Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
Probe apparatus for use with an optical oximeter for obtaining data about the blood of a patient, characterised by means (10, 20, 130, 132) for emitting light of a narrow waveband having a known characteristic length; a photosensor (30, 138) for sensing the intensity of light received from the light emitting means; coding means (40, 52') associated with said probe for providing information to the oximeter on the known wavelength; and means (52, 52') for detachably wiring said coding means, sensing means, and emitting means to the oximeter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
Probe apparatus for use with an optical oximeter for obtaining data about the blood of a patient, characterised by means (10, 20, 130, 132) for emitting light of a narrow waveband having a known characteristic length; a photosensor (30, 138) for sensing the intensity of light received from the light emitting means; coding means (40, 52') associated with said probe for providing information to the oximeter on the known wavelength; and means (52, 52') for detachably wiring said coding means, sensing means, and emitting means to the oximeter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the coding means comprises a resistor (40).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the coding means comprises a multi-conductor plug (52'), said plug having at least some of the terminals thereof connected in common to provide a binary output.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 further including means for attaching said light means and photosensor to the patient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further including second means for emitting light of second narrow waveband having a known characteristic wavelength wherein the coding means is coded to the two known wavelengths.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, further including second sensing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first and second emitting means are each light emitting diodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the or each sensing means is recessed within a hollow opaque cylinder whereby direct optical coupling of the or each emitting means and the or each sensing means is prevented.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
An optical oximeter for obtaining data about the blood of a patient, including probe appartus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and electronic processing means detachably wired to the probe apparatus arranged to interrogate the coding means to determine the characteristic wavelength of the or each light emitting means and thereafter corrects computations with respect to the or each light emitting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
An oximeter according to claim 9 and not depending on claim 3 wherein the coding means is a resistor and the electronic processing means obtains from the value of the resistance of the resistor information related to the coefficient of extinction for the wavelength of the or each light emitting means for computation of the degree of oxygen saturation of the blood of the patient and/or pulse rate of the patient.