Physiological information display

Claim 1

In a physiological function monitor module of the type comprising: a physiological function rate detector circuit adapted to receive an input from a patient and convert the same to a DC voltage output signal proportional to the rate of the physiological function of the patient under consideration; an alarm generator connected to the output of the detector circuit, said alarm generator including means for comparing the DC voltage level of the detector circuit to a preselected level and generating an alarm signal in the event said DC foltage level deviates beyond permissible bounds from said preset level; a digital display; and an analog/digital converter connected to the output of said detector circuit in driving relationship with said digital display; the improvement comprising a character generator connected to the output of said alarm generator and connected in driving relationship to the digital display in parallel with the analog/digital converter whereby said character generator drives said digital display to indicate an alarm condition in the event an alarm signal is generated, said alarm generator is adapted to generate a first signal in the event said detector circuit output exceeds said first preselected voltage level and a second signal in the event said detector signal is below said second preselected voltage level, and memory means adapted to maintain the output signal of said alarm generator at the first to occur of said first signal or second signal in the event said detector output signal varies from a first level above said first preselected voltage level to a second level below said second preselected voltage level or vice-versa.