Pacifier pulse oximeter sensor

• US 20010029324A1
• Filed: 02/12/2001
• Published: 10/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Army (U.S. Department Of Defense)
• Original Assignee: United States Army (U.S. Department Of Defense)
• Inventors: Shepherd, John M., Walker, Steven C., Alexander, John G.
• Granted Patent: US 6,470,200 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 Detecting or monitoring sepsis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/682 Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6855 with a distal curved tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6896 Toys
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 17/001 Baby-comforters
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 17/1012 Emitting light
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 17/105 Nipple attachments

Abstract

A pacifier pulse oximeter sensor includes pulse oximeter sensor elements located within the nipple of a pacifier. The pulse oximeter sensor elements may be completely within the nipple material, embedded within the nipple material, nested within the nipple material, or adjacent to the nipple material while not being exposed to the outside environment. The pulse oximeter sensor elements include a light source and a light detector. The pulse oximeter sensor elements communicate with an oximeter through wiring, an electrical connector, and/or wirelessly. An alternative embodiment adds oximeter processing capabilities to the pacifier pulse oximeter sensor.

Claims

1. An oximeter sensor comprising:

a nipple,

a shield connected to said nipple, and

oximeter sensor elements in said nipple; and

wherein said oximeter sensor elements are arranged to perform reflectance pulse oximetry.

2. The device as recited in

claim 1

, wherein said oximeter sensor elements include:

means for transmitting light at an intraoral tissue, and

means for receiving light reflected from the intraoral tissue.

3. The device as recited in

claim 2

, wherein said means for transmitting and said means for receiving are embedded in said nipple.

4. The device as recited in

claim 2

, wherein

said nipple includes an inner cavity, and

said means for transmitting and said means for receiving are disposed in the inner cavity of said nipple.

5. The device as recited in

claim 1

, wherein said oximeter sensor elements include:

at least one light source, and

at least one light detector in communication with said at least one light source.

6. The device as recited in

claim 5

, wherein said light source includes one of at least one light emitter, a bispectral emitter, a dual spectral emitter, at least one photoemitter, at least one photodiode, at least one light emitting diode, and a semiconductor die.

7. The device as recited in

claim 6

, wherein said light detector includes one of a photoelectric receiver, a photodetector, a photodiode receiver, and a semiconductor die.

8. The device as recited in

claim 6

, wherein

said nipple includes an inner cavity, and

said light source and said light detector are disposed in the inner cavity of said nipple.

9. The device as recited in

claim 7

, wherein said light source and said light detector are embedded within said nipple.

10. The device as recited in

claim 5

, further comprising:

a transmitter,

a power source, and

wiring connecting said light source, said light detector, and said transmitter to said power source, said wiring connecting said light source and said light detector to said transmitter.

11. The device as recited in

claim 5

, wherein said light source and said light detector are disposed near a top of said nipple.

12. The device as recited in

claim 5

, wherein said light source and said light detector are disposed near a tip of said nipple.

13. The device as recited in

claim 5

, wherein said light source and said light detector are disposed near a bottom of said nipple.

14. The device as recited in

claim 5

, further comprising an oximeter device, said oximeter device includes:

a display,

a power supply connected to said display, and

a processor connected to said power supply and said display, said processor is in communication with said light source and said light detector; and

wherein said processor signals said light source to transmit light, and

said processor receives at least one signal from said light detector representing light detected by said light detector.

15. A method for using the device recited in

claim 1

comprising:

connecting the device to an oximeter,

inserting the device into a mouth of a subject, and

taking reflectance pulse oximeter readings.

16. The device as recited in

claim 1

, further comprising a plug engaging said nipple and said shield such that at least a portion of said nipple is held in place between said plug and said shield.

17. The device as recited in

claim 1

, further comprising a bite block connecting said shield to said nipple.

18. An oximeter system comprising:

a spectrometer, and

a pacifier oximeter sensor having a nipple, a shield attached to said nipple, and pulse oximeter sensor elements within said nipple.

19. The oximeter system according to

claim 18

, wherein said pulse oximeter sensor elements include a light source and a light detector.

20. A pulse oximeter sensor comprising:

means for restricting inward suction of the pulse oximeter sensor into a subject,

means for performing reflectance pulse oximetry inside the subject, and

means for housing said oximetry means.