Pulse rate and heart rate coincidence detection for pulse oximetry

摘要

Disclosed is a coincidence recognition unit receiving a first signal indicative of a pulse rate derived from pulse oximetry and a second signal indicative of a heart rate. A coincidence detection unit generates a third signal indicative of the coincidence between the first signal and the second signal. The pulse rate of a patient (detected by pulse oximetry) can thus be compared with the heart rate of the patient (e.g. from EKG or ultrasound). An indicator is preferably generated when the pulse rate and the heart rate do not match e.g. within a pre-given limit. A warning signal might further be generated indicating that the oxygen saturation value as measured by the pulse oximetry is not sufficiently accurate and/or invalid. A pulse oximetry unit according to the invention comprises a pulse oximeter for generating the first signal, a heart rate determination unit for generating the second signal, and the coincidence recognition unit receiving the first and second signals. The coincidence recognition unit provides the third signal indicative of the coincidence between the first and the second signal to the pulse oximeter for validating the accuracy of measured oxygen saturation values of any kind of patient such as adults, pediatrics, or neonates. <IMAGE>