Abstract:
A wireless patient monitoring device can be fully functional stand-alone patient monitoring device capable of various physiological measurements. The patient monitoring device is small and light enough to be comfortably worn on the patient, such as on the patient&#39;s wrist or around the neck. The patient monitoring device can have a monitor instrument removably engaging a disposable base. The base can have outlets for connecting to an acoustic respiration sensor and an oximeter sensor. The patient monitoring device can have pogo pin connectors connecting the monitor instrument and the disposable base so that the monitor instrument can receive sensor data from the sensors connected to the disposable base.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/359,589, filed Jul. 7, 2016, titled WEARABLE PULSE OXIMETER AND RESPIRATION MONITOR; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/463,331, filed Feb. 24, 2017, titled WEARABLE PULSE OXIMETER AND RESPIRATION MONITOR. Each of the foregoing applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    In general, the present disclosure relates to a wearable patient monitoring device, and methods and apparatuses for monitoring a patient&#39;s physiological information using the device. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the connection of physiological sensors to instruments responsive to signals from the sensors. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Hospitals, nursing homes, and other patient care facilities typically include patient monitoring devices at one or more bedsides in the facility. Patient monitoring devices generally include sensors, processing equipment, and displays for obtaining and analyzing a medical patient&#39;s physiological parameters such as blood oxygen saturation level, respiratory rate, pulse, and a myriad of other parameters, such as those monitored on commercially available patient monitors from Masimo Corporation of Irvine, Calif. Clinicians, including doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel, use the physiological parameters and trends of those parameters obtained from patient monitors to diagnose illnesses and to prescribe treatments. Clinicians also use the physiological parameters to monitor patients during various clinical situations to determine whether to increase the level of medical care given to patients. 
         [0004]    In an embodiment, the patient monitoring devices include a pulse oximeter. 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 clipped onto a fingertip to measure a relative volume of oxygenated hemoglobin in pulsatile arterial blood flowing within, for example, the fingertip, foot, ear, forehead, or other measurement sites. The oximeter can, in various embodiments, calculate oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ), pulse rate, a plethysmograph waveform, perfusion index (PI), pleth variability index (PVI), methemoglobin (MetHb), carboxyhemoglobin (CoHb), total hemoglobin (tHb), glucose, and/or otherwise, and the oximeter can display on one or more monitors the foregoing parameters individually, in groups, in trends, as combinations, or as an overall wellness or other index. An example of such an oximeter, which can utilize an optical sensor described herein, are described in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/762,270, filed Feb. 07, 2013, titled “Wireless Patient Monitoring Device,” U.S. application Ser. No. 14/834,169, filed Aug. 24, 2015, titled “Wireless Patient Monitoring Device,” and U.S. application Ser. No. 14/511,974, filed Oct. 10, 2014, titled “Patient Position Detection System,” the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
         [0005]    The patient monitoring devices can also communicate with an acoustic sensor comprising an acoustic transducer, such as a piezoelectric element. The acoustic sensor can detect respiratory and other biological sounds of a patient and provide signals reflecting these sounds to a patient monitor. An example of such an acoustic sensor, which can implement any of the acoustic sensing functions described herein, is described in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/643,939, filed Dec. 21, 2009, titled “Acoustic Sensor Assembly,” and in U.S. application Ser. No. 61/313,645, filed Mar. 12, 2010, titled “Acoustic Respiratory Monitoring Sensor Having Multiple Sensing Elements,” the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. An example of such an acoustic sensor is also described in U.S. application Ser. Nos. 13/762,270, 14/834,169, and 14/511,974 referenced above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0006]    In the present disclosure, one or more sensors can be connected to a wireless monitor configured to receive the sensor data, process the data to determine any number of a myriad of physiological parameters, and wirelessly transmit the sensor data or the physiological parameters responsive to the sensor data to a bedside monitor. The bedside monitor can be configured to output the physiological parameters, communication channel, and/or communication status. An example of methods and apparatuses for wirelessly monitoring a patient&#39;s physiological information is described in U.S. application Ser. Nos. 13/762,270, 14/834,169, and 14/511,974 referenced above. 
         [0007]    Durable and disposable sensors are often used for the patient monitoring devices. These sensors can have connectors which allow detachment from a monitor instrument or a cable. One example of the connectors can include the use of pogo pins on a pin end and a plurality of electrical contacts on a surface of a sensor end. The pin end can have a plurality of retractable electrical connectors or pogo pins extending through pin holes on a printed circuit board. The plurality of electrical contacts on the sensor end are configured to engage contact tips of the plurality of pogo pins when the pin end comes into close proximity with the sensor end. An example of the pogo pin connectors is described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/017,349, filed Feb. 5, 2016, titled “Pogo Pin Connector,” which is expressly bodily incorporated in its entirety and is part of this disclosure. 
         [0008]    One aspect of the disclosure is a wireless patient monitoring device for measuring one or more parameters that can be secured to a wrist of the patient. The wireless patient monitoring device can include a monitor instrument, a base, and a strap. The monitor instrument can removably mechanically and electrically engage the base. In some embodiments, the monitor instrument can have a display screen. The base can have a strap connector for engaging a strap that can be worn on the patient&#39;s wrist. The base can have an outlet on a first end configured to be connected to a first sensor. In some embodiments, the base can also have an outlet on a second end configured to be connected to a second sensor. The first end can be opposite the second end along a length of the base. The base can have a plurality of electrical contacts on an anterior surface. The plurality of electrical contacts can be configured to contact a plurality of pogo pins extending from a posterior surface of the monitor instrument. The contact between the electrical contacts and the pogo pins can electrically connect the monitor instrument to the sensors that are coupled to the base. The monitor instrument can then receive data from one or both sensors, it can process the data to determine responsive parameters/measurements and/or can transmit the data and calculated parameter information wirelessly to a bedside monitor. In some embodiments, one of the sensors is configured to be connected to the base and can comprise a noninvasive optical sensor of the type used in pulse oximetry. In some embodiments, one of the sensors is configured to be connected to the base and can comprise a non-invasive acoustic sensor of the type used in breath sounds monitoring to determine respiration rate and/or cardiac parameters. 
         [0009]    A patient monitoring device configured to be removably secured to a patient and responsive to one or more physiological parameters of the patient can comprise a reusable monitor instrument configured to transmit wireless information to a remote patient monitor and having a plurality of electrical connectors extending from a surface of the monitor instrument; and a disposable portion including (a) at least one non-invasive physiological sensor comprising one of an optical sensor and an acoustic sensor, (b) a base having (i) an electrical connector configured to connect to the at least one physiological sensor, the at least one physiological sensor including its own sensor attachment mechanism separate from the disposable portion, said sensor attachment mechanism configured to removably secure said at least one physiological sensor to a measurement site on said patient, and (ii) a plurality of electrical contacts on a surface, the electrical connector including electronics operably connecting the at least one physiological sensor to the plurality of electrical contacts, the monitor instrument configured to removably mechanically engage the base, the electrical connectors configured to electrically contact the electrical contacts, and (c) an attachment mechanism configured for removably securing the base to the patient, wherein the monitor instrument can be responsive to signals from the at least one physiological sensor, said signals responsive to physiological parameters of the patient. The base can further comprise a second electrical connector configured to connect to a second non-invasive physiological sensor. The physiological sensor can comprise the optical sensor. The physiological sensor can comprise the acoustic sensor. The monitor instrument can comprise a display screen. The plurality of electrical connectors can comprise pogo pins. The device can further comprise one or more cable management mechanisms on the reusable monitor instrument or the base, the one or more cable management mechanisms configured to secure sensor cables. 
         [0010]    A patient monitoring device configured to be removably secured to a patient and responsive to one or more physiological parameters of the patient can comprise a reusable monitor instrument configured to transmit wireless information to a remote patient monitor and having a plurality of electrical connectors extending from a surface of the monitor instrument; and a disposable portion including (a) at least two non-invasive physiological sensors, each sensor including a sensor positioner configured to position the sensor with respect to a measurement site on said patient, (b) a base having (i) at least first and second electrical connectors configured to connect to the at least two physiological sensors respectively, and (ii) a plurality of electrical contacts on a surface, the electrical connectors including electronics operably connecting the at least two physiological sensors to the plurality of electrical contacts, the monitor instrument configured to removably mechanically engage the base, the electrical connectors configured to electrically contact the electrical contacts, and (c) an attachment mechanism configured for removably securing the base to the patient, wherein the monitor instrument can be responsive to signals from the at least two physiological sensors, said signals responsive to physiological parameters of the patient. The attachment member can comprise a band configured to be removably secured onto the patient&#39;s arm, wrist, leg, or ankle. The attachment member can comprise a cord configured to be worn around the patient&#39;s neck. The at least first and second electrical connectors can be positioned on the same side of the base. At least first and second electrical connectors can be configured to removably connect the at least two physiological sensors such that the at least first and second electrical connectors can be exchanged. The plurality of electrical connectors can comprise pogo pins. The device can further comprise one or more cable management mechanisms on the reusable monitor instrument or the base, the one or more cable management mechanisms configured to secure sensor cables. 
         [0011]    A patient monitoring device configured to be removably secured to a patient and responsive to one or more physiological parameters of the patient can comprise a reusable monitor instrument configured to transmit wireless information to a remote patient monitor and having at least one electrical connector extending from a surface of the monitor instrument, the at least one electrical connector including electronics configured for operably connecting to at least one physiological sensor; and a disposable portion including a base and an attachment mechanism configured for removably securing the base to the patient, the monitor instrument configured to removably mechanically engage the base, wherein the monitor instrument can be responsive to signals from the at least one physiological sensor, said signals responsive to physiological parameters of the patient. The attachment member can comprise a band configured to be removably secured onto the patient&#39;s arm, wrist, leg, or ankle. The attachment member can comprise a cord configured to be worn around the patient&#39;s neck. The device can further comprise one or more cable management mechanisms on the reusable monitor instrument or the base, the one or more cable management mechanisms configured to secure sensor cables. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Various embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are illustrated and described by example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings, similar elements have similar reference numerals. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 1A-C  illustrate perspective and front views of an embodiment of a wireless patient monitoring device connected to two physiological sensors. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 1D-1F  illustrate various perspective views of an embodiment of a wireless patient monitoring device connected to two physiological sensors. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 1G-1I  various perspective views of illustrate an embodiment of a wireless patient monitoring device connected to two physiological sensors. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 2A-C  illustrate partially exploded views of the embodiment of the wireless patient monitoring device of  FIGS. 1A-B  connected to two physiological sensors. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 2D-E  illustrates front and back views of embodiments of pads or printed circuit boards (“PCBs”) having a plurality of electrical contacts for use in an embodiment of the wireless patient monitoring device. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2F  illustrates back views of a base and a strap of an embodiment of the wireless patient monitoring device. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 3A-C  illustrate left, front and bottom views of an embodiment of the wireless patient monitoring device. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 4A-C  illustrate left, front and bottom views of the embodiment of the wireless patient monitoring device of  FIGS. 3A-C  with internal structures shown in broken lines. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 5A-D  illustrate perspective, left, front, and bottom views of another embodiment of the wireless patient monitoring device. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5E  illustrates the embodiment of the wireless patient monitoring device of  FIGS. 5A-D  connecting to a physiological sensor. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5F  illustrates another embodiment of the wireless patient monitoring device connecting to a physiological sensor. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a partial exploded view of the embodiment of the wireless patient monitoring device of  FIGS. 5A-D . 
           [0025]      FIGS. 6B-E  illustrate steps for disassembling a monitor instrument from a base of the embodiment of the wireless patient monitoring device of  FIGS. 5A-D . 
           [0026]      FIG. 6F  illustrates front views of a base, a strap and a sensor cable of another embodiment of the wireless patient monitoring device. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 7A-E  illustrate embodiments of the wireless patient monitoring device suitable for wearing on both the patient&#39;s left and right wrists. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 8A-B  illustrate another embodiment of the wireless patient monitoring device that can be worn around a patient&#39;s neck. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 9A-B  illustrate another embodiment of the wireless patient monitoring device that can be worn on the patient&#39;s wrist. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 10A-B  illustrate the embodiments of the wireless patient monitoring device of  FIGS. 8A-B  and  9 A-B attached to a physiological sensor, with the monitor instrument detached from the bases. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 11A-D  illustrate another embodiment of the wireless patient monitoring device. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  illustrates a patient wearing an example wireless patient monitoring device. 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  illustrates a patient wearing an example wireless patient monitoring device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    Although certain embodiments and examples are described below, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments and/or uses and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the disclosure herein disclosed should not be limited by any particular embodiments described below. 
         [0035]    In clinical settings, medical sensors are often attached to patients to monitor physiological parameters of the patients. Some examples of medical sensors include, but are not limited to, blood oxygen sensors, such as pulse oximetry sensors, acoustic respiratory sensors, EEGs, ECGs, blood pressure sensors, sedation state sensors, etc. Typically, each sensor attached to a patient is connected to a bedside monitoring device with a cable. The cables limit the patient&#39;s freedom of movement and impede a care provider&#39;s access to the patient. The cables connecting the patient to the bedside monitoring device also make it more difficult to move the patient from room to room or switch to different bedside monitors. 
         [0036]    This disclosure describes embodiments of wireless patient monitoring devices that are coupled to one or more sensors and worn by a patient.  FIGS. 1A-B  illustrate an embodiment of the wireless patient monitoring device  10 . The wireless patient monitoring device  10  can have a monitor instrument  110 , a base  140 , and a strap  160 . The monitor instrument  110  can be reusable. The base  140  and/or the strap  160  can be disposable. 
         [0037]    The monitor instrument  110  can include a wireless transceiver capable of transmitting data using any of a variety of wireless technologies, such as Wi-Fi (802.11x), Bluetooth (802.15.2), Zigbee (802.15.4), cellular telephony, infrared, RFID, satellite transmission, proprietary protocols, combinations of the same, and the like. The monitor instrument  110  can also include processing capabilities. The monitor instrument  110  can include a hardware processor. The monitor instrument can include a printed circuit board (PCB). In some embodiments, the monitor instrument  100  can have a battery. In some embodiments, the battery can be built inside the monitor instrument  110  and rechargeable. For example, the battery can be recharged when the monitor instrument  100  is placed on a charging dock. In other embodiments, the battery can be replaceable. The monitor instrument  100  can transmit sensor data obtained from sensors to a remote patient monitor (not shown). For example, the remote patient monitor can be a bedside monitor. By transmitting the sensor data wirelessly, the patient monitoring device  10  can advantageously replace some or all cables that connect patients to the bedside monitor. Detailed methods and apparatuses of wirelessly transmitting sensor data to bedside monitoring devices are described in U.S. application Ser. Nos. 13/762,270, 14/834,169, and 14/511,974 referenced above. 
         [0038]    An artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein that the device  10  can include additional and/or alternative features and functions. For example, the device  10  can advantageously upload its data to a cloud-based computing platform or data storage platform where the device manufacturer can manage the data, a caregiver, caregiver facility or insurance provider can access the data, or the like. Also, while shown as a device for attachment to the wrist or appendages of non-infants, the device can attach to an ankle of an infant or neonate where the optical sensor is attached to the foot. Other embodiments can use an ear or nose optical sensor, or can combine a nose optical sensor and an acoustic sensor. Still additional embodiments can secure to the head or other site on the body, can include position sensors, fall detection algorithms, patient turn protocols and algorithms or the like. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIGS. 2A-B , the monitor instrument  110  can be detachable from the base  140 . The monitor instrument  110  can have a substantially rectangular shape with an anterior surface  112  and a posterior surface  114 . The anterior surface  112  faces away from the base  140 . The posterior surface  114  faces toward the base  140 . In some embodiments, the monitor instrument  110  can have a length of about 50-70 cm. In some embodiments, the monitor instrument  110  can have a width of about 40-60 cm. The anterior and posterior surfaces  112 ,  114  can be substantially flat and have a small thickness between the anterior and posterior surfaces  112 ,  114 . The shape, size, and/or weight of the monitor instrument  110  can advantageously resemble a shape size, and/or weight of a watch and be suitable for being worn on the wrist of the patient. The shape size, and/or weight of the monitor instrument  110  are not limiting; however, in an embodiment, the size and weight are approximate that of a wrist watch. For example and not by way of limitation, the monitor instrument can have a circular outer shape as shown in  FIGS. 5A-D , or a square outer shape as shown in  FIG. 5F . In the illustrated embodiments, the anterior surface  112  can have a display screen  113  for displaying messages and/or physiological parameters for the patient and/or care providers. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , the posterior surface  114  of the monitor instrument  110  can include a cover  116  having a group of pogo pin holes. One end of a plurality of pogo pins  117  can protrude from the pogo pin holes of the cover  116 . Another end of the pogo pins can form an electrical connection with the PCB inside the monitor instrument  110  to establish an electrical connection between the PCB inside the monitor instrument  110  and one or more sensors, which will be described in more details below. More details of the pogo pins are described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/017,349 referenced above. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of pogo pins  117  is arranged in two rows. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from the disclosure herein that the configuration of the plurality of pogo pins is not limiting. Additionally, although  FIG. 2A  shows one cover  116  with a plurality of pogo pins  117  in a center of the posterior surface  114 , the number and/or locations of covers with a plurality of pogo pins are not limiting. For example and not by way of limitation, the posterior surface  114  of the monitor instrument  110  can have two covers with pogo pins on opposite ends of the posterior surface  114  along its length or width. In another example, the posterior surface  114  of the monitor instrument  110  can have one cover with pogo pins on each of four corners of the substantially rectangular posterior surface  114 . 
         [0041]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 2A-2B , the base  140  can be made from disposable material(s). Disposability advantageously provides a more sterile environment for patients. That is, in an embodiment, the portions of the device that can come in contact with a patient, such as sensors  170 ,  172 , the strap  160 , and the base  140 , can be single use items, while the relatively expensive processing components of the monitor instrument  110  can be sanitized, sterilized or the like, and reused. For example and not by way of limitation, the base  140  can be made from plastic materials. The base  140  can have an outer shape corresponding to the outer shape of the monitor instrument  110 . As shown in  FIGS. 2A-B , the base  140  has a substantially rectangular shape with an anterior surface  142  and a posterior surface  144  (shown in  FIG. 2F ). The anterior surface  142  faces toward the monitor instrument  110 . The posterior surface  144  faces away from the monitor instrument  110  and toward the patient wearing the device. The anterior  142  and posterior  144  surfaces can be substantially flat and have a small thickness between the anterior  142  and posterior  144  surfaces. The shape and size of the base  140  are not limiting. The anterior surface  142  of the base  140  can have a recessed flat surface  143  configured to accommodate the posterior surface  114  of the monitor instrument  110 . As shown in  FIGS. 1A-B  and  2 A-B, the monitor instrument  110  can removably engage the anterior surface  142  of the base  140 . In the illustrated embodiment, the base  140  can have two tabs  148  configured to clip onto or otherwise mechanically and removably mate with two recesses  118  on the monitor instrument  110 . The tab  148  can have a protrusion  149  configured to fit into an indent  119  on the recess  118  of the monitor instrument  110 . Other methods of removably coupling the monitor instrument  110  and the base  140  can include a magnet, a clip, a band, a snap fit, a friction fit, twist and secure, slide and secure, or otherwise, and are not limiting. 
         [0042]    The base  140  can include one or more outlets for accommodating one or more sensor cables extending out of and away from the base  140 . As shown in  FIGS. 1A-C  and  2 A-B, the base  140  can include a first outlet  150  on a first end of the base  140  and a second outlet  152  on a second end of the base  140 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second end can be opposite the first end along a length of the base  140 . A first cable  174  of first sensor  170  can extend away from the base  140  via the first outlet  150 . A second cable  176  of a second sensor  172  can extend away from the base  140  via the second outlet  152 . Disposing outlets on opposite ends of the base  140  can advantageously prevent cluttering and tangling of the sensor cables. In the illustrated embodiment, the first sensor  170  can comprise an SpO 2  sensor and the second sensor  172  can comprise a respiratory rate sensor. Types of sensor that can connect to the base  140  are not limiting. In some embodiments, the base  140  can include only one outlet configured for any type of physiological sensor. In some embodiments, the cable(s) of the one or two sensors can be permanently connected to the outlets of the base. The base and the sensors can be both disposable. As shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , locations of the first and second sensors  170 ,  172  can be exchangeable so that the first sensor  170  is connected from the side of the second outlet  152  and the second sensor  172  is connected from the side of the first outlet  150 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 1D-1I  illustrate embodiments of the wireless patient monitoring device  10  having the first and second outlets  150 ,  152  on the same end of the base  140 . Some or all of remaining features of the wireless patient monitoring device  10  in  FIG. 1D-1I  can have the same structural details as the wireless patient monitoring device described above. In addition, features of the patient monitoring device  10  in  FIGS. 1D-1I  can be incorporated into features of patient monitoring device illustrated in the subsequent figures and described below and features of the patient monitoring device illustrated in the subsequent figures and described below can be incorporated into features of patient monitoring device  10  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1D-1I . In these embodiments, the first and second cables  174 ,  176  of the first and second sensors  170 ,  172 , respectively, can extend from the first and second outlets,  150 ,  152  on the same end of the base  140 . As shown in  FIGS. 1D-1I , the first cable  174  can be positioned approximately 180° relative to a direction the outlet  150  faces so that when the device  10  is worn by the user, the first and second sensors  170 ,  172  can be located on opposite ends of the base  140 . A skilled artisan will recognize that either one of the first and second cables  174 ,  176  can be positioned approximately 180° relative to a direction that the outlets  150 ,  152  face to make the first and second sensors  170 ,  172  on the opposite ends of the base  140 . A skilled artisan will also recognize that either one or both of the first and second cables  174 ,  176  can be positioned in a direction about 90°, about 180°, or about 270°, or any other angles, relative to a direction that the outlets  150 ,  152  face, depending on the desired locations of the sensors. A skilled artisan will appreciate from the disclosure herein that one or more outlets can be positioned anywhere along a perimeter of the wireless patient monitoring device, or on any surface of the wireless patient monitoring device, or on any surface or sides of the base  140 . If two or more outlets are positioned on one side or surface of the patient monitoring device  10  or base  140 , the two or more outlets can be spread out based on, for example, desired positioning of the sensors. In some embodiments, the base  140  and the one or more sensors can be unitary such that the base and the one or more sensors can be a single disposable part. 
         [0044]    To maintain the first sensor  170  on the opposite side of the base  140  from the second sensor  172 , a cable management system, for example, a cord snapping feature  195  can be used to retain the cable  174  after it is positioned approximately 180° relative to the direction the outlet  150  faces. In the illustrated embodiment, the cable management system  195  can retain a portion of the first cable  174  by a snap fit, although methods of retaining the cable are not limiting. In addition to maintaining the position of the first sensor  170 , the cable management system  195  can allow a length of the first cable  174  relative to the base  140  to be adjusted to prevent the first cable  174  from dangling about the patient&#39;s wrist or arm. A skilled artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein a wide range of mechanical mating or other mechanisms for positioning and managing the positions of the cables.  FIG. 12  illustrates a patient wearing an example wireless patient monitoring device  1200  on the patient&#39;s wrist. In the illustrated embodiment, the device  1200  is connected to one sensor  1270 . The sensor  1270  can be a pulse oximeter sensor and the patient can wear the sensor  1270  on the patient&#39;s fingertip, with the sensor cable or flex-circuit  1274  extending between the device  1200  and the sensor  1270 . The device  1200  can include a cable management system described herein to retain a portion of the cable or flex-circuit  1274  and allow a length of the cable or flex-circuit  1274  to be adjustable.  FIG. 13  illustrates a patient wearing an example wireless patient monitoring device  1300  on the patient&#39;s wrist. In the illustrated embodiment, the device  1300  is connected to a first sensor  1370  and a second sensor  1372 . The first sensor  1370  can be a pulse oximeter sensor and the patient can wear the first sensor  1370  on the patient&#39;s fingertip. The second sensor  1372  can be an acoustic sensor and the patient can wear the second sensor  1372  near or around the patient&#39;s neck. As shown in  FIG. 13 , a cable management system  1395  can retain a portion of the sensor cable  1376  connecting the second sensor  1372  and the device  1300  and allow a length of the cable  1376  to be adjustable. The device  1300  can further include a cable management system described herein to retain a portion of the cable or flex-circuit  1374  connecting the first sensor  1370  and the device  1300 , and allow a length of the cable or flex-circuit  1374  to be adjustable. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIGS. 1D-1F , the cable management system  195  can be a slidable cord-snap component configured to slide along the first cable  174  and be snapped onto a slot  196  on the monitor instrument  110  to retain the first cable  174  relative to the monitor instrument  110 . As shown in  FIGS. 1G-1H , the cable management system  195  can be one or more cord snap features attached to, or be an integral part of the monitor instrument  110  or the base  140 . In some embodiments, two or more cable management systems  195  can be located on the monitor instrument  110  or the base  140  to retain the first cable  174 . In some embodiments, additional cable management systems can be available to retain both of the first and second cables  174 ,  176  and make the cable lengths between the patient monitoring device  10  and both the first and second sensors  170 ,  172  adjustable. A skilled artisan will recognize that the cable management systems can be located on any suitable locations of the wireless patient monitoring device  10 . 
         [0046]    Electrical connections of the sensor(s) to the monitor instrument  110  will now be described. With continued reference to  FIGS. 2A-2B , the anterior surface  142  of the base  140  can include a pad  146  having a plurality of electrical contacts  147  on one side of the pad  146 . The pad  146  can be a PCB. In some embodiments, the pad  146  can have one or more EEPROMs or other electronic components. Each EEPROM can store identification information of a sensor, schemes for validating the authenticity of the sensor, and other information relating to the sensor. The one or more EEPROMs or other electronic components can be on the same side or reverse side of the pad  146  that has the plurality of electrical contacts  147 .  FIGS. 2D-E  illustrate some non-limiting examples of the pads. The pad  146  can be molded onto the anterior surface  142  of the base  140 . The pad  146  can be disposable with the rest of the base  140 . The electrical contacts  147  can be electrically connected to at least one electrical connector. The electrical connector(s) can include electronics configured for connecting to one or more of the sensors  170 ,  172 . Specifically, the electrical contacts  147  can be electrically connected to the cables  174 ,  176  by soldering one or more wires of each cable to a group of soldering points on the pad  146 . The group of soldering points can be on the same side or reverse side of the pad  146  that has the plurality of electrical contacts  147 . Thus, the PCB advantageously facilitates electrical communication between conductors of the cables  174 ,  174  and the processing device(s) of the instrument  110 . Specifically, in an embodiment, the processor communicates with pogo style electrical pins housed in the instrument  110 . When seated or otherwise fixed to the base  140 , the pogo pins form an electrical connection with the electrical contacts  147 . The electrical contacts  147  are in electrical communication with soldering points  254 ,  256  (shown in  FIG. 2E ), and in some embodiments, one or more information elements like an EEPROM, which are in turn in electrical communication with conductors of one or more of the cables  174 ,  176 . In an embodiment, this electrical pathway electrically bridges the instrument  110  to one or more of the sensors through the base  140 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 2D  shows a pad  200  having one group of soldering points  204  on a first side  208  of the pad  200 . The pad  200  can have a second side  212  opposite the first side  208  The second side  212  can include a plurality of electrical contacts  216  configured to contact the pins  117 , for example, as shown in  FIG. 2A . The second side  212  can have one or more EEPROMs or other electronic components  220 . The plurality of electrical contacts  216  can be on a recessed surface due to a thickness of the one or more EEPROMs or other electronic components  220 . The pins  117  can be configured to have a length suitable for contacted the electrical contacts  216  on the recessed surface. The pins  117  and the electrical contacts  216  can be surrounded by common projections to establish electrical connection between the pins  117  and the electrical contacts  216 . In some embodiments, the one or more EEPROMs or other electronic components  220  can be located on the first side  208  so that the electrical contacts  216  can be flush with a surface of the second side  212  of the pad  200 . Having the electrical contacts  216  flush with the surface of the second side  212  of the pad  200  can ensure adequate contacts between the pins  117  and the electrical contacts  216 . In addition, soldering of the one or more EEPROMs or other electronic components  220  and the cable wires to the pad  200  can be done on the same side of the pad  200   
         [0048]      FIG. 2E  shows another pad  250  having two groups of soldering points  254 ,  256  on a first side  258  of the pad  250 . The two groups of soldering points  254 ,  256  can be configured to each accommodate wires from a sensor cable. The first side  258  can have at least two EEPROMs or other electronic components  270  located between the two groups of soldering points  254 ,  256 . The pad  250  can have a second side  262  opposite the first side  258 . The second side  262  can include a plurality of electrical contacts  266  configured to contact the pins  117 , for example, as shown in  FIG. 2A . The electrical contacts  266  are flush with a surface of the second side  262  of the pad. As described above, having the electrical contacts  266  flush with the surface of the second side  262  of the pad  250  can ensure adequate contacts between the pins  117  and the electrical contacts  266 . One advantage of soldering two sensor cables to the pad  250  to establish electrical connection between the sensor(s) and the monitor instrument is that the cable wires can flex in all directions, making it easy to position the sensor(s) relative to the monitoring device. 
         [0049]    In some embodiments, the electrical connection of the sensors and the monitor instrument can include a hybrid connector to accommodate one sensor cable and one flex-circuit. One of the sensors, such as the sensor  170 , can include a flex-circuit instead of being connected to conducting wires of a sensor cable. The plurality of electrical contacts for contacting the pins can be located on or an integral part of the flex circuit, which incorporates, for example, conductive traces instead of conductive wires. The flex circuit can include a stiffening part, such as a flat board, behind the electrical contacts. Stiffening the electrical contacts portion of the flex circuit can increase the rigidity of the electrical contacts, thereby ensuring adequate contact between the pins and the electrical contacts. The flex-circuit can include an extension having a group of soldering points. Cable wires of the sensor cable for connecting to a second sensor, such as the sensor  172 , can be soldered onto the group of soldering points. The extension can optionally be supported by a stiffening board. Because of the flexibility of the flex-circuit, the extension having the group of soldering points can be folded under the electrical contacts or at other locations to expose the electrical contacts for contacting the pins. Additional details of the flex-circuit are described in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/951,313, filed on Jul. 25, 2013 and entitled “AUTOMATED ASSEMBLY SENSOR CABLE,” which is expressly bodily incorporated in its entirety and is part of this disclosure. An artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein that one or more cables, individual cables, or all cables could advantageously include one or more flex circuits. 
         [0050]    In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of electrical contacts  147  can be arranged in two rows and located in a center of the anterior surface  142  of the base  140  so as to be able to overlap with the pad  116  on the posterior surface  114  of the monitor instrument  110  as shown in  FIG. 2A . One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from the disclosure herein that the number and arrangement of the pad  146  with the plurality of electrical contacts  147  are not limiting. For example and not by way of limiting, the anterior surface  142  of the base  140  can have four pads  146  with a plurality of electrical contacts  147 , one on each corner of the substantially rectangular anterior surface  142  of the base  140 , and the posterior surface  114  of the monitor instrument  110  can have four corresponding covers  116  with a plurality of pogo pins  117  on the four corners of the posterior surface  114  of the monitor instrument  110 . 
         [0051]    As described above, the cables  174 ,  176  can extend outside the base  140  at the outlets  150 ,  152 , respectively. In some embodiments, the outlets  150 ,  152  can include the electrical connectors, such as mechanical plugs that are electrically connected to the electrical contacts  147 . The first and second sensor cables  174 ,  176  can be plugged into the mechanical plugs. In some embodiments, the mechanical plug can include a phone plug or the like. Although two separate outlets are shown in the illustrative example, the wireless patient monitoring device  10  can include a single outlet with two plugs, or a multi-port connector configured for connecting to a plurality of sensors of different types and/or sizes. 
         [0052]    When the monitor instrument  110  is removably engaged with the base  140 , the posterior surface  114  of the monitor instrument  110  can overlap with the anterior surface  142  of the base  140 . The pogo pins  117  on the monitor instrument  110  can come into contact with the electrical contacts  147  on the base  140 , thereby establishing electrical connections between the printed circuit boards inside the monitor instrument  110  and the sensors  170 ,  172 . In some embodiments, when the posterior surface  114  of the monitor instrument  110  comes into close proximity with the anterior surface  142  of the base  140 , the pogo pins  117  can retract into the pogo pin holes while still maintaining electrical connection with the electrical contacts  147 . The electrical connection between the monitor instrument  110  and the sensors  170 ,  172  can allow the sensors  170 ,  172  connected to the base  140  to communicate with and send sensor data to the monitor instrument  110 . Having the electrical contacts for the pogo pins on the base can advantageously reduce a size of a connector between a sensor and a monitor, or between a sensor and a sensor cable, and make the connecting structures less bulky. The less bulky connecting structures can advantageously provide more comfort to the patient. One of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate from the disclosure herein that types of electrical connectors other than pogo pin connectors can be used to electrically connect monitor instrument  110  and the base  140 . 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIGS. 1F, 2F, and 3A , the base  140  can include one or more strap connectors  156  for engaging the strap  160 . The strap connector  156  can be an integral portion of the base  140  or a separately formed component secured to the base  140  mechanically, or via adhesives or welding, or the like. The strap connector  156  can form an opening  157  with the posterior surface of the base  140 . The strap  160  can pass through the opening  157  to be secured to the base  140 . As shown in  FIGS. 1F and 2F , the base  140  can have two strap connectors  156  on opposite ends across a width of the base  140 . 
         [0054]    The strap  160  can include any fabric, elastic, or otherwise flexible material. In certain embodiments, the strap  160  can be waterproof. One or both ends of the strap  160  can be tapered. One or both ends of the strap  160  can include a covering to protect the strap ends. The strap  160  can be secured to the patient&#39;s wrist as a wristband, or in any other configuration. A portion of the strap  160  can be secured to another portion of the strap  160  using Velcro, clasps, adhesive, snap-fits, or any other connector. The strap  160  can include any or all of the features of the strap described in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/762,270, filed Feb. 07, 2013, titled “Wireless Patient Monitoring Device,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In an embodiment, the strap can include a foam or posy wrap type material common in securing mechanisms for patient sensor, such as neonate or infant sensors. Each physiological sensor, such as one of the sensors  170 ,  172 , can include its own sensor attachment mechanism separate from the base  140  and the strap  160 . The sensor attachment mechanism can be configured to removably secure the physiological sensor to a measurement site on the patient. Each sensor can include a sensor positioner configured to position the sensor with respect to the measurement site on the patient. In an embodiment, the sensor attaches using an adhesive layer. Other embodiments will be known to an artisan from the disclosure herein, including, for example, a Posey wrap, Velcro, tape, mechanical couplings generally having a closed bias to grip or otherwise stick to a measurement site, or other commercially available attachments. 
         [0055]    Providing the patient monitoring device  10  wearable on the wrist can advantageously allow the patient to easily check the patient&#39;s physiological state or parameters by looking at the display screen of the monitor. Other advantages of the wearable patient monitoring device  10  include reducing clutter of cables, improving patient mobility by eliminating some or all of the cables. 
         [0056]    In some embodiments, the patient monitoring device can removably connect to a sensor via a sensor cable connector. Examples of such patient monitoring devices are shown in  FIGS. 5A-11D . In these embodiments, the sensor cable connector can extend from the reusable monitor instrument and the disposable base can include no electrical components. As shown in  FIGS. 5A-7E , the patient monitoring device  50  can have features of the patient monitoring device  10  of  FIGS. 1A-2B  except as described below. Accordingly, features of the patient monitoring device  50  can be incorporated into features of patient monitoring device  10  and features of the patient monitoring device  10  can be incorporated into features of patient monitoring device  50 . The monitor instrument  510 , the base  540 , and the strap  560  can operate in the same or similar manner to the operation of the monitor instrument  110 , the base  140 , and the strap  160  described above. 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 6A , the monitor instrument  510  and the base  540  can both have round outer shapes. The base can have a corresponding round outer shape. In some embodiments, such as shown in  FIG. 6F , the base can have a corresponding round outer shape with two flat sides along a length of the strap. The two flat sides can reduce a foot print of the base when the device is worn by the patient, thereby making the device more comfortable to wear. In other embodiments, such as shown in  FIGS. 5F and 7E , the monitor instrument  510  and the base  540  can have a square or rectangular outer shape. The monitor instrument  510  can have a cable outlet  580  on a side wall of the monitor instrument  510 . A sensor connector cable  582  can extend from the cable outlet  580 . In some embodiments, the sensor connector cable  582  can be permanently coupled to the cable outlet  580 . The sensor connector cable  582  can be electrically connected to an electrical circuit in the monitor instrument  510 . The sensor connector cable  582  can terminate on a free end at a sensor cable connector  584 . In some embodiments, the sensor cable connector  584  can comprise pogo pin connectors. Types and methods of electrically connecting the sensor cable connector  584  and a sensor are not limiting. A sensor (shown in  FIGS. 10A-B ) removably connected to the sensor cable connector  584  can send sensor data to the monitor instrument  510 . 
         [0058]    Also as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 6A , the base  540  can have an opening  590  for engaging, and mechanically and removably mating with a complementary protruding portion on the posterior surface of the monitor instrument  510 . The opening  590  can have an irregular shape configured for rotationally retaining the monitor instrument  510 . In the illustrated embodiment, the opening  590  can have an outer shape of two substantially rectangular shapes overlapping with each other, one of the substantially rectangular shapes being generally perpendicular with the other one of the substantially rectangular shapes. The base  540  can optionally have one or more open slots  592  to aid the positioning and engagement between the base  540  and the monitor instrument  510 . The complementary protruding portion on the monitor instrument  510  can pass through the opening  590  when a length of the protruding portion aligns with the length of the open  590  and a width of the protruding portion aligns with the width of the opening  590 . The monitor instrument  510  can then be turned clockwise or anticlockwise about a quarter of a turn to secure the monitor instrument  510  to the base  540 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , when the monitor instrument  510  is engaged with the base  540 , the cable outlet  580  can be pointing away from the strap  560  and substantially parallel to a width of the strap  560 . This configuration of the cable outlet  580  can advantageously prevent the sensor connector cable  582  from contacting the strap  560  near the cable outlet  580 , which can cause stress to and early failure of the sensor connector cable  582 . This configuration can also allow the patient&#39;s wrist to move freely without being hindered by the sensor connector cable  582  extending from the cable outlet  580 .  FIGS. 6B-E  illustrate reverse steps for removing the monitor instrument  510  from the base  540 , such as by rotating the monitor instrument  510  anticlockwise or clockwise about a quarter of a turn so that a length of the protruding portion can align with the length of the open  590  and a width of the protruding portion can align with the width of the opening  590 . 
         [0059]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 5A-6E , the base  540  can have a cord snap feature  595  similar to the cord snap feature  195  described above. The cord snap feature can be on a circumference of the base  540 . The cord snap feature  595  can retain a portion of the sensor connector cable  582  and prevent the sensor connector cable  582  from dangling about the patient&#39;s wrist or arm. In the illustrated embodiment, the cord snap feature  595  can retain a portion of the sensor connector cable  582  by a snap fit, although methods of retaining the sensor connector cable  582  are not limiting. As shown in  FIGS. 5A-6E , the cord snap feature  595  can be located along the width of the strap  560 . The cord snap feature  595  can also be located substantially 90° from the cable outlet  580  when the monitor instrument  510  engages the base  540 . The configuration of the cord snap feature  595  can advantageously allow the sensor connector cable  582  to be snapped on the cord snap feature  595  without having to make sharp turns. The configuration of the cord snap feature  595  can also advantageously allow the sensor connector cable  582  to run substantially parallel to the patient&#39;s arm when the patient wears the patient monitoring device  50  on her wrist. 
         [0060]    As shown in  FIGS. 7A-E , the cord snap feature  595  can be about 90° clockwise from the cable outlet  580  or about 90° counterclockwise from the cable outlet  580  when the monitor instrument  510  engages the base  540 . These alternative configurations of the cord snap feature  595  can advantageously aid in the ergonomics of the device and cable management, and can accommodate both patients who prefer to wear the monitoring device  50  on the left wrist and patients who prefer to wear the monitoring device  50  on the right wrist. However, an artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein that the snap feature  595  can be in virtually any position with respect to the outlet  580  that provides for reduced clutter, better positioning of the sensor, reduced mechanical stress on the cable or cable connectors, or reduces pinching of the cable, or any other advantageous. 
         [0061]      FIGS. 8A-9B  illustrate embodiments of the patient monitoring device  80 A,  80 B. The patient monitoring devices  80 A,  80 B can have features of the patient monitoring device  50  except as described below. Accordingly, features of the patient monitoring devices  80 A,  80 B can be incorporated into features of patient monitoring device  50  and features of the patient monitoring device  50  can be incorporated into features of patient monitoring devices  80 A,  80 B. The monitor instrument  810 , the bases  840 B, and the strap  560 B as shown in  FIGS. 9A-B  can operate in the same or similar manner to the operation of the monitor instrument  510 , the base  540 , and the strap  560  described above. The monitor instrument  810  can be configured to be compatible with both the bases  840 A,  840 B such that the patient can choose between wearing the device  80 A around the neck, or wearing the device  80 B on a wrist or arm. 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIGS. 8A-B , the base  840 A of the patient monitoring device  80 A can be connected to a cord  860 A instead of the strap  860 B. The cord  860 A can be worn around the patient&#39;s neck. The cord  860 A can advantageously allow the patient monitoring device  80 A to be coupled with an in-ear and/or nose sensor (not shown) without requiring a long cable connecting the in-ear and/or nose sensor and the base  860 A. Although the cord is described in connection with embodiments of the monitor instrument including a sensor cable connector, the cord can also be incorporated into embodiments of the patient monitoring device  10  described above such that the base  140  can be connected to a cord instead of being connected to the strap  160 . 
         [0063]    As shown in  FIG. 10A-B , the bases  840 A,  840 B can both be compatible with the monitor instrument  810 . For example, the bases  840 A,  840 B can have the same coupling features for engaging the monitor instrument  810  as described above. Accordingly, the same monitor instrument  810  can removably engage either the base  840 B for wearing the patient monitoring device  80 B on the wrist or the base  840 A for wearing the patient monitoring device  80 A around the neck. Interchangeability between the bases  840 A,  840 B can advantageously allow the monitor instrument  810  to be used with various types of the sensors depending on where the sensors need to be located on the patient&#39;s body. 
         [0064]    Turning to  FIGS. 11A-D , another embodiment of the patient monitoring device  100  is shown. The patient monitoring device  100  can have features of the patient monitoring device  50  except as described below. Accordingly, features of the patient monitoring device  100  can be incorporated into features of patient monitoring device  50  and features of the patient monitoring device  50  can be incorporated into features of patient monitoring device  100 . The monitor instrument  1010 , the bases  1040 , and the strap  1060  as shown in  FIGS. 11A-D  can operate in the same or similar manner to the operation of the monitor instrument  510 , the base  540 , and the strap  560  described above. 
         [0065]    As shown in  FIG. 11A , the monitor instrument  1010  of the patient monitoring device  100  can have four sides. There can be two sliding channels  1090  on two opposing sides. In the illustrated embodiment, the sliding channels  1090  can be located on the sides that do not have a cable outlet or other types of connection features. The base  1040  can have corresponding protrusions (not shown) along two opposing sides of the base  1040 . The sliding channels  1090  can accommodate the protrusions on the base  1040  so that the monitor instrument  1010  can slide onto the base  1040 .  FIGS. 11B-D  show that the monitor instrument  1010  and the base  1040  can slide relative to each other in two directions as indicated by the arrows. In some embodiments, the sliding channels  1090  and the protrusions can have a friction fit or other types of tolerances so that the monitor instrument  1010  stays on the base  1040  without an external force along the directions of sliding shown in  FIGS. 11B-D . This sliding configuration can advantageously prevent inadvertent rotation of the monitor instrument  1010  during use. In some embodiments, the protrusions on the base  1040  can be snap-fitted into the sliding channels and the sliding channels  1090  can have two closed ends to prevent the protrusions on the base  1040  from disengaging the sliding channels  1090 . The protrusions can be configured to slide along the sliding channels  1090  during use such that when the patient rotates her wrist or arm, the monitor instrument  1010  can slide back and forth along the sliding channels. The slidable monitor instrument  1010  can increase the ergonomics of the device. A skilled artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein that other types of sliding mechanisms can be used, such as a sliding rail/channel on the monitor instrument  1010  or the base  1040  with two closed ends and one or more corresponding mushroom tabs on the base  1040  or the monitor instrument  1010 . 
         [0066]    Although this disclosure has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the disclosure and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the disclosure have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this disclosure, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed. 
         [0067]    Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protection extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. 
         [0068]    Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
         [0069]    Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Further, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the processes illustrated and/or disclosed may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps described above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products. 
         [0070]    For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. 
         [0071]    Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
         [0072]    Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. Additionally, as used herein, “gradually” has its ordinary meaning (e.g., differs from a non-continuous, such as a step-like, change). 
         [0073]    The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims as presented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or as presented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to parameters measurable by a pulse oximeter sensor and an acoustic sensor. The wireless patient monitoring system described herein can include sensor additions or substitutions to these sensors. The sensor additions or substitutions can be configured to monitor one or more of capnography, blood pressure, ECG, EEG, electrolytes, brain function/activity, patient turning, patient fall detection, patient location, and the like. The wireless patient monitoring system can also output to a multi-parameter monitor, or a regular patient monitor, or be configured to control signals for other devices, such as infusion pumps, oxygen supply, respiratory apparatuses, and the like. Connection between the wireless patient monitoring system and the multi-parameter monitor, regular patient monitor, or other devices can be via cable, via wireless technology, or both.