Abstract:
An oximeter has a housing configured to have a cavity defining portion that is adapted to be fitted with covers of various dimensions to effect receptacles of different dimensions for accommodating differently sized sensor of sensor assemblies that are matable to the oximeter for sensing physical attributes of a patient. Each of the covers, once fully fitted to the housing, is fixedly latched thereto unless a force that overcomes the latching is applied to remove the cover. The effected receptacle is adapted to biasedly retain a corresponding sensor placed therein. The holstered sensor therefore would not accidentally fall out or be removed from the receptacle, until the user deliberately applies a force to remove the sensor from the receptacle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/285,663 filed Oct. 10, 2008, entitled “Wireless Telecommunications System Adaptable for Patient Monitoring” and is also related to U.S. design application (attorney docket No. 0106/0048), filed Oct. 23, 2008, entitled “Oximeter Device”, both applications having been assigned to the same assignee as the instant invention. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to oximeters and more particularly to a new oximeter device that has a housing that is reconfigurable to have receptacles of different sizes for retaining sensors of different dimensions. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There are different types of handheld oximeter devices currently on the market. Some of those are oximeters that are fitted to a digit of a patient. An example of one such oximeter is the DIGIT being sold by the assignee of the instant invention. Another type of the oximeter devices is a handheld device that has connected thereto, by means of a cable, a sensor that is used to measure the physical parameters or attributes, for example the blood saturation oxygen level (SpO 2 ), of the patient by having the patient insert one of his fingers into the sensor. Examples of such handheld oximeter units include those sold by the assignee of the instant invention under product Nos. 3301, 3303 and 3403, among others. There are also compact monitors to which a sensor may be connected by means of a cable to measure the physical attributes of a patient. An example of this is the AutoCorr digital pulse oximeter sold by the assignee of the instant invention under product No. 3304. For the above noted oximeter devices that are available in the market, after use, the sensor would simply be placed along side of the oximeter device, as there are no compartments in those devices for stowing the sensor. So, too, since an oximeter is often used with differently dimensioned sensors, for example an adult sensor and a pediatric sensor, the need arises not only for a storage space to store the sensor, but also that the storage space be able to securely store sensors of different sizes, so that a small sensor would not readily fall out of the storage space design to hold a large sensor. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0004]    The oximeter device of the instant invention has a newly designed housing that has a cavity defined by a back wall portion at its back and two sidewalls extending from the back wall that come together to form a base. The cavity has two longitudinal grooves, one on each side of the sidewalls. A boss or protuberance forms at the lower end of the back wall adjacent to the base. The width of the cavity, as separated by the sidewalls, is designed to accommodate any one of a multiple numbers of receptacle covers of different dimensions. Each of the covers is configured to be attached to the housing, and once attached, it further defines the cavity by effecting a receptacle of a given dimension that is adapted to hold firmly a corresponding sensor. 
         [0005]    Each of the receptacle covers has two sidewalls that extend from a front wall. The sidewalls and the front wall of the receptacle have substantially the same longitudinal length as the sidewalls that define the cavity at the housing of the oximeter device. The two sidewalls of the cover each extend beyond the front wall downwardly to form an end insert. The insert is configured to form fit to the base that defines the cavity at the housing. Thus, if the base for the cavity is semicircular, then the end insert of the cover is rounded to form fit to the curved base. Respective flanges are provided longitudinally along each sidewall of the cover to slide along the corresponding grooves at the sidewalls that define the cavity at the housing so that the cover may be guidedly affixed to the housing of the oximeter device. Once the cover is attached to the housing, a receptacle is formed at the back of the housing—with the back wall of the housing, the cover and the two sidewalls of the cover that overlie the two sidewalls that define the cavity providing the four sides for the receptacle. The receptacle may also be referred to as a holster, storage space or pocket. When the cover is fully inserted along the sidewalls of the defined cavity, an edge of the cover end insert, which is in the form of a curved band, would coact with the protuberance at the back wall of the cavity, so that the cover is firmly affixed to the housing of the oximeter device. To remove the receptacle cover, a user has to apply a predetermined force that overcomes the latching force of the protuberance to the end insert to push the receptacle out of the cavity of the housing. 
         [0006]    By providing a receptacle at the housing that is configurable by a plurality of differently dimensioned receptacle covers, when the oximeter device is used with different types of sensors, each of those sensors may therefore be retained or holstered in its counterpart receptacle. To ensure that the sensor is firmly retained in and not accidentally fall out of the receptacle, a prong or tongue that is formed naturally to bias inwardly to the interior of the receptacle is provided at the front wall of the receptacle cover. When the sensor that is meant to be used with the receptacle is inserted into the receptacle, the tongue at the cover would bias the sensor against the back wall of the housing to thereby firmly retain the sensor within the receptacle. The biasing force applied by the tongue of the receptacle cover is such that the sensor can readily be removed from the receptacle when the user deliberately withdraws it from the receptacle. When a sensor of a different dimension is connected to the oximeter, a correspondingly dimensioned receptacle cover is affixed to the housing of the oximeter device to configure the appropriate receptacle for that sensor. 
         [0007]    So that a sensor may be connected to the oximeter device, a conventional connector is provided on the top of the device for mating with the connector of the sensor. As is well known, a sensor for measuring the SpO 2 , i.e., a spectrophotometric sensor, is connected to its connector by means of a longitudinal cable. For the oximeter device of the instant invention, a senor having a coiled cable may also be connected to the device for spot checking. 
         [0008]    The oximeter device has a second connector that allows it to dock to a docking station, so that its energy source, possibly a rechargeable battery pack, may be recharged. The connector also allows communication between the oximeter device and an external device connected to the docking station. An optional printer may be attached to the docking station for printing out the data collected and stored in the oximeter device. 
         [0009]    The instant invention therefore relates to an apparatus comprising an housing having a screen for displaying a graphical or numerical representation of at least one sensed physical attribute of a patient. The housing has one connector adapted to mate with the a sensor connector electrically connected to a sensor attachable to the patient to senor the physical attributes of a patient. The housing further as a defined cavity portion configured to accept any one of a plurality of receptacle covers of different dimensions. The any one of these receptacle covers, once attached to the cavity portion of the housing, is removably affixed thereto until a predetermined force is applied to remove it from the cavity. The any one of the receptacle covers in combination with the defined cavity portion of the housing form a receptacle that is dimensioned to fittingly accept a corresponding sensor of a given dimension that once placed in the receptacle is securely held therein unless it is deliberately removed therefrom. 
         [0010]    The instant invention also relates to an oximeter device that comprises a housing having a screen mounted to its front for displaying at least one graphical or numerical representation of at least one physical attribute of a patient. The housing has one connector away from the screen that is adapted to mate with a sensor connector electrically connected to a sensor attachable to the patient to sense the physical attribute of the patient. A cavity is defined at the back of the housing and the defined cavity portion of the housing is configured to accept any one of a plurality of covers of different dimensions. The any one of the covers, once attached to the cavity portion, is removably affixed thereto until a predetermined force is applied to remove it therefrom. The thus configured receptacle is dimensioned to fittingly accept a corresponding one sensor of a given dimension, the sensor being securely held in but readily removable from the configured receptacle, once it is inserted into the receptacle. A chamber is provided at the back of the housing for storing a power source for the oximeter device. 
         [0011]    The present invention further relates to a system that comprises an oximeter device having a screen mounted to its front for displaying graphical and numerical representations of physical attributes from a patient, one connector adapted to mate with a sensor connector electrically connected to a sensor attachable to a patient to sense at least one physical attribute of the patient, a cavity portion configured to accept any one of a plurality of covers of different dimensions, the any one cover once inserted into the cavity portion is affixed thereto until a predetermined force is applied to remove it from the cavity portion, the cavity portion and the any one cover affixed thereto together form a receptacle dimensioned to fittingly accept a corresponding one sensor of a given dimension so that the corresponding one sensor is securely held in but removable from said receptacle, and an other connector; and a docking station whereonto the oximeter is docked, the other connector from the oximeter matable to a dock connector when the oximeter device is docked to said docking station. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0012]    The instant invention will become apparent and will be best understood with reference to the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is the front view of an exemplar embodiment of an oximeter of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a back view of the present invention oximeter; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the present invention oximeter; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is another side view of the oximeter of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5   a  is one view of a sensor assembly having an adult finger sensor; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5   b  is another view of the adult finger sensor assembly of  FIG. 5   a;    
           [0019]      FIG. 5   c  is a plan view of the sensor head of the  FIG. 5   a  sensor assembly; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5   d  is a plan view of the connector of the  FIG. 5   a  sensor assembly; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6   a  is one view of another sensor assembly having a sensor that has a dimension that is smaller than the sensor shown in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d;    
           [0022]      FIG. 6   b  is another view of the  FIG. 6   a  sensor assembly; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6   c  is a view showing the opposite side of the sensor of the sensor assembly shown in  FIG. 6   b;    
           [0024]      FIG. 6   d  is a plan view of the connector plug showing the pins of the connector of the  FIG. 6   a  sensor assembly; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  shows a sensor assembly having a pediatric finger sensor that has a dimension smaller than those sensors shown in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  and  6   a - 6   d;    
           [0026]      FIG. 8   a  is one view of a spot check sensor assembly that has a coiled cable and a grab tab at right angle to the connector; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8   b  is another view of the  FIG. 8   a  sensor assembly; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8   c  is a plan view of the connector of the spot check sensor assembly of  FIG. 8   a;    
           [0029]      FIG. 9  illustrates the interrelationship among the oximeter device, a receptacle cover to be affixed to the housing of the device, and a sensor assembly having a corresponding sensor to be pocketed in the receptacle to be configured by the attachment of the cover to the housing; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  are respective perspective views of the receptacle cover that is adapted to be used with the sensor shown in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  when affixed to the housing of the oximeter device; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 10   c - 10   g  are respective side, front, back, top and bottom views of the  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  receptacle cover; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  are respective perspective views of a receptacle cover adapted to be affixed to the housing of an oximeter for establishing a receptacle used for accepting the sensor shown in  FIGS. 6   a - 6   d;    
           [0033]      FIGS. 11   c - 11   g  are respective views of the side, front, back, top and bottom of the  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  receptacle cover; 
           [0034]      FIG. 12   a  and  12   b  are respective perspective views of the receptacle cover to be used with the pediatric or neonate sensor shown in  FIG. 7   a;    
           [0035]      FIGS. 12   c - 12   f  are respective views of the side, front, back, top and bottom views of the receptacle cover of  FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b;    
           [0036]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the oximeter device of the instant invention showing a connector in a compartment and the attachment of a receptacle cover to the oximeter housing for establishing a receptacle; 
           [0037]      FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the oximeter device of the instant invention and a connector internal thereto; 
           [0038]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing the bottom of the oximeter device, its internal connector and a connector of a connector assembly that is to be coupled to the internal connector; 
           [0039]      FIG. 16  is an illustration of the top of the oximeter device, its upper connector and its relationship to a connector of a sensor assembly that is to be connected thereto; 
           [0040]      FIG. 17  shows a back view of the oximeter device with a receptacle, and a coiled cable sensor assembly having its sensor holstered in the receptacle and its connector coupled to the oximeter; 
           [0041]      FIG. 18  is a front view of another embodiment of the oximeter device of the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 19  is the front view of yet another embodiment of the oximeter device of the present invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 20  is a disassembled perspective view of the back of the oximeter device of the present invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a docking station to be used with the oximeter device of the instant invention; 
           [0045]      FIGS. 22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d  and  22   e  are respective views of the front, the top, the bottom, the side and the back of the docking station of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view showing the docking of the oximeter device to the docking station and the battery pack of the docking station removed from the docking station; 
           [0047]      FIGS. 24   a,    24   b,    24   c,    24   d  and  24   e  are respective views of the front, the back, the top, one side, and another side of a printer attachable to the docking station of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 25  is an illustration of a partial coupling of the printer to the docking station; 
           [0049]      FIG. 26  shows a system that has the printer coupled to the docking station; and 
           [0050]      FIG. 27  shows the paper container of the printer opened and in position for receiving a new roll of paper. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0051]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , an oximeter  2  is shown. In particular, oximeter  2  is shown to have a display screen  4  for displaying graphical or numerical representations of physical attributes that are measured or sensed from a patient. In the exemplar LED display screen of  FIG. 1 , a number “98” represents the SpO 2  while the number “80” represents the pulse rate of the patient. Also shown on screen  4  is a first bar  6  of increasing widths that indicates the strength of the signal being measured, and an adjacent bar  8  that indicates the perfusion index of the patient. In most instances, the bar for the perfusion index (PI) remains relatively constant, while the bar graph  6  for the strength of the signal varies. There are other graphical representations shown on screen  4 . For example, an electrical outlet is shown to indicate whether the device is connected to an AC power source, and a battery symbol provides an indication of the amount of power that remains when oximeter  2  is not connected to AC power. 
         [0052]    The operation of the exemplar oximeter of  FIGS. 1-4  may rely on the BCI Micro Power Oximeter Board, catalog No. 31392B1, or the BCI Digital Micro Power Oximeter Board, catalog No. WW3711. As these oximeter boards and the operation of an oximeter assembled with those boards are conventional, specific operations of the oximeter are deemed not to be necessary for this application. Further, the oximeter may incorporate the features disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/907,980, 11/907,981, 11/907982, 11/907,983 and 12/285,663. The respective disclosures of the just noted co-pending applications are incorporated by reference to this application. For the embodiment of the instant inventive oximeter, it is suffice to note that an on/off switch  10 , when pressed, initiates the operation of the oximeter. 
         [0053]    The housing of oximeter  2  is designated  12 . Housing  12  is configured to have a front side or surface  14  per shown in  FIG. 1 , a back side  16  per shown in  FIG. 2 , a left side  18  (when viewed from the front) per shown in  FIG. 3 , and a left side  19  per shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0054]    The back side  16  of oximeter  2  has a number of formations, including a back wall  18 , a battery or power pack cover  20  and a raised compartment portion  22 . Back wall  18  has two sidewalls  24   a  and  24   b  (see also  FIG. 16 ) that extend from back wall  18 . The sidewalls  24   a  and  24   b  extend longitudinally downwards, with respect to the oximeter housing as shown in  FIG. 2 , and joined to form a base  26 , which is shown to be semi-circular. With back wall  18 , sidewalls  24   a  and  24   b,  and base  26 , a void or cavity  28  is defined at the back of housing  12 . A boss or protuberance  30  is formed at the lower portion of back wall  18  adjacent to base  26 . Protuberance  30  is used as a latch mechanism, to be further discussed infra. 
         [0055]    By means of a force applied to thumb pad  30 , battery cover  20  is removable from the back of housing  12 . This is more clearly shown in  FIG. 20  which shows a latch  32  that disengages with a catch  34  when thumb pad  30  is pressed downward, thereby enabling cover  20  to be removed from the back of housing  12  to expose a chamber  38 . Further with reference to  FIG. 20 , a battery pack  36  that contains the power source for the oximeter, which ordinarily is fitted to chamber  38 , is shown to have been removed therefrom. Further with respect to the disassembled view of  FIG. 20 , note that the battery pack  36  supplies power to the oximeter by way of the battery contacts  40 . In place of battery pack  36 , a plurality of batteries, for example four batteries as indicated by the battery outlines drawn on the back wall of chamber  38 , may be used to power the oximeter. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 5   a - 5   d,    6   a - 6   d,    7   a - 7   b  and  8   a - 8   c  respectively illustrate the different sensor assemblies that may be used with oximeter  2  for measuring or sensing the physical attributes of a patient. The finger sensor assembly shown in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  has a large adult size finger sensor  42  connected by a cable  44  to a connector  46 . Sensor  42  has a base portion  42   a  and a movable portion  42   b  that pivots relative to base portion  42   a  when a patient inserts a digit, for example a finger, in the direction as indicated by directional arrow  48 , for grasping the finger of the patient. Connector  46  is a conventional DB-9 connector, per clearly shown in  FIG. 5   d.  As shown in  FIG. 5   b,  connector  46  ordinarily has a grab tab  46   a  that extends longitudinally from connector  46 . Grab tab  46   a  usually is held by the user for mating or removing connector  46  to or from the input connector  50  ( FIG. 13 ) of oximeter  2 . To facilitate the mating and removal of connector  46  to and from the input connector  50 , in this instance the female connector of the oximeter, grab tab  46   a  may be formed at a right angle to connector  46 , per shown by the dashed line grab tab  46   b  of  FIG. 5   a.  The sensor  42  shown in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  may be the adult finger sensor manufactured by the assignee of the instant invention under manufacturing No. 3044. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 6   a - 6   d  show a second sensor assembly that has a sensor  52  having a smaller dimension than sensor  42  of  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d.  Elements for the  FIGS. 6   a - 6   d  sensor assembly that are the same as the  FIG. 5   a - 5   d  sensor assembly are labeled the same. Sensor  52  of the  FIGS. 6   a - 6   d  sensor assembly is made up of two portions  52   a  and  52   b  that are pivotable relative to each other, when their respective finger grip tabs  52   a ′ and  52   b ′ are pressed towards each other. Sensor  52  may be represented by the sensor manufactured by the assignee of the instant invention under manufacturing No. 3444. 
         [0058]      FIG. 7  illustrates a pediatric or neonate finger sensor assembly having a sensor  54  that has a dimension smaller than either of the sensors shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Sensor  54  has two portions  54   a  and  54   b  that are pivotally connected at pivot  56  and both portions may be pivotally opened to receive a digit of a child from the direction indicated by directional arrow  48 . 
         [0059]      FIGS. 8   a - 8   c  illustrate yet another sensor assembly that is matable to oximeter  2  for measuring the physical attributes of a patient. For the  FIGS. 8   a - 8   c  sensor assembly, the sensor  56  is shown to be connected to connector  46  by a coiled cable  58 . Sensor  56  is similar to sensor  42  of the  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  sensor assembly in that portion  56   a  is pivotable relative to base  56   b.  Similarly, connector  46  has its grab tab  46   b  at right angle to the connector per shown in  FIG. 8   a,  to facilitate the mating and withdrawal of the male connector  46  from the input female connector  50  of oximeter  2 . 
         [0060]    As shown in  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b,  coiled cable  58  has a coiled portion  58   a  that is formed from a series from helical coils so that the length of cable  58  may be extended. When not in use, cable  58  is contracted to its original state per shown in  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b.  With coiled portion  58   a,  longitudinal tension exerted on cable  58  is absorbed. Moreover, cable  58  may not be twisted as much as a non-coiled cable such as cable  44  shown for the other sensor assemblies of  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 . Tension relief sections  58   b  and  58   c  are provided at the sensor end and the connector end, respectively, of cable  58 . Such tension relief portions are similarly provided for the two ends of cable  44  for the earlier discussed sensor assemblies of  FIGS. 5-7 . Although cable  58  has coiled portion  58   a  along a major portion thereof,  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  show that cable  58  becomes straightened at both of its ends for connection to relief portions  58   b  and  58   c.  It should be appreciated however that the coiled portion  58   a  may in practice extend uninterrupted between tension relief sections  58   b  and  58   c.  Alternatively, coiled portion  58   a  may occupy a shorter length of or be interrupted multiple coiled sections along the cable  58  of the sensor assembly of  FIGS. 8   a - 8   b.    
         [0061]    As is with the other sensors that sense the parameters that correspond to the SpO 2  of a patient, sensor  56  of the sensor assembly of  FIGS. 8   a - 8   b  may be referred to as a spectrophotometric sensor. As is well known, sensor  56  has at least one light emitting diode at one portion, and a photosensor at the other portion for measuring the SpO 2  of the patient 
         [0062]    So that the sensor of a sensor assembly is not left hanging, housing  12  of oximeter  2  has configured at its back cavity  28 . As was discussed previously, cavity  28  is defined by back wall  18 , sidewalls  24   a  and  24   b,  and base  26 . As cavity  28  has a defined configuration and the various sensors have different dimensions, a means must be devised to enable the various dimensioned sensors to be retained at housing  12 . To achieve this end, a receptacle cover, holster or clip  60  having a configured dimension is removably attached or affixed to the portion of the housing that defines cavity  28  to form a receptacle, holster or pocket of a particular dimension that is adapted to retain a correspondingly dimensioned sensor.  FIG. 9  shows a receptacle cover  60  in alignment with cavity  28  and a sensor, for example sensor  52  of the sensor assembly of  FIG. 6 . Receptacle cover  60  is slidably fitted to cavity  28  to form a receptacle for retaining the sensor placed or deposited thereinto. 
         [0063]    Three different receptacle cover embodiments are shown in  FIGS. 10   a - 10   g,    FIGS. 11   a - 11   g  and  FIGS. 12   a - 12   g.  As the distance separating sidewalls  24   a  and  24   b  that define cavity  28  is constant at the back of oximeter housing  12 , to attach the receptacle cover to the cavity defining portion of housing  12 , each of the receptacle covers has a width defined by its sidewalls that is slightly smaller than the distance separating sidewalls  24   a  and  24   b.  Thus, it is the depth of the receptacle, i.e., the distance between the back wall  18  of cavity  28  and the front wall of the receptacle cover that determines the dimension for the different receptacles. 
         [0064]    In  FIGS. 10   a - 10   g,  a first receptacle cover  60   a  is shown to have two sidewalls  62   a  and  62   b.  These sidewalls extend from a front wall  64 . The sidewalls  62   a  and  62   b  each extend longitudinally at one end to merge and form a curved end insert  66  that has one edge  66   a.  The respective longitudinal edges of sidewalls  62   a  and  62   b  are formed to have corresponding flanges  68   a  and  68   b.  Front wall  64  extends longitudinally only to approximately the respective ends of the sidewalls  62   a  and  62   b  that form the beginning of end insert  66 , which resembles a half ring, per shown in  FIGS. 10   d  and  10   e.    FIGS. 10   d  and  10   e  show the width of the receptacle cover  60   a  as “w”. The depth of the receptacle cover  60   a  is designated d 1 , per shown in  FIG. 10   c.    
         [0065]    Receptacle cover  60   a  has at its front wall  64  a prong or tongue that biases inwardly in the direction indicated by directional arrow  72 , as shown in  FIGS. 10   f  and  10   g.  Also shown on the front wall  64  of receptacle  60   a  are three numbers, with the “3” being circled, per indicated by designation  74  in  FIG. 10   e.  The circled number provides an indication of the size of the receptacle cover for use with a corresponding sensor. combining with cavity  23  at the housing  12  of the oximeter for accommodating that fits into the receptacle. For the exemplar embodiment of the receptacle cover  60   a,  the circled  3  provides an indication that the it is to be used with an adult sensor, for example the adult sensor of the sensor assembly shown in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d.    
         [0066]    The same components for the receptacle cover embodiments shown in  FIGS. 11   a - 11   g  and  FIGS. 12   a - 12   g  as those for the receptacle cover embodiment of  FIGS. 10   a - 10   g  are labeled the same. As was discussed above, the major difference between the different receptacle covers is the distance from the front wall to the edge of the two sidewalls extending therefrom, i.e., the distance separating the back wall  18  of the oximeter housing  12  and the front wall  64  of the cover when the cover is affixed to the oximeter housing. For identification purposes, the receptacle cover shown in  FIGS. 11   a - 11   g  is designated  60   b  and the distance from its front wall  64  to the respective longitudinal edges of its two sidewalls  62   a  and  62   b  is designated d 2 , per shown in  FIG. 11   c.  Similarly, the designation d 3  is provided to indicate the depth of the receptacle cover  60   c  shown in  FIGS. 12   a - 12   g.  The width “w” for the three different receptacle embodiments shown in  FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12  remain the same, per shown in  FIGS. 10   e,    11   e  and  12   e.    
         [0067]    The receptacle cover shown in  FIGS. 10   a - 10   g  is the largest receptacle cover and is identified as such per the number “3”, designated by  74   a  in  FIG. 10   e.  The receptacle cover  60   b  shown in  FIG. 11  has a small dimension and is identified by the circled number “2”, per designated  74   b  in  FIG. 11   e.  The smallest of the three receptacle covers shown in  FIG. 12  has the circled number “1”, per designated  74   c  in  FIG. 12   e.  As all of the components of the receptacle cover  60   b  shown in  FIGS. 11   a - 11   g  are the same as those in  FIGS. 10-10   g,  no further discussion is required. The same is true with respect to the receptacle cover  60   c  shown in  FIGS. 12   a - 12   g,  except for the two internal alignment flanges  76   a  and  76   b  that are shown in  FIG. 12   d.  These internal flanges are used to provide guidance for the positioning of sensor  54  for the pediatric sensor assembly as shown in  FIG. 7 . Sensor  54 , as it is used for a child, is smaller than either of the sensors  42  and  52  of the sensor assemblies of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , respectively. 
         [0068]    Thus, the receptacle cover  60   a  shown in  FIGS. 10   a - 10   g  is used for retaining sensor  40  of the sensor assembly of  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d.  The receptacle cover  60   b  is used to retain sensor  52  of the sensor assembly shown in  FIGS. 6   a - 6   d.  And the receptacle cover  60   c  shown in  FIGS. 12   a - 12   e  is used to retain sensor  54  of the sensor assembly shown in  FIG. 7 . As sensor  56  of the coiled sensor assembly of  FIGS. 8   a - 8   c  has the same dimension as sensor  42  of the sensor assembly of  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d,  receptacle cover  60   a  is used to retain sensor  56 . For further discussion, to prevent ambiguities, the different receptacle covers henceforth will simply be referred to as receptacle cover  60  per shown in  FIG. 9 . Unless specify otherwise, the sensor for the various sensor assemblies discussed above will simply be referred to as sensor  52 , per shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0069]    To effect the pocket receptacle or holster into which sensor  52  is to be retained, receptacle cover  60  is slidingly fitted into the portion of housing  12  that defines cavity  28 , by fittingly sliding its edge guides  68   a  and  68   b  with the respective grooves  78   a  and  78   b  formed along the corresponding sidewalls  24   a  and  24   b  that extend from back wall  18  of cavity  28 . Once fully inserted into to the housing  12 , receptacle cover  60  along with the back wall  18  of cavity  28  form the receptacle for retaining the corresponding sensor, for example sensor  52  shown in  FIG. 9 . The thus configured receptacle  28   a  is best shown in  FIG. 13 . As should be apparent, the dimension for receptacle  28   a  would vary, depending on which of the plurality of sensors shown in  FIGS. 5-8  is to be used with oximeter  2  and which of the plurality of receptacle covers  60   a,    60   b  or  60   c  is to be fitted to housing  12  for effecting the receptacle, pocket or holster needed to retain the to be used sensor. 
         [0070]    As receptacle cover  60  is attached to the cavity defining portion of housing  12 , the edge  66   a  ( FIG. 10   a ) of the end insert  66  of the cover would come into contact with protuberance  30 . Upon contact, due to the inherent elastic property of the plastics material from which the cover is made, the end insert would flex over the protuberance and be latched thereby. End insert  66  then form fittingly seats onto base  26  of cavity  28 . Receptacle cover  60  can be removed from cavity  28  by a user asserting a predetermined force to overcome the latching of the cover  60  by protuberance  30 . Depending on the type of sensor, and the sensor assembly associate therewith, to be used with oximeter  2 , different ones of the receptacle covers  60  may be affixed to housing  12  of oximeter  2 . 
         [0071]    After a given receptacle cover  60  is affixed to housing  12  to form receptacle  28   a,  the corresponding sensor can be placed into and stored in receptacle  28   a  when it is not in use. Tongue  70  at the front wall  64  of the receptacle cover  60  biases against the surface of the sensor that it makes contact with so that the senor is pushed against back wall  18  of housing  12 . As a result, once placed into receptacle  28   a,  the sensor is firmly held therein unless the user deliberately exerts a force that is greater than the biasing force exerted by tongue  70  against the sensor to remove the sensor from the receptacle  28   a.    FIG. 17  is an illustration showing the storage of a sensor in the receptacle that is formed by the affixing of a receptacle cover to the housing of the oximeter. 
         [0072]    With reference to  FIG. 13 , at the interior of compartment  22  at the back of oximeter housing  12  is connector  50  for coupling with sensor connector  46  of the sensor assemblies of  FIGS. 5-8 . Connector  46  is guided into the interior of compartment  22  by its ears  46   c  and  46   d  fittingly slide along two corresponding slots  80   a  and  80   b  formed at the interior of compartment  23 . 
         [0073]    With reference to  FIG. 14 , a bottom view shows that the bottom surface  82  of the oximeter device  2  has an opening  84  with a passage  84   a  toward the back of housing  12 . Opening  84  leads to a chamber  86  whereto there is mounted a connector, for example a USB connector, that is adapted to be mated to a counterpart connector. The connector can be connector  90  in a docking station ( FIG. 21 ), or a conventional USB cable connecter for supplying power and/or establishing communication between the oximeter device  2  and an external device. If connector  80  were to couple to a USB cable, the body of the cable can pass through passage  84   a,  so that housing  12  can stand upright on a flat surface. 
         [0074]      FIG. 15  shows a USB cable assembly with its connector  92  configured to mate to connector  88  in chamber  86  of oximeter housing  12 . Cable  90  fits into passage  84   a  while the body of connector  92  fits into opening  84 , to thereby enable oximeter  2  to stand upright on a flat surface. With the connection of cable  90  to oximeter  2 , as was noted earlier, a communication path is established between oximeter  2  and another device, for example an external monitor or another oximeter that has the capability to monitor remotely the physical attributes being monitored by oximeter  2 , via the sensor of the sensor assemblies shown in  FIGS. 5-8  connected thereto. The ability of oximeter  2  to communicate with another device is disclosed in the aforenoted incorporated by reference co-pending applications. With the connection of cable  90  to oximeter  2 , in addition to establishing an electrical communications path, external power may also be supplied to oximeter  2 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 16  shows the relationship between any one of the sensor assemblies of  FIGS. 5-8  and oximeter  2 . As shown, connector  46  of a cable of one of the sensor assemblies as noted is matable to connector  50 , for example a DB-9 connecter mounted in chamber  22   a  of compartment  22 . Slots  80   a  and  80   b  provide guidance for ears  46   c  and  46   d  of connector  46 , so that connector  46  would be securely guided to and mate with connector  50 . Physical attributes measured by the sensor of the sensor assembly are routed to oximeter  2  so that the measured physical attributed may be displayed on screen  4  of the oximeter, as is well known and performed by the oximeter boards discussed earlier. 
         [0076]      FIG. 17  shows the connection of a coiled sensor assembly such as that shown in  FIG. 8  to oximeter  2 , with connector  46  of the sensor assembly mated to connector  50  in compartment  22  of oximeter housing  12 .  FIG. 17  also shows sensor  56  being retained within the receptacle or holster effected by the affixing of receptacle or clip cover  60 , in this instance  60   a  of  FIGS. 10   a - 10   g,  to housing  12 .  FIG. 17  further shows the coaction between edge  66   a  of the end insert  66  of cover  60   a  with the protuberance  30  at back wall  18  of housing  12 , for affixing cover  60   a  to housing  12 . Absent a predetermined force large enough to dislodge cover  60   a  from the latching effected by protuberance  30 , cover  60   a  stays firmly affixed to housing  12 . Moreover, sensor  56  is frictionally retained in receptacle  28   a  due to it being biased by tongue  70  against back wall  18  of the receptacle. 
         [0077]      FIG. 18  is a front view of a second embodiment of the oximeter of the instant invention in which a number of button switches  94  have been added to the front surface of housing  12 . These buttons provide the user additional capabilities, such as changing screen  4  to display other numerical or graphical representations, or other functions that are described in the aforenoted incorporated by reference co-pending applications. 
         [0078]      FIG. 19  shows another embodiment of the oximeter  2  of the instant invention in which screen  4  is a LCD screen to enable the display of additional graphics and numbers that may represent sensed physical attributes of a patient or additional information for the user of the oximeter, such as text messages including instructions, conditions of the patient and alarms. Oximeter  2  of the  FIG. 19  embodiment further provides the user a way of communicating with other devices including other oximeters that may communicate telecommunicationally without the need for cables as described in the aforenoted incorporated by reference co-applications. 
         [0079]      FIG. 20  shows a perspective back view of oximeter  2  in which a battery pack  36  has been removed from chamber  38  and cover  20  has been removed from housing  12 . Cover  20  is configured to have a part of passage  84   a  at its lower portion formed. 
         [0080]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a docking station  94  to which oximeter  2  may dock. To dock, the USB connector  88  ( FIG. 15 ) of oximeter  2  is mated to a counterpart connector  96  at docking station  94 . Connector  96  may be a Molex connector that can deliver power to oximeter  2  and establish a communication path between docking station  94  and oximeter  2 . A cradle area  98  is provided in docking station  94  to enable housing  12  of the oximeter to be securely positioned, when oximeter  2  is docked to docking station  94 . The docking of oximeter  2  to docking station  94  is best shown in  FIG. 23 . 
         [0081]      FIGS. 22   a - 22   e  are different illustrations of the docking station.  FIG. 22   a  shows the front of the docking station in which a number of informational lights are provided. For example, when the oximeter is docked to docking station  94 , a lit LED at  94   a  shows that AC power is being provided to the docking station, and a lit LED at  94   b  shows USB power is available and is being provided to the oximeter. A spare battery charging light, designated by  94   c,  shows that a spare battery  100  ( FIG. 23 ) in docking station  94  is being charged. Battery pack  100  is inserted into a chamber (not shown) behind door  102  at the back of docking station  94 , per shown in  FIG. 22   e.  The door is shown to be opened in  FIG. 23 . 
         [0082]      FIG. 22   b  shows a plan view of the top of docking station  94 , showing the chamber  98  whereto the oximeter is positioned and cradled, and connector  96  to which the USB connector  88  of oximeter  2  is coupled.  FIG. 22   d  shows a side view of the docking station  94 .  FIG. 22   c  shows the bottom view of docking station  94 . As shown, a connector  106  is provided inside a chamber  104  having a side passageway. Connector  106  enables docking station  94  to be connected to an external device or a power device, so that a communications path and/or a power path may be established between the external device and the oximeter docked to the docking station. The cable assembly to be used with docking station  94  may be same as the cable assembly  90  shown in  FIG. 15 . In  FIG. 22   e,  graphical representations informing a user of how to insert and remove a battery pack are printed on backdoor  102 . 
         [0083]      FIG. 23  shows the docking of oximeter  2  to the docking station  94 , the opening of door  102  at the back of docking station  94 , and the battery pack  100  having been removed from docking station  94 . 
         [0084]      FIGS. 24   a - 24   e  are different views of a printer  108  that is attachable to docking station  94  to enable information from the oximeter to be printed. Printer  24   a  has a side  108   a  that includes a door  110  that may be pivotally open, per shown in  FIG. 27 , to allow a roll of printing paper to be installed into printer  108 . Printer  108  has a top that contains various switches and designations for a user, per shown by top view  108   b  of  FIG. 24   c.  A side surface  108   c  shows how a roll of paper may be inputted to the printer and how door  110  is to be opened and closed. An inside surface view of printer  108  in  FIG. 24   b  shows a connector  110  that mates with a corresponding connector (not shown as it is behind cover  112  of docking station  94  in  FIG. 21 ) at docking station  94 . Connector  110 , when connected to the connector behind cover  112  of docking station  94 , provides communication between docking station  94  and printer  108 . The alignment of printer  108  to dock  94  is effected by removing screw  114  at the side of the docking station  94  and the insertion thereto by guiding post  116  at the side surface  108   d  of printer  108 , per shown in  FIG. 24   b.    
         [0085]      FIG. 25  shows printer  108  being hingedly attached to docking station  94 , and  FIG. 26  shows the coupling of printing station  108  to docking station  84 . The system formed by the combined docking station  94  and printer  108  allows a user, once oximeter  2  is cradled in docking station  94 , to print out information from the oximeter and docking station, and the transmitting of information between oximeter  2  and the docking station  94  as well as to a remote device, if docking station  94  were to be electrically connected by means of its connector its  106  ( FIG. 22   c ) to the remote device. 
         [0086]      FIG. 27  shows the system of a, combination of printer  108  and docking station  94  with door  110  opened, possibly to receive a new roll of paper. 
         [0087]    Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many variations, modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all matter throughout this specification and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, even though an oximeter is described hereinabove, it should be appreciated that a medical device that uses sensors for measuring physical attributes or physiological parameters of a patient may also use the instant invention in that the housing of the medical device may be configured to accept covers or clips of different dimensions so that sensors of different dimensions can be accommodated and carried with the medical device.