Importance

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Abstract

An interlock system for use with anesthesia equipment or other apparatus for monitoring a person's arterial blood pressure and the level of oxygen saturation in the person's blood and for providing respective blood pressure and oxygen saturation signals indicative thereof. The apparatus also comprises inflatable cuff means for disposition about the upper arm of the person to provide the blood pressure signal and a probe for securement on the finger of the person to provide the oxygen saturation signal. The apparatus further comprises alarm means coupled to the cuff means and to the probe means for providing a blood pressure alarm signal in the event that the monitored blood pressure signal deviates from a predetermined value and for providing an oxygen saturation signal in the event that the value of the monitored oxygen saturation signal deviates from a predetermined value. The interlock system basically comprises control means operative when actuated to automatically respond to the inflation of the cuff means to provide a signal to the apparatus alarm means for disabling the oxygen saturation alarm if the cuff is inflated. An advisory signal is provided to indicate the disabling of the oxygen saturation alarm signal. The control means includes timer means for reenabling the oxygen saturation alarm either a first predetermined time period, e.g., five seconds, after the cuff is deflated or the inerlock deactivated and a pulse is detected, or a second, and longer, predetermined period of time, e.g., 30 seconds, after the cuff is deflated or the interlock deactivated.

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First Claim