Monitor configuration system

Abstract

A monitor configuration system which communicates with a physiological sensor, the monitor configuration system including one or more processors and an instrument manager module running on the one or more processors. At least one of the one or more processors communicates with the sensor and calculates at least one physiological parameters responsive to the sensor. The instrument manager controls the calculation, display and/or alarms based upon the physiological parameters. A configuration indicator identifies the configuration profile. In one aspect of the invention, the physiological sensor is a optical sensor that includes at least one light emitting diode and at least one detector.

1 . A monitor configuration system comprising:
 a calculation processor that communicates with a physiological sensor configured to obtain an indication of a physiological condition of a patient, the calculation processor configured to calculate a physiological parameter measurement responsive to the indication of the physiological condition obtained by the physiological sensor;   an instrument manager processor in communication with the calculation processor, the instrument manager processor configured to control one or more of a calculation, display and alarm of the monitor configuration system, the instrument manager processor responsive to a configuration profile that specifies selected options relevant to one or more of the control, display and alarm of the monitor configuration system; and   a configuration indicator configured to identify the configuration profile.   
     
     
         2 . The monitor configuration system according to  claim 1 , where the physiological sensor comprises a plurality of emitters that transmit optical radiation into a tissue site and at least one detector that receives the optical radiation after attenuation by pulsatile blood flow within the tissue site; 
     
     
         3 . The monitor configuration system according to  claim 1  wherein the configuration indicator comprises a panel light. 
     
     
         4 . The monitor configuration system according to  claim 3  wherein the instrument manager processor selects between a factory-default configuration profile and a user-specified configuration profile. 
     
     
         5 . The monitor configuration system according to  claim 4  wherein the panel light displays a first color when the factory-default settings are selected and a second color when the user-specified settings are selected. 
     
     
         6 . The monitor configuration system according to  claim 5  wherein the user-specified settings are manually defined. 
     
     
         7 . The monitor configuration system according to  claim 6  wherein the panel light color for user-specified settings is manually defined. 
     
     
         8 . The monitor configuration system according to  claim 3  wherein the panel light displays a first color when a first configuration setting is selected and a second color when a second configuration setting is selected. 
     
     
         9 . The monitor configuration system according to  claim 3  wherein the configuration indicator further comprises a top-mounted alphanumeric display. 
     
     
         10 . A monitor configuration system comprising:
 a calculator that communicates with a physiological sensor configured to obtain an indication of a physiological condition of a patient, the calculator configured to calculate a physiological parameter measurement responsive to the indication of the physiological condition obtained by the physiological sensor; and   an instrument manager in communication with the calculator, the instrument manager configured to control one or more of a calculation, display and alarm of the monitor configuration system, the instrument manager processor responsive to a configuration profile that specifies selected options relevant to one or more of the control, display and alarm of the monitor configuration system.   
     
     
         11 . The monitor configuration system according to  claim 10  further comprising an input/output (I/O) port, wherein the instrument manager obtains the configuration profile via the I/O port. 
     
     
         12 . The monitor configuration system according to  claim 11  further comprising a memory device that stores the configuration profile, the memory device being removably coupled to the I/O port so as to communicate the configuration profile to the instrument manager. 
     
     
         13 . The monitor configuration system according to  claim 12  further comprising:
 a color affixed to at least a portion of the memory device, the color corresponding to the configuration profile; and   the memory device and its color being readily visible to a monitor user when the memory device is coupled to the I/O port so as to designate the configuration profile to the user.   
     
     
         14 . The monitor configuration system according to  claim 13  further comprising:
 a configuration profile routine that executes on the instrument manager; and   the routine writes the memory device with configuration profile settings.   
     
     
         15 . A monitor configuration method comprising:
 defining for a physiological monitor a configuration profile of user-specified settings, the configuration profile including selected optional settings relating to one or more of calculating physiological parameters, displaying the physiological parameters and alarming based upon the physiological parameters;   indicating the selected profile by displaying an associated color.   
     
     
         16 . The monitor configuration method according to  claim 15  wherein the defining comprises reading the configuration profile into the physiological monitor. 
     
     
         17 . The monitor configuration method according to  claim 16  wherein the indicating comprises illuminating a portion of the physiological monitor with the color. 
     
     
         18 . The monitor configuration method according to  claim 17  wherein the illuminating comprising activating a colored panel light on the monitor. 
     
     
         19 . The monitor configuration method according to  claim 16  wherein the reading comprises downloading the configuration profile from an input/output (I/O) port. 
     
     
         20 . The monitor configuration method according to  claim 15  wherein the defining comprises:
 receiving from a wireless device a code corresponding to the configuration profile; and   activating the configuration profile according to the code.   
     
     
         21 . A monitor configuration system comprising:
 a profile definition means for setting parameter measurement, display and alarm characteristics of a physiological monitor;   a profile selection means for activating a defined profile; and   a profile indication means for cuing a monitor user as to the selected profile.   
     
     
         22 . The monitor configuration system according to  claim 21  wherein the profile definition means comprises a menu means for manually entering profile settings. 
     
     
         23 . The monitor configuration system according to  claim 22  wherein the profile selection means comprises a save means for specifying a defined profile as the monitor default settings. 
     
     
         24 . The monitor configuration system according to  claim 23  wherein the profile indication means comprises:
 a color selection means for associating a color with a saved profile; and   an illumination means for displaying the color.   
     
     
         25 . The monitor configuration system according to  claim 21  wherein the profile definition means comprises a downloading means for transferring profile settings to the monitor via at least one of an I/O port and a docking port. 
     
     
         26 . The monitor configuration system according to  claim 25  wherein the profile selection means comprises a wireless means for specifying a defined profile as the monitor default settings. 
     
     
         27 . A method of programming configuration settings of a physiological monitor, the method comprising:
 programming a portable memory device with a configuration setting;   coupling the portable memory device to a physiological monitor;   reprogramming the physiological monitor with the configuration setting using the configuration setting of the portable memory device.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the memory device comprises a housing, wherein the housing is colored according to the programmed configuration setting. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the color is further corresponds to a ward of a hospital.