Wireless, Reusable, Rechargeable Medical Sensors and System for Recharging and Disinfecting the Same

Abstract

Embodiments described herein may include systems and method for monitoring physiological parameters of a patient. Specifically, embodiments disclose wireless, reusable, rechargeable medical sensors that include an inductive coil coupled to a rechargeable battery. Additionally, embodiments disclose systems and methods for recharging and disinfecting the disclosed medical sensors.

1 . A charging and disinfecting system comprising:
 a charging and disinfecting device configured to charge and disinfect a wireless pulse oximetry sensor, wherein the wireless pulse oximetry sensor is configured to generate physiological signals of a patient and comprises an inductive coil, and wherein the charging and disinfecting device comprises:   a housing having an inlet for receiving a disinfecting agent;   a wired connection coupled to the housing and configured to receive electrical power from a power supply;   at least one inductive station disposed in the housing, wherein the at least one inductive station comprises a primary inductive coil operable to receive the electrical power from the wired connection, and wherein the at least one inductive station is configured to position the wireless pulse oximetry sensor within the housing such that the primary inductive coil induces an electrical current in the inductive coil of the wireless pulse oximetry sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the charging and disinfecting device comprises:
 a display configured to present status data relating to the wireless pulse oximetry sensor, status data relating to a charging and disinfecting cycle, or a combination thereof; and   a processor configured to send a data transfer signal to the wireless pulse oximetry sensor and download the status data from the wireless pulse oximetry sensor via inductive data transfer.   
     
     
         3 . The system, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the charging and disinfecting device comprises a level sensor adapted to determine an amount of disinfecting agent in the housing and provide an indication of the amount to the processor, a user, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the inlet is coupled to a disinfecting agent supply unit via tubing. 
     
     
         5 . The system, as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the inlet comprises a valve configured to adjust an influx of the disinfecting agent into the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises an outlet for releasing the disinfecting agent. 
     
     
         7 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the disinfecting agent is a disinfecting solution. 
     
     
         8 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the disinfecting agent is a disinfecting gas. 
     
     
         9 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the inlet comprises a UV-penetrable region of the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the disinfecting agent is UV light. 
     
     
         11 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one inductive station comprises one or more prongs configured to position the wireless pulse oximetry sensor, and wherein the primary inductive coil is disposed on one of the prongs. 
     
     
         12 . The system, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the at least one inductive station comprises an indicator configured to be activated by the processor based at least in part upon the data downloaded from the wireless pulse oximetry sensor. 
     
     
         13 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The system, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 download a first value from the wireless pulse oximetry sensor that is indicative of a number of times the wireless pulse oximetry sensor was disinfected;   compare the first value to a first threshold; and   determine that the wireless pulse oximetry sensor has expired in response to a determination that the first value is greater than the first threshold.   
     
     
         22 . The system, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the processor is configured to cause the display to display an indication that the wireless pulse oximetry sensor has expired in response to the determination that the wireless pulse oximetry sensor has expired. 
     
     
         23 . The system, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the at least one inductive station comprises an indicator configured to be activated by the processor based at least in part upon the determination that the wireless pulse oximetry sensor has expired. 
     
     
         24 . The system, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 download a second value from the wireless pulse oximetry sensor that is indicative of a number of times the wireless pulse oximetry sensor was charged;   compare the second value to a second threshold; and   determine that the wireless pulse oximetry sensor is eligible for charging and disinfecting in response to a determination that the first value is less than the first threshold and the second value is less than the second threshold.   
     
     
         25 . The system, as set forth in  claim 24 , wherein the processor is configured to control the inlet for receiving the disinfecting agent and to control direction of power from the power supply to the at least one inductive station, and wherein the processor is configured to control opening of the inlet to enable the entry of the disinfecting agent into the housing and to cause the power supply to direct power to the at least one inductive station in response to the determination that the wireless pulse oximetry sensor is eligible for charging and disinfecting. 
     
     
         26 . The system, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to determine a duration of the charging and disinfecting cycle suitable for charging and disinfecting the wireless pulse oximetry sensor based at least in part upon status data relating to the wireless pulse oximetry sensor, status data relating to the charging and disinfecting cycle, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The system, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 download a value from the wireless pulse oximetry sensor that is indicative of a number of times the wireless pulse oximetry sensor was charged;   compare the value to a threshold; and   determine that the wireless pulse oximetry sensor has expired in response to a determination that the value is greater than the threshold.   
     
     
         28 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one inductive station comprises a plurality of inductive stations, and wherein each inductive station is configured to position a respective wireless pulse oximetry sensor within the housing such that the primary inductive coil of each inductive station induces the electrical current in the inductive coil of the respective wireless pulse oximetry sensor.