PATENT ABSTRACT
A patient information tracking system is disclosed that implements a physiological sensor system used to acquire information related to the wearer of a physiological sensor. The sensor system includes a physiological sensor adapted to be attached to a patient and includes at least one emitter and a photodetector. The sensor system further includes a positioning element to position the sensor such that the at least one emitter is sufficiently proximate the detector to acquire information from an identification element worn by the patient. A method for using a physiological sensor system to acquire information related to the wearer of a sensor is also provided. The sensor may also include a securing portion configured to couple to the sensor portion of the wearer. The sensor may also include a security wire and a memory device for retaining the wearer&#39;s information.

PATENT DESCRIPTION
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present application claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/709,048, filed Aug. 17, 2005, entitled “Patient Identification Using Physiological Sensor,” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates in general to physiological sensors for patient monitoring.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Recent years have seen a wide variety of physiological sensors being used for patient monitoring in caregiving facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, and the like. One particular type of patient monitoring, pulse oximetry, is a widely accepted noninvasive procedure for measuring the oxygen saturation level of arterial blood, an indicator of the oxygen status of the blood. A pulse oximeter generally operates with one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are placed on one side of a medium while a photodetector is placed on an opposite side of the medium. An artisan will also recognize other general operating paradigms, such as a reflective paradigm where the LEDs and photodetector are placed on the same side. In general, the foregoing pulse oximeters are used to measure a patient&#39;s blood oxygen saturation.  
         [0006]     Conventional physiological sensors are disposable, reusable, or combinations of the two. A disposable sensor is generally attached to the patient with an adhesive wrap. A reusable sensor may be shaped roughly like a clip or clothespin that is easily attached and removed from, for example, a digit, earlobe, or the like. Combination sensors can include reusable circuitry that employs a disposable attachment mechanism, such as adhesive tape or bandage. Examples of each of the foregoing physiological sensors adapted for pulse oximetry are commercially available from Masimo Corporation of Irvine, Calif. Specific examples are U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,256,523 and 6,580,086, which are incorporated by reference herein.  
         [0007]     During a patient&#39;s stay at a caregiver facility, such as a hospital, the patient may be moved to various rooms for tests, operations, or other procedures or may simply move themselves for activities, exercise, visitors, or the like. As patients move, it becomes increasingly difficult for caregivers to identify the patient. Hospital staff typically identifies patients by manually taking down the patient&#39;s information and then inputting that information into a computer. This procedure can be repetitious and time consuming, particularly in a time of emergency.  
         [0008]     For these and other reasons, some caregivers have moved to identification bracelets to help identify patients, and in the case of newborns, the newborn&#39;s parents. While these bracelets or wristbands signify a significant advancement in patient identification, they still suffer from a variety of drawbacks. For example, many wristbands simply alphanumerically identify patients. Such wristband mechanisms still employ caregivers to manually record the alphanumeric information as the patient is moved. Other wristbands include encoded computer readable information such as bar code information. In at least one system, the caregiver facility uses modified pulse oximetry sensors to collect the barcode information in a more automated fashion. Such modified sensors include the drawback of employing specialty sensors that can be costly to implement. Based on the foregoing, significant and costly drawbacks exist in conventional oximetry sensors and patient information tracking.  
         [0009]     Thus, a need exists for an oximetry sensor with the advantages of the disposable and reusable sensors combined with the ability to identify or recognize patients and retain patient information. To overcome some of the foregoing drawbacks, sensor designers have come up with a modified wristband and reusable-pulse-oximeter sensor combination.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention involves several different embodiments related to identifying a patient by a physiological sensor system. In one embodiment, a sensor is configured to identify a unique bar code that is placed on a patient&#39;s identification bracelet. Preferably, the sensor shines light onto the bar code, and the light is reflected back to the sensor. The sensor is able to identify the unique bar code corresponding to that patient, and hence, identifies the patient. In some embodiments, a positioning device may facilitate positioning of the sensor.  
         [0011]     In another embodiment, the sensor may be connected to the patient&#39;s identification bracelet through in a variety of configurations and means. The sensor may be attached to the bracelet, for example, by adhesive, a clasp, a rivet, or the sensor may be integrally formed with the bracelet. In a further embodiment, the sensor may include a memory device that retains patient information. In this embodiment, when the sensor is connected to operating equipment and monitors, the patient identification information may be obtained from the memory device.  
         [0012]     Various embodiments of the patient information tracking system disclosed herein also include a physiological sensor system usable to acquire information related to the wearer of a physiological sensor. The sensor system includes a physiological sensor that is adapted to be attached to a patient and includes at least one emitter and a photodetector. The system further includes a positioning element that positions the physiological sensor such that the at least one emitter is sufficiently proximate the detector to acquire information from an identification element worn by the patient.  
         [0013]     In a further embodiment, a method of using a physiological sensor system to acquire information related to the wearer of a physiological sensor is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a physiological sensor including at least one emitter and a photodetector and providing a positioning element that positions the physiological sensor such that the emitter is sufficiently proximate the detector to acquire information from an identification element on the patient. The method further includes acquiring information from an identification element on the patient through the physiological sensor.  
         [0014]     In yet another embodiment, a pulse oximetry sensor is provided. The pulse oximetry sensor includes a sensor portion having at least one emitter and a photodetector and a securing portion sized and configured to couple the sensor portion to a patient.  
         [0015]     For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain embodiments, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such embodiments, advantages, or features are required in any particular embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a side view of a pulse oximeter sensor with a positioning clip.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a side view of the pulse oximeter sensor of  FIG. 1A  identifying a patient by reading a bar code.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the pulse oximeter sensor with a guide, showing optical channels in broken lines to represent transparent or translucent channels.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the pulse oximeter sensor with a positioning clip and guide combination.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the pulse oximeter sensor with a fitted clamp.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a pulse oximeter sensor identifying a patient by reading a bar code.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a perspective view of the pulse oximeter sensor having a reusable portion, a disposable portion, and a securing portion extending from the disposable portion.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a perspective view of the pulse oximeter sensor having a reusable portion, a disposable portion, and a securing portion extending from the reusable portion.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7A  illustrates a perspective view of the pulse oximeter sensor with the securing portion coupled to the identification bracelet.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7B  illustrates a perspective view of the pulse oximeter sensor with the securing portion integrally formed with the identification bracelet.  
         [0026]      FIG. 7C  illustrates a perspective view of the pulse oximeter sensor with the securing portion coupled to the identification bracelet via an identification bracelet clasp.  
         [0027]      FIG. 8A  illustrates a perspective view of the pulse oximeter sensor reading the bar code of an identification bracelet, a portion of the bracelet being transparent or translucent.  
         [0028]      FIG. 8B  illustrates a side view of a reusable pulse oximeter sensor reading the bar code of an identification bracelet, a portion of the bracelet being transparent or translucent. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0029]      FIG. 1A  illustrates one embodiment of a physiological sensor  50  configured to identify a patient. In this embodiment, the sensor  50  is preferably an oximetry sensor with an emitter  52  and a photodetector  54 . The distance between the emitter  52  and the photodetector  54  is reduced by folding a portion  56  of the sensor between the emitter  52  and photodector  54 , thereby creating sufficient proximity between the emitter  52  and the detector  54  that they can be employed in the acquisition of patient information from, for example, encoded information such as a bar code. Thus, in this embodiment, the existing electronic elements of the pulse oximeter sensor are advantageously positioned to perform bar code reading functionality. Such positioning can be accomplished through a variety of low cost structures or mechanisms, examples of which are described herein with reference to  FIGS. 1A, 2 ,  3 , and  4 . However, an artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein other mechanisms for properly positioning the electronic elements of a pulse oximeter sensor.  
         [0030]     As disclosed, an embodiment of the sensor  50  includes the folded portion  56  being held in place by a positioning clip  58 . The clip  58  is preferably configured to facilitate gripping and releasing of the clip  58  by a user.  
         [0031]      FIG. 1B  illustrates the physiological sensor  50  of  FIG. 1A  identifying a patient. In one embodiment, a patient in a caregiver facility, such as a hospital, receives an identification bracelet  60 . The identification bracelet  60  may include a transparent cover, under which may be placed a piece of paper that provides patient identification information. A bar code  62  may be provided on the identification bracelet  60  that uniquely identifies individual patients of the caregiver facility. An artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein that the bar code could be printed directly on plastic or the like.  
         [0032]     The physiological sensor  50  of  FIG. 1A  is shown reading such the bar code  62  in  FIG. 1B . Identification is performed by passing the sensor  50  over the bar code  62  at, for example, a relatively constant speed. The emitter directs light  61  from the emitter  52  to the identification bracelet  60 . The emitted light  61  is reflected from the identification bracelet, and the reflected light  63  is detected by the photodetector  54 . By identifying the relative space between the bar code  62  patterns, the sensor  50  is able to identify the unique pattern corresponding to the patient. In one embodiment, the signal is sent from the sensor  50  to an oximeter, and the oximeter identifies the bar code  62  corresponding to the patient. In another embodiment, the sensor  50  is configured to identify the patient by analyzing the bar code  62  pattern.  
         [0033]     A further embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, the sensor  50  is coupled to a guide  64 . The guide  64  may comprise an application portion  66  and a gripping portion  68 . In this embodiment, a caregiver conforms the sensor  50  to the shape of the gripping portion  68 , thereby reducing the distance between the emitter  52  and the photodetector  54 . The gripping portion  68  is preferably a sufficient length to reduce the distance between the emitter  52  and the photodetector  54  such that emission of light from the emitter  52  will be detected by the photodector  54 . The application portion  66  of the guide  64  is preferably coupled to the gripping portion  68  and preferably comprises an application side  70  and a sensor side  72 . The application side  70  faces the identification bracelet while the sensor side is adjacent to the sensor  50 .  
         [0034]     In one embodiment, the application portion  66  comprises a first channel  74  extending from the sensor side  72  to the application side  70 , through which light may be directed from the emitter  52  to the identification bracelet. The application portion  66  also preferably comprises a second channel  76  adjacent the photodetector  54 , such that light may be directed from the application side  70  to the sensor side  72  for detection by the photodetector  54 . In another embodiment, the application portion  66  may not comprise channels, but may be transparent or translucent, thereby permitting passage of light to pass to and from the identification bracelet. In yet another embodiment, some or all of the guide  64  may comprise a translucent material.  
         [0035]     In a further embodiment, the channels  74 ,  76  may comprise a filter that only permits light to pass that has a certain wavelength corresponding to one or more desired wavelengths of the emitter  52 . The filter would preferably reduce interference from other operating lights in a caregiver facility, other wavelengths of the emitters  52 , or the like. In yet another embodiment, the application portion  66  or guide  64  may be transparent or translucent and/or may operate as the foregoing filter itself.  
         [0036]     While the application portion  66  in  FIG. 2  is shown to be substantially horizontal and the gripping portion is shown to be substantially vertical, it should be appreciated that other arrangements may also be used. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the guide  64  may comprise only one of either the application portion  66  or gripping portion  68 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 3  illustrates a further embodiment of the positioning mechanisms disclosed above. In this embodiment, the sensor  50  preferably passes over the guide  64  as discussed with reference to  FIG. 2 , and the clip  58  is placed so as to secure the sensor  50  over the guide  64  and to facilitate gripping and application by the caregiver.  
         [0038]      FIG. 4  illustrates yet another embodiment of the sensor  50 . In this embodiment, a fitted clamp  78  is placed over the folded portion  56  of the sensor  50  to secure the sensor  50  in place. Although it is not shown, it should be appreciated that the fitted clamp  78  may also be used with the guide  64 .  
         [0039]     Preferably, the clamp  78  is friction fitted to the sensor  50  and may be removed following identification of the patient. An artisan will recognize many ways to friction fit the clamp  78  to the sensor  50 . For example, the clamp  78  may comprise a corrugated portion or a material that will increase the friction between the clamp  78  and the sensor  50 . In a further embodiment, the clamp  78  may be snap fit to the sensor  50 . One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize even further ways of attaching the clamp  78  to the sensor  50 .  
         [0040]     An artisan will recognize that various shapes of the clamp  78  will function to achieve the same purpose as the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 . For example, in one embodiment, the clamp  78  may comprise tabs on one end to facilitate gripping the clamp  78 . In another exemplary embodiment, the clamp  78  may comprise a corrugated gripping portion to also facilitate gripping.  
         [0041]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a caregiver may identify a patient by passing the sensor  50  positioned using one or more of the positioning mechanisms of  FIGS. 1A, 2 ,  3 , and  4 , over the bar code  62  on the identification bracelet  60  of the patient.  
         [0042]     In yet another embodiment, it may be convenient or practical to interconnect the sensor  50  to an identification bracelet. In this embodiment, the identification bracelet may or may not have bar codes to identify the patient.  FIGS. 6A through 7C  illustrate various embodiments of attachment mechanisms.  FIG. 6A  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a disposable sensor  80 . The disposable sensor  80  preferably comprises a reusable portion  82  and a disposable portion  84 . In one embodiment, the disposable portion  84  comprises a face tape layer  86  and a base tape layer  88 . Preferably, the reusable portion  82  comprises a photodetector  89 , a light-piping barrier  90 , an emitter  92 , a flex circuit  94 , and an electrical connector  96 . The light-piping barrier  90  reduces interference with the emitted light during the sensor&#39;s use. The flex circuit  94  preferably extends from the photodetector  89  and the emitter  92  to the electrical connector  96 .  
         [0043]     The disposable sensor  80  is connected to an oximeter via a connection cable  104 . A sensor connector  106  located on the one end of the connection cable  104  is configured to accommodate the electrical connector  96  of the reusable portion  82 . On the other end of the connection cable  104  is an oximeter connector  108  sized and configured to interconnect with the oximeter. Preferably, the flex circuit  94  is sufficiently elongated so as to provide flexibility when the electrical connector  96  is connected to the connection cable  104 . In application, the reusable portion  82  is preferably located between the face tape layer  86  and the base tape layer  88 .  
         [0044]     In one embodiment, the base tape layer  88  preferably comprises a securing portion  98  that is configured to be interconnected with, for example, the patient&#39;s identification bracelet. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing portion  98  is comprised of a strap that extends from a portion of the base tape layer  88 . The securing portion  98  is preferably a sufficient length to accommodate connection with a patient&#39;s identification bracelet. As illustrated, the securing portion  98  may comprise an adhesive substrate  100  that is covered with a release liner  102  until application. In this embodiment, when applied, the release liner  102  is removed, exposing the adhesive substrate  100 . The securing portion  98  is folded over the identification bracelet and attached to a corresponding portion of the securing portion  98 .  
         [0045]     While the illustrated embodiment shows the securing portion  98  substantially comprising a strap, it will be appreciated by an artisan from the disclosure herein that other ways may be provided for attaching the sensor  50  to the identification bracelet. For example, the sensor may be attached to the bracelet via a cord, a wire, or other securing means. Additionally, in these further embodiments, adhesive substrate may be used or other means of attaching the securing portion to the identification bracelet may be used, such as, for example, hook-and-loop material such as velcro®, snaps, rivets, or the like.  
         [0046]     In one embodiment, the base tape layer  88  may be made of a material that permits light to pass of a certain wavelength that corresponds to light from the emitter  92 . In this embodiment, the base tape layer  88  would operate as a filter to prevent other operating lights in a caregiver facility from reaching the photodetector  88 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 6B  illustrates another embodiment of attaching the disposable sensor  80  to the identification bracelet of a patient. In this embodiment, the securing portion  98  is interconnected to the reusable portion  82  of the disposable sensor  80 . This embodiment would permit continuous use of the reusable sensor elements without removing them from the patient&#39;s identification bracelet. In this embodiment, the securing portion  98  may be attached to the identification bracelet as described above with reference to  FIG. 6A . Also illustrated in this embodiment is a security wire  110  and a patient information memory device  112 . In one embodiment, patient information may be downloaded onto the patient information memory device  112 , and the information may be retrieved by an oximeter system or other healthcare device via the connection cable  104 . The security wire  110  and the patient information memory device  112  may be configured to form a circuit such that disconnection of the security wire  110  will remove patient information from the patient information memory device  112 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 7A  illustrates attachment of the disposable sensor  80  of  FIGS. 6A  or  6 B to the identification bracelet  113 . While  FIG. 7A  illustrates the securing portion  98  enveloping the identification bracelet  113 , it should also be appreciated that a flap may be provided on the back of the identification bracelet  113  such that the securing portion passes through the flap without interfering with the patient identification window  114 .  
         [0049]     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the securing portion  98  may be manufactured such that it is integrally formed with the patient identification bracelet  113 . Although not shown, a security wire  110  may pass through the securing portion  98  and the bracelet  113  such that removal of either will erase the patient information from the memory device  112 .  
         [0050]     In yet a further embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 7C , the securing portion  98  may be sized and configured to accommodate a clasp or rivet  116  that is used to secure the identification bracelet  113 . As shown in this embodiment, the security wire  110  may encompass the clasp  116 , such that removal of the securing portion  98  will sever the security wire  110  and erase the patient&#39;s specific information on the memory device  112 . In another embodiment, severance of the security wire  110  will make the sensor inoperable.  
         [0051]      FIG. 8A  illustrates another embodiment of using a physiological sensor  50  to identify a patient by reading the bar code  62  on the patient identification bracelet  117 . In this embodiment, the sensor is folded over at a location between the emitter  52  and the photodetector (not shown) such that the emitter and the photodetector face each other. The patient identification bracelet  117  preferably includes a transparent window  114  such that light emitted from the emitter  52  will pass through the window  114  for detection by the photodetector. The identification bracelet is inserted between the emitter  52  and the photodetector and is advanced at a constant rate. In one embodiment, the window may comprise a material such that other operating lights in the caregiver facility are filtered out, thus reducing interference.  
         [0052]     In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 8B , a reusable oximetry sensor  118  may be used. In this embodiment, the patient identification bracelet  117  with a transparent window  114  is placed between the emitter  120  and the photodetector  122 . Emitted light  124  passes from the emitter  120  to the photodetector  122  through the transparent window  114 . The identification bracelet is placed between the emitter  120  and photodetector  122  and is advanced at a constant rate such that the sensor  118  or the device to which the sensor  118  is connected will identify the bar code  62  pattern corresponding to the patient. An advantage of this embodiment is that the reusable sensor  118  requires no modification to the existing light paths.  
         [0053]     Although the foregoing invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, some or all of the embodiments disclosed with reference to  FIGS. 1A, 2 ,  4 ,  6 A,  6 B,  7 A through  7 C,  8 A, and  8 B, may be combined. Additionally, other combinations, omissions, substitutions, and modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited by the preferred embodiments, but is to be defined by reference to the appended claims.