Device and method for screening congenital heart disease

Abstract

Described are congenital heart disease monitors. The monitors can include one or more processing units configured to receive multiple signals, wherein the multiple signals can include a first signal from a pulse oximetry sensor; and at least one additional signal from a sensor at another body region for screening for congenital heart disease. In embodiments, the first signal and the at least one additional signal can be used to detect a presence of congenital heart disease.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A congenital heart disease monitor comprising:
 one or more processing units configured to receive multiple signals, wherein the multiple signals include:
 a first signal from a pulse oximetry sensor; and 
 at least one additional signal from a sensor at another body region for screening for congenital heart disease; 
   wherein the first signal and the at least one additional signal are used to detect a presence of congenital heart disease.   
     
     
         2 . The congenital heart disease monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the pulse oximetry sensor is located on a toe. 
     
     
         3 . The congenital heart disease monitor of  claim 1 , wherein another body region deemed suitable for screening for congenital heart disease is on a patient's frontal plane. 
     
     
         4 . The congenital heart disease monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the pulse oximetry sensor is located on a limb. 
     
     
         5 . The congenital heart disease monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the pulse oximetry sensor is an LNOP sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The congenital heart disease monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the pulse oximetry sensor is included in a probe. 
     
     
         7 . The congenital heart disease monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the probe is configured to hold the pulse oximetry sensor against a body region. 
     
     
         8 . The congenital heart disease monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the first signal and the at least one additional signal are screened for detected oxygen saturation. 
     
     
         9 . The congenital heart disease monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one additional signal is from a pulse oximetry sensor, an ECG, or a phonocardiogram. 
     
     
         10 . The congenital heart disease monitor of  claim 1 , wherein congenital heart disease exists when an oxygen saturation level is less than 95%. 
     
     
         11 . A method of detecting congenital heart disease using a congenital heart disease monitor, the method comprising:
 collecting multiple signals provided by the congenital heart disease monitor, wherein the multiple signals include:
 a first signal from a pulse oximetry sensor; and 
 at least one additional signal from a sensor at another body region for screening for congenital heart disease; 
   using the collected signals to determine when a newborn has congenital heart disease when a reading of an oxygen saturation level less than 95%.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein another body region suitable for screening for congenital heart disease is on a frontal plane of the newborn. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the pulse oximetry sensor is an LNOP sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the pulse oximetry sensor is located on a toe. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the comparing is performed using an algorithm on one or more processing units configured to receive the multiple signals. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one additional signal is from another pulse oximetry sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first signal and the at least one additional signal are screened for detected oxygen saturation. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one additional signal is from a pulse oximetry sensor, an ECG, or a phonocardiogram. 
     
     
         19 . The congenital heart disease monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the congenital heart disease monitor includes a display. 
     
     
         20 . A congenital heart disease monitor comprising:
 one or more processing units configured to receive multiple signals, wherein the multiple signals include:
 a first signal from a pulse oximetry sensor located on a toe of a newborn; and 
 at least one additional signal from a sensor at another body region; 
   wherein the first signal and the at least one additional signal are used to determine if an oxygen saturation level is less than 95% of normal oxygen saturation levels.