Regional oximetry signal processor
Inventors
Al-Ali, Ammar • Dalke, David • Kinast, Eric Karl • Weber, Walter M. • Song, Yuying • Kashif, Faisal • Ghoreyshi, Atiyeh • Forrest, Kevin
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12357237-B1
Publication Date
2025-07-15
Expiration Date
2034-10-06
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Abstract
A regional oximetry system comprises a pod having a pod housing defining a sensor end and an opposite monitor end. A dual sensor connector is in electrical communication with the sensor end of the pod housing. A monitor connector is in electrical communication with the monitor end of the pod housing. An analog board is disposed within the pod housing and is in electrical communications with the dual sensor connector. The analog board receives and digitizes sensor signals from at least one optical sensor plugged into the dual sensor connector. A digital board is disposed within the pod housing and in electrical communications with the analog board and the monitor connector. A digital signal processor (DSP) is mounted on the digital board and implements a regional oximetry signal processor so as to receive digitized sensor signals from the analog board, derive regional oximetry parameters from the digitized sensor signals and communicate the regional oximetry parameters to the monitor connector for display on an attached monitor.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a regional oximetry system comprising a pod with a housing having a sensor end and an opposite monitor end, a dual sensor connector electrically communicating with the sensor end, and a monitor connector electrically communicating with the monitor end. Inside the pod housing, an analog board receives and digitizes sensor signals from at least one optical sensor plugged into the dual sensor connector, and a digital board with a mounted digital signal processor (DSP) processes these digitized signals to derive regional oximetry parameters and communicates them to a monitor for display.
The system further includes a regional oximetry signal processor executing on the DSP with a front-end that inputs digitized sensor signals, outputs demodulated and decimated sensor data, and a back-end that receives this data to output regional oximetry parameters. The analog board incorporates at least one switch matrix to drive sensor emitters and analog-to-digital converters for detector signals. A USB interface facilitates communication of the regional oximetry parameters to patient monitors.
The problem solved is the need for continuous tissue oxygenation assessment beneath sensors placed on various body sites, enabling detection of regional hypoxemia that pulse oximetry alone can miss. Conventional pulse oximetry assumes arterial blood is the only pulsatile flow but has errors during patient movement due to venous blood movement and performs poorly under low perfusion, intense ambient light, or electrosurgical interference. This system offers advanced processing, allowing regional oxygen saturation monitoring with easy integration into a range of monitors through USB interfaces.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes nine claims with one independent claim defining the regional oximetry system, and additional dependent claims specifying further inventive features of the system components and operations.
Regional oximetry pod system with integrated housing and connectors
A pod having a housing defining a sensor end with a dual sensor connector and an opposite monitor end with an integral cable including a monitor connector, where the analog board inside receives raw sensor signals from at least one optical sensor, digitizes them, and the digital board with a DSP derives regional oximetry parameters and communicates them to the monitor.
DSP controlled emitter selection and communication protocol transformation
The DSP controls individual selection of sensor emitters driven from the analog board and transforms the regional oximetry parameters according to communication protocols readable by various display monitors.
Monitor connector for receiving processed oximetry data
The monitor connector receives the transformed regional oximetry parameters from the DSP and communicates these parameters to various display monitors, enabling all signal processing to occur within the pod before transmission.
Regional oximetry signal processor with front-end and back-end processing stages
A regional oximetry signal processor executing on the DSP comprising a front-end that inputs digitized sensor signals and outputs demodulated/decimated sensor data, and a back-end that receives this data and outputs regional oximetry parameters.
USB interface for communication with patient monitor
A USB interface receives regional oximetry data from the back-end and outputs it to a USB cable connected to a USB port of a patient monitor.
Switch matrix on analog board for emitter driving
The analog board includes at least one switch matrix in communication with the dual sensor connector to drive the emitters of the optical sensors.
Analog-to-digital converters configured for detector communication
The analog board has multiple analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) in communication with at least one sensor detector to generate digitized sensor signals.
DSP bus communication with ADCs
A DSP bus communicates between the DSP and the ADCs to convey digitized sensor signals to the DSP.
Shift register on digital board for individual emitter selection
A shift register on the digital board communicates with the switch matrix to individually select the emitters to be driven.
Together, these inventive features define a regional oximetry system with integrated sensor pod hardware and software processing that digitizes, processes, and communicates regional oxygenation parameters via a standardized interface, enabling enhanced measurement accuracy and interoperability with various monitors.
Stated Advantages
Enables continuous assessment of tissue oxygenation beneath the sensor to detect regional hypoxemia missed by pulse oximetry alone.
Allows automated differential analysis of regional to central oxygen saturation using sensors applied to various body sites.
Integrates all signal processing within the pod, allowing compatibility with a wide variety of monitors through a simple USB interface.
Improves signal processing to function accurately under patient motion, low perfusion, intense ambient light, and electrosurgical instrument interference.
Provides non-overlapping modulation of multiple sensors in close proximity to avoid crosstalk while maintaining duty cycles.
Documented Applications
Continuous monitoring of tissue oxygenation at various body sites such as forehead, forearms, chest, upper thigh, upper calf, or calf.
Integration with patient monitors ranging from simple display devices to multi-parameter patient monitors for display of physiological parameters.
Use in clinical monitoring scenarios including surgical wards, intensive care, neonatal units, general wards, home care, and physical training.
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