Portable patient monitor

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure includes a portable pulse oximeter, such as a handheld pulse oximeter, that provides a user with intuitive key navigation for device operation, which reduces an amount of visual concentration needed to handle and operate the oximeter. In various embodiments, the portable pulse oximeter includes one or more of user input keys disposed along curve, an alignment edge providing guidance by feel of a user's digits to the input keys, raised convex keys also providing navigation by feel, a protective boot disposed around various portions of the oximeter housing to protect against impacts, a table-top stand, combinations of the same, or the like.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of patient monitoring devices. More specifically, the disclosure relates to portable and handheld patient monitors, including pulse oximeter monitors, while other embodiments relate to various parameters displayed by these type of patient monitors.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Caregivers often employ patient monitoring systems or devices, such as pulse oximeters, capnographs, blood pressure cuffs, and the like, for convenient spot checking and even continuous monitoring of physiological characteristics of a patient. Patent monitoring systems generally include one or more sensors applied to a patient, a monitoring device, and one or more cables connecting the one or more sensors and the monitoring device.

[0005] Portability of these monitoring systems is advantageous for a number of reasons. For example, portable devices provide the patient with mobility...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0040] Embodiments of the present disclosure include a patient monitor, such as a handheld portable patient monitors, that provides a user with intuitive key navigation. For example, the portable patient monitor includes a unique layout of user input keys and one or more elements providing a user the ability to navigate the layout by feeling those elements. Such intuitive operation advantageously reduces an amount of visual concentration needed to handle and operate the patient monitor.

[0041] In various embodiments, a portable patient monitor includes one or more of user input keys disposed along one or more curves. The one or more curves may roughly correspond to a sweeping motion of a user's thumb across the top side of the housing on a hand in which the user holds the portable patient monitoring device. Although preferably irregular shaped, the one or more curves may also or alternatively roughly correspond to a segment of a circle's circumference, where a radius of the circle r...

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of patient monitoring devices. More specifically, the disclosure relates to portable and handheld patient monitors, including pulse oximeter monitors, while other embodiments relate to various parameters displayed by these type of patient monitors.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Caregivers often employ patient monitoring systems or devices, such as pulse oximeters, capnographs, blood pressure cuffs, and the like, for convenient spot checking and even continuous monitoring of physiological characteristics of a patient. Patent monitoring systems generally include one or more sensors applied to a patient, a monitoring device, and one or more cables connecting the one or more sensors and the monitoring device.

[0005] Portability of these monitoring systems is advantageous for a number of reasons. For example, portable devices provide the patient with mobility...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0040] Embodiments of the present disclosure include a patient monitor, such as a handheld portable patient monitors, that provides a user with intuitive key navigation. For example, the portable patient monitor includes a unique layout of user input keys and one or more elements providing a user the ability to navigate the layout by feeling those elements. Such intuitive operation advantageously reduces an amount of visual concentration needed to handle and operate the patient monitor.

[0041] In various embodiments, a portable patient monitor includes one or more of user input keys disposed along one or more curves. The one or more curves may roughly correspond to a sweeping motion of a user's thumb across the top side of the housing on a hand in which the user holds the portable patient monitoring device. Although preferably irregular shaped, the one or more curves may also or alternatively roughly correspond to a segment of a circle's circumference, where a radius of the circle r...

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