Modular patient monitor
Inventors
Al-Ali, Ammar • Jansen, Paul • Kiani, Massi Joe E. • Sampath, Anand
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12440171-B2
Publication Date
2025-10-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
A modular patient monitor has a docking station configured to accept a handheld monitor. The docking station has standalone patient monitoring functionality with respect to a first set of parameters. At least some of the first parameter set are displayed simultaneously on a full-sized screen integrated with the docking station. The handheld monitor also has standalone patient monitoring functionality with respect to a second set of parameters. At least some of the second set of parameters are displayed simultaneously on a handheld-sized screen integrated with the handheld monitor. The docking station has a port configured to accept the handheld monitor. While the handheld monitor is docket in the port, the docking station functionally combines the first set of parameters and the second set of parameters, and at least some of the combined first and second sets of parameters are displayed simultaneously on the full-sized screen.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a modular patient monitoring system that includes a docking station, a shuttle station, and a handheld monitor. The docking station is configured to determine measurements of a first set of physiological parameters and includes a shuttle port. The shuttle station is removably attachable to the docking station via the shuttle port and includes a handheld port, and the handheld monitor is removably attachable to the shuttle station via the handheld port and is configured to determine measurements of a second set of physiological parameters.
When the handheld monitor is attached to the shuttle station via the handheld port, the shuttle station provides expanded physiological parameter monitoring capability to the handheld monitor. The shuttle station and the handheld monitor are configured to function together independently of the docking station with expanded physiological parameter monitoring capability as compared to the handheld monitor functioning without the shuttle station. When docked together, the system functionally combines the first and second parameter sets and displays combined parameters simultaneously on the full-sized docking display.
The system supports modular scalability using expansion modules or cartridges through module ports, and includes an auto-scaling display based on active parameters. The display orientation is rotatable, and example integrations include pulse oximetry, including SpO2, and blood and respiration parameters including HbCO, HbMet, ARR, and EtCO2, along with connectivity and alarm system features in various physical embodiments.
Claims Coverage
The claims coverage presents one core modular patient monitoring architecture and several dependent refinements. The independent claim defines three inventive features: a docking station, a removably attachable shuttle station, and a removably attachable handheld monitor, with expanded monitoring capability and independent shuttle-plus-handheld operation; dependent claims add plug-in expansion, docked operating configurations, charging behavior, auto-scaling display behavior, and example noninvasive sensing for the second set of physiological parameters.
Expanded monitoring via shuttle station independent of docking station
A docking station determines a first set of physiological parameters and includes a shuttle port, a shuttle station removably attachable to the docking station via the shuttle port includes a handheld port, and a handheld monitor removably attachable to the shuttle station via the handheld port determines a second set of physiological parameters, wherein the shuttle station provides expanded physiological parameter monitoring capability to the handheld monitor when the handheld monitor is attached to the shuttle station via the handheld port and wherein the shuttle station and the handheld monitor function together independently of the docking station with expanded physiological parameter monitoring capability as compared to the handheld monitor functioning without the shuttle station.
Plug-in expansion via module port on shuttle station
A shuttle station with a module port receives plug-in modules to expand parameter monitoring capability.
Independent operation when shuttle station is attached to handheld but not docking station
When the handheld monitor is docked through the handheld port to the shuttle station and the shuttle station is not docked to the docking station through the shuttle port, the shuttle station and handheld monitor operate together independently of the docking station.
Electrical charging behavior in a docked configuration
When the handheld monitor is docked through the handheld port to the shuttle station and the shuttle station is docked through the shuttle port to the docking station, the docking station electrically charges the handheld monitor via the shuttle station.
Auto-scaling display based on active physiological parameters
The docking station automatically scales the measurement values shown on its display based at least in part on a number of active physiological parameters selected for display.
Second physiological parameters from light-attenuated blood signals using noninvasive sensing
A handheld monitor receives second physiological signals from a noninvasive sensor affected by light attenuated by blood and then calculates measurements of a second set of physiological parameters from those signals.
Across the claims coverage, the core inventive structure is a modular docking station, shuttle station, and handheld monitor architecture where the shuttle station expands the handheld monitor’s physiological parameter monitoring capability and enables independent operation of the shuttle and handheld without the docking station. Dependent coverage further includes plug-in expansion via module ports, docked configurations that govern independence and charging behavior, auto-scaling display based on active parameters, and example noninvasive sensing based on light attenuated by blood for producing the second set of physiological parameters.
Stated Advantages
Expanded physiological parameter monitoring capability for the handheld monitor when attached to the shuttle station.
Independent operation of the shuttle station and handheld monitor together without the docking station, with expanded physiological parameter monitoring capability compared to the handheld monitor alone.
Automatic scaling of measurement values shown on the docking station display based on a number of active physiological parameters.
Documented Applications
Standalone monitoring on a full-sized docking display for measurements associated with a first set of physiological parameters.
Standalone monitoring on a handheld-sized screen for measurements associated with a second set of physiological parameters.
Combined monitoring when docked so that the first and second parameter sets are functionally combined and displayed simultaneously on the full-sized docking display.
Expanded parameter monitoring using modular scalability via expansion modules or cartridges through module ports.
Monitoring examples including pulse oximetry, including SpO2, and additional blood and respiration parameters including HbCO, HbMet, ARR, and EtCO2, with connectivity, alarms, and multiple physical embodiments.
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