Multi-site noninvasive measurement of a physiological parameter
Inventors
Sharma, Vikrant • Perea, Philip • Iyengar, Prashanth
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12232888-B2
Publication Date
2025-02-25
Expiration Date
2037-11-28
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Abstract
A patient monitor can noninvasively measure a physiological parameter using sensor data from different measurement sites on a patient. The patient monitor can combine all sensor data from different measurement sites into a raw or minimally processed data form to generate a single, robust measurement of the physiological parameter. An optical sensor of a patient monitor can include multiple photodetectors each configured to generate a signal when detecting light attenuated by the patient's tissue. A measurement of a physiological parameter can be determined based on at least in part on the multiple signals from the multiple photodetectors.
Core Innovation
The invention describes methods and devices for noninvasively measuring a physiological parameter by utilizing sensor data from multiple different measurement sites on a patient. By collecting raw or minimally processed data from sensors located at these various sites—such as a cephalic site (on or around the head) and a peripheral site (such as a finger)—the monitor combines all the sensor data into a single robust measurement, instead of providing independent results for each site.
Conventional physiological monitors typically measure information from only one location, or process multi-site data independently for each site. The core problem addressed is that isolated single-site data can be less robust due to localized noise, positioning errors, or anatomical variability, and prior art stereo pulse oximeters do not combine raw data streams across different sites. By merging minimally processed signals from multiple locations, more comprehensive and reliable physiological assessments can be achieved.
The disclosed monitor uses sensors with multiple photodetectors arranged in a spatial configuration to conform to the irregular, three-dimensional anatomy of patient tissue at each site. Each photodetector provides a respective output stream, and these can be analyzed together to provide topology information and ensure proper sensor placement. The combined approach enables processing of features from both the measurement site and body tissue information, generating a single measurement indicative of blood constituents or analytes such as oxygen saturation, pulse rate, or other clinically relevant parameters.
Claims Coverage
There are two independent claims, each outlining key inventive features for methods and systems enabling combined multi-site physiological measurement.
Method for calculating a physiological parameter using combined signals from sensors at different measurement sites
The method comprises: 1. Emitting light of at least two wavelengths into tissues at both a first and different second measurement site on a patient, each using a plurality of light emitters in separate sensors. 2. Detecting light attenuated by the tissue at each measurement site using one or more electronic light detectors, generating respective first and second signals. 3. Using a signal processor in electrical communication with the sensors to combine the first and second signals into combined sensor data. 4. Processing the combined sensor data to analyze combinations of features, including location or body tissue information from both sites. 5. Determining the measurement of the target physiological parameter based on this analysis.
Noninvasive physiological monitor system with multi-site combined sensor analysis
The monitor comprises: - A first optical sensor with a plurality of light emitters and one or more photodetectors configured for a first measurement site on a patient. - A second optical sensor with a plurality of light emitters and one or more photodetectors for a different, second measurement site. - One or more signal processors in electrical communication with both optical sensors, configured to: - Combine the signals responsive to light attenuation from both measurement sites into combined sensor data. - Process the combined sensor data to obtain and analyze combinations of features from both signals, including information specific to the location or body tissue type at each site. - Generate a measurement of a physiological parameter based on this feature analysis.
The inventive features focus on methods and systems that receive physiological sensor data from multiple body sites, combine the minimally processed signals, and analyze combinations of site-specific features for generating a single, more robust measurement of a physiological parameter.
Stated Advantages
Combining sensor data from multiple measurement sites provides a more robust and accurate measurement of physiological parameters compared to single-site monitoring.
The use of multiple spatially distributed photodetectors allows confirmation or validation of correct sensor positioning and provides topological information about sensor placement.
Processing unprocessed or minimally processed streams of data enables improved estimation of physiological parameters by leveraging diverse features such as amplitude, phase, and body tissue information from multiple sites.
Combining streams of data from multiple patient sites can reduce errors and noise associated with a particular sensor, improving the robustness of physiological measurements.
Documented Applications
Monitoring physiological parameters such as oxygen saturation (SpO2), pulse rate, plethysmograph waveform, perfusion index (PI), pleth variability index (PVI), methemoglobin (MetHb), carboxyhemoglobin (CoHb), total hemoglobin (tHb), or glucose in patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other patient care facilities using noninvasive multi-site sensors.
Noninvasive monitoring in clinical situations for adult or neonatal patients where sensors may be placed on sites such as the nose, earlobe, fingers, hands, feet, face, or other anatomical locations to track medical status or guide treatment decisions.
Interested in licensing this patent?