Daniel A Peters

US Patent:

8548564, Oct 1, 2013

Filed:

Apr 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/418454

Inventors:

Daniel J. Peters - Longmont CO, US
Edward McKenna - Boulder CO, US

Assignee:

Covidien LP - Mansfield MA

International Classification:

A61B 5/00

US Classification:

600424, 12820026, 12820714

Abstract:

According to various embodiments, a sensor may be placed on a patient chest adjacent to a desired position of a distal end of a tracheal tube. The sensor may be configured to emit an electromagnetic field into the patient and detect perturbations to that field caused by the presence of the tracheal tube. As the tube is inserted within the trachea, the sensor may detect the tube when the distal end passes within range of the sensor, indicating that a proper insertion depth has been reached. In certain embodiments, multiple sensors may be placed along the chest adjacent to the trachea to determine a distance between the tube and an anatomical structure. The distance information may provide an indication as to whether the tracheal tube is properly placed within the trachea.

US Patent:

20130137938, May 30, 2013

Filed:

Nov 30, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/307961

Inventors:

Daniel J. Peters - Longmont CO, US

Assignee:

Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC - Boulder CO

International Classification:

A61B 5/00

US Classification:

600301

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for patient monitors which apply phase detection operations to analog signals to identify differential pulse transit time (DPTT). Photoplethysmograph (PPG) signals measured at two sensor sites may be processed by a phase detection system to identify phase information that allows the calculation of a DPTT. The phase detection system may process analog PPG signals in the analog domain to determine phase information. In some embodiments, the phase detection system may process optical oximetry sensor signals to determine phase information using, for example, interferometric methods.