Patient monitoring system

Abstract

The patient monitoring system includes a patient monitor and a patient sensor connected to the patient monitor by a measurement cable. An electrical connector between the end of the measurement cable and the patient monitor has a male portion with a shroud around a set of pins and a female portion with a recess around a set of openings. An annular seal is provided between a surface of the shroud and a surface of the recess.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a patient monitoring system for measuring vital signs, for example.

Background Art

[0002] A patient monitoring system typically has a base unit known as a patient monitor and a set of sensors used to monitor one or more physiological parameters of a patient. These sensors are connected to the patient monitor by cables.

[0003] There may be a set of different types of sensors that can be connected to the patient monitor, and these sensors each have different types of connectors for connecting to the patient monitor.

[0004] These connectors typically have a male pin portion and a female socket portion and make a push-in connection. This is the most convenient for connecting and disconnecting cables.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In home and hospital use, such patient monitoring systems function well. However, in an emergency situation at the scene of an accident, such as outdoors, when patient monitoring is required, moisture intrusion can occur. This affects the measurements obtained due to an undesirable decrease in resistance or a short circuit.

[0006] There is a need for a connector that is waterproof but does not sacrifice ease of use or make the electrical connector overly complex.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention is defined by the claims.

[0008] According to an example according to one aspect of the present invention, a patient monitor, a patient sensor, a measurement cable coupled to the patient sensor, and at an end of the measurement cable, for removably connecting to the patient monitor, the measurement cable, and an electrical connector between the end of the measurement cable and the patient monitor is provided, the electrical connector comprising a male portion having a set of pins and an annular shroud surrounding the set of pins, a female portion having a set of pin apertures each receiving a respective one of the set of pins and a recess surrounding the set of pin apertures for receiving the annular shroud, and an annular seal between a surface of the shroud and an opposing surface of the recess having.

[0009] This patient monitor uses a seal between the shroud of the male connector portion and the recess of the female connector portion. In this way, a single seal surrounding the connector pins is used. This seal does not take up additional space in that it simply closes the radial space between the shroud and the recess. The present invention is applied as an improved male connector portion that can be connected to an existing female connector portion or as an improved female connector portion that can be connected to an existing male connector portion. Thus, an existing patient monitor can be used with a latest sensor cable or a new patient monitor can be used with an existing sensor cable.

[0010] The patient monitoring system can then be used in humid or wet situations such as, for example, in rescue helicopters, ambulances, military vehicles, etc.

[0011] The annular seal is, for example, between the outer surface of the shroud and the inner surface of the recess. This is the outermost in the radial direction of the connector and is thus the first point where water ingress can occur.

[0012] The male connector part is, for example, part of a measurement cable, and the female connector part is part of a patient monitor. Thus, the patient monitor does not have protruding pins. Of course, instead, the patient monitor may include the male connector part and the measurement cable may have the female connector part.

[0013] The annular shroud extends, for example, at least to the ends of these pins of the pin set. Thus, the annular shroud not only provides a surface adapted to provide a seal, but also provides protection from pin damage.

[0014] The annular shroud and the recess are circular or non-circular, and the male part and the female part are connectable, for example, in only a single relative angular direction. Thus, the term "annular" does not include the meaning of being circular. Connection in one direction ensures correct connection between the pins and the pin openings.

[0015] The annular seal has a set of one or more radially protruding lips adapted to contract radially when the male part is received in the female part. These lips are arranged, for example, in a direction opposite to this radial contraction such that these lips form a seal when contracting.

[0016] The annular seal is, for example, a silicone seal or an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) seal. For example, VWQ silicone may be used.

[0017] For some seal materials, the annular seal may be integrally formed using 2K molding. Thus, the annular seal may also be an integral part of the component to which the annular seal is attached. This prevents any risk of the seal separating and being lost. For other seal materials, the seal may be adhered, for example, behind a positioning bezel.

[0018] The patient sensor is, for example, for measuring vital signs. This includes, for example, ECG monitoring (using various possible lead sets), respiratory monitoring, temperature monitoring, pulse oximetry measurements such as FAST (Fourier Artifact Suppression Technology) S p O2, pressure monitoring, and continuous cardiac output (CCO) monitoring.

[0019] In the set of the first embodiment, the annular seal is connected to the radially outward surface of the shroud. Accordingly, the annular seal is provided as a modification of the male connector part, for example, as a modification of the measurement cable.

[0020] In the set of the second embodiment, the annular seal is connected to the radially inward surface of the recess. Accordingly, the annular seal is provided as a modification of the female connector part, for example, as a modification of the patient monitor.

[0021] The present invention also provides a sensor cable for connecting to a patient monitor, thereby forming a patient monitoring system as defined above, and the sensor cable includes a patient sensor, a measurement cable coupled to the patient sensor, and a male connector at an end of the measurement cable, the male connector having a set of pins, an annular shroud surrounding the set of pins, and an annular seal connected to a surface of the annular shroud, or a female connector at an end of the measurement cable, the female connector having a set of pin openings, a recess surrounding the set of pin openings, and an annular seal connected to a surface of the recess and having.

[0022] This is a modified patient sensor cable.

[0023] The present invention also provides a patient monitor for connecting to a patient sensor using a measurement cable, thereby forming the patient monitoring system defined above, the patient monitor comprising a male connector having a set of pins, an annular shroud surrounding the set of pins, and an annular seal connected to the surface of the annular shroud, or a female connector having a set of pin openings, a recess surrounding the set of pin openings, and an annular seal connected to the surface of the recess and having.

[0024] This is a patient monitor that is subject to change.

[0025] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from, and will be described with reference to, the embodiments described below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] The detailed description and specific examples illustrate exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method, but it should be understood that these are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, system, and method of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0029] The patient monitoring system has a patient monitor and a patient sensor connected to the patient monitor by a measurement cable. The electrical connector between the end of the measurement cable and the patient monitor has a male part with a shroud around a set of pins and a female part with a recess around a set of pin openings. An annular seal is provided between the surface of the shroud and the recess.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a patient monitoring system 10 having a patient monitor 20, a patient sensor 30, and a measurement cable 40 coupled to the patient sensor, the measurement cable being removably connected to the patient monitor at an end of the measurement cable. The patient sensor is, for example, for measuring vital signs. The patient sensor can include, for example, ECG monitoring, respiration monitoring, temperature monitoring, etc. In the context of this application, the patient sensor can also be a cable trunk to which a sensing element of the patient sensor can be coupled. For example, the patient sensor (30) can be an ECG trunk to which various ECG leads can be connected.

[0031] An electrical connector is provided between the end of the measurement cable 40 and the patient monitor 20.

[0032] The electrical connector has a male part 50 and a female part 60.

[0033] In the example shown, the measurement cable 40 terminates in a male part and the patient monitor has a female part. However, the electrical connector may be the reverse.

[0034] The male part has a set of pins 52 and an annular shroud 54 surrounding the set of pins. The female part 60 has a set of pin openings 62 extending into the connector body 63 for receiving respective pins 52 of the set of pins, and a recess 64 surrounding the set of pin openings for receiving the annular shroud 54.

[0035] The present invention provides an annular seal between the surface of the shroud 54 and the surface of the recess 64.

[0036] Accordingly, this patient monitoring system uses a seal between the shroud of the male connector part and the recess of the female connector part. In this way, a single seal surrounding the connector pins is used. This enables the patient monitoring system to be used in humid or wet situations such as, for example, rescue helicopters, ambulances, military vehicles, etc.

[0037] Figure 2 shows a first example of the electrical connector. In this example, the male part 50 is part of the measurement cable 40, at its end, and the female part 60 is part of the patient monitor 20.

[0038] The annular shroud 54 extends beyond the ends of the pins 52, thereby providing not only an alignment function between the male and female parts of the connector, but also protecting the pins from damage.

[0039] The annular shroud has a closed ring that is circular or non-circular. The annular shroud has an outermost side surface 70 in the radially outward direction and an innermost side surface 72 in the radially inward direction.

[0040] The recess 64 has a corresponding shape. The recess 64 has an outermost inward side surface 66 and an innermost outward side surface 68.

[0041] In the example shown, the annular seal 80 extends between the radially outward side surface 70 of the shroud and the radially inward side surface 66 of the recess 64. Thus, the annular seal is positioned around the outside of the shroud.

[0042] However, the seal can also be positioned between the outermost outward side surface 68 of the recess and the radially inward side surface 72 of the shroud. Sealing this passage can likewise protect the electrical contacts from water ingress. However, the seal of FIG. 2 is positioned at the first point where water ingress can occur.

[0043] In the example of FIG. 2, the annular seal is attached to the outermost inward side surface 66 of the recess and is thus fixed to the patient monitor. This means that a conventional sensor cable can be used. Thus, the modified patient monitor can be used with a standard sensor cable and can then provide protection from water ingress. The present invention also provides such a modified patient monitor.

[0044] The modified patient monitor has a female connector having a set of pin openings (such as shown in FIG. 2), a recess surrounding the set of pin openings, and an annular seal connected to the surface of the recess, or a male connector having a set of pins, an annular shroud surrounding the set of pins, and an annular seal connected to the surface of the annular shroud (thus, a connector of opposite polarity) and has either one.

[0045] An annular seal 80 with a lip protruding in the radial direction is shown in FIG. 2. This lip preferably contracts in the radial direction when the male part is received in the female part, thus providing a seal. The lip is, for example, directed towards the bottom of the recess so as to bend downward when the male part of the connector is inserted.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a second example of the electrical connector. The male part 50 is again part of the measurement cable 40, and the female part is part 60 of the patient monitor 20.

[0047] It has the same design as shown in FIG. 2, but the seal design is different. This seal again extends between the radially outward side surface 70 of the shroud and the inward side surface 66 that is most inside the recess 64.

[0048] In the example of FIG. 3, the annular seal is attached to the radially outward side surface 70 and is thus fixed to the male connector part at the end of the sensor cable. This means that a conventional patient monitor can be used. Thus, the modified sensor cable can be used with a standard patient monitor and provides protection against water ingress. The present invention also provides such a modified sensor cable having a patient sensor, a measurement cable coupled to the patient sensor, and a connector at the end of the measurement cable. The connector has a male connector having a set of pins, an annular shroud surrounding the set of pins, and an annular seal connected to the surface of the annular shroud, or a female connector having a set of pin openings, a recess surrounding the set of pin openings, and an annular seal connected to the surface of the recess and has.

[0049] An annular seal having a pair of radially protruding lips, i.e., two serially arranged annular seals, is shown in FIG. 3. These lips contract radially again when the male part is received in the female part, thus providing a seal. The said lips are, for example, directed again towards the bottom of the said recess so as to bend downwards when the male part of the said connector is inserted.

[0050] In all examples, the annular seal may be a silicone seal or an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) seal. For example, a VMQ silicone seal can be used. Depending on the type of seal material, the annular seal may be integrally formed using 2K molding. Thus, the annular seal may be an integral part of the component to which the annular seal is attached. This prevents the risk of the said seal separating and being lost.

[0051] The said annular seal does not need to be placed, for example, in the said recess and is integrally formed with the surface from which the annular seal protrudes. The said annular seal may alternatively be adhered to the part to which the annular seal is connected. The said annular seal may be placed, for example, by a bezel, and the annular seal is adhered or welded to the bezel.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows in more detail an example of a male connector part 50 at the end of a measurement cable 40 in this example. The seal 80 is on the inner surface of the shroud 54 and surrounds the pin 52. In this example, the connector part is circular, but the overall shape of the male connector part 50 is non-circular such that it has the only possible angular direction in which the male connector part can mate with the female connector part.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows an example of a female connector portion for connecting to the male connector portion of FIG. 4, for example, for a patient monitor. FIG. 5 shows a seal 80 around the protruding body 63. The recess 64 has a non-uniform width so as to accommodate the outer shape of the male connector portion. A locking mechanism is schematically shown as 65, and this locking mechanism can click the male connector into a predetermined position to prevent accidental separation of the connectors.

[0054] The seal 80 is typically present on only one of the male connector portion and the female connector portion. However, for example, the seals may be present on both such that the seal of the female connector portion is in a deeper position (i.e., deeper towards the bottom of the recess 64) than the seal of the male connector portion, so that they do not interfere with each other.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows three examples of possible seal shapes and shows the seal as an integral part of one of the two connector portions. The arrows indicate the direction of movement of the connector portion assuming that the connector portion carrying the seal is part of the measurement cable. Similarly, the seal may be stationary and the other connector portion may move.

[0056] Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention by studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and does not exclude that there may be more than one of the elements or steps even if it does not state that there are more than one.

[0057] The mere fact that certain methods are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that combinations of these methods cannot be used advantageously.

[0058] When the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or the specification, this term "adapted to" is meant to be synonymous with the term "configured to".

[0059] Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A patient monitor, A patient sensor, A measurement cable coupled to the patient sensor and removably connectable to the patient monitor at an end of the measurement cable, and An electrical connector between the end of the measurement cable and the patient monitor In a patient monitoring system having, the electrical connector comprises: A male part having a set of pins and an annular shroud surrounding the set of pins, A female part having a set of pin apertures for receiving respective pins of the set of pins and a recess surrounding the set of pin apertures for receiving the annular shroud, and An annular seal disposed between an outer surface of the annular shroud and an inner surface of the recess and radially attached to an outermost portion of the inner surface of the recess A patient monitoring system having.

2. The male part is part of the measurement cable and the female part is part of the patient monitor, the patient monitoring system according to claim 1.

3. The annular shroud extends at least to an end of the pins of the set of pins, the patient monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The annular shroud and the recess are circular or non-circular, and the male part and the female part are connectable in only one relative angular direction, the patient monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The annular seal includes a set of one or more radially protruding lips adapted to contract radially when the male part is received within the female part, the patient monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The annular seal is a silicone seal, the patient monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The annular seal is an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) seal, the patient monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The annular seal is integrally formed using 2K molding, the patient monitoring system according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The patient sensor is for measuring vital signs, the patient monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A sensor cable for connecting to a patient monitor and thereby forming the patient monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a patient sensor, a measurement cable coupled to the patient sensor, and a female connector at an end of the measurement cable having a set of pin openings, a recess surrounding the set of pin openings, and an annular seal radially attached to an outermost portion of the inner surface of the recess is provided. **Claim 11** A patient monitor for connecting to a patient sensor using a measurement cable and thereby forming the patient monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a female connector having a set of pin openings, a recess surrounding the set of pin openings, and an annular seal radially attached to an outermost portion of the inner surface of the recess is provided.

Images