Abstract:
A physiological monitor gauge panel defines parameters to display on a physiological monitor via corresponding gauges. Gauge faces depict a range of parameter values for each of the parameters. An indicator designates a position on each gauge face corresponding to the current parameter value within the range of parameter values. The indicated position on each of the gauges is at the mid-point of each of the gauge faces when each of the parameters is at a nominal value.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/552,427, filed Oct. 27, 2011, titled Physiological Monitor Gauge Panel, the above-cited provisional application hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Pulse oximetry is a widely accepted noninvasive procedure for measuring the oxygen saturation level of arterial blood, an indicator of a person&#39;s oxygen supply. A typical pulse oximetry system utilizes an optical sensor attached to a fingertip to measure the relative volume of oxygenated hemoglobin in pulsatile arterial blood flowing within the fingertip. Oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ), pulse rate and a plethysmograph waveform, which is a visualization of pulsatile blood flow over time, are displayed on a monitor accordingly. 
     Conventional pulse oximetry assumes that arterial blood is the only pulsatile blood flow in the measurement site. During patient motion, venous blood also moves, which causes errors in conventional pulse oximetry. Advanced pulse oximetry processes the venous blood signal so as to report true arterial oxygen saturation and pulse rate under conditions of patient movement. Advanced pulse oximetry also functions under conditions of low perfusion (small signal amplitude), intense ambient light (artificial or sunlight) and electrosurgical instrument interference, which are scenarios where conventional pulse oximetry tends to fail. 
     Advanced pulse oximetry is described in at least U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,770,028; 6,658,276; 6,157,850; 6,002,952; 5,769,785 and 5,758,644, which are assigned to Masimo Corporation (“Masimo”) of Irvine, Calif. and are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein. Corresponding low noise optical sensors are disclosed in at least U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,985,764; 6,813,511; 6,792,300; 6,256,523; 6,088,607; 5,782,757 and 5,638,818, which are also assigned to Masimo and are also incorporated in their entirety by reference herein. Advanced pulse oximetry systems including Masimo SET® low noise optical sensors and read through motion pulse oximetry monitors for measuring SpO 2 , pulse rate (PR) and perfusion index (PI) are available from Masimo. Optical sensors include any of Masimo LNOP®, LNCS®, SofTouch™ and Blue™ adhesive or reusable sensors. Pulse oximetry monitors include any of Masimo Rad-8®, Rad-5®, Rad®-5v or SatShare® monitors. 
     Advanced blood parameter measurement systems are described in at least U.S. Pat. No. 7,647,083, filed Mar. 1, 2006, titled Multiple Wavelength Sensor Equalization; U.S. Pat. No. 7,729,733, filed Mar. 1, 2006, titled Configurable Physiological Measurement System; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2006/0211925, filed Mar. 1, 2006, titled Physiological Parameter Confidence Measure and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2006/0238358, filed Mar. 1, 2006, titled Noninvasive Multi-Parameter Patient Monitor, all assigned to Cercacor Laboratories, Inc., Irvine, Calif. (Cercacor) and all incorporated in their entirety by reference herein. Advanced blood parameter measurement systems include Masimo Rainbow® SET, which provides measurements in addition to SpO 2 , such as total hemoglobin (SpHb™), oxygen content (SpOC™), methemoglobin (SpMet®), carboxyhemoglobin (SpCO®) and PVI®. Advanced blood parameter sensors include Masimo Rainbow® adhesive, ReSposable™ and reusable sensors. Advanced blood parameter monitors include Masimo Radical-7™, Rad87™ and Rad57™, Pronto-7® and Pronto® monitors, all available from Masimo. Such advanced pulse oximeters, low noise sensors and advanced blood parameter systems have gained rapid acceptance in a wide variety of medical applications, including surgical wards, intensive care and neonatal units, general wards, home care, physical training, and virtually all types of monitoring scenarios. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A physiological monitor gauge panel displays a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows medical care providers to quickly view and immediately and intuitively recognize and assess patient status across multiple parameters. The GUI comprises multiple gauges arranged in a panel. In an embodiment, a face of each gauge is configured as a circular portion. A needle of each gauge rotatably moves across the gauge face so as to indicate a parameter value. A gauge readout integrated with the gauge face also indicates a parameter value. An alarm region is disposed along at least one end of the face so as to indicate a lower alarm limit, an upper alarm limit or both lower and upper alarm limits. The alarm region becomes brightly illuminated when the needle is within the alarm region so as to alert a caregiver of an alarm condition. 
     In an embodiment, the physiological monitor gauge has a gauge face with generally semi-circular upper and lower edges defining downward-oriented ends and a mid-point between the ends defining an arced peak. Positions along the gauge face correspond to physiological parameter values. An indicator is disposed on the gauge face and is moveable along the gauge face according to a parameter value. The parameter value is displayed as at least one digit underneath the arced peak. The parameter type is specified under the parameter value. 
     One aspect of a physiological monitor gauge panel has a gauge face with generally semi-circular upper and lower edges. Each edge has downward-oriented ends and a mid-point defining an arced peak. Positions along the gauge face correspond to parameter values. An indicator is disposed on the gauge face and is moveable along the gauge face according to parameter values. At least one digit is displayed underneath the arced peak according to parameter values, and a parameter type is displayed under the at least one digit. In various embodiments, a generally arced color bar is disposed along the gauge face proximate at least one of the ends. The color bar defines an alarm region for parameter values. An arced histogram is disposed above the gauge face upper edge having bins, each of which generally represent parameter values corresponding to bin positions along the gauge face. Bin fills are depicted as relatively dark lines of various lengths coextending with particular ones of the bins. The bin fills each depict the amount of time the indicator persists at a given parameter value associated with a bin position. 
     Further aspect of a physiological monitor gauge panel are an alarm condition corresponding to the indicator positioned over the color bar. The gauge face changes from a generally neutral color to a red color during the alarm condition. Parameter value digits change from a black color to a white color during the alarm condition, and a background of the parameter value changes to a generally red color. A ghost face represents an unused quarter-circle region proximate one of the gauge face ends. A second generally arced color bar is located proximate the color bar and defines a cautionary region for parameter values. Gauge faces and corresponding indicators, parameter values and parameter types define a panel of parameter gauges. The indicators of each parameter gauge are generally centered at each of the arced peaks of the gauge faces so as to designate generally nominal values for the underlying physiological parameters. The panel displaying one or more significantly off-centered indicators signifies a potentially significant physiological event. 
     Another aspect of a physiological monitor gauge panel defines parameters to display on a physiological monitor via corresponding gauges. Gauge faces depict a range of parameter values for each of the parameters. An indicator designates a position on each gauge face corresponding to the current parameter value within the range of parameter values. The indicated position on each of the gauges is at the mid-point of each of the gauge faces when each of the parameters is at a nominal value. In various embodiments, gauge faces define a semi-circular range for each parameter. A low-range gauge has a left quarter-circle active face portion and a right quarter-circle inactive face portion. A high-range gauge has a right quarter-circle active face portion and a left quarter-circle inactive face portion. A high/low-range gauge has both a right quarter-circle active face portion and a left quarter-circle active face portion. A color bar designates an alarm region of parameter values. A second color bar designates a cautionary region of parameter values. 
     Yet another aspect of a physiological monitor gauge is a gauge face for depicting a range of values of a parameter on a physiological monitor. An indicator rotatably moves along the gauge face in response to the parameter so as to designate a current value for the parameter. The gauge face is configured so that the indicator is centered on the gauge face when the parameter current value is a nominal value. In various embodiments, the gauge face has a left-sided active face when the parameter has alarm limits for only low parameter values and a right-sided active face when the parameter has alarm limits for only high parameter values. The gauge face has both a left-sided active face and a right-sided active face when the parameter has alarm limits for both low parameter values and high parameter values. An active histogram is disposed proximate the active face for indicating the amount of time the indicator persists at a given parameter value. A virtual sliding knob sets the alarm limits along the gauge face. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a physiological monitor gauge panel illustration presenting nominal values for each parameter and dual (red and yellow zone) alarm limits; 
         FIG. 2  is a physiological monitor gauge panel illustration presenting less than nominal values for each parameter; 
         FIG. 3  is a physiological monitor gauge panel illustration presenting an alarm condition for a particular parameter; 
         FIG. 4  is a parameter gauge illustration presenting an active histogram; 
         FIG. 5  is a parameter gauge illustration presenting an alarm limit editor; 
         FIG. 6  is a parameter gauge illustration presenting a 3-dimensional edge; 
         FIG. 7  is a parameter gauge illustration presenting a visible needle indicator; 
         FIG. 8  is a quarter-circle parameter gauge illustration; and 
         FIG. 9  is a parameter gauge illustration presenting single (red zone) alarm limits. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a physiological monitor gauge panel  100  embodiment configured as a GUI (graphical user interface) presented on a monitor display. The gauge panel  100  is depicted as displaying nominal values for each parameter, as described below. Advantageously, a GUI gauge panel presentation of physiological parameters allows medical care providers to quickly view and immediately and intuitively recognize and assess patient status across multiple parameters. Indeed, a familiarity with reading of electrical/mechanical needle gauges is acquired over a lifetime exposure to speedometers, thermometers, tachometers and fuel-level indicators, to name a few. 
     An exemplar gauge panel configuration displays three half-circle gauges including a SpO 2  (oxygen saturation) gauge  101 , a SpHb (total hemoglobin) gauge  102  and a SpMet (methemoglobin) gauge  103 . Each gauge has a semi-circular face  110  and a parameter value indicator  120  that rotatably travels along each face  110 . In particular, each indicator  120  is a visible tip terminating an apparent (unseen) needle that extends from, and rotatably pivots around, a gauge center. See, e.g.,  FIG. 7 , below, illustrating visible needle. The indicator  120  position on the face  110  matches the value of a digital parameter readout  140  of the indicated parameter value. Advantageously, each gauge  101 ,  102 ,  103  is configured so that the indicator  120  is at the face mid-point, i.e. straight up as depicted, when the parameter is at a nominal value. In this manner, a caregiver will immediately recognize a patient having one or more abnormal readings and the degree of abnormality across multiple parameters. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a low-range-alarm gauge  101  is configured for parameters having alarm limits for only low parameter values. A high-range-alarm gauge  103  is configured for parameters having alarm limits for only high parameter values. A high/low-range-alarm gauge  102  is configured for parameters having alarm limits for both low and high parameter values. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 1 , a low-range-alarm gauge  101  embodiment is configured with a left quarter-circle active face  112  depicting a possible range of parameter values. A right quarter-circle inactive face  114  is unused. In an embodiment, the inactive face is depicted as a ghost face, e.g. with a thin or light outline, as shown. In other embodiments, the inactive face is not shown, i.e. the gauge  101  has a quarter-circle face, as described with respect to  FIG. 8 , below. An alarm region is designated by a curved color bar  150  proximate a low-value range  112  of the face  110 . A numerical indicator  152  indicates the maximum value of the alarm region. In an embodiment, the color bar  150  is red. In an embodiment, a second color bar  170  indicates a cautionary region. In an embodiment, the second color bar  170  is yellow. 
     Further shown in  FIG. 1 , a high-range-alarm gauge  103  embodiment is configured with a right quarter-circle active face  114  depicting a possible range of parameter values. A left quarter-circle inactive face  112  is unused. In an embodiment, the inactive face is depicted as a ghost face  190  as shown. In other embodiments, the inactive face is not shown. An alarm region is designated by a curved color bar  160  (e.g. red) proximate a high-value range  114  of the face  110 . A numerical indicator  162  indicates the minimum value of the alarm region. In an embodiment, a second color bar  180  (e.g. yellow) indicates a cautionary region. 
     Additionally shown in  FIG. 1 , a low/high-range-alarm gauge  102  embodiment is configured with a semi-circle active face  112 ,  114  depicting a possible range of parameter values. A left quarter-circle active face  112  illustrates high range values and a right quarter-circle active face  114  illustrates low range values. Alarm regions are designated by a curved (red) color bars  150 ,  160  at the high and low parameter ranges, respectively. Numerical indicators  152 ,  162  indicate the alarm onset regions. In an embodiment, a second (yellow) color bars  170 ,  180  indicates cautionary regions. In an embodiment, the parameter value indicator  120  is a brightly illuminated white. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a physiological monitor gauge panel  200  presenting less than nominal values for each parameter. In particular, each gauge  101 ,  102 ,  103  has an indicator located away from a vertical (straight-up) position, as compared with the panel  100  ( FIG. 1 ), described above. Advantageously, the off-vertical indicators  120  immediate signal a caregiver of one or more abnormal readings and the degree of abnormality across multiple parameters. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a physiological monitor gauge panel  300  presenting an SpHb parameter gauge  101  that indicates an alarm condition. In particular, the gauge indicator  120  and readout  140  indicate SpHb has dropped below a listed limit of 7. In an embodiment, the alarm condition is advantageously indicated by the red color bar  150  changing to a brightest red illumination and also glowing red, the numerical value  140  changing to solid white, the color of the face  110  border changing to red and the readout background  145  changing to a bright red illumination and also having a red glow. Advantageously, these various visual cues allow a caregiver to quickly recognize the alarming parameter and the severity of the underlying physiological condition of the patient. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a parameter gauge  400  presenting an active histogram  410 . The histogram has bins  412  evenly distributed around the outer edge of the gauge face  110 . The bins  412  are depicted as relatively light, radially extending lines, all of the same length. Bin fill  414  are depicted as relatively dark lines of various lengths coextending with particular ones of the bins  412 . The histogram  410  advantageously depicts the amount of time the indicator  120  persists at a given parameter value corresponding to a bin position. The greater amount of time the indicator  120  persists at a given parameter value, the further the histogram fill corresponding to that bin extends from the inner edge to the outer edge of the histogram scale. In an embodiment, the histogram  410  extends the full travel range of the indicator  120 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a parameter gauge  500  presenting an alarm limit editor. When a user touches an alarm limit number, e.g.  152  ( FIG. 1 ), the alarm limit number and histogram (if enabled) fades out. These are replaced by a dual knob slider  501 . The slider  501  has a decreasing value (relative to the center) left side  510  and an increasing value (relative to the center) right side  520 . Accordingly, the slider  501  has a corresponding left side knob  512 , left side label  514 , right side knob  522  and right side label  524 . A user can slide each knob  512 ,  522  with a finger along a slider carve  550 . Each label  514 ,  524  will track with the corresponding knob  512 ,  522  position, and the value depicted on each label  514 ,  524  will update as the corresponding knob is moved. The color (red) alarm bars also track and move with the knobs  512 ,  522 . The between-the-knobs carve portion  555  is also colored (black) so as to help identify the knob positions. Half gauges, such as  101  ( FIG. 1 ) and  103  ( FIG. 1 ) having a single (decreasing or increasing) range have a single knob and label accordingly. 
       FIGS. 6-9  each illustrate various other parameter gauge embodiments.  FIG. 6  illustrates a parameter gauge  600  having a gauge face  110  with an apparent edge  610  so as to appear three-dimensional.  FIG. 7  illustrates a parameter gauge  700  with an indicator  120  that sits atop a visible needle  125 . The needle  125  and corresponding indicator  120  rotate about a gauge center  113 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a quarter-circle parameter gauge  800 , i.e. a gauge without a ghost face  190  ( FIG. 1 ) to indicate an inactive gauge portion.  FIG. 9  illustrates a parameter gauge  900  having only red zone alarm regions  150 ,  160 , i.e. without cautionary yellow zone regions  170 ,  180  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     A physiological monitor gauge panel has been disclosed in detail in connection with various embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed by way of examples only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the claims that follow. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate many variations and modifications.