| abstract |
A photoplethysmographic monitoring system such as a pulse oximeter collects data regarding the blood analyte concentration and pulse rate of a patient through the analysis of light transmitted form an emitter through tissue to a photo detector. It is often necessary to review the collected data, such as oxygen saturation, pulse rate and pulsatility value at a location remote to the patient being monitored. The photoplethysmographic system formats the selected data for transmittal to a remote facsimile machine via standard telephone communication systems using an internal or external modem. The formatter is able to function within the processing and memory constraints of pulse oximeters by formatting and transmitting the data in sections. Formatted data may be sent via hard-wired telephone, cellular phone, PCS digital telephones or through satellite communication systems enabling transmittal of data from a portable photoplethysmographic system. |