and the sensor requirement table.
2. The patient monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor requirement table stores sensor resistance values for a plurality of different authorized patient sensors.
3. The patient monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor requirement table comprises a bit table.
4. The patient monitoring system of claim 3 , wherein the bit table comprises an override bit configured to allow attachment of all types of patient sensors to allow for diagnostic testing.
5. The patient monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the cable information element stores information indicative of a lifespan, amount of use, or age of the cable device.
6. The patient monitoring system of claim 5 , wherein the cable information element stores information indicative of a lifespan, amount of use, or age of the patient sensor.
7. The patient monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the cable information element is positioned within the first connector.
8. The patient monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the cable information element is positioned within the second connector.
9. The patient monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the cable information element and the sensor information element are configured to be connected in a multi-drop configuration.
10. The patient monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the patient sensor further comprises at least one emitter on a different communication line than the sensor information element.
11. The patient monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the patient sensor further comprises a disposable portion and a reusable portion.
12. The patient monitoring system of claim 11 , wherein the sensor information element is located on the reusable portion.
13. The patient monitoring system of claim 11 , wherein the sensor information element is located on the disposable portion.