Patent ID: 8428967
Filing Date: 2013-04-23
Classification: A61B,G06Q

Abstract:
1. A photocommunicative key for communicating with a patient monitor, the patient monitor in communication with a noninvasive reusable sensor configured to detect light attenuated by patient tissue at a measurement site, the photocommunicative key comprising: a body; a photodetector positioned within the body; a photoemitter positioned within the body; a memory module positioned within the body, the memory module configured to store information for communication with the patient monitor; and a processor positioned within the body and electrically coupled to the photodetector, the photoemitter, and the memory module, the processor configured to: wherein the body of the photocommunicative key is shaped to mate with mechanical aspects of the noninvasive reusable sensor such that coupling the body to the noninvasive reusable sensor creates an optical communication link between the photoemitter and the noninvasive reusable sensor, wherein the processor, in use, generates a signal to be sent to the patient monitor thru the noninvasive reusable sensor and the optical communication link, the signal comprising at least some of the information stored in the memory encoded thereon, wherein the photoemitter receives the generated signal from the processor and emits an optical signal to be detected by the noninvasive reusable sensor.