Shielded optical probe having an electrical connector
First Claim
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1. An optical probe for irradiating tissue and producing a signal indicative of a physiological parameter of the tissue, the optical probe comprising:
- a housing substantially securing a light source and a detector to tissue at a measurement site, thereby allowing the detector to produce a signal indicative of at least one physiological parameter of the tissue; and
a plugable electrical connector forming a releasable connection with a cable connector, wherein the electrical connector includes a plurality of conductive paths electrically communicating with the light source and the detector, and the cable connector electrically communicates with external monitoring equipment.
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Abstract
The invention is a noninvasive optical probe having an electrical connector for connecting the optical probe to a cable connector. According to one embodiment, the electrical connector includes a durable flexible tab suspended between the housing of the optical probe and a protective cover. The electrical connector also advantageously forms, according to various embodiments, a flexible, plugable, lockable, removable, and sealable electrical connection.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. An optical probe for irradiating tissue and producing a signal indicative of a physiological parameter of the tissue, the optical probe comprising:
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a housing substantially securing a light source and a detector to tissue at a measurement site, thereby allowing the detector to produce a signal indicative of at least one physiological parameter of the tissue; and
a plugable electrical connector forming a releasable connection with a cable connector, wherein the electrical connector includes a plurality of conductive paths electrically communicating with the light source and the detector, and the cable connector electrically communicates with external monitoring equipment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A reusable pulse oximetry sensor for producing a signal indicative of at least one physiological parameter of tissue, the sensor comprising:
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an upper housing having a first circuit element comprising one of a light source and a detector, and a first wire connected to the first circuit element;
a lower housing having a second circuit element comprising the other of the light source and the detector, and a second wire connected the second circuit element;
a hinge-like joint adjustably coupling the upper housing and lower housing; and
an electrical connector having a tab, and a flexible circuit mounted on the tab and comprising a plurality of conductive paths, wherein one of the conductive paths electrically connects to the first wire while another of the conductive paths electrically connects to the second wire, thereby providing a electrical connection from the conductive paths of the electrical connector to the light source and the detector. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A reusable pulse oximetry sensor for producing a signal indicative of at least one physiological parameter of tissue, the sensor comprising:
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an upper housing having a first circuit element comprising one of a light source and a detector;
a lower housing having a second circuit element comprising the other of the light source and the detector;
a hinge-like joint adjustably coupling the upper housing and lower housing; and
an electrical connector having a tab, and a flexible circuit mounted on the tab and comprising a plurality of conductive paths, wherein one of the conductive paths electrically connects to the detector while another of the conductive paths electrically connects to the light source. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. An optical probe for non-invasively collecting a signal indicative of a physiological parameter of tissue, the optical probe comprising:
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a light source;
a detector;
a connector having a flexible circuit mounted on a durable tab; and
a protective housing at least partially covering the flexible circuit mounted on the durable tab. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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38. A method of determining a physiological parameter of tissue using a non-invasive optical probe, the method comprising:
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positioning a light source of a non-invasive optical probe to irradiate a measurement site with light;
positioning a detector of the probe to detect light which interacts with the measurement site; and
releasably connecting an external monitoring equipment cable to the probe through a flexible circuit mounted on a durable tab having a protective cover;
wherein at least one the conductive paths electrically communicates with the light source and at least one of the conductive paths electrically communicates with the detector. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. An electrical connector, comprising:
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a flexible durable tab configured to guide a cable connector around the tab, thereby engaging the electrical connector to the cable connector;
a flexible circuit mounted on the flexible tab and electrically communicating with electrical contacts of the cable connector;
a locking mechanism releasably locking the electrical connector to the cable connector; and
a protective cover covering at least a portion of the flexible circuit. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification