Pulse oximeter monitor

Claim 2

An oximeter comprising light means addressed to the flesh of a patient characterised in that the light means comprises first and second light sources; and by at least one light sensor also addressed to the flesh to define a light path through the flesh between the light sources and light sensor; means for detecting the light signal received by the light sensor and for separating the pulsatile signal from the sensor; audio emitter means arranged to emit an audibly perceptible sequential tone signal synchronous to change in the relation reception of light at said light source due to the pulsatile flow of blood, so that sequential tone signals synchronous to heart pulse rate are emitted and means arranged to change the tonal frequency of the audio emitter means proportionate to a difference in light signals received at said sensor of light from the first and second light sources so that change in oxygen saturation of the blood of the patient is indicated by change in tonal frequency of said tone signals synchronous to heart rate.

Claim 3

An oximeter according to Claim 1 and wherein said tonal frequency of the tone signal is arranged to decrease with decreasing oxygen saturation.

Claim 4

An oximeter comprising light means addressed to the flesh of a patient characterised in that the light means comprises at least one light source, and by a light sensor and means for determing pulse rate and intensity, and by: an array of lights; circuit means arranged to flash the lights in synchrony with pulse rate; and circuit means arranged to vary the number of the lights flashed in relation to the pulse intensity.

Claim 5

An oximeter comprising light means addressed to the flesh of a patient characterised in that the light means comprises at least one light source, and by a light sensor and means for determing pulse rate and intensity, and by: an array of lights; circuit means arranged to flash the lights in synchrony with pulse rate; and circuit means arranged to vary the number of the lights flashed in relation to the pulse intensity.

Claim 6

A process for receiving and processing signal data from an oximeter characterised by comprising in combination: providing an alarm; setting a predetermined alarm limit for at least one of the parameters of pulse rate and oxygen saturation; receiving data; applying a confidence limit to the received data to narrow the range of the received data as the data is received; opening the confidence limit responsive to data received outside the narrow range; closing the confidence limit responsive to data received within the range; calculating at least one of the parameters of pulse rate and oxygen saturation only in accordance with data which is within the range; and eminating a two portion signal perceptible to the human senses, using the confidence levels, having a first portion proportional to the pulse rate and a second portion proportional to either blood perfusion rate and/or oxygen saturations.

Claim 7

A process for receiving and processing signal data from an oximeter characterised by comprising in combination: providing an alarm; setting a predetermined alarm limit for at least one of the parameters of pulse rate and oxygen saturation; receiving data; applying a confidence limit to the received data to narrow the range of the received data as the data is received; opening the confidence limit responsive to data received outside the narrow range; closing the confidence limit responsive to data received within the range; calculating at least one of the parameters of pulse rate and oxygen saturation only in accordance with data which is within the range; and eminating a two portion signal perceptible to the human senses, using the confidence levels, having a first portion proportional to the pulse rate and a second portion proportional to either blood perfusion rate and/or oxygen saturations.

Claim 8

A process according to Claim 4 wherein the signal includes a flashing light or lights proportional in number to a blood perfusion amount.

Claim 9

A process according to Claim 4 or 5 wherein the signal includes a tonal signal proportional in frequency to instrument detected oxygen saturation.

Claim 10

A pulse oximeter comprising light means addressed to the flesh of a patient, characterised in that the light means includes at least two light sources; and by at least one sensor; means arranged to process the signals from the light sensor including sensing means arranged to determine the maxima of absorption, the minimum of absorption and the difference in absorption between the two light sources to determine the parameters of pulse and oxygen saturation; means arranged to record the maximum absorption of each light source, the minimum of absorption of each light source and the oxygen saturation and pulse rate; means arranged to apply a confidence limit to each of a maxima, minima, pulse rate and oxygen saturation; a corresponding confidence factor to each maxima, minima oxygen saturation and pulse rate; means arranged to reject all the signals when less than some preselected portion of the signals are received; and means arranged to receive data within the confidence limits when more than some preselected portion of the signals are received within confidence limits.

Claim 11

A pulse oximeter comprising light means addressed to the flesh of a patient, characterised in that the light means includes at least two light sources; and by at least one sensor; means arranged to process the signals from the light sensor including sensing means arranged to determine the maxima of absorption, the minimum of absorption and the difference in absorption between the two light sources to determine the parameters of pulse and oxygen saturation; means arranged to record the maximum absorption of each light source, the minimum of absorption of each light source and the oxygen saturation and pulse rate; means arranged to apply a confidence limit to each of a maxima, minima, pulse rate and oxygen saturation; a corresponding confidence factor to each maxima, minima oxygen saturation and pulse rate; means arranged to reject all the signals when less than some preselected portion of the signals are received; and means arranged to receive data within the confidence limits when more than some preselected portion of the signals are received within confidence limits.

Claim 12

An oximeter of the type including means for determining oxygen saturation of blood characterised by means arranged to emit an audibly perceptible sequential tone signal; and means arranged to change the tonal frequency of the tone signal corresponding to changes in oxygen saturation.

Claim 13

An oximeter of the type including means for determining oxygen saturation of blood characterised by means arranged to emit an audibly perceptible sequential tone signal; and means arranged to change the tonal frequency of the tone signal corresponding to changes in oxygen saturation.

Claim 14

An oximeter according to Claim 8 wherein said tonal frequency of said tone signal decreases with decreasing oxygen saturation.