Physiological monitoring methods and systems utilizing distributed algorithms

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for operating a physiological monitoring system that comprises a distributed algorithm. The physiological monitoring system may comprise a sensor and a physiological monitor that may be communicatively coupled with the sensor. The sensor may store algorithm configuration data; and the physiological monitor may store an executable code segment configured to execute a first algorithm. The physiological monitor may be configured to receive the algorithm configuration data and to configure or modify at least part of the first algorithm based upon the algorithm configuration data to determine at least one physiological parameter of a subject based on physiological signal provided by the sensor.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A medical monitoring system, comprising:
 a sensor to generate a sensor signal and comprising a first memory device that stores a first executable code segment; and   a monitor, comprising:
 a port to communicatively couple to the sensor to receive the sensor signal and the first executable code segment from the sensor; 
 a second memory device that stores a second executable code segment; and 
 processing circuitry to perform operations, wherein the operations comprise:
 determine a physiological parameter based on the sensor signal by executing the first executable code segment and the second executable code segment. 
 
   
     
     
         16 . The medical monitoring system of  claim 15 , wherein the second executable code segment is operable without the first executable code segment. 
     
     
         17 . The medical monitoring system of  claim 15 , wherein the operations comprise:
 maintain the second executable code segment in the second memory device of the monitor after the sensor is disconnected from the port.   
     
     
         18 . The medical monitoring system of  claim 15 , wherein the operations comprise:
 deactivate the first executable code segment after the sensor is disconnected from the port.   
     
     
         19 . The medical monitoring system of  claim 15 , wherein the operations comprise:
 deactivate, delete, or both, the first executable code segment after a threshold amount of time has elapsed after the sensor is disconnected from the port.   
     
     
         20 . The medical monitoring system of  claim 15 , wherein the first executable code segment is encrypted and wherein the operations comprise:
 decrypt the first executable code segment.   
     
     
         21 . A medical monitoring system, comprising:
 a sensor to generate a sensor signal and comprising a first memory device that stores algorithm configuration data; and   a monitor, comprising:
 a port to communicatively couple to the sensor to receive the sensor signal and the algorithm configuration data; 
 a second memory device that stores at least one configurable algorithm stage, wherein the at least one configurable algorithm stage comprises a plurality of alternative executable code segments; and 
 processing circuitry to perform operations, wherein the operations comprise:
 select an alternative executable code segment of the plurality of alternative executable code segments based on the algorithm configuration data; and 
 determine a physiological parameter based on the sensor signal by executing the alternative executable code segment as the at least one configurable algorithm stage in a sequence of algorithm stages. 
 
   
     
     
         22 . The medical monitoring system of  claim 21 , wherein the operations comprise:
 reorder the sequence of algorithm stages, modify at least one algorithm stage of the sequence of algorithm stages, create an additional algorithm stage, or any combination thereof, based on the algorithm configuration data.   
     
     
         23 . The medical monitoring system of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of alternative executable code segments are operable without the algorithm configuration data. 
     
     
         24 . The medical monitoring system of  claim 21 , wherein the operations comprise:
 maintain the plurality of alternative executable code segments in the second memory device of the monitor after the sensor is disconnected from the port.   
     
     
         25 . The medical monitoring system of  claim 21 , wherein the operations comprise:
 determine an additional physiological parameter by executing an unselected alternative executable code segments of the plurality of alternative executable code segments.   
     
     
         26 . The medical monitoring system of  claim 21 , wherein each of the sequence of algorithm stages comprises a digital conditioning algorithm stage, a decimation algorithm stage, an interpolation algorithm stage, a filtering algorithm stage, or an ambient subtraction algorithm stage. 
     
     
         27 . A medical monitoring system, comprising:
 a sensor to generate a sensor signal and comprising a first memory device that stores algorithm configuration data; and   a monitor, comprising:
 a port to communicatively couple to the sensor to receive the sensor signal and the algorithm configuration data; 
 a second memory device that stores a monitor executable code segment; and 
 processing circuitry to perform operations, wherein the operations comprise:
 modify the monitor executable code segment based on the algorithm configuration data to generate a modified monitor executable code segment; and 
 determine a physiological parameter based on the sensor signal by executing the modified monitor executable code segment. 
 
   
     
     
         28 . The medical monitoring system of  claim 27 , wherein the first memory device stores a sensor executable code segment, the port communicative couples to the sensor to receive the sensor executable code segment, and the operations comprise:
 determine the physiological parameter based on the sensor signal by executing a first algorithm that includes the modified monitor executable code segment and the sensor executable code segment.   
     
     
         29 . The medical monitoring system of  claim 27 , wherein the sensor comprises a pulse oximetry sensor, a regional oximetry sensor, an electroencephalography sensor, a temperature sensor, an anesthesia monitoring sensor, a brain monitoring sensor, or any combination thereof.