Handheld Oximeter with Display of Real-Time, Average Measurements and Status Indicator
An oximetry device sealed in a sheath directs a user to allow the oximetry device to make oximetry readings at a number of different tissue locations of a patient and average two or more of the oximetry readings by directing the lifts and placements of the oximetry device and sheath to and from the different tissue locations and detecting the lift and placements. The averages are generated and displayed on a display of the device for the oximetry readings if the lifts are made while use directions for the lifts are displayed on a display of the oximetry device. The averages are not generated if the lifts are not made while the user directions for the lifts are not displayed. The averages are simultaneously displayed with the oximetry readings which are instantaneous measurement for patient tissue.
1 . A method comprising:
providing an oximetry system;
providing for the oximetry system to contact first tissue of a patient;
allowing for the oximetry system to make a plurality of first oximetry readings of the first tissue;
providing for the oximetry system to be removed from contact from the first tissue;
allowing for the oximetry system to detect being removed from contact from the first tissue;
allowing the oximetry system to store a value in a memory of the system unit one of the first oximetry readings based on the system unit detecting being removed from contact from the first tissue;
providing for the oximetry system to contact second tissue of a patient;
allowing for the oximetry system to make a plurality of second oximetry readings of the second tissue;
providing for the oximetry system to be removed from contact from the second tissue;
allowing for the oximetry system to detect being removed from contact from the second tissue;
allowing for retrieving from the memory by the oximetry system the one of the first oximetry readings based on the system unit detecting being removed from contact from the second tissue;
allowing the oximetry system to generate an average of the value for the one of the first oximetry reading and a value for one of the second oximetry readings based on the system unit detecting being removed from contact from the second tissue; and
allowing for the system unit to display a value for the average on a display of the system unit.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second tissues are different tissue of a patient.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second tissues are the same tissue of a patient.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the stored value is a value for a second to last one of the first oximetry readings taken by the oximetry system prior to the system unit detecting being removed from contact from the first tissue.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the value for the one of the second oximetry readings is a value for a second to last one of the second oximetry readings taken by the oximetry system prior to the system unit detecting being removed from contact from the second tissue.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein the oximetry system is a tissue oximeter.
7 . The method of claim 6 wherein the oximetry system is a laparoscopic oximeter.
8 . The method of claim 1 comprising allowing for a start a first new averaging when the oximetry system is rotated about a horizontal axis by a predetermined number of degrees.
9 . The method of claim 8 comprising allowing for the display of the oximetry system to reset the display of the average when the oximetry system is rotated about a horizontal axis by the predetermined first number of degrees.
10 . The method of claim 8 comprising allowing for the oximetry system to prevent the oximetry system from a start of a second new averaging when the oximetry system is rotated within a predetermined second number of degrees from the first number of degrees after the oximetry system is rotated by the first number of degrees.
11 . A method comprising:
providing a housing;
providing a processor housed by the housing;
providing a memory, housed by the housing, coupled to the processor;
providing a display, housed by the housing and visible from an exterior of the housing, coupled to the processor; and
providing a sensor head, housed by the housing and visible from an exterior of the housing, comprising at least a first source structure and at least a first detector structure, wherein when the sensor head contacts first tissue of a patient, the processor controls the oximetry device to make a plurality of first oximetry readings of the first tissue using the sensor head,
when the sensor head is removed from contact with the first tissue of the patient, allowing the processor to detect the sensor head being removed from contact from the first tissue and stores a value in a memory of one of the first oximetry readings based on the processor detecting the sensor head being removed from contact from the first tissue,
when the sensor head of the oximetry device contacts a second tissue of the patient, allowing the processor to control the oximetry device to make a plurality of second oximetry readings of the second tissue,
when the sensor head of the oximetry device is removed from contact from the second tissue, allowing the processor to detect the sensor head being removed from contact from the second tissue and retrieves from the memory the one of the first oximetry readings based on the sensor head being removed from contact from the second tissue,
allowing the processor to generate an average of the value for the one of the first oximetry reading and a value for one of the second oximetry readings based on the device unit detecting being removed from contact from the second tissue, and
allowing the processor to control the display to display the value for the average.
12 . The method of claim 11 wherein the first and second tissues are different tissue of the patient.
13 . The method of claim 11 wherein the first and second tissues are the same tissue of the patient.
14 . The method of claim 11 wherein the stored value is a value for a second to last one of the first oximetry readings taken by the oximetry device prior to the device unit being removed from contact from the first tissue.
15 . The method of claim 11 wherein the value for the one of the second oximetry readings is a value for a second to last one of the second oximetry readings taken by the oximetry device prior to the device unit being removed from contact from the second tissue.
16 . The method of claim 11 wherein the oximetry device is a tissue oximeter.
17 . The method of claim 16 wherein the oximetry device is a laparoscopic oximeter.
18 . The method of claim 11 wherein when the oximetry device is rotated about a horizontal axis by a predetermined number of degrees, allowing the processor to control the oximetry device to start a first new averaging of oximetry readings.
19 . The method of claim 18 wherein when the oximetry device is rotated about a horizontal axis by a predetermined number of degrees, allowing the processor to remove oximetry information displayed on the display.
20 . The method of claim 18 wherein when the oximetry device is rotated within a predetermined second number of degrees from the first number of degrees after the oximetry device is rotated by the first number of degrees, allowing the processor to control the oximetry device to prevent a start of a second new averaging.