Noninvasive oximetry optical sensor including disposable and reusable elements
First Claim
1. A reusable portion of a noninvasive optical oximetry sensor, the sensor when assembled configured to attach to a measurement site of a monitored patient and to output signals responsive to light absorption by tissue at the measurement site, wherein an oximeter receiving the signals or data responsive to the signals is configured to determine one or more physiological parameters of the patient including at least oxygen saturation or pulse rate, the oximeter including a front end in electrical communication with the sensor, the reusable portion comprising:
- a sensor connector;
at least one light source;
at least one detector configured to detect light from the at least one light source after attenuation by the tissue and output the signals responsive to the detected light;
a plurality of first mating elements mechanically matable with second mating elements of a disposable portion of the sensor, wherein the first and second mating elements move with respect to one another to provide independent flexion of the reusable portion and the disposable portion during attachment of the sensor to the patient, the first and second mating elements configured to cause proper alignment in the sensor between the reusable portion and the disposable portion, wherein the disposable portion includes;
an electrical circuit element other than the at least one light source, the at least one light detector, or other light emitting or detecting device, andfirst electrical contacts in electrical communication with the electrical circuit element; and
second electrical contacts configured to electrically connect to the first electrical contacts when the reusable portion is mated with the disposable portion, the sensor being inoperative when the first and second electrical contacts are not sufficiently proximate to one another to form a completed circuit, the completed circuit including at least the second electrical contacts, the first electrical contacts, the electrical circuit element, the sensor connector, and the front end of the oximeter.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pulse oximetry sensor includes reusable and disposable elements. To assemble the sensor, members of the reusable element are mated with assembly mechanisms of the disposable element. The assembled sensor provides independent movement between the reusable and disposable elements.
928 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A reusable portion of a noninvasive optical oximetry sensor, the sensor when assembled configured to attach to a measurement site of a monitored patient and to output signals responsive to light absorption by tissue at the measurement site, wherein an oximeter receiving the signals or data responsive to the signals is configured to determine one or more physiological parameters of the patient including at least oxygen saturation or pulse rate, the oximeter including a front end in electrical communication with the sensor, the reusable portion comprising:
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a sensor connector; at least one light source; at least one detector configured to detect light from the at least one light source after attenuation by the tissue and output the signals responsive to the detected light; a plurality of first mating elements mechanically matable with second mating elements of a disposable portion of the sensor, wherein the first and second mating elements move with respect to one another to provide independent flexion of the reusable portion and the disposable portion during attachment of the sensor to the patient, the first and second mating elements configured to cause proper alignment in the sensor between the reusable portion and the disposable portion, wherein the disposable portion includes; an electrical circuit element other than the at least one light source, the at least one light detector, or other light emitting or detecting device, and first electrical contacts in electrical communication with the electrical circuit element; and second electrical contacts configured to electrically connect to the first electrical contacts when the reusable portion is mated with the disposable portion, the sensor being inoperative when the first and second electrical contacts are not sufficiently proximate to one another to form a completed circuit, the completed circuit including at least the second electrical contacts, the first electrical contacts, the electrical circuit element, the sensor connector, and the front end of the oximeter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A disposable portion of a noninvasive optical oximetry sensor, the sensor when assembled configured to attach to a measurement site of a monitored patient and to output signals responsive to light absorption by tissue at the measurement site, wherein an oximeter receiving the signals or data responsive to the signals is configured to determine one or more physiological parameters of the patient including at least oxygen saturation or pulse rate, the oximeter including a front end in electrical communication with the sensor, the reusable portion comprising:
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a plurality of first mating elements mechanically matable with second mating elements of a reusable portion of the sensor, wherein the first and second mating elements move with respect to one another to provide independent flexion of the disposable portion and the reusable portion during attachment of the sensor to the patient, the first and second mating elements configured to cause proper alignment in the sensor between the disposable portion and the reusable portion, wherein the reusable portion includes first electrical contacts, at least one light source, a sensor connector, and at least one light detector; an electrical circuit element other than the at least one light source, the at least one light detector, or other light emitting or detecting device; and second electrical contacts configured to electrically connect to the first electrical contacts when the disposable portion is mated with the reusable portion, the sensor being inoperative when the first and second electrical contacts are not sufficiently proximate to one another to form a completed circuit, the completed circuit including at least the second electrical contacts, the first electrical contacts, the electrical circuit element, the sensor connector, and the front end of the oximeter. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification