Sensor isolation
A noninvasive physiological sensor includes electrical isolation to isolate the patient and the sensor electronics from potentially harmful electrical surges.
1. A noninvasive physiological sensor including a light source configured to emit light toward patient tissue and a detector configured to detect light attenuated by said patient tissue, said sensor comprising:
emitter conductors configured to communicate emitter driver signals from a patient monitor to said light source;
detector conductors configured to communicate an output signal responsive to said detected light; and
an isolator configured to isolate said patient tissue from potentially harmful electrical events, the isolator comprising:
a sensor memory configured to store information;
a sensor processor configured to access said information in said sensor memory; and
a transceiver connected to the emitter conductors and configured to provide bi-directional communication between said sensor memory, sensor processor and said patient monitor, said communication occurring over said emitter conductors.
2. A method of electrically isolating a noninvasive physiological sensor including a light source configured to emit light toward patient tissue and a detector configured to detect light attenuated by said patient tissue, said method comprising:
providing emitter conductors configured to communicate emitter driver signals from a patient monitor to said light source;
providing detector conductors configured to communicate an output signal responsive to said detected light;
isolating said patient tissue from potentially harmful electrical events, wherein said isolation comprises:
providing a sensor memory device;
providing a sensor processor and a sensor transceiver, said sensor processor monitoring signals provided on said emitter conductors through said transceiver, and bi-directionally communicating with said patient monitor through said transceiver and said emitter conductors to alter information stored on said memory device.