Device and method for monitoring arterial oxygen saturation

• US 20020028990A1
• Filed: 07/17/2001
• Published: 03/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John G. Alexander, John M. Shepherd, Steven C. Walker
• Original Assignee: John G. Alexander, John M. Shepherd, Steven C. Walker
• Inventors: Walker, Steven C., Alexander, John G., Shepherd, John M.
• Application Number:
  US09/905,991
• Publication Number:
  US 20020028990A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/340
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/04 Babies, e.g. for SIDS detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/247 Hygienic covers, i.e. for covering the sensor or apparatus during use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1464 takes precedence
• 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: A61M 16/0461 Nasoendotracheal tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0488 Mouthpieces; Means for guiding, securing or introducing the tubes guiding or introducing with laryngoscopes A61B1/267; holding devices on the body A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/049 Mouthpieces
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0493 with means for protecting the tube from damage caused by the patient's teeth, e.g. bite block
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0495 with tongue depressors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)

Abstract

A device for taking reflectance oximeter readings within the nasal cavity and oral cavity and down through the posterior pharynx. The device preferably includes a reflectance pulse oximeter sensor that preferably is resistant to bodily fluids to contact one of these capillary beds for the taking of readings and then for sending of these readings to a spectrophotometer or like device.

Claims

1. A reflectance pulse oximeter sensor for use within an intrahead cavity site of a subject comprising:

means for performing reflectance pulse oximetry measurements from a palate, and

means for communicating with an external device.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the palate is the hard palate.

3. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the palate is the soft palate.

4. A reflectance pulse oximeter sensor for use within an intrahead cavity site of a subject comprising:

oximeter sensor elements, wherein at least one of said oximeter sensor elements receives reflected light originating with another of said oximeter sensor elements, and

means for causing contact to occur between said oximeter sensor elements and a palate.

5. The sensor according to claim 4, wherein the palate is the hard palate.

6. The sensor according to claim 4, wherein the palate is the soft palate.

7. A reflectance pulse oximeter sensor for use within an intrahead cavity site of a subject comprising:

means for performing reflectance pulse oximetry measurements from a proximal pharyngeal surface, and

means for communicating with an external device.

8. A reflectance pulse oximeter sensor for use within an intrahead cavity site of a subject comprising:

oximeter sensor elements, wherein at least one of said oximeter sensor elements receives reflected light originating with another of said oximeter sensor elements, and

means for causing contact to occur between said oximeter sensor elements and a proximal pharyngeal surface.

9. The sensor according to claim 8, wherein said causing contact means includes a passageway passing therethrough.

10. The sensor according to claim 8, further comprising means for communicating with an external device.

11. A reflectance pulse oximeter sensor for use within an intrahead cavity site of a subject comprising:

means for performing reflectance pulse oximetry measurements from a gingival surface, and

means for communicating with an external device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the capillary bed is on a nasal mucosa.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the capillary bed is on a soft palate

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the capillary bed is on a posterior pharynx.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the capillary bed is on a nasal mucosa.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the capillary bed is on a soft palate

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the capillary bed is on a posterior pharynx.

12. A reflectance pulse oximeter sensor for use within an intrahead cavity site of a subject comprising:

oximeter sensor elements, wherein at least one of said oximeter sensor elements receives reflected light originating with another of said oximeter sensor elements, and

means for causing contact to occur between said oximeter sensor elements and a gingival surface.

13. A reflectance pulse oximeter sensor for use within a nasal cavity of a subject comprising:

means for performing reflectance pulse oximetry measurements from a capillary bed in the nasal cavity, and

means for communicating with an external device.

17. A reflectance pulse oximeter sensor for use within a nasal cavity of a subject comprising:

oximeter sensor elements, wherein at least one of said oximeter sensor elements receives reflected light originating with another of said oximeter sensor elements, and

means for causing contact to occur between said oximeter sensor elements and a capillary bed in the nasal cavity.