Handheld Oximeter with Display of Real-Time, Average Measurements and Average Resetting
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 a housing for a medical device, comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end of the housing are opposite ends of the housing;
providing a printed circuit board (PCB), housed in the housing and extending in a direction that is from the first end to the second end of the housing;
providing a processor, housed in the housing, wherein the processor is located on the PCB;
providing a memory, housed in the housing, wherein the memory is located on the PCB and is coupled to the processor;
providing a display, housed in the housing, wherein is coupled to the processor, the display is visible from an exterior of the housing and is located at the first end of the housing;
a sensor head, housed in the housing, wherein the sensor head is located at the second end of the housing;
providing a first accelerometer, housed in the housing, wherein the first accelerometer is located on the PCB and is coupled to the processor;
allowing the first accelerometer to comprise a first axis for a first detection of a first acceleration direction with respect to a direction for the acceleration of gravity;
providing for the first axis to be perpendicular to a surface of the PCB that the first accelerometer is located on; and
allowing for the first accelerometer to detect rotation of the first and second ends of the housing with respect to the direction of the acceleration of gravity vector when the first axis is at non-zero angle with respect to the direction based on the first axis being perpendicular to a surface of the PCB.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first accelerometer comprises a second axis for a second detection of a second acceleration direction with respect to a direction for the acceleration of gravity, and the second axis is parallel to an axis that extend through the first end and the second end of the housing.
3 . The method of claim 2 wherein the second axis extends through the first end and the second end of the housing, such that the first accelerometer can detect rotation of the first and second ends of the housing with respect to the direction of the acceleration of gravity vector when the second axis is at non-zero angle with respect to the direction.
4 . The method of claim 2 wherein the second axis is parallel to a surface of the PCB that the first accelerometer is located on.
5 . The method of claim 4 wherein a direction of the first axis is indicated on the PCB and a direction of the second axis is indicated on the PCB.
6 . The method of claim 2 wherein the first accelerometer comprises a third axis for a third detection of a third acceleration direction, and the third axis extends parallel to a surface of the PCB that the first accelerometer is located on.
7 . The method of claim 6 wherein a direction of the third axis is indicated on the PCB.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first accelerometer is located closer to a side of the housing than to a center of the housing and located closer to the display than to the sensor head.
9 . The method of claim 1 comprising providing a second accelerometer, housed in the housing, wherein the second accelerometer is located on the PCB and is coupled to the processor and the second accelerometer comprises a second axis that extends through the first end and the second end of the housing; and
allowing the second accelerometer to detect rotation of the first and second ends of the housing with respect to the direction of the acceleration of gravity vector when the second axis is at non-zero angle with respect to the direction.
10 . A method comprising:
providing a oximeter device comprising a housing and printed circuit board enclosed within the housing, and a sensor tip at a distal end of the oximeter device;
coupling an accelerometer integrated circuit to the printed circuit board, wherein a first directional orientation of the accelerometer integrated circuit is in a first direction and a second directional orientation of the accelerometer is in a second direction, and the second direction is transverse to the first orientation; and
upon detecting an orientation change in at least the first direction or second direction, storing a value in a memory location of a memory of the oximeter device.
11 . The method of claim 10 wherein the first direction and second direction are parallel to a plane of the printed circuit board upon which the accelerometer integrated circuit is coupled.
12 . The method of claim 10 wherein the storing of a value in a memory location of a memory of the oximeter device comprises resetting a counter to an initial value and initializing a memory that stores a sum of a plurality of oxygen saturation measurements made by the oximeter device.
13 . The method of claim 10 wherein the first direction is parallel to an axis that passes through the sensor tip of the oximeter device.
14 . The method of claim 10 wherein the first direction is transverse to an axis that passes through the sensor tip of the oximeter device.
15 . The method of claim 10 wherein at least the first direction or second direction is parallel to an axis that passes through the sensor tip of the oximeter device.
16 . The method of claim 10 wherein at least the first direction or second direction is transverse to an axis that passes through the sensor tip of the oximeter device.
17 . The method of claim 10 wherein a third directional orientation of the accelerometer is in a third direction, which is transverse to the first and second directions.
18 . The method of claim 10 wherein a detected orientation change in at least the first direction or second direction comprises a value at first output of the accelerometer integrated circuit changes from a positive value to a negative value.
19 . The method of claim 10 wherein a detected orientation change in at least the first direction or second direction comprises a value at first output of the accelerometer integrated circuit changes sign.
20 . The method of claim 10 wherein a detected orientation change in at least the first direction or second direction comprises when an axis that passes through the housing and the sensor tip changes at least 160 degrees from a initial orientation, a value at first output of the accelerometer integrated circuit changes sign.
21 . The method of claim 10 wherein a detected orientation change in at least the first direction or second direction comprises a value at first output of the accelerometer integrated circuit indicates a change of at least 160 degrees relative to an initial value at the first output.