Method for establishing a telecommunications network for patient monitoring

Technical Field

The present invention relates to can be used in the medical industry of wireless telecommunication network, and, more specifically, relates to a patient for the remote transmission of the monitored patient parameter the location of the plurality of nodes of the node network of the communicators. Also relates to a network to remotely along the transmission or propagation of information of the patient used for this method and of the apparatus of the wireless telecommunications network of the invention.

Background Art

In order to remotely monitor physical parameter of the patient, such as blood pressure, arterial blood oxygen saturation (SP02), heart rate, electrocardiogram, and so on, usually attached to the patients of the sensor, wherein the sensor is connected to the transmitter (transmitter), the transmitter will transmit signals to the patient the central nursing station. Usually by hardwire (hardwire), and recently adopted this transmission wireless manner. The Huey Fong vessel (the Huey Fong vessel may be located in a hospital to a general ward or in intensive care unit (ICU)), providing a plurality of monitor to monitor patients in each room. There is always a nurses the nursing station, the nurses from each patient room monitoring of the physical parameters of different patients, in order to observe the physical health of the patient. Such a central nursing station applies to the following environment, wherein the patient is limited in their respective rooms, each room contains used for conveying of the patient is connected to the corresponding (one or a plurality of) the physical parameter sensed by the sensors of the appropriate transmitter.

However, in the medical field include the wireless communication exists in providing mobility to the trend of the patient. In the medical field, for example, in pulse oximetry (oximetry) in the field of, a kind of such portable equipment is refers to the oximeter with remote telecommunications capabilities, the transfer of the same to the assignee of this application U.S. patents 6,731,962 is disclosed in. ' 962 Patent is combined to the open by reference. ' 962 device is adapted to the patient data to the remote receiver or monitor. In Patent published 2005/0234317 discloses another can be via wireless communication link for communicating with an external oximeter the pulse oximeter. For the oximeter remote device is a display. In Patent published 2005/0113655 discloses another kind of wireless pulse oximeter. Wherein the wireless patient's sensor will be the original patient data is transmitted to the pulse oximeter, the pulse oximeter processing the data and the data is further configured to generate a web page, said web page is then transmitted wirelessly to the wireless access point, so that the web page can be connected to the network by the access point for downloading remote monitoring station. In Patent published 2004/0102683 remote monitoring of patients is disclosed in another kind of system. ' 683 discloses a published by the patient wearing the patient monitoring equipment. Patient data collected from patients by wireless transmission to the local hub (hub). The concentrator then through the public or private communication network transfers the data to the remote server. The server is configured as a network entry (  portal web) in order to make the doctor or the patient data to allow checking of the other designated party can selectively access patient data.

The present system therefore centralized for transmitting patient data to the remote hub or access point can be and are thus limited to the long-range examination of the patient data from the particular location. The current use of the network or the communications link so or in a specific communication path information is transmitted in a predefined link, using a particular server or a public communication network, wherein the from the specific server can permit selective access. However, all of these prior art system is suitable, in particular, not all the above-mentioned the hospital environment, in the above-mentioned the hospital environment in providing mobility to the needs of the patient, and the need of monitoring a plurality of patients. Furthermore, the existence of the patients from the patient room is fixed on the monitor of the disengaging (un? Tether) in order to provide more patients also allows mobility and at the same time (one or more) the nurse to continue to monitor the needs of the physical health of the patient.

As a result, there is the need of the following portable device, the portable device can be worn by the patient, is capable of wirelessly transmitting data collected from patients.

Furthermore, taking into account the defects of the caregivers, the following needs exist: reducing specific nurse or caregiver in order to monitor the physical parameters of all patients who are stationed, for example, central Huey Fong vessel needs. And may advantageously, more than one the nurse can monitor the different physical parameters of the patient. Therefore also the existence of the nurse or caregiver or more nurses or the nurse or other health care personnel to remote monitoring is performed substantially in real time in the communication network of the patient and/or each of the needs of the physical health of the patient. Therefore, to every patient can be received from and at the same time the data collected by the different data collected by the patient with each of the needs of the associated communication network. In order to fully realize the remote monitoring of the network capacity, therefore also to the carrying by each nurse will by this portable device (one or a plurality of) the nurse from any specific needs of central monitoring position.

Content of the invention

The invention (in the can itself constitute a self-define the invention of the plurality of aspects of) an attempt to overcome such as taught by the prior art or hub to the needs of the central server, wherein the data collected from the patient is routed to the central server or a hub. Therefore in one aspect, this invention aims at the configured network with certainty (for example, peer-to-peer network or mesh network) provide remote monitoring, in this way, would not be dependent on a single hub or access point.

In one aspect, the invention more particularly relates to a wireless communication network, the wireless communication network suitable for the medical equipment use and has the following structure, the framework of the medical device can be used in the form of the peer-to-peer network without network controller. Each medical device can be considered to be the nodes of the network, in which the medical equipment or node time synchronization and the scheduling of communication between the equipment, thereby eliminating the network interference and in inter-node communication and apparatus (disseminate) of the spread between the two message types allows good quality purposes.

Provided in the example in a medical environment, embodiments of the present invention in (such as oximetry), physiological parameter or attribute of the patients to be measured the sensor module attached to he or she, the sensor module is used for measuring the patient's physical parameter of the sensor. Patient data can be obtained by the sensor is routed to the transmitter for transmission. Alternatively, the sensor module itself can be included for transmitting the measured physical parameter of the patient of the conveyor. In a desired sensor module and the remote receiver of the bi-directional communication between the lower, can also be provided in the sensor module transceiver. In the discussion in the medical environment, the sensor module can be referred to as the wireless blood oximeter sensor. Each wireless blood oximeter sensor may include oxyhemograph and its associated sensor, and is used for output or transmission of patient data sensor transceiver or radio device (radio).

Receiving from the output of the sensors attached to the patient of the signal of the receiver can be hereafter called the communicator two-way communications device (communicator), it is used for receiving and transmitting information or data transceiver. In the communicator provides at least one memory for storing the date information has been received. Furthermore, transceiver and a memory, the communicator can also be provided with a processor, the user interface, power supply circuit, and with the blood in the sensor under the situation of communication oximeter, the oximeter circuit. The communication device is suitable for polymerization (aggregate) received or collected information, in order to make it possible to spread to the network (broadcast   out) or the broadcast data from the communicator.

The in the communication network of the present invention there can be a plurality of communicator, wherein each of the communicator is considered to be the nodes of the network. Because the Internet is composed of a plurality of the nodes of the communicators, the data communication through the network is the same and there is no controller. Furthermore, because each communicator is mobile, the network topology will change and so network is topology independent and similar peer-to-peer architecture. Depending on the size of the network in the network the number of a communicator or nodes. One example of the network can include two communicator from the minimum to a maximum a communicator or node N. Each communicator in each transceiver or radio device a predetermined distance from the broadcast or transmission range, so that the from a communicator will cover the given information broadcast receiving area. In the network transmission of the other within the range of a communicator other communicator or node from the another communicator receives broadcast data. On the contrary, the other from a communicator will be received in its own in the receiving range of the communicator of the broadcast data. Therefore, can be in in the network different communicator or inter-node to transmit the data. Therefore in the present invention special does not exist in a network access point, the coordinator or controller.

Not all in the network node are communicator, because intended to adhere to the patient in order to be used for monitoring or measuring the wireless physical parameter of the patient blood oximeter or other medical device also can be considered to be the nodes of the network. For the present invention, such a wireless blood from the patient or preferred measuring or sensing physical attribute of the other types of medical equipment can be considered a sensor node of the network. Alternatively, collected from patients information and the collected information is transmitted to the network of the sensor nodes of the network can also be referred to as 1st type node. Therefore, the invention of the 2nd type of the network node which is receiving, polymerization and broadcast via the 1st type node (that is, wireless blood oximeter sensor) the data received from patients of the communicator. For different types of node or a wireless sensor and a communicator can be based on the communication protocol between a standard IEEE 802.15.4.

Such a network can communicate with each other node, network time synchronization device and follow the given communication schedule (schedule). For synchronization, the nodes of the network are assigned a time slot, wherein each time slot is divided into the sub-slot. Each node or device through from its (one or more) neighbor communication is synchronous, so that each node only in the assigned to the transmitting data in the time slot. Communication schedule is periodic, so that all of the nodes on the network to be scheduled in accordance with different communicator device to form a network of the corresponding allocation time slot transmission or broadcast their stored data.

Because data is spread from one node to the other nodes or propagated, therefore, the received data in each node of the aggregated data. Polymerization of the dissemination of data in a network, so that the propagation of the message on the network is continuously updated. When the node than the received message previously stored in the node in the node message update occurs in the polymerization.

In the 1st aspect, the present invention is directed to the patient is used for transmitting information relating to the physical attributes of the system. The system includes at least one associated with a patient monitoring device for a plurality of patients, the at least one patient monitoring equipment is used for detecting the patient's at least one physical attribute of the sensor; and the detected and used for the physical attribute corresponding to that of patient data transmission area to the apparatus (transmit out) at least one conveyor. In the system also includes a plurality of communicator, each communication device has at least the transmission lie in the apparatus in the region from the patient monitoring device to receive the data transmitted by the transceiver. Each communicator and is in its receiving and transmitting in the region of communication of the communicator. For the system of the present invention, any one of the communicator located in the area of the transmission from the patient monitoring device adapted to receive the patient data, and the data after receiving the patient, the patient data broadcast in the communicator other communicator transmitting and receiving within the region.

Another aspect of the present invention to the patient is used for transmitting information relating to the physical attributes of the system, the system includes a plurality of patient monitoring equipment, each patient monitoring equipment associated with a particular patient. These patient monitoring equipment has used for detecting the patients associated with the apparatus at least one physical attribute of the used for the sensor device and corresponding with the physical attributes of the data transfer of the patient to the device the conveyor of the transmission area. In the system of the present invention also includes a plurality of communicator, with each communication device in the patient monitoring device when the corresponding transmission of received in the region from the patient monitoring equipment transceiver of patient data. Each communicator is suitable for and is in its receiving area communicate other communicator. Therefore each communicator located in any one of the patient monitoring device when the transmission of the suitable for receiving in the region from the any one of the patient monitoring equipment patient data and thereafter the received patient data broadcast to its own communicator receiving area.

3rd aspect of the present invention for the remote spreading physical attribute of the patient relevant information system, the system includes at least one associated with a patient a oximeter, the states the oximeter is used for at least detecting patient SP02 of the sensor device. The states the oximeter includes at least transmitter or transceiver in order to be used for at least the SP02 with the detection of patients corresponding to the data transfer to leave the device. The system also includes a plurality of communicator, with each communication device in the patient blood oximeter is within the transmission range of the patient blood oximeter received from transceiver of data transmitted. Each communicator is adapted to communicate with other communicator, so that one of the communicator is located within the transmission range of the coupling, it will receive the from patient blood oximeter and thereafter the patient data of the received patient data broadcast in the broadcast range of other communicator.

4th aspects of the invention directed to a communication network, wherein the physical attribute of the patient relevant information can be remotely transmitted. Communication network includes of the present invention associated with a patient for detection of the patient of at least one physical attribute of the at least one wireless sensor. The sensor includes at least transmitter in order to be used for the detection of the physical attribute of the patient corresponding to the data transmission from the sensor. The network also includes the sensor within the transmission range of the 1st communicator, with is adapted to receive the transmission of patient data from the sensor and adapted to broadcast the received patient data transceiver. The present invention is a communication network also includes the 1st communicator communication but not with the wireless sensor communication of the 2nd communicator. 2nd communication device is suitable for receiving the radio communicator 1st 2nd transceiver of of patient data.

5th aspect of the invention directed to a wireless network, it is used for spreading a plurality of nodes of patient information. Wireless network of the present invention at least comprises the associated with a patient for monitoring the patient's physical attribute of the 1st type node. The 1st type node of the patient includes measuring at least one physical attribute of the detector and the detection of the physical attribute of the patient as the data spread out of the network the conveyor. In the network is not directly may also be included in the associated with a patient is moved to the 1st type node within the broadcast range of the 1st type node is received from signals and/or data of a plurality of movable 2nd-type node. Each 2nd-type node is also adapted to receive from other 2nd-type node signals and/or data and is suitable for the signal and/or data broadcast to the network. This aspect of the invention the radio network allows any one of the 2nd type node in the mobile to the 1st type node within the broadcast range of the 1st type node to output received from the patient data, and thereafter the received patient data broadcast to the network, in order to make is located in one of the 2nd type node any other broadcast range type 2nd 1st type received from the node to the node output the patient data.

6th aspect of the present invention is directed to a wireless network, it is used for spreading a plurality of nodes of patient information. Wireless network of the present invention includes a plurality of 1st-type node, each of the 1st type associated with the particular node is adapted for monitoring patients to specific physical attribute of the patient. Each of the 1st type node comprises detection of a specific patient's at least one physical attribute of the detector and the detection of the physical attribute as the patient data to the network from the conveyor. The wireless network also includes any patient is not directly associated with a plurality of movable 2nd-type node, it is suitable for the mobile to any of the 1st type node within the broadcast range of the 1st type node is received from the signal and/or data. Each 2nd-type node is also adapted to receive from other 2nd-type node signals and/or data and is suitable for the signal and/or data broadcast to the network. 2nd-type node in the one of the 2nd type node move to any of the 1st type node within the broadcast range, the one of the 2nd type node will receive from the 1st type node output the patient data. The one 2nd-type node then the received patient data will be broadcast to the network, in order to make is located in the one of the 2nd type node any other broadcast range 2nd-type node will receive by this 1st type node output the patient data.

7th aspects of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for spreading and patient information relating to the physical attributes of the method. The method comprises the following steps: a) having a sensor device and at least the at least one of the transmitter associated with a patient patient monitoring equipment; b) from a patient using a sensor device for detecting at least one physical attribute; c) with a physical attribute of the detection of patient data corresponding to the transmitting area of the spread out of the apparatus; d) providing a plurality of communicator, with each communication device from the patient monitoring device suitable for receiving data transmitted by the data and is suitable for broadcast to the communicator transceiver area transceiver; e) in a plurality of communicator a communicator set up in a patient monitoring device transmission in order to receive the patient data in the region; and f) from the a communicator broadcast the received patient data to its communicator transceiver area, so that the transmission equipment is not located in the region of the one is situated in the region of the transceiver of the communicators other communicator can receive from the one patient monitoring equipment transmitting patient data.

8th aspect of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for the delivery of the physical attribute of the patient relevant information method, comprising the following steps: a) providing a plurality of patient monitoring equipment, each patient monitoring equipment is used for the patient's detecting at least one physical attribute of the sensor device and for transmitting the detected physical attribute of the conveyor; b) the plurality of patient monitoring device associated with the corresponding patient; c) providing a plurality of communicator, each communication device is suitable for receiving from any one patient monitoring equipment and is suitable for transmission of patient data with other communicator communication transceiver; d) will be set to any one of the communicator for detecting its associated physical attribute of the patient of a patient monitoring equipment the transmission area of; e) make this communicator receiving from the one patient monitoring equipment transmitting patient data; and f) make this communicator the received patient data broadcast to its communicator receiving area.

9th aspects of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for remote spreading and patient information relating to the physical attributes of the method, comprises the following steps: a) with the patient for at least detecting the patient's SP02 sensor device associated with at least one of the coupling, or at least includes a transceiver states the oximeter to SP02 with the detection of the corresponding transmission of patient data leave the device; b) providing a plurality of communicator, with each communication device in the patient blood oximeter is within the transmission range of the patient blood oximeter received from transceiver of data transmitted, each communicator is also adapted to communicate with other communicator; c) in the patient blood oximeter is arranged in the transmission range of a communicator in order to make this a communicator blood oximeter is received from the patient data of the patient; and d) from the a communicator the received patient data broadcast located in the a communicator within the transmission range of the other communicator.

10th aspect of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for having a plurality of transmitting and receiving apparatus in a wireless communication network environment remote transmission of the physical attribute of the patient relevant information method. The method comprises the following steps: a) the at least one wireless sensor associated with a patient of the patient in order to be used for detecting at least one physical attribute, the sensor includes at least transmitter ; (b) with the detection of the physical attribute corresponding to that of patient data on the network to; c) the sensor is arranged in the transmission range of the 1st communicator, the 1st communication device adapted to receive the transmission of patient data from the sensor transceiver; d) 1st communicator from the received broadcast of patient data on the network; and e) the communicator and 2nd 1st communicator to establish communication between, the 2nd communicator not direct communication with the wireless sensor, the communication device has the 2nd 1st communicator adapted to receive the patient data of the broadcast of the 2nd transceiver.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for having a plurality of nodes in the wireless network of the spread method of patient information. The method comprises the following steps: a) the at least one of the 1st type node associated with the patient for monitoring the patient's physical attribute, the 1st type node of the patient includes measuring at least one physical attribute of the detector and the detection of the physical attribute as the patient data to the network from the conveyor; b) in the network is not directly associated with a patient is provided with a plurality of 2nd-type node, each of the 2nd type in the mobile node is adapted to the 1st type node within the broadcast range of the 1st type node is received from the signal and/or data, each 2nd-type node is also adapted to receive from other 2nd-type node signals and/or data and is suitable for the signal and/or data broadcast to the network; c) a 2nd-type node is moved to the 1st type node in order to receive the broadcast within the range of from the 1st type of patient data node to output; and d) from the one of the 2nd type node of the received patient data will be broadcast to the network, in order to make is located in the one of the 2nd type node any other broadcast range 2nd-type node will be received by the 1st type node output the patient data.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for having a plurality of nodes in a wireless network environment of the spread method of patient information. The method comprises the following steps: a) a plurality of 1st type of each of the nodes is associated with a particular patient in order to be used for monitoring specific physical attribute of the patient, each of the 1st type node comprises detection of a specific patient's at least one physical attribute of the detector and the detection of the physical attribute as the patient data to the network that the conveyor; b) locating in the network is not directly associated with any patient a plurality of 2nd-type node; c) each of the 2nd type node in the mobile to any of the 1st type node within the broadcast range of the 1st type node is received from signal and/or other data and in 2nd-type node receiving the broadcast range of the 2nd type node from other signals and/or data, and will signal and/or data broadcast to the network; d) in any of the 1st type node a is set in the broadcast range 2nd-type node in order to receive any of the 1st type node to output from the patient data; and e) then the node from the 2nd type of the received patient data broadcast to the network, in order to make is located in the one of the 2nd type node any other broadcast range 2nd-type node will be received by the 1st type node output the patient data.

Description of drawings

In conjuction with the given reference to the following description of the present invention, various aspects of the invention will become apparent and will be best understood, on the drawings:

Figure 1a shows such as such as peer-to-peer network of the interconnection network of the system of the invention an example of the structure;

Figure 1b is simplified view of the nodes of the network, the node is shown in the environment of medical appliances including a radio device of the medical device;

Figure 2 is the chart 1a with a peer-to-peer network, such as wireless oxyhemograph, connected to the network of the wireless medical equipment of the example of the combining network;

Figure 3 is a simple block diagram of an exemplary form of the present invention a communicator the nodes of the network (in this case the medical communicator);

Figure 4 is block diagram of network of the present invention of a communicator or the relay node also a more detailed;

Figure 5 is block diagram of communication network of this invention is formed of a portion of wireless blood oximeter sensor or sensor node;

Figure 6 a communicator of the present invention is shown, its play a relay node, and the communication interlinks to the (link to) the wireless network of the present invention or the lift sensor node;

Figure 7 is block diagram of the sensor is shown (in this case the oximeter sensor) through a cable is connected to the hard-wired to the communicator of the present invention can act as a transmitter of the sensor data;

Figure 8 is graph of indicated example system of the present invention, take this patient sensor is communicatively linked to the communicator, the communicator then communication link to a network of other communicator;

Figure 9 is an exemplary diagram of the network used for each communication device in the time slot of the dispatch communication;

Fig. 10 shows each of the network is passed between nodes of a communication device or an example of the message type;

Figure 11 is an example diagram of how information in the network the polymerization and from a node communicator broadcast to another node in the communication device;

Figure 12 is an exemplary diagram of an example of the communication device in the network with the wireless node or relay or sensor nodes blood oximeter interactive communication in between;

Figure 13 is block diagram of the present invention is shown in more detail the various components of the communicators;

Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of an example circuit of fig. 13 a communicator of the present invention;

Figure 15 is diagram of the present invention is shown in more detail an example of the preferred wireless blood or each component of the sensor nodes;

Figure 16 is diagram of the present invention can be used for wireless blood oximeter sensor of the radio transmitter in the main state;

Figure 17 is flowchart of a communicator of the present invention shown in operation step of receiving information;

Figure 18 is flowchart of the communicator shown in in the wireless sensor and the radio transmitter of the process of transmitting data;

Figure 19 is flow chart of the communicator shown in the process of aggregating data;

Figure 20 is flow chart of a communicator for updating the representation of the process of the data in the memory;

Figure 21 is flow chart of communicator broadcast in its memory has been updated in the process of the message; and

Figure 22 is flowchart of the radio of the present invention shown or the lift operation processing steps of the sensor nodes.

Mode of execution

The reference Figure 1a and 1b, show the peer-to-peer network, for example of the configuration of the communication network. In Figure 1a the example shown in the wireless network 2, there are four node 1? Representing the network 4, and can have a plurality of (two N) node N. For Figure 1a shown in the embodiment of the invention, it is assumed that each node of the can be shown by fig. 1b node 4 that, because of the network can each node of the radio device is a medical device, the radio device can be a transmitter or transceiver. The medical device may be a monitoring or measuring the physical attribute of the patient or of the main body of a plurality of devices or parameters of any one of the in. Such a medical device includes, but not limited to, oximeter, the heart rate monitor, carbon dioxide analyzer or CO2 monitor, the pump is connected to the patient, and of monitoring patient specific physical attribute of the other equipment. For example, in the case of the pulse oximeter, the oxygen content of the patient's artery (SPO2) is monitoring and/or measurement. In the case of carbon dioxide analyzer, CO2, ETCO2 (end-tidal CO2) and respiration rate is monitoring and/or measurement. Some of these medical devices can be combined. For example, the assignee of this application the current sales a trademark name for As of the combination of the carbon dioxide analyzer oximeter and non-radio products. For the present invention, of the combination device can be equipped with a radio device such that it can be a node of the network of the present invention.

Apparatus 4 may be in the radio part of the traditional standard telecommunications protocol (such as standard IEEE 802.15.4) transceiver operating under, or at least the conveyor, in order to make it possible that the data from the device to the device of a given broadcast or transmission area. As will be discussed later, in the apparatus 4 in additional components. At present, suffice it to say that Figure 1a can be the communication network can include a hub or central network in the absence of the condition of the controller of the communication between each other (medical or other) network peer-to-peer network of the apparatus would be sufficient.

As will be later discussed in more detail, the time synchronization and the nodes of the network of the communication among the nodes are scheduled, in order to make it possible to affect the network interference of the communication among the nodes is essentially eliminated. Moreover, the particular message type is provided in order to enhance the quality of the communication between the nodes. As shown in Figure 1a as shown in the specific structure of the network is also realized the data through the broadcasting data is spread to all the nodes. Through in each of the polymerization process carried out in the node, the most-recently acquired data broadcast by a node in order to make the transfer to enhance the integrity of the data. This allows data through the network transmission or propagation is predictable, consistent and does not require any central controller or a hub.

Network topology will change and not bound by the specific configuration, such as the magnitude of the network can be from at least 2 changes in nodes N node to a maximum. Because each node (it can adopt the form of medical equipment) is mobile, the network topology at any one particular time according to the node in the corresponding position. It is assumed that each node has its own radio transmitter, each node can broadcast to the predetermined transmission range. Therefore, the broadcasting or receiving given node of all nodes within the range of the communication. Furthermore, because communication is not a specific node or central hub control, therefore, inter-node communication is not limited to a specific access point.

As shown in Figure 2, Figure 1a the network communication is connected to the plurality of wireless blood oximeter or other medical equipment discussed above. According to the above discussion, fig. 1a the node in the network is marked as N1? NN and can also be referred to as communicator CO1? CON. The Figure 2 representation of the, wireless oxyhemograph O1, O3 and ON are respectively communicatively connected to the communicator CO1, CO3 and CON. For the present invention, according to the above discussion, the physical parameter of the patient for monitoring wireless blood oximeter or other medical device can be referred to as 1st-type node, and communicator CO1? CON of the network can be called the 2nd type node N1? NN. Wireless oximeter can also be referred to as sensor or sensing node, the communicator can also be referred to as relay or dissemination of node.

Wireless oximeter can be the patient, for example, worn on the finger equipment or module, in which the the sensor in order to measure the patient's SP02. Such a wireless oximeter module examples of the invention in the transfer of the U.S. patents to 6,731,962 open. ' 962 Patent is combined to the open by reference. Can be worn by the patient associated with patients, other types of oximeter sensor includes a can adhere to the patient's forehead or the patient's other substantially flat surface of reflection (reflective) type, or is adapted to clip onto the ear type on the ear of the patient. The inventors have found that, even if the network of the present invention 16 wireless blood the oxygen counts the company connected to the network is also efficient to operate.

This is not to say that Figure 2 the network cannot can have more small number of oximeter? For example 1 a, or more than 16 of the oximeter. Similarly, it has been found that, in the system or network, the preferred number of nodes or a communicator should be in the 2 to 32 between, wherein the time synchronization and the regulating system of the time slot, is greater than 32 the number of communicator of the or node is possible, as will be discussed later.

Reference to Figure 3, a communicator of this invention 6 is shown includes the processor of the host computer (host processor) 8, the host processor (not shown) in the memory of the program stored in the 10. The program causes the processor 8 can be in operation control oximeter circuit 12, the oximeter circuit 12 (interface) with an external oximeter butt joint, the external oximeter or the like, such as the hard wired controls of the cable or by radio coupled to the communicator, in order to produce digital oximetry data in order to for the processor 8 processing. Is also coupled to the processor 8 of the user interface 14 of the communicator can be with user butt joint. The user interface can include a display (e.g., LCD display), (such as a small keyboard) input, and alarm and which can also be used for the audio circuit of the loudspeaker. The communicator 6 for providing power is the power circuit 16, the power supply circuit 16 may include a battery or DC input and other known power supply analog circuit, in order to make the adjusted power can be sent to the communicator all of the active circuit. Also in the communicator 6 provides the electrical interface 18. Such electrically conductive interface can include communication ports, such as RS? 232 port, USB port, or allow from the communicator to the communicator of the butt and the other similar input/output (IO) port. In order to receive data sent to the back and forth of the communicators, provides in the communicator between with other communicator, in the communicator and such as chart and 2 is shown in the wireless blood oximeter and sensor or sensor apparatus, such as wireless transfer of data is (medical or other) other sensor apparatus transmitting data between wireless transceiver or the radio transceiver.

Figure 4 a detailed description of Figure 3 shown in the communicator 6 of each assembly. For example, user interface 14 is shown which comprises a display, keypad, speaker, and the said "analog" of the analog-to-digital (A/D) circuit. As is well known, circuit A/D the analog input is converted into a digital signal, the digital signal is sent to the processor of the host computer 8. As shown in Figure 4 as shown in the power supply assembly of the communicators 16 comprises a battery, of for charging a battery DC input, the traditional analog power supply circuit and allow the power supply assembly 16 and the processor of the host computer 8 for communication of the digital circuit. The power supplied by the power supply assembly is sent to all of the communicators active circuit. As previously mentioned, electrical interface assembly 18 with RS? 232 and USB port of one or both of, or usual docking port for other uses. Oximeter assembly 12 is used for analyzing the received analog signal of the sensor from the patient the analog circuit, the operation of the stored blood oximeter module memory program function, and processing received from the patient to produce the digital data of the microprocessor of the oximetry data, the determining states the blood oxygen data are then transmitted to the host computer processor 8. As mentioned earlier, surrounds the processor 8 of the memory program in the host 10 to the processor 8 provides operating instructions to be used in the overall operation of the communicator. Communicator 6 in the final major component is radio device 20, which comprises a radio IC module, the memory stores the control program of the operation of the radio transmitter, for controlling the operation of the radio device and the analogue circuit allows the radio transceiver to a communicator transmitting signal and from the communicator of the antenna of the received signal.

Sensor nodes to form a network of wireless oximeter apparatus in fig. 5 is shown in. Wireless oxyhemograph 22 is shown which comprises a sensor assembly 24. Such a component is the traditional and include two to the finger (digit) or such as a forehead of the patient, such as a other regions of the light output of LED of different frequencies, and the patient or detection of light reflected from the detector of the patient. In wireless oxyhemograph 22 also includes the oximeter circuit 26, which includes a processor, is detected from the analysis of the patient waveform signal of the analog circuit, and for indicating an analog circuit for storing the patient from the incoming signal and conversion thereof into oximetry data of the program memory. Sensor 24 also by the oximeter circuit the operation of the 26 control. The connected to the oximeter assembly 26 and/or sensor assembly 24 and the cooperative work of a radio assembly 28, including an antenna, of the program stored in the memory, operation of the wireless IC analog circuit of the module, and oxygen of the patient to the communicator transmitting antenna of the determination data. The power supply assembly 30 includes a battery power supply and to the wireless oximeter supply power for the other components of the traditional analog power supply circuit. In the network of the present invention, in accordance with e.g. FIG 2 is shown in, Figure 5 of the collected wireless oximeter apparatus for transmission of patient data in its broadcast range or transmission area of the (one or more) communicator.

Figure 6 shows in more detail the wireless communicator of this invention the interaction of the finger oximeter device. Here, in the communicator 6 and wireless oxyhemograph 22 of establishing a wireless communication link between 32. As shown, the communicator 6 of the radio transceiver with the oximeter 22 communicate the radio transmitter, in which the sensor 24 is obtained from the patient the oximeter data is transmitted to the communicator 6, the communicator 6 through the information can then be broadcast to its transceiver region to relay the information. It should be noted that the, communicator 6 only when it is in the oximeter device or the broadcast transmission area will be received within the range of from the oximeter 22 data. For the Figure 6 embodiment, when the wireless oxyhemograph 22 in the oximeter circuit voluntarily the analysis and converting the patient data, the communicator 6 in the oximeter circuit can not do so, since the patient data is from the oximeter apparatus 22 is transmitted to the communicator 6. From the oximeter apparatus 22 is transmitted to the communicator 6, in most cases, the signal is a digital signal. However, there may be the original data can be directly transmitted to the communicator from the oximeter of the apparatus, if it is desired to remove the blood oximeter an analog-to-digital circuit in and also reduce oxyhemograph of processing ability of the words. In other words, if necessary, the original data can be from the oximeter apparatus is transmitted to the communicator, the communicator can be performed in the original data is converted into a required oximetry data processing.

Instead of Figure 6 shown in the wireless finger oximeter apparatus 22, the invention also is suitable for and e.g. FIG 7 shown in the traditional oximeter sensor 34 a. Wherein for measuring SP02 of the patient with the necessary for the light source and the detector of the conventional oximeter sensor through the cable 36 is connected to the communicator of the present invention. This can be achieved by the electric connector of the sensor as a communicator 6 electrical interface 18 port of a part of the paired to realize. Receiving from the patient the signal is then processed and stored, and then by the communicator broadcast to the receiving area. In this embodiment, communicator 6 with the oximeter sensor with the work and play a patient monitoring equipment the conveyor. Furthermore, because the communicator 6 must be in distance oximeter sensor 34 within the cable distance, so that it is relative to the oximeter sensor is fixedly arranged and close to the patient.

Figure 8 stabilized self-adaption self-organization of the present invention is shown (ad   hoc) mesh communication network, wherein the possible attached to the patient (not shown) displays sensor wireless blood oximeter sensor device 22 with the communicator 6a for communication. Communicator 6a and in the communication link with the communicator 6b and communicator 6c for communication. Communicator 6b and 6c the two in the communication link with the communicator 6d in communication. Communicator 6d also communicatively linked to the communicator 6e.

As shown in Figure 8 further shown, each communication device can have a plurality of the patient data shown in the display unit 24. The Figure 8 example communicator, (one or more) SP02 of the patient and a heart rate of the two is shown on the display, respectively 26a and 26b on. Furthermore, in the example the communicator 6b to 6e in the display is shown on each of the five data sets, wherein each of the data sets said specific patient. Although in fig. 8 shown in the example of the communicator that the data of the five patients, however, it should be understood that, each communicator can also be displayed more small or more large number of patient parameter set. Furthermore, it should be understood that, if fig. 8 is different from the above-mentioned a communicator the oximeter apparatus, those communicator in each of the display unit can display the attribute of that patient data of other patients, such as in equipment is a CO2 monitor or a combination of CO2 monitor and oxyhemograph equipment under the condition of CO2 and respiration rate.

The communication is connected to the communicator 6a wireless blood oximeter sensor 22, from the patient 1 measurement or sensing of the physical parameter can be used as an oximeter data message data file (for example 96 byte) is transmitted to the communicator 6a. The received from the oximeter device 22 when the data file, communicator 6a in its remote data display RDD table 28a of the patient in a 1 is stored as the data file of the P1. Communicator 6a of the patients in the memory 1 of the previously stored data is from patient 1 to replace or update the latest data. Example communicator 6a RDD of the table 28a is shown with capable of storing a plurality of patient data (for example from the patient P   1 PN to the patient) capacity. The communicator in the memory storage device, for each patient can be retained approximately of the example 18 byte memory. In each communicator can store a plurality of tables, in order to make the different time of the received patient data can be maintained and in fact with the latest information in order to be used for comparison will be described in more detail later the polymerization process. In Figure 8 a communicator shown in 6a the additional example table 28b and 28c.

Wireless oxyhemograph 22 and the communicator 6 in the interaction between wireless oxyhemograph 22 of the patient said at least one physical attribute (SP02 such as a patient) signal transfer from the oximeter to a predetermined transmission range (that is, the transmission area of the sensor) to the. The Figure 8 example network, wireless oxyhemograph 22 can be considered to be the node of the sensor. As shown in Figure 8 the network communication link 30a illustrated, communicator 6a located in wireless oxyhemograph 22 in the transmission region or zone. Therefore, when the wireless oxyhemograph 22 output from the patient 1 the sensing of patient data, communicator 6a will receive the transmitted patient data. When received, the table RDD patient data (e.g., 28a) is stored as the patient data in P   1. If there is a patient 1 of the previous P   1 data, the data is the previous table RDD replace the just-received data. The stored data can be in the communicator 6a of the display 24 for the patient is displayed on the SP02 and/or pulse rate. Note that, the patient data can also be display, analysis, conductive transfer (conductively   communicated), and/or storage in order to be used for trend (trending) RDD or high-speed application.

As shown in fig. 8 an example of the further shown in the network, communicator 6a have been separately via the communication link 30b and 30c and the communicator 6b and communicator 6c has established a communication path. As previously discussed, each of the present invention has its own communication device radio transceiver, in order to make each communicator is adapted to receive blood from the oximeter or other medical sensors and other communicator the signal of the two? As long as it is in those sensor and/or communicator within the transmission range of. On the contrary, each communicator is adapted to broadcast to a predetermined signal or the broadcast range of the transmitting/receiving area. Therefore, for the fig. 8 example network, because the communicator 6b and 6c each in the communicator 6a in the region of the, so those communicator with the communicator 6a communication.

In Figure 8 an example of the network, received from a wireless oxyhemograph 22 patients of P1 data, the received data is stored in its RDD table 28a after in, communicator 6a the latest P1 data broadcast to the receiving area. A communicator 6a within a transmission range of the communicator 6b and 6c of the patients have received the same P1 data. Those communicator 6b and 6c each in its own RDD then updated table, and can display on its display the latest patient P1 data, in order to make those patients can be seen the holder of the communicators P1 of a physical parameter, in this embodiment for SP02 and pulse rates. Communicator 6b and 6c each in the latest patient then P1 data spread out of the corresponding transmitting/receiving area. Note, communicator 6b and 6c each in is shown with the wireless blood oximeter sensor 22 does not have a direct communication link.

Because communicator 6d just in the communicator 6b and 6c the two in the transmission range of, via the communication link so that it is respectively 30d and 30e in those communicator is received from a plurality of patients each of P1 data. In this case, because from the communicator 6b and 6c of the two patients P1 data is the same, so the patient P1 caused by any data updates relating to the communicator 6d RDD table of the same data is updated. However, in the communicator 6b and 6d of the communication time interval between completely different from the communicator 6c and 6d the time needed for the communication between the other cases, it is possible, by the communicator 6d from the communicator 6b and 6d receiving of the data from the same patient may be the patient data along the corresponding propagation delay of the communication link for the sake of different. In that case, more late patient data is stored as a communicator 6d in the patient data. From a plurality of nodes in order to data transmission basically the same as the amount of time spent to prevent conflicts, to provide for a network of the present invention will be discussed at the later time slot scheduling communication protocol. Fig. 8 an example of the final node in the network is the communicator 6e, via the communication link 30f in the communicator 6d within the communication range. Communicator 6e in not with any other communicator or wireless blood oximeter sensor 22 within the communication range. By using the invention, even if the communicator 6e away from the sensor 22, a communicator across the network as a result of the data of the node message RDD jump or data propagation, communicator 6e holders of the patient also can monitor 1 of a physical parameter.

Although in fig. 8 only in the example network shown a wireless blood oximeter sensor 22, is the one that should be understood, however, , there may be along the network communication link of a plurality of wireless blood oximeter sensor apparatus, in order to make the network different communicator can be transmitted to the patient information is in communication with the other communication device. Therefore, a plurality of patient data can be displayed on the each communicator. This through the Figure 8 network communicator 6b, 6c, 6d and 6e of the corresponding display 24 shown, wherein the communicator on each of the five data sets, each data set corresponding to the particular patient. Those users or operators of the communicators is therefore can monitor physical parameters of a plurality of patients, even if they may not in those patients in the vicinity of any one. Therefore, the network of the present invention, as long as the remote communicator node in another communicator within the broadcast range of the node, the other node is already via a communicator may be other communicator node from the patient data is received, the remote communicator node will also receive the same and therefore of patient data can be remote monitoring of the health of the patient.

In order to prevent of the network of the present invention the conflict between each node, the time slot scheduling communication protocol. To this end, each device of the network or node has a given time period when the data is transmitted in time slots. In Figure 9 shown in the time slot scheduling communication protocol. As shown, in Figure 9 provided in the example of the time period of the plurality of time slots, such as time slot S1 to S10. The number of time slots can be correspondent to particular equipment in the network the number of a communicator. Therefore, if the network including the 16 device, the time period will be provided in the 16 time slots. The time segment is repeated in order to make the network in the communication between the various devices is scheduling. The result is predictable and reliable network communication.

For each device, the time slot assigned to that device so that the device can be in the occupation decides the time slot only to convey a plurality of message. For example, for the fig. 8 example network, time slot S1 can be assigned to the communication device 6a, time slot S2 is assigned to the communicator 6b, time slot S3 is assigned to the communicator 6c, time slot S4 are allocated to the communicator 6d and time slot S5 is assigned to the communicator 6e. Therefore, communicator 6a S in the time slot   1 to convey, communicator 6b in the time slot S2 to convey, communicator 6c in the time slot S3 for conveying, and so on. In Figure 8 an example of the network, for each time period may not be necessary with the purposes of 10 time slots. To each equipment allocated a specific time slot is one of the possible ways of the mechanism located in the network (such as the hospital in ward ICU) has been in the apparatus the operator of a programmable input their corresponding time slot. Another possible way to the apparatus is a network operator different time slot allocation. Each device in the network is synchronized to the radio-frequency (rf) transmission.

In pulse oximetry (including wireless oximetry) exists in a large amount of data needs to be transmitted. In addition to the outside number of the device in the network, for each time slot can be selectively optimized message number. In Figure 9 in the communication protocol, there may be assumed by each relay node device in its assigned time slot transmission of the six types of messages. These message and the message packet in the form of Figure 10 shown in. In Figure 9 the, message (M) is indexed, wherein the M1 and NWK corresponding to the 1st message M6 WS corresponding to the final message. Message M   1? The NWK message means that the nodal overhead information message or "network overhead information". Message M2 is RDD (remote data display) message, its bearing in the communicator RDD table in the memory of the stored data, and once is updated, then the communicator display. Message M3 and M4 is HS1 (high-speed 1) and HS2 (high-speed 2) message, these messages when necessary, the data proliferation or broadcast to other nodes in the network equipment.

In order to reference fig. 8 to explain an example of the network, if the received from the patient (P1) to the communicator of patient data 6a indicating: the data from the patient in a predetermined or outside an acceptable range, then the communicator 6a will enter to give the alarm of the alarm mode, so that the communicator 6a the user to know the patient P1 problems. At the same time, in order to overcome the restrictions of bandwidth of the network, using HS1 HS2 and/or message, communicator 6a diffusion alarm messages in the network in order to achieve other communicator in the network, because this may be wherein the carrying other communicator should be notice of the emergency situation. Therefore, by sending the HS1 and HS2 message, communicator 6d and 6e the operator or medical personnel, although the wireless blood oximeter sensor 22 does not have a direct communication link, is also informed the patient (P1) alarm condition, in order to make those health-care personnel can take appropriate action (if any). And, HS1 HS2 and/or message can be selectively used for (the user request) to the remote communicator in high speed broadcast the measured (one or a plurality of) physical attribute. The user can transmit the data is associated with persons or a communicator of the data will be transmitted to the person associated with the remote communication device. If the use of HS1 HS2 and/or the request of the message from the remote communicator, the remote request must first be transmitting communicator receives and is so identified.

The next message from the communicator is M5 (CTR) to its special wireless sensor control message, the message of the wireless sensor M6WS identified (wireless sensor). This is required, because wireless sensor may not have configured the whole radio device and oxyhemograph the required user control mechanisms. Furthermore, a communicator of the node in the network and its special sensor may not have a direct communication link. For example, possible is, communicator 6e is responsible for actually of carrier is connected to the Figure 8 example network wireless blood oximeter sensor 22 of the nurses of the patient. And communicator 6e not in wireless blood oximeter sensor 22 in the vicinity of the nurses reason may be that a patient must take care of the other and therefore out of the wireless blood oximeter sensor 22 of the transmission range. However in spite of this, because other communicator from the network relay patient P1 data, nurse can constantly monitoring patients P1 of a physical parameter, such as SP02. Message M6 therefore to other communicator identification: wireless blood oximeter sensor 22 is the communicator 6e specific sensor. If the wireless oximeter is suitable for wireless two-way communication, each communicator can also by sending the M5 control message to control its CTR the operation of the special wireless oximeter, said M5 control message by the CTR of the other nodes in the network through the relay the message WS the identified wireless blood oximeter.

using chart 9 shown in the time slot scheduling communication protocol, each device of the network of the communication becomes predictable and reliable. Therefore, the protocol-based system or network provides deterministic method, because for each node is the process of synchronization. Furthermore, system is deterministic, because each time slot is allocated to the specific equipment, so that each of the the apparatus is its "speech (talk)" time of interception (listen) to other equipment; and when it is turned into the "speech" equipment, other equipment of the network will be interception. In other words, each device of the network have been assigned or assigned a given time period to transmit or scatter of other equipment information to the network, without any central controller orders the various equipment and convey what when.

Figure 9 the message type message packet is assigned a sufficient size, such as the 96 byte, in order to make all the necessary data can be carried on in those message packets in order to be used for transmission on the network. In fig. 10 showing in greater detail those messages message type and the corresponding flow on the network. Wherein the communicator is expressed as "CO".

Figure 11 graphically shows and the system of the present invention the polymerization in the network remote data display message how and how it could be broadcast or diffusion to each relay node or communicator. In the network here is assumed that there are a plurality of communicator (CO1, CO2 to CON), wherein each of the communicator will its RDD to the given news broadcast range or transceiving range. As shown in, communicator CO2 in the communicator CO1 broadcast range and communicator CON with at least the CO2 in the communication range. In order to prevent confusion and to enhance understanding, the chart 11 discussion, "RDD" may be referred to each communicator stored in the table and when it is from a node communicator transmission to another node communicator also may be referred to the message.

Communicator CO1 has in its memory the local data storage device, it will be stored as message RDD RDD table 32, the communicator CO1 therein from the wireless oximeter comprising the information received, directly or indirectly. For RDD table 32, 32a "node" refers to the node? Network sensor and communicator the two, 32b "time" is referred to in the message is recorded in the node when the time-stamp, and 32c "data" is transmitted from the node to which the data received by the communicator of the types. Therefore, communicator CO1 RDD in the table is already stored therein from a plurality of node (1, 2 to the N) data, each node has a corresponding data (x1, x2, xN), the data (x1, x2, xN) are respectively provided with a given time stamp (t11, t21 to tN1). CO1 from the communicator RDD of table 32 by the communicator the radio transceiver broadcasting to its receiving and transmitting range and the communicator CO2 RDD message as the 32 and receive [...].

Communicator CO2 also has previously stored RDD table, the table RDD from each of the nodes has a plurality of data sets, such as RDD table 34 as shown. Then the communicator CO2 polymerization process, wherein the received from the communicator CO1 (from message RDD the 32 [...]) with the data of table RDD 34 in comparison to a previously stored data. As a instantiated, from node 1 is the information previously stored table RDD 34 of the in "t10   [...] , and message RDD the 32 nodes in [...] 1 information has a time stamp" t11   [...]. This means that the message RDD the 32 in [...] with the node 1 of the information related to the is a relatively new. Therefore, node 1 is updated to the data of " x1   [...] and is stored in the new RDD table 36 in. To the node 2 the relevant information, the same polymerization process. For the node, the table RDD 34 is its time of "t22   [...] , and RDD message 32 the node in [...] 2 time is" t21   [...] under the condition of, stored in the RDD table 34 is judged to be the data in the data is relatively new. Therefore, table RDD 34 of the data in " y2   [...] RDD table is replicated to 36. Against RDD table 34 through the other remaining nodes in the data with the previously stored message RDD 32 the data in those [...] comparing the polymerization process to repeat the same. Once RDD table 34 in all of the data has already been compared and if necessary is updated, the communicator CO2 the updated RDD table 36 as RDD message 36 the broadcast to its transmitting region [...].

Message RDD the 36 by the communicator CON [...] RDD table message is received as the 36 [...]. The same polymerization process carried out in the communicator CON then, from this message RDD 36 the RDD [...] with the information in table 38 in comparison to a previously stored information updated in order to be used for producing RDD table 40. In Figure 11 in the example shown, by the communicator CO1 receiving node 1 data is relayed to communicator CON and in its RDD table 40 update. Furthermore, table RDD CON of the communicator 40 node reflected in 2 CO2 from the communicator of the data of table RDD 34 previously stored in the data update.

In which all communicator in all other communicator in the system within the scope of, convey and the receipt of the message will have the minimum waiting time. However, in fact, this is not usually in the example Figure 8 is shown in the case, from a communicator so that the dissemination of a next message communicator terms of propagation delay always exists, because RDD message from a communicator node will "jump" to the lower a communicator node, the spread in the network. Despite only discloses RDD to the message transmitted on the network, but it should be understood that, in addition to other than news RDD RDD message who mattered can also be a message on the network from node to node is spread or propagation. For example, the communicator has been embedded into the alarm function, so that if the patient is from (one or more) physical parameter exceeds the corresponding upper limit or falls below the lower limit of the corresponding, that is, the outside of a predetermined safe limit, an alarm is triggered to alert the user of the communicators: problems that may occur of the patient. It is another aspect of the present invention, spread or diffusion RDD message replaced, or only on the network alarm signal to warn the proliferation of human, medical personnel or other person equipped with a communicator: pain may be in a given patient.

In order to be able to spread the additional information in the network, communicator can be equipped with a text vestnik (messenger) chip in order to make its display can be driven to the text mode in order to receive the text message may be accompanied by an alarm, the alarm can be, for example, a given frequency or volume of the sound or advertisement. The text message can be specific pointing to a given communicator, or can along the network is broadcast or spread to all communicator. The invention therefore is adapted to be used as a communicator can only is to receive from a particular patient or a plurality of patients to pager of the alarm (pager), or as a more complex pager, wherein when the monitoring of the specific patient or patients of a given number (one or a plurality of) physical parameter is considered to be abnormal or the text message can be accompanied by a warning and permit more close inspection.

Power consumption is an important factor in measuring blood, because wireless oximeter may also need to be relatively small, and a considerable power to operate their radio transmitter. Hence the need for wireless oxyhemograph save their energy. The network of the present invention, because each of the oximeter sensor is programmed to only in a given time period allocated to it in a given time slot for communication, wireless blood oximeter, other time slots does not need to know what happened. Wireless oxyhemograph so can enter a sleep or pause mode is not the communication mode save power. However, in wireless oxyhemograph running period of time, it is important that the communicator or at least in the signal range of the communicator synchronous, and from its sensor can be broadcast to the patient of the sensed information. Time slot scheduling of this invention because of its communication protocol while allowing certainty in the characteristic of the energy saving.

The reference Figure 12, show the wireless blood oximeter the interaction between the sensor and the communicator. Figure 12 is shown in the sensor and the communicator can be respectively in Figure 8 is shown in the wireless oxyhemograph 22 (sensor 1) and communicator 6a (C O1). The communicator CO1, Figure 12 being assigned to the communicator has been shown for the time slot for transmitting its message (0 to T). The sensor 1, Figure 12 shown in about the same time period, experienced by the oximeter for saving power of a series of function.

As shown in Figure 12 is shown in, in the time 42a, communicator CO1 RDD message and transmitting such as the reference Figure 9 and 10 the disclosed other transmission. In the same time 44a, the sensor is connected to the patient 1 is in its sleep mode. In the time 42b, communicator CO1 to continue to transfer its data. In the time 44b, sensor 1 or in response to the initialization of the timer or according to the sensor, from a patient and wakings in order to begin collecting (one or a plurality of) physical parameter. The wakings time in fig. 12 is called T_WU. In the time 42c, communicator CO1 to continue to transfer its data. The corresponding time 44c, sensor 1 continuously receives patient data from the sensor. In the time 42d, communicator CO1 transmission signal to the specific wireless blood oximeter, such as the sensor 1. The corresponding time 44d, sensor 1 CO1 from the communicator for receiving the radio frequency signal, and noting that the signal is the signal of the label it in particular, with timing communicator CO1 the timing synchronization. Subsequently, in the time 44e, sensor 1 transmitting the data obtained from the patient. In the time 42e the data is communicator CO1 receiving, such as by the RX (receive wireless sensor)   WS, as indicated by the signal. Subsequently (after the time T), communicator CO1 entry into the receiving mode, in which it intercepts in the network that may be present in various oxyhemograph and communicator, such as RX₁, RX₂ to RX_M equipment. At about the same time, sensor 1 into its sleep mode (T_GS) and keep the dormant until it is in the wake-up or timer is activated to start monitoring a physical parameter of the patient, for example, SP02.

Therefore the sensor is not preferred in wireless blood from the patient, when the measuring physical parameter sleep, reduce the power required for the oximeter, the oximeter can be reduced in size. On the other hand, communication device (a mobile device) of the radio device will remain awake to intercept the form of a node in the network, other communicator and other equipment.

For the previous alarm of this invention discussed in pager, it should be noted that the, the pager will only need to intercept the information along the network communications. In other words, the name of a communicator of the operation with the pager does not need to transmit any information. Therefore, pager communicator does not carry out the functions of the communicator described. But communicator (as one of its functions) by receiving data along the network communications of any alarm condition and to search for the paging function. In other words, on its communication function, and the two-way communicator, and pager does not need to have such.

The reference Figure 13, of the present invention is shown more detailed block diagram of the communicator. Is used in the Figure 4 block diagram of the same Figure is marked on this is used in the same assembly. As shown, the communicator 6 with master mother board or module, its with oximeter module 12 and the radio module 20. The oximeter module 12 in, there is a memory 12a, the processor of module for oximeter controller 12b, and sensor circuit 12c. Sensor circuit 12c is connected to the sensor connector 46, wherein the sensor can be attached to the patient through the cable connected to the sensor connector 46. Communicator of the radio module 20 also has its special memory 20a, special processor controller 20b, transceiver 20c and a drive signal to the antenna 20e analog circuit 20d, the antenna 20e used for data sent to the back and forth of the communicators.

main motherboard on the, presence of memory 10 and the microprocessor 8, the microprocessor 8 controls the communicator on the mother board or module and for all of the modules of the driver. Processor 8 from oximeter module or circuit obtains the oximetry data. This data can be through a visual display, audio alarm, wired communication and RF communication to transmit. As shown, there are four different driver 48a, 48b, 48c and 48d. Driver 48a for driving the display device 50, the display 50 of the display for example patients SPO2 and pulse rates, than SPO2 and when the need for more information and pulse rates or when the communicator is used as in the pager may display a text message. Driver 48b for driving the warning 52, the alarm 52 in the measured patient parameter is not in the acceptable range that is triggered when the in. Driver 48c drive such as the keyboard or the like of the user input, such as the pointing device 54 in order to allow user interaction with the communicator. Driver 48d with the wired communication module 56 for work, the wired communication module 56 is connected to the communication connector, and 58, the communication connector 58 may, for example, as previously discussed is RS? 232 port or USB port.

Communicator power composed of a power supply circuit 58 provides, the power supply circuit 58 adjust the battery 60 of the power level. A first interface 62 of the power supply circuit 58 is connected to the power connector 64, so that the external power can be provided to a rechargeable battery 60 or from the power outlet to the communicator (power   outlet) power supply, for example, when the communicator through the cable is connected to the sensor is attached to the patient. A communicator for the operation of the software program is stored in the memory 10 in.

Figure 14 is an example a schematic diagram of the communicator of the present invention. As shown, the main communicator a printed circuit board or a module 66 is divided into a plurality of the main module or circuit. The circuit includes oximeter module 68, power module 70, display module 72, the main processor 74 and in its mounting by the PC board to the associated circuit, memory module 76, audio module 78 and radio module 80. There are also include, for example, real-time clock, A/D converter and external communication circuit of a hybrid (miscellaneous) circuit. Docking station and a printer (not shown) can also be included in the system.

Oximeter module 68 comprises a 68a oxyhemograph of the assignee of said PCB (printed circuit board), with the same manufacturer label PN   31392B1, or PN   31402Bx or PN   31392Bx the variant. The oximeter board through the logic level, full-duplex, from universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART) P12 connector to the processor of the host computer 74 for communication. Supply oximeter circuit board 68a power composed of a power supply circuit 70 through the switch capacitor regulator U9 P via the connector   12 to a regulated 3.3 volts provided in the form of. Plate 68 of the connector P11 provided to the main board 66 of the connector at P14 connection, the connector P14 is used to connect to a wired blood oximeter sensor. Receiving self-oximeter sensor signal is routed through the plate 68a, and through a connector P12 to the processor 74.

Power module 70 is adapted to be from a plurality of source power supply, the plurality of sources includes a universal main line AC/DC9V wall-mounted power supply, to 5V, 500mA power supply a universal Serial bus (USB), the user can replace the AA (4 a 6V alkaline disposable battery) and 7.4V custom lithium ion rechargeable battery. Supply which power is automatically determined. AC/DC   9V power and USB   5V power through the universal docking (docking)/ Serial communication connector P3 to enter. Alkaline and lithium ion rechargeable battery occupying the same internal battery box, at any given time in order to make this possible the existence of one or another and are independently connected with them. Through a connector P9 and P8 the four alkaline battery are connected in series, and the lithium rechargeable battery pack through the 5 position connector P10 and the connecting. Lithium ion rechargeable battery includes charging control of the whole, fuel metering unit (fuel   gauge) and redundant safety circuit. P10 AC/DC of the additional signal is   9V power, USB   5V power plus 7.4V output, ground and to the main processor 74 of the 1? 1 wired logic interface (U21) in order to transmit the charging and fuel metering unit information. As shown, all possible power supply by the diode in order to "or" sent to the host opens /off power MOSFET transistor Q2 can be generated before between 4.5V and 8.5V source in a range of between. The power supply then through the step-down converter/switchable regulator U3 and high-efficient conversion to 2.7 V. Other 1.8V and 1.5V supply voltage is also respectively through the regulator U2 and U1 and produce. The main processor U21 to 2.7V, 1 . 8V and 1.5V supply to operate. SDRAM memory in order to flash and 1.5V supply to operate. Radio apparatus and most universal I/O to 2.7V supply to operate.

Display circuit can include the manufacturing   Company Sharp   Electronics PN   LQ030B7DD01 with the manufacturing number of the color TFT   3.0 inch LCD display. Display resolution is 320Hx320V. Processor U21 provides the overall LCD controller peripheral device, it can produce the required timing and most of the control signal of the LCD. Four additional is shown of the associated circuit LCD (in processor U21 external). Contrast control through the digital potentiometer (POT) U12 provided and consists of a main processor U21 via I² C two-wire bus to command. AC and DC gray scale voltage by a gradation level ASIC   U8 generation. Additional + 3V, + 5V, + 15V and? 10V voltage supplied to the LCD by the voltage regulator U7 and U10 generation. Light-emitting diode (LED) backlight brightness by the switching regulator U6 control. Brightness through from the main processor U21 pulse width modulator (PWM) to control the duty ratio of the control signal. LCD display control signal is connected to the connector through P6 of the 39 conductive flexible flat cable is LED out from the display module. The display backlight LED is connected to the connector P7 of the four conductive flexible flat cable is LED out from the module.

The main processor 71 (U21) may come from the manufacturing   Company Freescale   MC9328MX21VM numbered PN ARM of? 9 architecture processor. The processor has the required peripheral equipment on many of the plate, including, for example, LCD controller, a plurality of UART port, I² C port, external memory bus, the memory management unit, a plurality of PWM output, low power off mode, key scan and the key goes jitter (debounce), this is only in the present invention of a communicator of the processor used in a few examples of the assembly.

The memory module 76 in, there are three different types of memory: by U   19 and U20 said two of 1.8V the 8 MB   x   16SDRAM (synchronous dynamic RAM), by U22 one 1.8V the 2 MB   x   16 flash memory (non-volatile memory), a 2.7V of the 1 MB Serial EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM). The trend in non-volatile program code and data stored in the flash memory. In the power-on time, from the slower program code flash memory is transferred to the more high-speed SDRAM in order to support the faster processor operation. Non-volatile Serial EEPROM are used to store system event log, the system Serial number and other system information. Non-volatile Serial flash memory is used for trend data storage. Display stored in the SDRAM memory space.

Audio module 78 in accordance with the medical equipment support 60601? 1? 8 alarm standard audio alarm. Because the alarm required standards volume and tone quality, the use of piezoelectric transducer relative than, traditional voice coil speaker is used to generate the desired sound. The main processor U21 to 11 bit resolution generating of a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) control signal in order to control the volume of the alarm signal and pitch (pitch) the two. Signal conditioning circuit U18 the PWM flow filtration into an analog audio signal, the signal D audio amplifier then U15 amplification. U15 differential to drive (differentially) traditional bridge load (BTL) of the 8 ohm speaker in order to be used for obtaining the highest efficiency.

The radio circuit 80 RF1 with radio module, the radio module RF1 can be a single-board transceiver radio and PCB antenna, which is designed in accordance with the IEEE   802.15.4 low data rate wireless personal area network (WPAN) standard of operation. The radio module hardware is composed of Cedarburg, in order to have the Wisconsin LS.Research PN MTX12   company manufacturing number? 101? MTN26 Matrix to provide the name of the product. Matrix module is 2.4GHz based on the 802.15.4 module, which is designed for use in proprietary ZigBee (low power, wireless network standards) data transceiver applications. Matrix module processor and conveyor can be based on the Texas   CC2430   Instrument such as elephant of the chip, integrated module.

Reference fig. 15, shown with the Figure 5 corresponding to the sensor shown in the more detailed example wireless finger oximeter sensor. And Figure 5 is the same as in the assembly of those components in the marker in the same manner. Figure 15 the oximeter sensor 22 is shown including oximeter module 26 and radio module 28. The oximeter module 26 in, there are memory 26a, controller 26b and sensor circuit 26c. Sensor circuit is connected to the light transmitter detector 26d and 26e and to provide it with power. Optical emitter and detector combine together to work in order to detect or monitor a is connected to the emitter and the detector in the blood of the patient of the degree of oxygen saturation. Data collected from patients is stored in a memory 26a in. Oximeter module by the overall operation of the controller 26b to control.

Radio module 28 has a memory 28a, controller 28b, transceiver 28c, analog circuit 28d and 28e. For oximeter sensor apparatus of the radio module 28 is similar to the operation of the operation of the discussion to the communicator. However, the majority of cases, only is collected and stored in the oximeter module 26 in the data transmitted by the radio transmitter. However, assuming that transceiver 28c is adapted to receive a signal and sends a signal, oximeter sensor device 22 of the radio module 28 may be able to receive from remote source (such as a communicator) signal, in order to receive instructions from the same. Such a command can be transmitted by the communicator for indicating oxyhemograph enter the sleep mode the sleep instruction. Another possible instruction can be a wake-up instruction, used for making the oximeter sensor to wake up from the sleep mode to begin monitoring of the patient and SP02. For example, in Figure 12 in the timing function of the representation of the discussion, the sensor device is adapted to receive blood oximeter from its designated communicator transmission, so that the data collected from patients by the oximeter sensor is transmitted to the communicator with the communicator can be before the synchronization.

Is composed of a power supply circuit 30 to the oximeter sensor device 22 the oximeter and radio module to provide power, the power supply circuit 30 adjusting from a battery 30a of the power. The majority of cases, oximeter sensor device 22 worn by the patient, wherein the sensor is in the vicinity of the means, for example a finger of the patient. Can also be the use of other types of sensor, for example, is attached to the forehead of the patient of the reflection sensor.

In operation, oximeter module 26 of the processor controller in 26b controlling the analog sensor circuit, the analog sensor circuit with the measuring of the physical parameter of the patient corresponding to the Serial incoming analog waveform signal is sampled. The controller 26b according to the processing procedure from the sensor circuit 26c of the sampling analog waveform to calculate digital oximetry data. The digital data is then transmitted to the radio module 28, the radio module 28 convey the stated data to a communicator in the region thereof, so that the data can be read by the communicator display. Although radio module 28 with the communicator of the agreement by making use of the radio module use the same protocol, but in the oximeter sensor apparatus of the radio module and the communicator of the radio module in the hardware differences that may exist between the. This is because such as necessary for the oximeter sensor device to weigh the size and performance of the antenna caused by the strengthening and omit of the power amplifier.

In Figure 16 the radio module shown in the main branch state, RF-based interrupt, such as the onset of, receiving and microcontroller control. As shown, there are four main state or mode. These are: the idle state 82, receiving state 84, transmission state 86 and a dormant state 88. There is also in the hard reset after the correct operation of the radio module to the initialization state of 90. In the idle state 82 lower, intercepting the radio module to the right and which, upon detection of the RF signal, it begins to receive the incoming data. According to the command, the radio module into the transfer state 86, wherein the buffer of the data packet through the RF interface is spread out of the broadcast range of the radio module. Sleep mode 88 allows the radio module without losing their setting up under the situation that operates at low power. Radio module can be closed in any condition.

Figure 17? 21 of this invention is illustrated in the flow chart of the operation of the communicators.

In Figure 17 in, in step 92 the radio module in reception mode. The receiving step follow radio protocol and any additional software control. The detection of the (fiducial signal) to the reference signal, in accordance with step 94, the controller of the radio module recording the current time. Note that, the reference signal in the IEEE   802.15.4 standard is defined as the starting frame delimiter detection signal, and should have relatively consistent time performance. In step 96 in, to verify the received to determine whether a packet sent to the particular apparatus designed, that is, whether there is a correct designated address and format. If the message is not sent to the purpose of the particular radio module, in accordance with step 98 the process returns to the idle state. At that time, it is not considered is aimed at to the message of the radio module so that the radio module stops receiving data and before the return to the idle state of the data has been received is discarded. If in step 96 determines that the verification in the aimed at indeed the message sent to the radio module, the process moves to step 100, wherein the message is received and the buffer to the local memory of the radio module. In step 102 in, whether or not the message is determined that the received will be used for synchronization. If not, the process moves to step 104, wherein the message is classified (sort). However, if the message is indeed intended for use in synchronous, then the process moves to step 106, where in step 104 before in classifying the message based on the reference signal of the time slot timer time for updating. Thereafter, in step 108 the message in buffer so that it can be the Serial transfer of the host computer to the radio module. Thereafter, in accordance with step 98, the radio module to return to the idle state.

Figure 18 is flowchart of graphic communicator transmission process of the radio module. The radio module according to the order from the radio of the microcontroller to start transmitting. This is step 110. In this step, the microcontroller will be based on scheduling and synchronous timing to signaling the beginning of its time slot. In accordance with step 112, at the beginning of the time slot, the time being crack timer radio module can be updated. If that single node in the network (i.e., communicator not in other communicator transmitting/receiving range however, in wireless blood oximeter within the broadcast range of the sensor) is this may be important, and initialization agreement of the regular broadcast request message. In the step 114 in, for a given time slot is determined whether there is data to be transmitted. If not, then in accordance with step 116 the process is returned to the radio module idle state. If there is, in accordance with step 118 transmitting data. In the step 120 in, determining whether the time slot is long enough to carry out another transmission. If that is the case, the process return to step 114 in order to obtain additional data for transmission. As long as there is enough time to transmit more message, the process continues to make. If in step 120 determines that there is no long enough in time to carry out the next transmission, in accordance with step 116 the process make the radio module to return to the idle state, wherein the radio module waits for the next transmitting, receiving or dormancy order.

Polymerization and of the communicators are respectively broadcast in Figure 19 and 20 shown in the flow chart. In Figure 19 in, in accordance with step 122, the processor of the host computer of the communicators RDD message received from the radio module, or other polymerization and forwarding-type message. In accordance with step 124, then the received data with the previously stored, or in the radio module of the message stored in the memory is compared to the local copy. In step 126 in, determining that the received data is the data update than the previously stored. If that is the case, then in accordance with step 128 to the received RDD message to update the local memory. The display may be on the communicator in accordance with step 130 to update. In accordance with step 132 the process then stop until the next start. If in step 126 in the determined that the received data is not previously the data of a new, from the polymerization process to the step 132 in order to wait for the next incoming RDD message.

Figure 20 is flow chart of a communicator of the invention illustrated the forwarding process. In accordance with step 134, to local pulse oximetry data to table RDD (it also includes the HS data and similar polymerization and forwarding message) to update. In step 136 in, any new local pulse oximetry data are obtained and ready. In step 138 in, RDD message is updated. Then in accordance with step 140, from the process.

In Figure 21 in, illustrated and for the polymerization data from the communicator of the main processor to the radio module to transmit the data processing steps. Starting at step 142, for the radio module of the data is updated. Subsequently, in step 144 in, is used for queuing the message is of the radio module. In step 146 in, determining whether or not there exists the additional data. If there is, in accordance with the steps 148 additional data is Serial transfer to the radio module. The process continues until, in accordance with step 146 determines no longer have to be routed to data of the radio module. At that time, the process proceeds to step 150 and the end of the polymerization and forwarding process.

Figure 22 is flow chart of the operation of the graphic wireless oximeter. As mentioned above, in order to save power, wireless blood oximeter sensor to the sleep mode in a radio module. The process therefore begins with step 152, or through an external signal in the timer interrupt to wake-up blood oximeter, as previously discussed. Oximeter of the radio module then in accordance with step 154 into the idle state. Starting from the idle state, the radio module can receive the data, is synchronized and returns to the idle state. These process begins with step 156, wherein the starting frame delimiter (SFD) is checked to the acquisition time, in accordance with the reference Figure 11 and 12 the discussion. If in step 158 in SFD is determined for the blood oximeter is not, then the process is returned to step 154 in order to wait for the idle state in the blood oximeter sensor designated or identified as correct blood oximeter SFD of the sensor. If oximeter to determine which is in communication with the communicator to the correct sensor, then the process proceeds to step 160, in the step which receives the message. If, in accordance with step 162 to determine the message is a synchronization message, in accordance with step 164 update time slot timer in order to make the oximeter with the communicator synchronous. The process then to step 166, wherein the forthcoming message is the buffer. If it is determined that the message is not a synchronization message, it is also the same buffering process. Thereafter, in accordance with step 168, the process is returned to the radio module idle state.

Oximeter kept in the idle state until the in accordance with step 170 to the received RF transmission interrupt or order. At that time, in accordance with step 172 update time slot timer. In step 174 in, the process determines whether there are data to be transmitted. If there is, in accordance with step 176 transmission data. Next, in accordance with step 178 to determine whether there is sufficient time to convey the next message. If there is, then the process is returned to step 174 in order to obtain the next message, and in accordance with step 176 transmitting the acquired message. The process is repeated until, in accordance with step 178 determines that there is no long enough time to convey the next message. At that time, in accordance with step 180 the process returns to the idle state. If in step 174 is determined in the data to be transmitted does not exist, then the process is to enter the idle state. After the idle state, the process can be in accordance with step 182 receiving other order. Thereafter, because the radio module and the oximeter is independently power supply, in order to save power, in accordance with step 184 make the radio module to enter dormant until it is woken up.

It should be understood that the details of this invention can be carried out on many changes, modification and change. For example, despite the reference medical environment to the disclosed network, system and equipment discussed, but it should be understood that such a network, system and apparatus is suitable for operation in the non-medical environment. Therefore, the purpose of the inventor that described in the specification and shown in the Figure all of the contents are interpreted as only illustrative and not restrictive. Therefore, intended to this invention only by the appended claims to define the spirit and scope of.