Patent Description:
Intubations must be completed within a narrow time window after a patient has been pre-oxygenated and breathing has been stopped during which time there is no oxygen supply until the tube is in place and begins to provide oxygen. Failure to properly place the tube in a short time can lead to aborting the planned operation and risk the patient's health. In the case of pre-oxygenation, the time when oxygen supply is cut off occurs when a face mask providing an oxygen supply is removed. The recommendation for allowed time can range from <NUM> seconds per try to up to several minutes depending on the situation.

During an intubation procedure, there is a risk that a clinician could be unaware or loses track of one or both of the time since an oxygen supply has been cutoff from a patient, and an oxygen saturation level of the patient. In the case of the latter, oxygen levels of the patient may be available from other devices, but require the clinician to look at the other device and divert the clinician's focus from the patient and the physical acts involved with the intubation procedure.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus and method for measuring oxygen desaturation time.

The invention is defined in the independent claims <NUM> and <NUM>.

The foregoing needs are met by the present invention, wherein according to certain aspects, a method of indicating a oxygen desaturation period has been initiated includes detecting, via at least one of an optical imaging device and one or more sensors, an oxygen mask configured to supply oxygen to a patient to saturate the patient, detecting, via the at least one of the optical imaging device and the one or more sensors, a removal of the oxygen mask from the patient to stop saturation of the patient, initiating, via one or more processors, a desaturation timer in response to the at least one of the optical imaging device and the one or more sensors detecting the removal of the oxygen mask from the patient, and operating, via the one or more processors, an image display device to display a first running time indicating a desaturation time elapsed from a time of the removal of the mask.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, at least one of an optical imaging device and one or more sensors includes one or more stationary proximity sensors, an oxygen mask includes one or more magnets creating a permanent magnetic field, and the oxygen mask is positioned to saturate a patient and the one or more stationary proximity sensors are located in the permanent magnetic field according to a method of indicating an oxygen desaturation period has been initiated.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, a method of indicating an oxygen desaturation period has been initiated includes receiving, via the one or more processors, a position of the oxygen mask according to an operation of one or more stationary proximity sensors and the one or more magnets, determining, via the one or more processors, a distance between the oxygen mask and one of the location and the one or more stationary proximity sensors according to the position of the oxygen mask, and comparing, via the one or more processors, the position of the oxygen mask to a first threshold distance. Detecting the removal of the oxygen mask includes detecting the movement of the oxygen mask in response to the one or more processors determining, based on the comparing, the oxygen mask is positioned a first distance from the one of the location and the one or more stationary proximity sensors greater than the first threshold distance.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, a method of indicating an oxygen desaturation period has been initiated includes determining, via the one or more processors, a second distance between the oxygen mask and the one of the location and one or more stationary proximity sensors prior to the detecting the removal of the oxygen mask, setting, via the one or more processors, a second threshold according the second distance, and resetting, via the one or more processors, the timer and stopping the display of the first running time in response to the one or more processors determining the oxygen mask is positioned a third distance from the one or more stationary proximity sensors that is less than the second distance.

In accordance with yet other aspects of the present disclosure, at least one of an optical imaging device and one or more sensors includes one or more pressure sensors attached to the oxygen mask, and detecting a movement of a mask includes detecting the movement of the oxygen mask in response to one or more pressure sensors detecting a change in pressure for a supply of oxygen by the oxygen mask greater than a threshold pressure change for a method of indicating an oxygen desaturation period has been initiated.

In accordance with yet other aspects of the present disclosure, at least one of and optical imaging device and one or more sensors includes an optical imaging device, the optical imaging device is focused on a location including the oxygen mask positioned on the patient, and detecting a removal of the oxygen mask includes detecting the removal of the oxygen mask in response to the oxygen mask being removed from a location according to an image from the optical imaging device for a method of indicating an oxygen desaturation period has been initiated.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, operating an image display device includes operating the image display device to display a running time in a position on a screen that corresponds to a location within a field of view from a first location that is a working distance of <NUM> from a second location defining a focus of the field of view, and the field of view is <NUM>° and the second location does not coincide with a position on the screen for a method of indicating an oxygen desaturation period has been initiated.

In accordance with yet other aspects of the present disclosure, a method of indicating an oxygen desaturation period has been initiated includes determining, via the one or more processors, an intubation procedure has been initiated according to a position of an intubation device assembly, and operating, via the one or more processors, an image display device to display a first running time and a second running time indicating an elapsed time from the intubation procedure being initiated.

In accordance with still other aspects of the present disclosure, a method of indicating an oxygen desaturation period has been initiated includes receiving, via one or more processors, data from a first oxygen sensor configured to be attached to a patient and data from a second oxygen sensor of an anesthesia machine, determining, via the one or more processors, a differential between a first oxygen level corresponding to the data from the first oxygen sensor and a second oxygen level corresponding to the data from the second oxygen sensor to a deviation threshold, and operating, via the one or more processors, an image display device to display the first level of oxygen in response to the differential being less than the deviation threshold.

In accordance with still other aspects of the present disclosure, a method of indicating an oxygen desaturation period has been initiated includes detecting, with one or more position sensors, an orientation of the screen of the imaging device, setting, with the one or more processors, a template for displaying the first running in the display window on the screen according to the orientation of the screen and a first field of view from a first location focused on a second location that does not coincide with a location of the screen, and operating, with the one or more processors, the image display device to display the display window including the running time and a video image from an optical imaging device of the intubation assembly on the screen.

In accordance with yet other aspects of the present disclosure, setting a template includes setting a position of a display window to be within a first field of view such that at least a portion of a display window is positioned in an area of a screen surrounding a display of a video image and including a background of a single color in , a method of indicating an oxygen desaturation period has been initiated.

In accordance with yet other aspects of the present disclosure, a system includes an intubation device assembly including an intubation device, and an image display device including a screen and a controller. The system includes a proximity sensor configured to communicate with the controller, and a magnet configured to provide a permanent magnetic field. The magnet is positioned more than a predetermined distance from the proximity sensor and the controller initiates a timer and operates the image display device to display a running time on the screen indicating an elapsed time from the initiation of the timer.

In accordance with yet other aspects of the present disclosure, a system includes at least one oxygen sensor configured to detect an oxygen saturation and communicate with the controller. A magnet is positioned more than the predetermined distance from a proximity sensor and a controller operates an image display device to display a running time and the oxygen saturation on a screen.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain aspects of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosure. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.

Aspects of the disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout, unless specified otherwise.

It is noted that as used in the specification and the appending claims the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" can include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless specified otherwise, the terms "substantial" or "substantially" as used herein mean "considerable in extent," or "largely but not necessarily wholly that which is specified.

<FIG> illustrates a medical procedure, according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In a room <NUM>, a patient <NUM> is attended to by a first clinician <NUM> and a second clinician <NUM>. The first clinician <NUM> is holding a mask <NUM>, e.g.an oxygen mask, which includes a magnet embedded in the mask <NUM>. The magnet <NUM> may be small in size relative to the mask <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the mask <NUM> may include more than one magnet <NUM> embedded in the mask <NUM>. A permanent magnetic field of the magnet <NUM> produced according to the Hall effect may be detected with one or more stationary proximity sensors <NUM> (hereafter referred to as "proximity sensors <NUM>") which are attached to a head of the patient <NUM>. The proximity sensors <NUM> may detect the permanent magnetic field in order to detect a change of distance from the magnet <NUM> to the proximity sensors <NUM>, and thereby detect a removal of the mask <NUM> from the patient <NUM>. Each proximity sensor <NUM> can be attached to the patient <NUM> via an adhesive patch.

Also attached to a head of the patient <NUM>, is at least one SpO<NUM> sensor <NUM> (hereafter referred to as "oxygen sensor <NUM>") which measures oxygen saturation and pulse. There may be a plurality of oxygen sensors <NUM> attached to the head (e.g. lip, nose, forehead, etc.) and body of the patient <NUM>. The oxygen sensors <NUM> may communicate or be connected to an anesthesia machine <NUM>. It will be appreciated that other SpO<NUM> sensors may be located on other parts of a body of the patient <NUM>. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the oxygen sensors <NUM> which include facial oxygen sensors may be combined with the proximity sensors <NUM>. More specifically, lip, nose, and forehead sensors may include proximity sensors <NUM> to detect a position of mask <NUM> and be monitored to generate events related to pre-oxygenation time and start of desaturation. The oxygen sensors <NUM> may be provided with different types of oxygen monitoring equipment available from manufactures such as Nonin® or Masimo, and capable communicating wirelessly via Bluetooth or NFC.

The second clinician <NUM> is holding an intubation device <NUM> in one hand and the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> including a stylet <NUM> (e.g. a video stylet), in the other hand. The tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> may include the stylet <NUM> and, for example a tube including a cuff (e.g. an endotracheal tube), and/or an exchanger tube. An image display device <NUM> is attached to the intubation device <NUM>, which includes an optical imaging device (not shown) configured to transmit a video image of an area encompassed by a field of view of the optical imaging device (i.e. an optical field of view of the optical imaging device). The image display device <NUM> may be any type of monitor or other image display, and may be a touch sensitive monitor. The image display device <NUM> may communicate with the proximity sensor <NUM>, the oxygen sensor <NUM>, the anesthesia machine <NUM>, the intubation device <NUM> and the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> via various types of wireless communication protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), etc. The image display device <NUM> may also communicate with a computing system <NUM> positioned in the room <NUM>, which may be in communication with a central information system (not shown) of for example a hospital.

<FIG> illustrates an enlarged portion of <FIG>. As can be seen from <FIG>, the intubation device <NUM> is inserted into the mouth of the patient <NUM> to extend into the throat of the patient <NUM>. The intubation device <NUM> may be a laryngoscope or a laryngeal mask airway, or other known device utilized for intubation procedures.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic view of an intubation device assembly <NUM>, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The intubation device assembly <NUM> includes the image display device <NUM>, and an example of a type of the intubation device <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. Specifically, an intubation device <NUM> which defines a laryngoscope. The image display device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> connected to a main cartridge <NUM> by a connection joint <NUM>. A screen <NUM> of the image display device <NUM> is positioned on a side of the housing <NUM> opposite to the connection joint <NUM>, and may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light-emitting diode (OLED), active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED). Within the housing <NUM>, a controller <NUM> may be in operative communication with a first position sensor <NUM> that may be positioned on an exterior surface of the housing <NUM>, within a recess in the exterior surface of the housing <NUM>, or within the housing <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be connected to a power source <NUM>, such as in the form of a rechargeable or disposable battery.

It will be appreciated that the main cartridge <NUM> may be interchangeably connected to the housing <NUM> of the image display device <NUM>. Accordingly components in the main cartridge <NUM> may be provided in different arrangements in versions of the main cartridge <NUM> having a different shape and size.

The main cartridge <NUM> may be received in a handle <NUM> of the intubation device <NUM>, and the first connector <NUM> may engage a second connector <NUM> positioned on a head <NUM> of a blade <NUM>. The blade <NUM> and handle <NUM> together provide a laryngoscope. Accordingly, the blade <NUM> of the laryngoscope may be used to depress a tongue of the patient <NUM>, to clear a path for an object (e.g. a tubular object such as a stylet, endotracheal tube, or combination thereof) into a trachea of the patient <NUM>. By the connection between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM>, an optical imaging device <NUM> is operatively connected to the controller <NUM> and supplied with power from the power source <NUM>. The optical imaging device <NUM> may be a camera including an LED, or other type of device that may transmit an optical signal to the controller <NUM> providing a optical field of view that includes a view of the area downstream of the blade <NUM> (e.g. an area adjacent to a larynx of the patient <NUM> during a procedure). For example, the optical imaging device <NUM> may be a System On Chip (SOC) with video processing capability. The optical imaging device <NUM> is located near a distal tip 258a of the blade <NUM> and connected to a fiber optic cable.

The intubation device <NUM> may be used to position the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> in the patient <NUM>. During a procedure in which the intubation device <NUM> is positioned into the patient <NUM>, the handle <NUM> and or cartridge <NUM> may be orientated together or relative to each other according to a force exerted by an operator (e.g. a clinician) and a reactive force applied by physical boundaries defined by an anatomical structure of the patient <NUM>. Further, the entire intubation device assembly <NUM> may have to progress through multiple positions in order to correctly position the blade <NUM> within the patient <NUM>. Through this process, the structures of the blade <NUM>, head <NUM>, and even handle <NUM>, my come in contact with the patient <NUM> applying a force to the patient <NUM>.

The second position sensor <NUM> may detect an orientation of the intubation device assembly <NUM>. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the second position sensor <NUM> may include an accelerometer which may convert a signal from electric elements, such as a piezoelectric strip or a capacitor, into a voltage that can be measured in order to determine an orientation of the image display device <NUM> and thus the intubation device assembly <NUM>. An accelerometer of the second position sensor <NUM> may output an analog or a digital signal.

When the main cartridge <NUM> is received by a load bearing column <NUM> and rigidly attached thereto, as a result of being inserted into the handle <NUM>. The load bearing column <NUM> extends from the head <NUM> of the blade <NUM>, and the force sensors <NUM> engage an inner wall <NUM> of the handle <NUM>. Accordingly, movement of the handle <NUM> relative to the load bearing column, and thus the cartridge <NUM>, may be transmitted to the force sensors <NUM>. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the force sensors <NUM> may be tactile or surface sensors that change due to pressure applied thereto. The force sensors <NUM> may detect a mechanical load, e.g. a force, pressure, moment, being applied, for example as a reactive force, when the handle <NUM> is pressed against an object. Thus the force sensors <NUM> determine a force, pressure, or moment, applied to the cartridge <NUM> which is proportional to the force applied by the handle <NUM> to an external object, for example teeth of the patient <NUM>.

As described in further detail below with respect to <FIG>, the accelerometers provided as the second position sensor <NUM> and the force sensors <NUM> may be used to measure a force applied to the teeth <NUM> of the patient <NUM> during a procedure in which the blade <NUM> is inserted into the patient's mouth. Obtaining information related to an orientation of the intubation device <NUM> and a force being applied to the patient <NUM> may be used to more efficiently position the blade <NUM> of the intubation device <NUM> in the patient <NUM> while reducing the amount or force to which the patient <NUM> will be subjected.

<FIG> illustrates an exploded view of the intubation device assembly <NUM> of <FIG>. The cartridge <NUM> includes the first connector <NUM> at one end, and a ball 206b of the joint connection <NUM> that is received in a socket 206a extending from the housing of the image display device <NUM>. The image display device <NUM> may be pivoted about the ball 206b by an operator in order to be placed in an optimal position during a procedure.

The head <NUM> of the intubation device is connected to a removable mounting slot <NUM> which includes the second connector <NUM> which connects to the first connector <NUM> when the cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the handle <NUM>. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an end of the handle attached to the blade <NUM> may include a bracket with a cylindrical rod (not shown) extending between inner surfaces of the bracket of the handle <NUM>. The mounting slot <NUM> may be positioned with the head <NUM> of the blade <NUM> and receive the cylindrical rod in a slot 352a formed therein. The second connector <NUM> may be provided on a surface, or within a recess on a surface of the mounting slot <NUM> and connect to the first connector <NUM> when the blade is rotated away from the handle <NUM> so as to form a substantially right angle with the handle <NUM>.

The connection between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> may provide a connection between the power source <NUM> and/or the controller <NUM> and the optical imaging device <NUM> positioned on the blade <NUM> relative to the head <NUM>. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an intermediate connector may be provided an on inner surface of the handle <NUM> facing the first connector <NUM> of the main cartridge <NUM>. The intermediate connector may extend to an outer surface of the handle <NUM> which faces the mounting slot <NUM> when the blade <NUM> is attached to the handle. Accordingly, the intermediate connector may be connected with both of the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> and provide the connection between the power source <NUM> and/or the controller <NUM> and the optical imaging device <NUM>.

The optical imaging device <NUM> is attached to an electrical cable <NUM> which is held in place by a plastic cover <NUM> that attaches to the blade <NUM>. The optical imaging device <NUM> is mounted to the end of the plastic cover <NUM>.

<FIG> is an algorithmic flowchart illustrating a method of operating an image display device <NUM> according to an aspect of the present disclosure. For illustration, the operations of the method of operating an image display device <NUM> will be discussed in reference to <FIG>. In block S402, the controller <NUM> obtains a user profile of an operator using the image display device <NUM> during a procedure.

The controller <NUM> identifies each sensor in an array of sensors the image display device <NUM> is configured to communicate with in block S404. In the case of the intubation device assembly <NUM>, the controller <NUM> identifies the screen <NUM> which may be touch sensitive, the first position sensor <NUM>, the second position sensor <NUM>, the force sensor <NUM>, and the optical imaging device <NUM> at least with a connection of the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM>. It will be appreciate that the controller <NUM> may be physically connected to each of the screen <NUM>, the first position sensor <NUM>, the second position sensor <NUM>, the force sensor <NUM>, the optical imaging device <NUM>, the first connector <NUM>, and the second connector <NUM>. Alternatively, the optical imaging device <NUM> may communicate with the controller <NUM> via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. Data from these sensors is obtained by the controller <NUM> in order to identify and register the types of data that will be provided by the sensors.

In block S406, the controller <NUM> may analyze the data obtained from sensors in communication therewith, and establish respective criteria for recognizing events. In block S408, the controller <NUM> may establish a sensor monitoring sequence, which may be based on a predetermined priority of the data being obtained, or may be set by an operator before a procedure begins. A screen orientation of the image display device <NUM> is determined in block S410. Specifically, the controller <NUM> may communicate with the first position sensor <NUM> to determine a position relative to the patient <NUM>, and communicate with the second position sensor <NUM> to determine an overall orientation (e.g. angle) of the image display device <NUM>, and thus an orientation of the intubation device assembly <NUM> in which the cartridge <NUM> is received.

Following block S410, the controller <NUM> controls the image display device <NUM> according to a screen information template setting algorithm <NUM>, which is described in further detail with reference to <FIG>. In block S412, the controller <NUM> monitors the proximity sensor <NUM>, the oxygen sensor <NUM>, the anesthesia machine <NUM>, the first position sensor <NUM>, the second position sensor <NUM>, the force sensor <NUM>, and the optical imaging device <NUM> according to the sequence determined in block S408. It will be appreciated that readings/image data from the sensors/optical device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are continuously obtained and available for evaluation by the controller <NUM>. As described in more detail with respect to <FIG>, where a desaturation timer tS has been initiated, the controller <NUM> may also monitor the desaturation timer tS at block S408. The controller <NUM> controls the image display device <NUM> according to an event detecting algorithm <NUM>, and displays activated parameters according to display settings of screen information template setting algorithm <NUM> in block S414.

In block S416, the controller <NUM> determines if an algorithmic variable (s) is equal to <NUM>. The algorithmic variable (s) indicates a status of a procedure (e.g. an intubation procedure) as determined from information provided by the continuous monitoring of the proximity sensor <NUM>, the oxygen sensor <NUM>, the anesthesia machine <NUM>, the first position sensor <NUM>, the second position sensor <NUM>, the force sensor <NUM>, and the optical imaging device <NUM>. Where the algorithmic variable (s) is not equal to <NUM>, the controller <NUM> monitors the sensors according to the monitoring sequence in block S412. Optionally, the controller <NUM> can set the monitoring sequence according to a priority of parameters related to the data obtained from the proximity sensor <NUM>, the oxygen sensor <NUM>, the anesthesia machine <NUM>, the first position sensor <NUM>, the second position sensor <NUM>, the force sensor <NUM>, and the optical imaging device <NUM> in block S418. On the other hand, if the algorithmic variable (s) is equal to <NUM>, the method of operating an image display device <NUM> ends.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of setting a screen information template for an image display device <NUM>, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In block S502, the controller <NUM> determines a screen position and temporal settings for data of each sensor based on an associated parameter and the orientation the screen <NUM>. As described in more detail with reference to <FIG>, positions of parameters are determined by the type of data, and the criticality of the operator having knowledge of the value of the parameter as to the procedure being performed. The temporal settings for each parameter may include a length of time that a particular parameter is displayed on the screen <NUM>, or a frequency for which the parameter is repeatedly displayed (e.g. flashed) on the screen <NUM>.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, prior to setting the data window position(s), the controller <NUM> may estimate a field of view corresponding to an estimated field of view (EFOV) of an operator, based on an orientation of the image display device <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may estimate the EFOV according to an orientation determined in S410, and/or data from the first position sensor <NUM> and the second position sensor <NUM> to determine a position of the screen <NUM> relative to an operator and the patient <NUM>. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may utilize the EFOV to determine an optimal location for a data window(s), for example where the screen <NUM> is not centered relative to a mouth of the patient <NUM>.

The image display device <NUM> uses the entire screen for video imaging, and can be operative both in a portrait or landscape orientation. As discussed in more detail with respect to <FIG>, B, and D, the same single fixed data window location can be used to display different parameters. Alternatively, each parameter may be assigned to a respective data window that may periodically cover part of a streaming video in a respective fixed position on the screen <NUM>.

In block S506, the controller <NUM> sets a size for a data window and a color size for each parameter according to the user profile. In block S508, the controller <NUM> sets priorities for the parameters according to a determination of a criticality each parameter associated with each sensor, which may be based on a preprogramed analysis. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the priority of a parameter may determine the order in which the parameter is displayed on the screen <NUM> of the image display device <NUM> and/or the monitoring sequence.

In block S510, the controller <NUM> stores the priorities and display settings for each parameter. Based on the stored priorities and display settings, the controller <NUM> may schedule different messages either placing multiple display windows, multiple pieces of information in each display window, or sequencing display windows. A display time and interval, i.e. temporal setting for each window, may be allocated according to interval settings of a parameter displayed in the display window. The controller <NUM> may remove messages when conditions sensed by an array of sensors (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), indicate information associated with a parameter of a display window is no longer relevant.

<FIG> illustrates 2D representation of a 3D conical field of view (FOV) of a human eye. A position of the eye corresponds to a first location <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, a parafoveal vision is generally considered to be about <NUM>°. The parafoveal vision corresponds to an intermediate form of vision represented by a ring-shaped region surrounding fovea vision of a human eye. Information being read within <NUM>° of a point of fixation (POF) is processed in a foveal vision, while information up to <NUM>° from the point of fixation benefits from parafoveal preview. When a character or a word is previewed in parafovea vision before fixation, processing time by a brain may be shorter (for example by <NUM>-<NUM>) than if the character or word had not been previewed.

<FIG> illustrates a field of view of an operator - FOV <NUM> - (e.g. a visual FOV of a clinician, and more specifically a visual FOV of the second clinician of <FIG> and <FIG>) during a medical procedure with the image display device <NUM> in a first position, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a field of view of an operator - FOV <NUM> - during a medical procedure with the image display device <NUM> in a second position, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates an enlarged portion of <FIG>, and specifically shows a relative size of characters on a screen with respect to the FOV <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates a field of view of an operator - FOV <NUM> - during a medical procedure with the image display device <NUM> in a third position (i.e. a portrait orientation), according to an aspect of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that <FIG> are not drawn to scale and are general representations of an exemplary FOV <NUM> for an operator, and do not specifically correspond to the values for areas within a FOV discussed herein.

The FOV <NUM> of an operator performing a medical procedure, for example an intubation, may be focused on a lower head region of the patient <NUM>, which may be roughly <NUM>-<NUM> in diameter, at a working distance from the operator of an arm's length of approximately <NUM>. A visual field about a point of fixation for the FOV <NUM> corresponding to the above working distance and diameter may be approximately <NUM>°. An outer radial portion of the FOV <NUM> of an operator, as illustrated in <FIG>, B, and D, surrounds a parafoveal FOV <NUM>, which is concentric to a foveal FOV <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the parafoveal FOV <NUM> and foveal FOV <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, B, and D, correspond to the <NUM>° parafoveal vision, and the <NUM>° foveal vision illustrated in <FIG>.

In order for the image on the image display device <NUM> to be within an operator's parafoveal FOV <NUM>, e.g. within <NUM>°-<NUM>° about a second location <NUM> at or near a mouth region of the patient <NUM>, a size of the screen <NUM> of the image display device <NUM> may be approximately <NUM> inches x <NUM> inches. With this size, the screen <NUM> may extend over <NUM>° of an operator's FOV focused on the screen <NUM> for the working distance previously discussed. Accordingly, parameters displayed on the screen <NUM> are in the parafoveal FOV <NUM> of an operator so as to be previewed prior an operator fixating on a given parameter or other image on the screen <NUM>.

A size of a character displayed on the screen <NUM> is such that the character is instantly recognizable at the working distance, similar to a print size of characters in a headline. It will be understood that a font of characters of a standard headline print size may occupy an area in a range corresponding to <NUM>° -<NUM>° of an operator's FOV, as illustrated in <FIG>. The controller <NUM> of the image display device <NUM> may arrange letter spacing so as to not be overly crowded, and preferably greater than <NUM>°-<NUM>° of and operator's FOV. According an aspect of the present disclosure, a three digit display with a colon separating minutes and seconds is displayed on the image display device <NUM> over an area occupying between <NUM>° to <NUM>° of an operator's <NUM>° parafoveal FOV, as illustrated in <FIG>.

During a medical procedure, such as a procedure including an intubation of the patient <NUM>, an operator may deploy the screen <NUM> comfortably within the operator's line of sight. The screen <NUM> of the image display device <NUM> may preferably be positioned in a line of sight of an operator performing an intubation to be within an FOV of the operator that is concentrated on a lower part of the face and jaw of the patient <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the screen <NUM> can be either above or below the mouth of the patient <NUM>, and can be orientated according to a portrait or landscape orientation.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> may display parameters in a display window <NUM> in a single location close to the mouth of the patient <NUM>. As previously discussed, the controller <NUM> may cycle through the parameters, flashing each parameter over a predetermined interval of time. <FIG> illustrates an example of a cycle in which time, oxygen saturation level, and force are displayed on the image display device <NUM>. Specifically, at time <NUM> seconds - a time which may correspond to an elapsed time since an oxygen mask was removed or since an intubation device was brought within a view of a mouth of the patient <NUM> - may be displayed for <NUM> seconds.

At <NUM> seconds, the display window <NUM> may cycle from displaying the time to displaying a portion of an image which was covered by the data in the display window from <NUM> to <NUM> seconds, and therefore not include any parameter representing data from any source such as a sensor. This display of the video image, for example from the first optical imaging device <NUM>, in the location of the display window <NUM>, may continue for <NUM> seconds. Following the display of the video image, at <NUM> seconds, an oxygen saturation level is displayed in the display window <NUM>. After the oxygen saturation level is displayed for <NUM> seconds, the controller <NUM> may cycle from displaying the oxygen saturation parameter in the display window, to again displaying a portion of the video image which was covered by the data in the display window <NUM> from <NUM> to <NUM> seconds, and therefore not include any parameter representing data from any source such as a sensor. The display of the video image in the location of the display window <NUM> may continue for <NUM> seconds, and at <NUM> seconds, a detected force may be displayed in the display window <NUM>. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may operate the image display device <NUM> to cycle through displays of parameters, separated by displays of a portion of a video image that would be covered by the display window <NUM> that displays the parameters during the cycle.

As illustrated in <FIG>, according to another aspect of the present disclosure the controller <NUM> may display each parameter in a different display window (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) at a corner or edge of the screen <NUM>, close to a mouth region of the patient <NUM>. The display windows (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) correspond to positions for activated parameters assigned as a result of the controller <NUM> operating the image display device <NUM> according to the Screen Information Template Setting algorithm <NUM>. The display windows (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) enclose respective parameters expressed as text or digits which are large enough to be easily recognized and contrasted to a single pantone background. Each display window occupies an area corresponding to less than <NUM>° of the FOV for the working distance as discussed herein. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the characters (text or digits) may be larger than <NUM>° of the FOV, and preferably in a range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°, and separated over spaces corresponding to <NUM>° of the FOV as illustrated in <FIG>.

The image display device <NUM> preferably shows a window as represented by the screen <NUM>, which includes critical real time procedure (e.g. intubation) data on a single pantone rectangular background as opposed to a video background cluttered with tissue image. Thus, the screen <NUM> may display critical real time intubation data in a similar manner as a highway signage to provide easily read information as well as warning information.

<FIG> further illustrate display settings for the image display device <NUM>, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. A color of a background, contrast of an image displayed on the screen <NUM>, color of a display window <NUM>, and the text within the display window <NUM> can be changed. The change in colors, contrasts, data types of parameters displayed within the display windows (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and the size of the display windows (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), may be set according to the controller <NUM> operating according to the screen information template setting algorithm <NUM>.

Colors, size, data type, and other aspects of respective visual presentations of parameters can change over the course of a procedure according to the display settings provided through screen information template setting algorithm <NUM> as discussed herein. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, preferable color contrasted combinations may include a display window with black characters on a pale background, for example, yellow, similar to highway warning; blue letters on white background; or a display window with white characters on a green background similar to highway signs. Further, display windows (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may present activated parameters based on trigger events, and the display windows (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may be flashed in a repeating pattern such that a given display window and parameter therein, is present for at least <NUM> seconds to ensure that the parameter can be recognized properly. The pattern may include flashing the given display window a minimum number of times within an interval, allowing an operator to see a portion of an image on the screen <NUM> which is a part of the image transmitted by the first optical imaging device <NUM> where the given display window is being flashed.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for event detecting <NUM>, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In block S802, the controller <NUM> determines if the mask has been detected. If the mask <NUM> has been detected, the controller <NUM> may operate the image display device <NUM> according to a mask approximation algorithm <NUM>. If the mask <NUM> has not been detected, the controller <NUM> may operate the image display device <NUM> according to an oxygen saturation algorithm <NUM>, an image analysis algorithm <NUM>, and/or a force analysis algorithm <NUM>. It will be understood that any of one the mask approximation algorithm <NUM>, the oxygen saturation algorithm <NUM>, the image analysis algorithm <NUM>, and the force analysis algorithm <NUM> may be performed independent of the other algorithms of <FIG>. Accordingly, all, some, or even none of the algorithms of <FIG> may be performed for the method of operating a video display <NUM>. Each of the sensors (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are simultaneously and continuously operated, and sensor readings are available for display at all times and when necessary.

<FIG> is an algorithmic flowchart illustrating a method of approximating a position of a mask <NUM> during a procedure, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In block S902, the controller <NUM> detects the mask <NUM> based on a signal from the proximity sensor <NUM>. In block S904, the controller <NUM> determines if an oxygen desaturation timer tS is initiated. The oxygen desaturation timer tS indicates a time for which oxygen is not being provided through the mask <NUM> to the patient <NUM>. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the desaturation timer tS can be implemented in a standalone device (not shown), such as a discrete standalone image display device, or be integrated with anesthesia machine <NUM>. The image display device <NUM> can optionally wirelessly receive desaturation time for display which can otherwise be displayed on the standalone device or the anesthesia machine <NUM>. Where the oxygen desaturation timer tS has been initiated, the controller <NUM> determines if the value of the oxygen desaturation timer tS is greater than or equal to an oxygen desaturation maximum time tS-max, which may correspond to an elapsed time the patient has not been provided with oxygen (e.g. a time since a mask was removed from the patient).

Where the value of the oxygen desaturation timer tS is greater than or equal to the oxygen desaturation maximum time tS-max, the controller <NUM> changes data display settings and priority of the oxygen desaturation timer tS parameter. Accordingly, the parameter for the oxygen desaturation timer tS may change from a numeral or time value, to a text value, such as a warning text, or to a numeral or time value and a text value. Further, the priority of the oxygen desaturation timer tS may be changed to be higher than another parameter, for example a parameter associated with the force sensors <NUM>. Accordingly, the parameter for the oxygen desaturation timer tS may be displayed first and the most often based on a respective priority, as a result of the value of the timer tS being more than the oxygen desaturation maximum time tS-max.

In a situation in which the controller <NUM> determines the oxygen desaturation timer tS has not been initiated in block S904, the controller <NUM> determines if a distance d between the proximity sensor <NUM> and the magnet <NUM> is less than or equal to a first distance threshold x<NUM> in block S910. This will indicate if the mask <NUM> is close enough to the proximity sensors <NUM> for the mask <NUM> to be considered as being close to or on the patient <NUM>. The controller <NUM> repeats an analysis according to block S910 until the mask distance d is less than or equal to the first distance threshold x<NUM>. In block S912, with the mask <NUM> at a distance d less than or equal to the first distance threshold x<NUM>, the controller <NUM> determines, based on the signals from the the proximity sensors <NUM>, or a reading from the anesthesia machine <NUM> which communicates with the proximity sensors <NUM>, if the mask <NUM> is stationary.

The process in block S912 provides an indication that the mask <NUM> has been fixed onto a patient <NUM> so that the controller <NUM> can determine a baseline distance from which to compare to determine if the mask <NUM> has been removed from the patient <NUM>. As such, the controller <NUM> sets a second distance threshold x<NUM> to the current mask distance d plus a minimum distance xmin in block S914.

In block <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may communicate with the anesthesia machine <NUM> do determine if the anesthesia machine has detected a drop in pressure from the mask <NUM> indicated it has been removed from the patient <NUM>. In particular, the mask <NUM> may include a pressure sensor or the anesthesia machine <NUM> may include a pressure sensor which registers a reduction in pressure in an oxygen supply line when the mask <NUM> is removed from the patient (since there is reduced resistance to oxygen flow because the flow of oxygen is not impeded by the patient <NUM>). If there is no pressure drop/change in pressure greater than a maximum change pressure threshold Δpmax, the controller will determine if an auxiliary visual recording device/optical imaging device (not shown) has registered a removal of the mask <NUM> from the patient. If either of the conditions is determined to have been met in block S916 or block S918, the controller <NUM> will initiate the oxygen desaturation timer tS in block S924.

If the oxygen desaturation timer tS is not initiated with block S916 or block S918, the controller <NUM> checks to see if the mask <NUM> is being moved from the patient <NUM> in block S920. Where the mask <NUM> has been moved from the patient <NUM>, the controller <NUM> determines if the movement is far enough from the patient in block S922 to correspond to a situation in which the mask <NUM> is being removed for an intubation procedure to follow. The second distance threshold x<NUM> is set to avoid initiating the oxygen desaturation timer tS in block S922 where the mask <NUM> has only been slightly adjusted and not fully removed from patient <NUM>. The controller <NUM> will initiate the oxygen desaturation timer tS in block S924 when it is determined the mask distance d is greater than the second distance threshold x<NUM>.

In block S926, the controller <NUM> determines if the mask <NUM> has been put back on the patient <NUM> and is stationary by comparing a signal from the proximity sensor to the second distance threshold x<NUM>. Where the mask <NUM> has been put back on the patient <NUM>, in block S928, the controller <NUM> resets the oxygen desaturation timer tS and sets the first algorithmic variable (i) to zero, indicating that an intubation procedure will not be occurring at the current time. On the other hand, if the controller <NUM> determines the mask <NUM> is removed from the patient <NUM>, the display settings for the parameter for the oxygen desaturation timer tS for the current time Ti are activated. Accordingly, with the proximity sensor(s) <NUM>, the controller <NUM> can determine events that correspond to a pre-oxygenation time and a time at which the mask <NUM> is removed and desaturation begins have occurred.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a detection of a removal of the mask <NUM> from the patient <NUM> may occur through detecting the movement of the mask <NUM> via the proximity sensor <NUM>, detecting a drop in pressure from the mask <NUM>, or through an observation through an optical imaging device that is, for example, mounted on the anesthesia machine <NUM> or another device. Further, any of these processes for detecting the removal of the mask <NUM> may be implemented directly by the image display device <NUM> or the anesthesia device <NUM>. The information related to the removal of the mask <NUM>, e.g. the start of the oxygen desaturation timer tS, may be displayed on either of the image display device <NUM> or a monitor/display device of the anesthesia machine <NUM>.

The image display device <NUM> or the anesthesia machine <NUM> may be in communication with the senor(s) which detect events from which the removal of the mask <NUM> can be determined (e.g. the distance, pressure drop, visual recognition), and transmit data indicating the removal of the mask <NUM> to the other of the image display device <NUM> and the anesthesia machine <NUM> via various modes of communication there between (e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC). Further, either of the image display device <NUM> and the anesthesia machine <NUM> which communicates with the sensors can initiate the oxygen desaturation timer tS and transmit the value of the oxygen desaturation timer tS to the other of the image display device <NUM> and the anesthesia machine <NUM>. For example, the anesthesia machine <NUM> may communicate with the proximity sensor <NUM>, determine the drop in pressure in the mask <NUM>, initiate the oxygen desaturation timer tS, and send the value of the oxygen desaturation timer tS to the image display device <NUM>.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, either of the image display device <NUM> or anesthesia machine can register the removal of the mask <NUM> upon receiving data from the other of the image display device <NUM> and the anesthesia machine <NUM>, then initiate the oxygen desaturation timer tS, and then, transmit the value of the oxygen desaturation timer tS back to the device which registered the removal of the mask <NUM>. For example, the image display device <NUM> may communicate with the proximity sensor <NUM> and send a reading of the proximity sensor <NUM> to the anesthesia machine <NUM>, which then determines the mask <NUM> has been removed, initiates the oxygen desaturation timer tS, and sends the value of the oxygen desaturation timer tS to the image display device <NUM>. As the anesthesia machine <NUM> communicates the value of oxygen desaturation timer tS, the anesthesia machine <NUM> could possibly be displaying oxygen desaturation timer tS on a monitor thereof. It will be understood that the above process could be performed with the image display device <NUM> and anesthesia machine <NUM> switching roles.

<FIG> is an algorithmic flowchart illustrating a method of analyzing an oxygen saturation level <NUM>, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In block S1002, the controller <NUM> activates display setting for an oxygen (O<NUM>) saturation parameter. If multiple SpO<NUM> sensors (hereafter referred to as "oxygen sensor", "oxygen sensors", "O<NUM> sensor", or "O<NUM> sensors") are available, then depending on a user profile and/or the controller <NUM> operating the image display device <NUM> according to the screen information template setting algorithm <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may present, for example an anesthesia machine reading parameter as well as a separate facial O<NUM> parameter in the same display window. In addition, as a reading of the facial O<NUM> sensor drops, the controller <NUM> may change colors of the facial O<NUM> parameter transition from white on green, to black on yellow, for example.

In block S1004, the controller determines if a facial O<NUM> sensor, such as any of the oxygen sensors <NUM> in <FIG>, and any additional O<NUM> sensors have been identified. The additional sensor could be an additional oxygen sensor attached to the patient, a pulse oximeter attached to a finger of the patient <NUM>, or another oxygen sensor connected to the anesthesia machine <NUM>. Where a combination of a facial O<NUM> sensor and an additional O<NUM> sensor have not been identified, the controller <NUM> determines if a facial O<NUM> sensor has been identified in block S1008.

If a facial O<NUM> sensor has not been identified, corresponding to a situation in which no oxygen sensors have been identified by the controller <NUM>, the data type and the priority of the O<NUM> saturation parameter is changed in block S1008. This corresponds to a situation in which the oxygen saturation of the patient <NUM> cannot be determined, and may require a procedure to be stopped. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may change the priority of the O<NUM> saturation parameter to ensure that an operator is aware that an oxygen saturation level is not available.

If a facial O<NUM> sensor is identified in block S1006, or it is determined that a difference between detected oxygen saturation levels by the facial O<NUM> sensor and any additional O<NUM> sensor is not greater than or equal to a maximum deviation O<NUM>Δ-max in block S1014, the controller determines if an oxygen saturation detected by the facial O<NUM> sensor is less than or equal to a threshold minimum saturation level O<NUM> Sat-min in block S1010. Accordingly, a benefit of displaying an oxygen saturation level that does not suffer from lag because an oxygen sensor is positioned on a forehead of a patient can be obtained. If the detected saturation is not above the threshold, then the method of analyzing an oxygen saturation level <NUM> is completed. On the other hand if the detected saturation is above the threshold, the controller <NUM> changes the priority and display settings of the O<NUM> saturation parameter.

A change to the display settings of any parameter may include a change to the size, color, and temporal settings of the parameter. For example, whereas the display settings for the O<NUM> saturation parameter may have previously included black digits in a yellow display window that did not flash, a new display setting for the O<NUM> saturation parameter may include a red display window and white digits that flash according to a predetermined frequency.

Where it is determined in block S <NUM> that the absolute value of the deviating between a reading from the facial O<NUM> sensor is greater than or equal to the maximum deviation O<NUM>Δ-max, which may indicate the facial O<NUM> sensor is not providing an accurate reading, the controller <NUM> can determine if an oxygen saturation detected by the additional O<NUM> sensor is less than or equal to the threshold minimum saturation level O<NUM> Sat-min. Accordingly, displaying an erroneous reading of a facial O<NUM> sensor caused by interference from veinous pulsations when a patient is in a supine position can be avoided. Where it is the case that the oxygen saturation detected by the additional O<NUM> sensor is less than or equal to the threshold minimum saturation level O<NUM> Sat-min, the controller <NUM> changes the priority and display settings of the O<NUM> parameter. Otherwise, the method of analyzing an oxygen saturation level <NUM> ends.

<FIG> illustrates a view from the optical imaging device <NUM> during a procedure, divided into optical segments (pixels and zones), according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In particular, <FIG> illustrates optical parameters by which an image from the first optical imaging device <NUM> can be segmented and evaluated by for the purposes of determining which parameters should be activated and, which image between multiple images sources may be displayed on the screen <NUM> of the image display device <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may also do an image analysis according to landmark recognition.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the controller <NUM> may employ the first optical imaging device <NUM> as an event generation sensor in the sense that it determines a number of pixels that are predominantly red (e.g. a color corresponding to a first range within an optical spectrum) based on a signal strength in a red channel relative to other RGB channels. As will be explained in more detail with respect to <FIG>, the controller <NUM> may apply threshold criteria to recognize events to trigger different responses that are expressed based on the display settings of the image display device <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may apply threshold criteria to the signal strength of the red channel to determine the intubation device <NUM> is being inserted into a mouth of the patient <NUM>, and start and display a timer (intubation device timer tD) associated with an act of inserting the intubation device <NUM>. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, image processing by the controller <NUM> may include segmenting and classifying an image into red zones versus zones of a predominantly other color, and setting a criteria based on a size and number of red zones. Further, an image analysis employed by the controller <NUM> may be equivalent to classifying and segmenting an image between tissue and foreign objects to detect a foreign object, such as a stylet or intubation tube.

<FIG> is an algorithmic flowchart illustrating a method of analyzing an image obtained by an optical imaging device <NUM>, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The foregoing discussion refers to the intubation device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. However, it will be appreciated that the image display device <NUM> may perform any of operations described herein, as provided in combination with different types of intubation devices generally represented in <FIG> and <FIG> with the intubation device <NUM>.

In block S1202, the controller <NUM> determines whether the algorithmic variable (s) is greater than zero. Where the algorithmic variable (s) is greater than zero, the controller <NUM> operates the image display device <NUM> according to a second image source analyzing algorithm <NUM>. This corresponds to a situation in which the controller <NUM> has previously analyzed the image from the first image source (e.g. the first optical imaging device), and determined that an image from a second image source (e.g. a stylet of the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM>) is potentially ready to be viewed on the image display device <NUM> because the second image source has been inserted into the patient <NUM> and has an unobstructed view of the larynx or trachea of the patient <NUM>. Otherwise, the controller <NUM> analyzes the image from the first optical imaging device <NUM> in block S1204. The controller <NUM> may perform a zone analysis, a pixel analysis by analyzing a signal for RGB color channels, and a landmark recognition analysis in block S <NUM>.

In block S1206, the controller <NUM> determines if an intubation device timer tD is initiated. The intubation device timer tD indicates that an operator has begun to insert, for example the blade <NUM> of the laryngoscope provided by the intubation device <NUM>, into a mouth of the patient <NUM>. As will be described in more detail with respect to block S1218, the controller <NUM> determines from the image analysis in block S1204, whether the image <NUM> has a value for a 1st spectrum range that corresponds an open mouth of a person.

In block S1208, the controller <NUM> determines whether a value of the intubation device timer tD, which was determined to be have been initiated in block S <NUM>, is greater than or equal to a maximum value tD-max, and thus indicates whether an operator has been trying to insert the intubation device <NUM> for too long. Thus the controller <NUM> can, independent of whether the oxygen desaturation timer tS has been initiated, determine if a specific process of an intubation procedure directly related to when the patient <NUM> will be able to safely receive an intubation tube is taking too long. Accordingly, if the controller <NUM> is unable to determine when the mask <NUM> has been removed, or for procedures in which the mask <NUM> is not detected and thus a removal thereof cannot indicate a beginning of a procedure, the controller <NUM> can obtain data and display a parameter that advises an operator how much time has elapsed since the intubation device <NUM> was brought into a position immediately before being inserted into the patient <NUM>.

In block S1210, the controller <NUM> determines if the oxygen desaturation timer tS has been initiated. In block S1212, the controller <NUM> determines if a difference between values of the oxygen desaturation timer tS and intubation device timer tD is greater than or equal to a maximum timer difference tΔ-max. In the event the controller <NUM> determines the value of the intubation device timer tD is greater than or equal to the maximum value tD-max in block S1208, or a difference between values of the oxygen desaturation timer tS and intubation device timer tD is greater than or equal to a maximum timer difference tΔ-max in block S1212 the controller <NUM> changes data types and priorities for oxygen desaturation timer tS and intubation device timer tD parameters.

In block S1216, the controller <NUM> determines if the value for a 2nd spectrum range of the image <NUM> from the first image source (e.g. the first optical imaging device <NUM>) is greater than a 1st reference value for the second spectrum range λ-Ref2A. The controller <NUM> operates the image display device <NUM> according to a second image source algorithm <NUM> where the 2nd spectrum range of the image <NUM> is greater than the 1st reference value λ-Ref2A (i.e. reference value A of a set of reference values related to a wavelength corresponding to the 2nd spectrum range). Otherwise, the controller <NUM> determines a value of a 1st spectrum range in block S1218.

The 2nd reference value for the 2nd spectrum range λ-Ref2A is associated with a wavelength in an optical spectrum that corresponds to a wavelength of light (e.g. color) in an image that may include an object of a particular color and size relative to a remainder of the image. For example, where the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> includes a component, such as a stylet or an intubation tube, or components thereof, of a specific color, the 2nd spectrum range of image <NUM> from the first image source will be different than in a situation in which a component of either, or neither of the intubation device <NUM> and the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM>, is not present in the patient <NUM> (e.g. within the view of the first image source). It will be appreciated that a color of the component of the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> may preferably be different than a color of the blade <NUM> of the laryngoscope provided by the intubation device <NUM>, or as described in more detail with reference to <FIG>, the color of a tube or a cuff of a laryngeal mask airway (LMA), in order to utilize a spectrum range that is different than the 1st spectrum range. However, in a situation in which the intubation device <NUM> and the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> are of similar colors, the controller <NUM> may analyze the image <NUM> from the first image source according to different reference values for a single spectrum range, and thus correlate the value of the single spectrum range of the image <NUM> to a value of an image area within the image that is occupied by the combination of the intubation device <NUM> and the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM>.

In the case that the controller <NUM> determines the 2nd spectrum range of the image <NUM> is not greater than the 1st reference value for the 2nd spectrum range λ-Ref2A, the controller <NUM> determines in block S1218 if a value for the 1st spectrum range of the image <NUM> is greater than a reference value λ-RefZ-<NUM> for the 1st spectrum range (e.g. a reference value related to a wavelength corresponding to the 1st spectrum range). The reference value λ-RefZ-<NUM> for the 1st spectrum range may correspond to a value of a spectrum range for an image that includes an image area or number of pixels within the image having a given wavelength that corresponds to an open mouth. For example, the reference value λ-RefZ-<NUM> may correspond to a value of pixels that are predominantly red based on a signal strength in a red channel relative to other RGB color per the color channel image analysis previously discussed. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the reference value λ-RefZ-<NUM> for the 1st spectrum range may correspond to a ratio of zones classified as red zones to zones of predominantly other color, or a size of a cluster of zones classified as red zones. The ratio may be based on the zone image analysis in which the image <NUM> is segmented into zones which are classified respectively according to a predominant color within each zone. In the case of a size of a cluster of zones classified as red zones, the controller <NUM> may correlate a size within the image <NUM> of a total group of adjacent zones classified as red zones corresponds to a position of the intubation device <NUM> within the mouth of the patient <NUM> proximate to an area of the mouth that is distal relative to a tongue. The reference value λ-RefZ-<NUM> may also correspond to minimum area of an image having a particular intensity of light for a given wavelength according to a channel and or zone analysis of the image <NUM> from the first image source (e.g. the first optical imaging device <NUM>).

In the case that the controller <NUM> determines the 1st spectrum range of the image <NUM> is greater than the reference value for the 1st spectrum range λ-Ref<NUM>, the controller <NUM> initiates the intubation device timer tD in block S <NUM>, and in block S <NUM>, activates a display setting for an intubation device timer tD parameter. Otherwise, the method of analyzing an image obtained by an optical imaging device <NUM> is completed.

<FIG> illustrates a view of the patient <NUM> during a procedure utilizing a second image source <NUM>, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In particular, <FIG> illustrates a situation in which the intubation device <NUM>, such as the intubation device <NUM> including the first optical imaging device <NUM>, has been positioned in the patient <NUM>, and the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> has progressed to a position in the patient <NUM>, as viewed by the first optical imaging device <NUM> and displayed on the image display device <NUM>. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> may include a stylet as or other optical imaging device that provides a second image source which is displayed on an additional image display device <NUM>. Thus, the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> may include a component defining a second optical imaging device that obtains an image <NUM> of an area encompassed by a field of view of the component of the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM>. The image display device <NUM> may be in communication with the additional image display device <NUM> by wireless connection (e.g. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC), or via a computing device in communication with the additional image display device <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an end of the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> is positioned distally relative to first optical imaging device <NUM> and proximal to a larynx <NUM> of the patient. Accordingly, <FIG> illustrates a situation in which the controller <NUM> may determine in block S1220, that the 2nd spectrum range of the image <NUM> is greater than the 1st reference value λ-Ref2A for the 2nd spectrum range. In effect, the controller <NUM> detects at least the presence of the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> with the view of the second optical imaging device <NUM>. Thus, <FIG> illustrates an example of situation in which the controller <NUM> may operate the image display device <NUM> in accordance with the second image source algorithm <NUM>.

<FIG> is an algorithmic flowchart illustrating a method of analyzing an image of a second image source <NUM>, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The foregoing discussion refers to the intubation device <NUM> and tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. However, it will be appreciated that the image display device <NUM> may perform any of the operations described herein, as provided in combination with different types of intubation devices and tube or tube assemblies including various types of optical imaging devices, including devices which provide images based on light, heat, or other signatures of a surrounding area that may be represented visually.

In block S1402, the controller <NUM> determines if the value for the second spectrum range of image <NUM> from the first image source according to the image analysis in block S1204, is greater than λ-Ref2B (i.e. a reference value B of the set of reference values related to a wavelength corresponding to the 2nd spectrum range). Accordingly, the controller <NUM> determines if the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> occupies an area of the image <NUM> which corresponds to an area of the image <NUM> that the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> would cover, given a color or intensity of color of the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM>, if the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> was in a position in which an optimal view of the patient <NUM> for completing the procedure may be a view from the stylet of the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> (e.g. a certain distance from the larynx <NUM> of the patient <NUM>).

If the second spectrum range of image <NUM> is greater than λ-Ref2B, in block S1404, the controller <NUM> determines if a second image source is available. Accordingly, in a situation in which the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> does not include the video stylet <NUM> or other optical imaging device, the controller <NUM> will set the algorithmic variable (s) equal to zero and the method of analyzing a second image ends. On the other hand, if there is a second image source available, the controller <NUM> will analyze an image <NUM> of the second image source in block S1410. For example, the controller <NUM> will analyze the image being displayed on the additional video display unit <NUM> of <FIG>, and in block S1410 compares results of the analysis of image <NUM> with a current image analysis of image <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the first image source (e.g. the first optical imaging device <NUM>), remains active and transmits an image of an area in a respective field of view, continuously for analysis at any time during a period in which image display device <NUM> is operated according to the method of operating a video display <NUM> described herein.

The controller <NUM> will switch the image displayed on the screen <NUM> of the image display device <NUM> in block S1412, where the controller <NUM> determines in block S1410 that a value for a 3rd spectrum range of the image <NUM> from the second image source (e.g. an optical imaging device provided by the video stylet <NUM> of the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM>), is greater than a value for a 3rd spectrum range of the image <NUM> from the first image source (e.g. the first optical imaging device <NUM>). This may occur where the second image source has an unobstructed view of a part of the larynx <NUM>, such as vocal cords <NUM> (false or true), occupying an area of the image <NUM> that would be advantageous for an operator to view vs. a view of the patient <NUM> from the first image source.

The criteria for block S1410 is preferably based on a reference value related to a wavelength corresponding to the 3rd spectrum range. Alternatively, a combination of landmark recognition and an image analysis for the 3rd spectrum range can be utilized to determine the image displayed by the image display device <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may determine a common landmark, such as an epiglottis <NUM> can be recognized in both the image <NUM> and the image <NUM>, can be utilized to determine the image displayed by the image display device <NUM>.

In addition to switching from image <NUM> to image <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may operate the image display device <NUM> according the screen information template setting algorithm <NUM> with respect to the image <NUM>. Accordingly, templates for various types of information related to a period during a procedure corresponding to when, for example, the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> is positioned in the patient <NUM> (e.g. in a trachea of the patient).

In block S1416, the controller <NUM> determines if the value for the 2nd spectrum range of image <NUM> from the first image source is less than the 1st reference value λ-Ref2A for the 2nd spectrum range. Determining the value for the 2nd spectrum range of image <NUM> after the controller <NUM> has switched to the image <NUM> may correspond to a situation in during the procedure where the intubation device <NUM> or a component of the tube or coaxial arrangement of tube devices <NUM> has been removed from the patient <NUM>. The controller <NUM> will set the algorithmic variable (s) to a value of <NUM> where the value of the 2nd spectrum of image <NUM> is less than the 1st reference value λ-Ref2A for the 2nd spectrum. On the other hand, where the controller <NUM> determines the conditions of block S1402, block S1410, or block S1414 are not present, the controller <NUM> sets the algorithmic variable (s) to a value of <NUM>.

<FIG> is an algorithmic flowchart illustrating a method of analyzing a force applied to a patient <NUM>, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In block S1502 the controller <NUM> sets a first counter r<NUM> and second counter r<NUM> equal to <NUM>. In block S1504, the controller <NUM> determines if a sensor, for example the first position sensor <NUM> or the second position sensor <NUM> that determines an alignment, or provides data that alone or in combination with data from another source can be used to calculate an alignment of the image display device <NUM>, is active. It will be appreciated that the alignment of the image display device <NUM> may correspond to an alignment of a device attached to the image display device <NUM>, such as the intubation device <NUM>, for example. Accordingly, a criteria for evaluating the alignment of the image display device <NUM> may be based on a corresponding alignment of a device to which the image display device <NUM> is attached.

In block S1506, the controller <NUM> determines if an alignment deviation Δa is greater than a maximum alignment deviation Δa-max based on a reading from the first position sensor <NUM> or the second position sensor <NUM>. In block S1508, the controller <NUM> increments the first counter r<NUM> by a value of <NUM>. In block S1510, the controller <NUM> determines if a current value of the first counter r<NUM> is greater than a first counter threshold value r<NUM>-max that may be a pre-determined value, a default value, or a value set by an operator as part of the operator's user profile. If the first counter r<NUM> is greater than the first counter threshold value r<NUM>-max, indicating that the image display device <NUM> has not been aligned for a predetermined period of time, the controller <NUM> may, in block S1512, change a priority for an alignment deviation Δa parameter. On the other hand, if the first counter r<NUM> is determined in block S1510 not to be greater than the first counter threshold value r<NUM>-max, the alignment of the image display device <NUM> is evaluated in block S1506.

A change to the priority of the alignment deviation Δa parameter may be delayed in block S1508 and block S1510. Thus, a situation which could be considered as a false positive for changing the priority of the alignment deviation Δa parameter, such as when the image display device <NUM> is only momentarily not within the range corresponding to the maximum alignment deviation Δa-max, can be avoided. However, the first counter threshold value r<NUM>-max may be set by an operator or the controller <NUM> for certain operating conditions, to vary a sensitivity for changing display settings based on the alignment deviation Δa. Thus, the display settings can be tailored to a particular type of procedure that is particularly short for which an alignment of the image display device <NUM>, or device attached thereto, must strictly be within the maximum alignment deviation Δa-max, such that any deviation therefrom may be detrimental to completion of the procedure and/or comfort level of patient.

In block S1514, the controller <NUM> activates display setting for the alignment deviation Δa parameter, and in block S1516, the controller <NUM> determines if the intubation device timer tID has been initiated. Accordingly, if an optical imaging device, for example, the optical imaging device <NUM> of the intubation device <NUM>, is not operating correctly or is unavailable, or the controller <NUM> cannot analyze an image from the optical imaging device, a time related to when the intubation <NUM> is to be positioned in the patient <NUM>, can be recognized, tracked, and displayed on the screen <NUM> of the image display device <NUM> for an operator to read. For example, in a situation where the patient <NUM> has put something their mouth that leaves a residue of a certain color that inhibits the recognition of a spectrum range used to determine various conditions, the intubation device timer tID can still be initiated when image display device <NUM>, and for example the intubation assembly <NUM> of <FIG>, is in a position relative to the patient corresponding to step in a procedure being performed. As a result, the controller <NUM> initiates intubation device timer tID and activates the display setting for the parameter corresponding to the intubation device timer tID, where the intubation device timer tID is determined to not have been initiated in block S1516.

In block S1520, the controller <NUM> determines if a force sensor, for example force sensor <NUM>, is active, and in block S1522, determines if a force detected F is greater than a maximum force value Fmax. In block S1524, the controller <NUM> increments the second counter r<NUM> by a value of <NUM>. In block S1526, the controller <NUM> determines if a current value of the second counter r<NUM> is greater than a second counter threshold value r<NUM>-max that may be a pre-determined value, a default value, or a value set by an operator as part of the operator's user profile. If the second counter r<NUM> is greater than the second counter threshold value r<NUM>-max, indicating that a force proportional to a force, pressure, or moment applied to an external object, such as a body part of patient <NUM>, has exceeded the maximum force value Fmax for a period of time that may be detrimental to the completion or a procedure of the comfort level of patient. On the other hand, if the first counter r<NUM> is determined in block S1526 not to be greater than the second counter threshold value r<NUM>-max, the force detected by the force sensor <NUM> is re-evaluated in block S1522.

A change to the priority of the force F parameter may be delayed in block S1524 and block S1526. Thus, a situation which could be considered as a false positive for changing the priority the force F parameter, such as when a force greater than the maximum force value Fmax is only momentarily applied may be avoided. However, the second counter threshold value r<NUM>-max can be set by an operator or the controller <NUM> for certain operating conditions, to vary a sensitivity for changing display settings based on the detected force F. Thus, the display settings can be tailored to a particular type of procedure that is particularly short or for which the patient <NUM> may be particularly sensitive to forces being applied by instruments or devices used to complete the procedure. Accordingly, the image display device <NUM> operates as a warning system of varying sensitivities according to a procedure being performed, a pain tolerance of a patient, or a standard setting by a regulating authority.

In block S1530, the controller <NUM> activates the display setting for the force F parameter, and in block S1532, the controller <NUM> determines if the intubation device timer tID has been initiated. The controller <NUM> initiates intubation device timer tID and activates the display setting for the parameter corresponding to the intubation device timer tID where the intubation device timer tID is determined to not have been initiated in block S1534. Accordingly, if an optical imaging device, for example, the optical imaging device <NUM> of the intubation device <NUM>, is not operating correctly or is unavailable, or the controller <NUM> cannot analyze an image from the first optical imaging device <NUM>, a time related to when the intubation device <NUM> is to be positioned in the patient <NUM>, can be recognized, tracked, and displayed on the screen <NUM> of the image display device <NUM> for an operator to read.

<FIG> illustrates an intubation device assembly <NUM>, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The intubation device assembly <NUM> includes the image display device <NUM> and an intubation device <NUM>, such as a laryngeal mask airway. The intubation device <NUM> includes a main conduit <NUM> that extends from a proximal end <NUM> including a proximal aperture <NUM>, to a distal aperture <NUM> in a cuff <NUM>. The cuff <NUM> defines a bowl <NUM> in fluid communication with the distal aperture <NUM>, and in fluid communication with an inflation conduit <NUM>. A pilot balloon <NUM> and valve <NUM> are attached to an end of the inflation conduit <NUM>. A first optical imaging device <NUM> of the intubation device <NUM> may include least one channel, such as a fiber optic channel capable of transmitting an image, extending along the main conduit <NUM> into the bowl <NUM>.

During a procedure, the intubation device <NUM> may be positioned in the patient <NUM>, the bowl <NUM> positioned facing a laryngeal opening of the patient <NUM>, and the distal aperture <NUM> substantially aligned with the laryngeal opening. An optical imaging device such as the video style <NUM> may be advanced through the main conduit <NUM>, through the distal aperture <NUM>, and past the vocal cords of the patient <NUM>. The video style <NUM> may therefore provide an optical imaging device to provide a second image source which may provide the image <NUM> that is switched to and displayed on the screen <NUM> of the image display device <NUM> in block S1414. Subsequently, a tube including a cuff (e.g. an endotracheal tube) may be advanced over the endoscope through the main conduit <NUM> and into the trachea of the patient <NUM>.

Alternatively, the endoscope, as guided by the main conduit <NUM> of the intubation device <NUM>, can be used to guide a deployment of a cuffless tube placed over the endoscope, into the trachea. The tube with the cuff can then be guided over the cuffless tube through the main conduit <NUM> and distal aperture <NUM> into the trachea. It will be appreciated that other methods of utilizing a passage defined by the main conduit <NUM> and the distal aperture <NUM> of the intubation device <NUM> to advance a tube with a cuff (e.g. and endotracheal tube such as a specialized endotracheal tube to which a stabilizer bar can be attached) into the trachea, may be performed.

The image display device <NUM> may be connected to a connector <NUM> of the intubation device <NUM> and the controller <NUM> connected to the first optical imaging device <NUM>. Accordingly, any of the methods described herein with respect to the image display device <NUM> may be carried out with the intubation device assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a general-purpose computer system <NUM>, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The general-purpose computer system <NUM> includes or is configured to access one or more computer-accessible media, and includes a computing device <NUM> with exemplary hardware incorporated therein. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the controller <NUM> of the image display device <NUM> may include or be defined by the computing device <NUM>, and the exemplary hardware illustrated in <FIG> may implement and/or execute the processes, algorithms and/or methods described in the present disclosure.

The computing device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM> with one or more processors (which may be referred herein singularly as the processor <NUM> or in the plural as the processors <NUM>) coupled via a central BUS <NUM> or other type of I/O interface, to a memory <NUM>. The computing device <NUM> may further include a disk controller <NUM>, a display controller <NUM>, a network interface <NUM>, and an I/O interface <NUM> coupled to the central BUS <NUM>.

In various aspects, the processor <NUM> of the computing device <NUM> may be a uniprocessor system including one processor, or a multiprocessor system including several processors (e.g., two, four, eight, or another suitable number). The processors <NUM> may be any suitable processors, including application specific processors (ASP), capable of executing instructions. As another example, in various aspects, the processor(s) may be general-purpose or embedded processors implementing any of a variety of instruction set architectures (ISAs), such as the x86, PowerPC, SPARC, or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitable ISA. In multiprocessor systems, each of the processors <NUM> may commonly, but not necessarily, implement the same ISA.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the processor <NUM> may include a logic device for augmenting or fully implementing the methods and algorithms of the present disclosure. Such a logic device may include, but is not limited to, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable array (FPGA), a generic-array of logic (GAL), and their equivalents. Further, general-purpose computer system <NUM> may benefit from parallel processing capabilities of a multi-cored central processing unit (CPU).

The system memory <NUM> may be configured to store instructions and data accessible by the processor(s) <NUM>. In various aspects, the memory <NUM> may be implemented using any suitable memory technology, such as static random access memory ("SRAM"), synchronous dynamic RAM ("SDRAM"), nonvolatile/Flash®-type memory, or any other type of memory (e.g., ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, DRAM, and their equivalents). Program instructions and data implementing one or more desired functions, such as those methods, techniques and data described above, may be stored within the memory <NUM> as code and data.

In some aspects, the memory <NUM> may be one aspect of a computer-accessible medium configured to store program instructions and data as described above for implementing aspects of the corresponding methods and apparatus. However, in other aspects, program instructions and/or data may be received, sent, or stored upon different types of computer-accessible media. Generally speaking, a computer-accessible medium may include non-transitory storage media or memory media, such as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk or DVD/CD controller coupled to the computing device <NUM> via the central BUS <NUM>, an in particular via the disk controller <NUM>. A non-transitory computer-accessible storage medium may also include any volatile or non-volatile media, such as RAM (e.g., SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, RDRAM, SRAM, etc.), ROM, etc., that may be included in some aspects of the computing device <NUM> as the memory <NUM> or another type of memory.

Further, a computer-accessible medium may include transmission media or signals, such as electrical, electromagnetic or digital signals, conveyed via a communication medium, such as a network and/or a wireless link, such as those that may be implemented via the network interface <NUM>. Portions or all of multiple computing devices, such as those illustrated in <FIG>, may be used to implement the described functionality in various aspects; for example, software components running on a variety of different devices and servers may collaborate to provide the functionality. In some aspects, portions of the described functionality may be implemented using storage devices, network devices or special-purpose computer systems, in addition to or instead of being implemented using general-purpose computer systems. The term "computing device," as used herein, refers to at least all these types of devices and is not limited to these types of devices.

The network interface <NUM> may be configured to allow data to be exchanged between the computing device <NUM> and other device or devices attached to a network or networks, such as other computer systems or devices, for example. In various aspects, the network interface <NUM> may support communication via any suitable wired or wireless general data networks, such as types of Ethernet networks, for example. Additionally, the network interface <NUM> may support communication via telecommunications/telephony networks, such as analog voice networks or digital fiber communications networks, via storage area networks, such as Fibre Channel SANs (storage area networks), or via any other suitable type of network and/or protocol.

In one aspect, the central BUS <NUM> may be configured to coordinate I/O traffic between the processor(s) <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, the network interface <NUM>, and any peripherals <NUM> which may include, for example, the first connector <NUM>, the second connector <NUM>, the first optical imaging device (<NUM>, <NUM>), and any other devices that may transmit data and receive instructions from the I/O interface <NUM>. The I/O interface <NUM> is further provided for inputting signals and/or data from the peripherals <NUM>, the sensors <NUM>, and a touch screen monitor <NUM> of the image display device <NUM>. The sensors <NUM> may include the proximity sensor <NUM>, the O<NUM> sensor <NUM>, the first position sensor <NUM>, the second position sensor <NUM>, the force sensor(s) <NUM>, and may also include the first optical imaging device (<NUM>, <NUM>).

Results of processing in accordance with the present disclosure can be displayed via the display controller <NUM> to the touch screen monitor <NUM> of the image display device <NUM> which provides a use interface. The screen <NUM> of the image display device <NUM> may provide a touch sensitive interface of the touch-screen monitor <NUM> for providing a command/instruction interface. The display controller <NUM> may include at least one graphic processing unit, which can be provided by a plurality of graphics processing cores, for improved computational efficiency.

In some aspects, the central BUS <NUM> may perform any necessary protocol, timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from one component (e.g., the memory <NUM>) into a format suitable for use by another component (e.g., the processor <NUM>). In some aspects, the central BUS <NUM> may include support for devices attached through various types of peripheral buses, such as a variant of the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus standard or the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard, for example. In some aspects, the function of the central BUS <NUM> may be split into two or more separate components, such as a north bridge and a south bridge, for example. Also, in some aspects some or all of the functionality of the central BUS <NUM>, such as an interface to the memory <NUM>, may be incorporated directly into the processor <NUM>.

It should also be appreciated that the systems in the figures are merely illustrative and that other implementations might be used. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the functionality disclosed herein might be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. Other implementations should be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Each of the operations, processes, methods, and algorithms described in the preceding sections may be embodied in, and fully or partially automated by, code modules executed by at least one computer or computer processors. The code modules may be stored on any type of non-transitory computer-readable medium or computer storage device, such as hard drives, solid state memory, optical disc, and/or the like. The processes and algorithms may be implemented partially or wholly in application-specific circuitry. The results of the disclosed processes and process steps may be stored, persistently or otherwise, in any in any type of non-transitory computer storage such as, e.g., volatile or non-volatile storage.

Claim 1:
A method of indicating an oxygen desaturation period has been initiated, the method comprising:
detecting, via at least one of an optical imaging device and one or more sensors, an oxygen mask (<NUM>) configured to supply oxygen to a patient (<NUM>) to saturate the patient;
detecting, via the at least one of the optical imaging device and the one or more sensors, a removal of the oxygen mask (<NUM>) from the patient (<NUM>) to stop saturation of the patient;
initiating, via one or more processors, a desaturation timer in response to the at least one of the optical imaging device and the one or more sensors detecting the removal of the oxygen mask (<NUM>) from the patient (<NUM>); and
operating, via the one or more processors, an image display device (<NUM>) to display a first running time indicating a desaturation time elapsed from a time of the removal of the oxygen mask (<NUM>).