Patent ID: 7515949

Claim:
A method for processing a signal in a pulse oximetry device, comprising the steps of: receiving, at an inlet port of a pulse oximetry device, a time-based signal reflective of one or more optical signals incident on a detector of a pulse oximeter sensor, said time-based signal being attenuated by patient tissue; using a processor of said pulse oximetry device; first transforming a series of time periods of said time-based signal to generate a first series of transformed signals each having at least a frequency component; second transforming at least a portion of said series of time periods of said time-based signal to generate a second series of transformed signals each having at least a frequency component; monitoring said first and second series of transformed signals to identify one or more frequency bands of one or more of said transformed signals that is potentially corrupted by artifact; upon identifying one or more of said frequency bands that is potentially corrupted by artifact for at least one of said first and second series of transformed signals, removing said one or more frequency bands from said at least one of said series of transformed signals to generate at least one modified transformed signal; and processing said at least one modified transformed signal to obtain physiological information regarding said patient tissue.