A) TECHNICAL FIELD

[1] The present invention generally relates to a pitch varying system in a non- patient monitor. The present invention more particularly relates to an alarm system for modifying the pitch of the audio with respect to the measured saturated oxygen values of blood (SpO2) in a patient during the monitoring and controlling of the anesthesia in a non patient monitor like an ultrasound scanner.

B) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[2] Anesthesia has traditionally meant the condition of having sensation including the feeling of pain blocked or temporarily taken away. This allows patients to undergo surgery and other procedures without the distress and pain they would it otherwise experience.

[0003] In modem anesthesia, a wide variety of medical equipments are desired based on the need for portable field use, surgical operations or intensive care support. Anesthesia practitioners mu^t possess a comprehensive and intricate knowledge of the production and use of various medical gases, solutions, anesthesia agents and vapors, medical breathing circuits and the variety of anesthesia machines (including vaporizers, ventilators and pressure gauges) and their corresponding safety features, hazards and limitations of each piece of equipment for the safe clinical competence and practical application in day to day practice.

[4] The patients being treated under general anesthetics must be monitored continuously to ensure the patient's safety. In general, the anesthetists have set minimum monitoring guidelines for General and Regional Anesthesia.

[5] For minor surgery, this generally includes monitoring of heart rate (via ECG or pulse oximetry), oxygen saturation level (via pulse oximetry), inhaled and exhaled gases (for example oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and volatile agents) and blood pressure in non invasive manner.

[6] For moderate to major surgery, monitoring may also include temperature, urine output, invasive blood pressure measurements (arterial blood pressure, central venous pressure), pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure, cerebral activity (via EEG analysis), neuromuscular function (via peripheral nerve stimulation monitoring) and cardiac output. In addition, the operating room's environment must be monitored for temperature and humidity and for buildup of exhaled inhalational anesthetics which might impair the health of operating room personnel.

[7] The anesthesist scans the area to be anesthetised using an ultrasound scanner for imaging guidance for needle placement and advancement. At the same time, the pulse oximeter values are monitored for the patient. At present none of the systems other than patient monitors provide an alarm with varibale pitch levels to indicate the actually measured saturated oxygen levels in the blood.

[8] Integrated machines used for Regional anesthesia may have SpO2 integrated in it. The actual procedure followed is that the anesthesia is given using dominant hand and scanning is done with other hand. The anesthetist has to visually see the image on the scanner for injecting anesthesia. He has to also look at the saturated oxygen value. In this situation, monitoring the hemodynamic parameter becomes difficult. This can be easily overcome by listening to the variable pitch. Hence there is a need to develop a device to modify the pitch of the audio tone generated corresponding to the measured oxygen saturation level to alert the anesthetist.

C) OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[9] The primary object of the invention is to develop a system to modify the pitch of the audio tone generated corresponding to the measured oxygen saturation level to alert an anesthetist.

[10] Another object of the present invention is to develop a system to modify the pitch of the audio generated corresponding to the measured oxygen level to enable the anesthetist to control the monitoring and the administering of anesthesia to a patient.
Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a system to provide an audio a pitch level corresponding to the measured saturated oxygen level in the blood to indicate the condition of the patient to medical personnel to enable the medical personnel to concentrate on the primary function.
[12] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

D) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[13] The above mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

[14] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a system to modify the pitch of the audio tone which is generated corresponding to the measured oxygen saturation level in blood, with respect to the alarm level to alert an anesthetist during the administration of anesthesia to a patient. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a pitch varying system is provided with an ultrasound scanner to scan and image an area to be desensitized. A pulse oximeter module is integrally formed with the ultrasound scanner to measure the saturated oxygen level in the blood of a patient to be monitored, A host pulse oximeter module is coupled with the pulse oximeter module to receive the output from the pulse oximeter module. The host pulse oximeter module generates and outputs an audio through the speaker at a pitch level corresponding to the output of the pulse oximeter module.

[15] The host pulse oximeter module is provided with a circuit to generate an audio signal corresponding to the output signal received from the pulse oximeter. The host pulse oximeter module is provided with a look up table to store a set of audio files with variable pitch levels corresponding to different saturated oxygen levels in the blood of a patient to be monitored. The host pulse oximeter module is provided with a processor to select an audio file with a pitch level from the set of audio files stored in look up table, based on the output of the pulse oximeter module. The processor is provided with software to select an audio file with a pitch level from the set of audio files stored in look up table, based on the output of the pulse oximeter module. The processor drives the speaker to output the selected audio file. The host pulse oximeter module is provided with an audio amplifier. The processor drives the audio amplifier based on the output of the pulse oximeter module to output the selected audio file through the speaker at a pitch level corresponding to the measured saturated oxygen level in the blood of a patient to be monitored. The host pulse oximeter module is a personal computer or a microcontroller embedded with software to select an audio file from the audio files stored in look up table based on the output of the pulse oximeter.

[16] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a pulse oximeter module is integrally formed with an ultrasound module which scans and projects the image of a desired area. The pulse oximeter measures the oxygen saturation level in the blood for every heartbeat. The measured oxygen saturation levels are fed to a processor. The processor reads the input signal to generate an audio output. The pitch of the audio output is varied with respect to the alarm levels that are set corresponding to the oxygen saturation level in the blood. The hardware may be embedded in a system or in a personal computer or in a micro controller. The output of the processor is fed to a speaker to out put an audio with the desired pitch level.

[17] Thus the system varies the pitch of audio tone corresponding to measured oxygen saturation values of the patient easily and efficiently. The system helps to scan the area subjected to anesthesia with high priority and measures the saturation of functional oxygen in the body of the patient. The system provides an audio tone with a pitch level corresponding to the measured saturated oxygen values to enable the medical personnel to monitor the oxygen saturation level while executing the main job.

E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[18] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

[19] FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a pitch varying system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart explaining the operation of a pitch varying system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[21] Ahhough specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.

F) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[22] In the following 'detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[23] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a system to modify the pitch of the audio tone which is generated corresponding to the measured oxygen saturation level in blood, with respect to the alarm level to alert an anesthetist during the administration of anesthesia to a patient.

[24] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a pitch varying system is provided with an ultrasound scanner to scan and image an area of a patient under monitoring. A pulse oximeter module is integrally formed with the ultrasound scanner to measure the saturated oxygen level in the blood of the patient to be monitored. A host pulse oximeter module is coupled to the pulse oximeter module to receive the output from the pulse oximeter module. The host pulse oximeter module generates and outputs an audio through the speaker at a pitch level corresponding to the output of the pulse oximeter module.

[25] The host pulse oximeter module is provided with a circuit to generate an audio signal corresponding to the output signal received from the pulse oximeter. The host pulse oximeter module, is provided with a look up table to store a set of audio files with variable pitch levels corresponding to different saturated oxygen levels in the blood of a patient to be monitored. The host pulse oximeter module is provided with a processor to select an audio file with a pitch level from the set of audio files stored in look up table, based on the output of the pulse oximeter module. The processor is provided with software to select an audio file with a pitch level from the set of audio files stored in look up table based on the output of the pulse oximeter module. The processor drives the speaker to output the selected audio file.

[26] The host pulse oximeter module is provided with an audio amphfier. The processor drives the audio ampUfier based on the output of the pulse oximeter module to output the selected audio file through the speaker at a pitch level corresponding to the measured saturated oxygen level in the blood of a patient to be monitored. The host pulse oximeter module is a personal computer or a microcontroller embedded with software to select an audio file from the audio files stored in look up table based on the output of the pulse oximeter.

[27] According to one'I embodiment of the present invention, a pitch varying system is provided with an Ultrasound scanner to scan and image an area of a patient under monitoring. A pulse bximeter is integrally formed with the ultrasound scanner to measure the saturated oxygen level in the blood of the patient to be monitored. A processor is coupled with the pulse oximeter to receive the output fi-om the pulse oximeter. The processor adjusts the pitch of an audio output through the speaker based on the measured saturated oxygen level in the blood.

[28] The processor is provided with a hardware circuit to convert the output of the pulse oximeter into an audio tone. The processor is provided with software to select and adjust the pitch of the audio the generated by the hardware circuit based on the measured saturated oxygen level in the blood of the patient to be monitored. A set of audio files with variable pitch levels corresponding to different saturated oxygen levels in the blood are stored in a look up table. The software chooses an audio file with the selected pitch level from the set of audio files stored in the look up table based on the measured saturated oxygen level in the blood of the patient to be monitored. The processor drives an audio amplifier to output the selected audio file in the selected pitch level through a speaker.

[29] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided-to vary the pitch of the audio tone generated corresponding to the measured saturated oxygen level in the blood of the patient to be monitored. The area to be desensitized in a patient to be administered with an anesthetic agent is scanned and imaged using an ultrasound scanner. The saturated oxygen level in the blood of the patient is measured continuously using a pulse oximeter during the administration of anesthesia. The measured oxygen level is output to a processor for selecting an audio file with a pitch level corresponding to the measured oxygen level from the set of audio files stored in a look up table with different pitch levels. The selected audio file with a pitch level corresponding to the measured oxygen level is output through a speaker.

[30] Thus the system varies the pitch of audio corresponding to the measured oxygen saturation values of^the patient to help the user in monitoring the condition of the patient. The system helps to scan the area subjected to anesthesia with high priority and measures the saturation of functional oxygen in the body of the patient. The system provides an audio tone with a pitch level corresponding to the measured saturated oxygen values to enable the medical personnel to monitor the oxygen saturation level while executing the main job.

[31] FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a pitch varying system to modify the pitch of the audio generated corresponding to the measured oxygen saturation level in the patient's blood according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 1, the pitch varying system includes a saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2) module 2, connected to a host SpO2 interface module 4 which is connected to a speaker 6. The SpO2 module 2 is communicatively connected to the host SpO2 interface module 4. The SpO2 module 2 measures saturated oxygen values in the blood of a patient to be monitored and transmits the measured values through the communication link to the host SpO2 interface module 4. The host SpO2 interface module 4 includes a processor, a look up table and an audio amplifier. The look up table stores of a set of audio files with varying pitch corresponding to the different saturated oxygen levels in the blood. The processor in the host SpO2 interface module 4 receives the saturation oxygen values to select an audio file with a desired pitch level based on the received output from the SpO2 module. Then the processor drives an audio amplifier to output the selected audio file through the speaker 6. The selected audio file is output with the desired pitch level corresponding to the measured saturated oxygen level in the blood of the patient to be monitored.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart describing various steps of a pitch varying system according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 2, the SpO2 module measures the SpO2 values in the patient's blood. The processor in the host SpO2 interface module receives the measured SpO2 values from the SpO2 module through the communication link (202). The processor compares the received SpO2 values to select an audio file from the set of audio files stored in the look up table. The received values are compared with a lower and upper alarm values to select an audio file with a pitch level corresponding to the received SpO2 values (204). The processor drives an audio amplifier to output the selected audio file with a pitch level corresponding to the measured saturated oxygen values through a speaker (206). Thus the pitch varying system helps the operator to concentrate on the primary function while providing the audio sound with different pitch levels corresponding to the measured saturated oxygen concentration values.

G) ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[32] The various embodiments of the invention provide a system to modify the pitch of the audio tone corresponding to the measured oxygen saturation level in blood to alert an anesthetist during the administration of anesthesia to a patient. The system helps not only to sc^ the area to be desensitized with high priority but also provides an indication corresponding to the measured saturated oxygen level in the blood of the patient through the variation in the pitch of the audible tone output to the user.

[33] Although the invention is described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.
[0041] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the present invention described herein and all the statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.

CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1. A pitch varying system for audio signals in non patient monitoring system comprising:
An ultrasound scanner;
A pulse oximeter module integrated with the ultrasound scanner;
A host pulse oximeter module connected to the pulse oximeter module;
A speaker connected to the host pulse oximeter module;
Wherein the host pulse oximeter module generates and outputs an audio
through the speaker; at a pitch level corresponding to the output of the pulse
oximeter module the pulse oximeter.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the host pulse oximeter module is provided with a circuit to generate an audio signal corresponding to the output signal received from

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the host pulse oximeter module has a look table to store a set of audio files with mutually different pitch values corresponding to the various saturated oxygen levels in the blood of a patient to be monitored.

4, The system according to claim 1, wherein the host pulse oximeter module is provided with a processor to select an audio file with a pitch level from the set of audio files stored in look up table based on the output of the pulse oximeter module.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processor is provided with software to select an audio file with a pitch level from the set of audio files stored in look up table based on the output of the pulse oximeter module.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processor drives the speaker to output the selected audio file.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the host pulse oximeter module is provided with an audio amplifier.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processor drives the audio amplifier based on the output of the pulse oximeter module to output the selected audio file through the speaker.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasound scanner scans and images an area to be desensitized.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the pulse oximeter measures the saturated oxygen level in the blood of a patient.

11. The system accordiilg to claim 1, wherein the processor drives the audio amplifier based on the output of the pulse oximeter module to output the selected audio file through the speaker at a pitch level corresponding to the measured saturated oxygen level in the blood of a patient to be monitored.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the host pulse oximeter module is a personal computer.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the host pulse oximeter module is a microcontroller embedded with software to select an audio file from the audio files stored in look up table based on the output of the pulse oximeter.