Self-contained regional oximetry

• US 10,188,329 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 01/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nonin Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nonin Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Isaacson, Philip O., Johnson, Timothy L., Prior, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US13/829,158
• Publication Number:
  US 20140275885A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,147 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/185 Optical shielding, e.g. baffles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor

Abstract

A handheld device includes a contact surface, an optical module, a processor, a display module, and a user operable switch. The optical module is disposed on the contact surface. The optical module has at least one optical emitter and at least one optical detector. The at least one optical detector has a light shield associated with the contact surface. The light shield is configured to exclude ambient light from the contact surface when the contact surface abuts tissue of a patient. The processor is coupled to the optical module and configured to execute instructions for determining a measure of oximetry corresponding to the tissue. The display module is coupled to the processor and is configured to indicate the measure of oximetry. The user operable switch is configured to activate at least one of the processor, the optical module, and the display module.

Claims

1. A handheld device comprising:

a contact surface coupled to a handle portion, the handle portion configured for gripping by a user;

an optical module disposed on the contact surface, the optical module having at least one optical emitter and at least one optical detector, the optical module having a light shield associated with a perimeter of the contact surface, the light shield configured to exclude ambient light from the contact surface when the contact surface abuts tissue of a patient, wherein the light shield includes a raised curb;

a processor coupled to the optical module and configured to execute instructions for determining a measure of oximetry corresponding to the tissue; and

a display module coupled to the processor and configured to indicate the measure of oximetry; and

a user operable switch configured to activate at least one of the processor, the optical module, and the display module.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the user operable switch is coupled to the contact surface.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the user operable switch is configured to actuate when the tissue is in contact with the contact surface.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one optical emitter is spaced apart from the at least one optical detector by a distance corresponding to a measure of regional oximetry at a predetermined tissue depth.

5. The device of claim 1 further including a wireless transmitter coupled to the processor, the wireless transmitter configured to telemeter the measure of oximetry to a remote device.

6. The device of claim 1 further including a pressure sensor coupled to the contact surface and configured to provide a measure of pressure to the processor.

7. The device of claim 1 further including a temperature sensor coupled to the contact surface and configured to provide a measure of temperature to the processor.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to generate a measure of regional oximetry.

9. A method comprising:

coupling an optical module with a contact surface, the optical module having at least one optical emitter and at least one optical detector and the contact surface coupled to a handle portion, the handle portion configured for gripping by a user;

providing a light shield at a perimeter of the contact surface, the light shield configured to exclude ambient light from the contact surface when the contact surface abuts tissue of a patient, wherein the light shield includes a raised curb;

coupling a processor to communicate with the optical module configuring the processor to execute instructions for determining a measure of oximetry corresponding to the tissue;

coupling a display module to the processor, the display module configured to indicate the measure of oximetry; and

configuring a user operable switch to activate at least one of the optical module, the processor, and the display module.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein configuring the user operable switch includes configuring the switch to actuate when the tissue is in contact with the contact surface.

11. The method of claim 9 further including selecting relative positions of the at least one optical emitter and the at least one optical detector based on a predetermined depth of penetration of light in the tissue.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising coupling a wireless transmitter to the processor, the wireless transmitter configured to telemeter the measure of oximetry to a remote device.

13. The method of claim 9 further including configuring a sensor to generate a signal corresponding to blood pressure associated with the tissue.

14. The method of claim 9 further including configuring a sensor to generate a signal corresponding to temperature associated with the tissue.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein the processor is configured to generate a measure of regional oximetry.

16. A system comprising:

a housing having a contact surface and having a handle grip portion, the contact surface substantially immobile relative to the handle grip portion;

a plurality of optical elements coupled to the contact surface;

a light shield coupled to a perimeter of the contact surface and configured to exclude ambient light from the plurality of optical elements when the contact surface abuts a tissue surface of a patient, wherein the light shield includes a raised curb; and

a processing module configured to determine a measure of tissue oxygenation based on a signal from the plurality of optical elements.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the contact surface is rigidly affixed to the handle grip portion.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the plurality of optical elements includes at least one emitter and at least one detector.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the optical elements are recessed relative to the light shield.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the processing module includes a digital processor.