Multipurpose Sensor Port

Abstract

A sensor port is adapted to connect to either a sensor or a data source. A reader is configured to identify which of the sensor and the data source is connected to the sensor port. A data path is configured to communicate an analog signal associated with the sensor and digital data associated with the data source to a signal processor according to the identification made by the reader.

1 . A device configured to allow digital communication between a sensor port of a patient monitor and a digital data source external to the patient monitor, the device communicating over conductors at times tasked with communicating analog drive signals to a sensor and conductors at times tasked with communicating analog signals to the patient monitor indicative of light detected by said sensor that has been attenuated by body tissue, said device comprising a sensor port interface configured to provide mechanical and signal level compliance between said sensor port and said digital data source, said sensor port digitally communicating through said sensor port interface with said digital data source, said sensor port communicating said analog signals with said sensor and wherein only one of said sensor or said sensor port interface can be connected with said sensor port at a time. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the interface communicates digital upgrade firmware data to the sensor port. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the digital data source comprises a PC and wherein the sensor port interface provides signal level, mechanical, and communication protocol compliance to the output of the PC. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the PC transmits upgrade firmware to the digital data interface, and wherein the interface translates the upgrade firmware from a standard PC output signal into a sensor port input signal and communicates the sensor input signal to the sensor port. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the digital data source comprises a second physiological sensor and wherein the sensor port interface communicates drive signals to the second physiological sensor and wherein the physiological sensor generates digital data and transmits the digital data through the sensor port interface to the sensor port of the physiological measurement system. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the digital data source comprises a wireless data service. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the digital data source employs a network standard in its communication. 
     
     
         8 . A method of adapting a communication bridge, said bridge between a patient monitoring device and a physiological sensor the device uses to acquire signals responsive to physiological parameters of a patient to allow the device to determine measurement values for said physiological parameters, said bridge accommodating communication between said device and a digital data source, the method comprising:
 providing an interface mechanically and electrically connectable to a sensor port of the patient monitoring device, the interface configured to communicate with the digital data source, wherein the sensor port is also configured mechanically and electrically connect to a physiological sensor including emitters and one or more detectors adapted to detect light from said emitters after attenuation by tissue at a tissue site of said patient, said detected light responsive to said parameters of said patient; and   transmitting digital data between the digital data source through the interface and to at least some conductors associated with the sensor port wherein the at least some conductors associated with the sensor port are also used to communicate analog signals to the physiological sensor and wherein only one of said sensor or said digital data source can be connected with said sensor port at a time.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the digital data further comprises upgrade firmware for upgrading the firmware of the physiological monitor. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the digital data source comprises non-volatile memory storing said upgrade firmware. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the digital data source comprises a PC storing said upgrade firmware. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the digital data further comprises measurement data from said physiological monitor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the digital data source comprises non-volatile memory storing said measurement data. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the digital data source comprises a display. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the display displays indicia responsive to said measurement. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the digital data source comprises a PC and wherein the interface provides signal level, mechanical, and communication protocol compliance to the output of the PC. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the digital data source comprises a second physiological sensor and wherein a drive signal is communicated from the at least some conductors associated with the sensor port, through the interface, to the physiological sensor and wherein the physiological sensor generates raw digital data which is communicated through the interface to the sensor port of the physiological monitor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the digital data source is comprises wireless data service. 
     
     
         19 . A communication bridge adapted to communicate between an analog sensor and a physiological measurement device and also adapted to communicate between a digital data source and a physiological measurement device, said bridge comprising:
 means for at one time communicating digital data between a digital data source and a sensor port of a physiological measurement system; and   means for communicating at another time between the sensor port of a physiological measurement system an analog physiological sensor including emitters and detector adapted to detect light from said emitters after attenuation by tissue at a tissue site of said patient.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19  wherein the digital data further comprises upgrade firmware.