Resposable pulse oximetry sensor

• US 20020115919A1
• Filed: 04/23/2002
• Published: 08/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ammar Al-Ali
• Original Assignee: Ammar Al-Ali
• Inventors: Al-Ali, Ammar
• Granted Patent: US 6,725,075 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 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4478 Line condition change responsive

Abstract

A pulse oximeter sensor has both a reusable and a disposable portion. The reusable portion of the sensor preserves the relatively long-lived and costly emitter, detector and connector components. The disposable portion of the sensor is the relatively inexpensive adhesive tape component that is used to secure the sensor to a measurement site, typically a patient'"'"'s finger or toe. The disposable portion of the sensor is removably attached to the reusable portion in a manner that allows the disposable portion to be readily replaced when the adhesive is expended or the tape becomes soiled or excessively worn. The disposable portion may also contain an information element useful for sensor identification or for security purposes to insure patient safety. A conductive element that allows a pulse oximeter monitor to read the information element is located on the disposable portion in such a way that continuity is broken when the adhesive tape become torn, such as upon removal from the measurement site.

Claims

1. A disposable substrate for substantially securing reusable components of a pulse oximetry sensor to a measurement site of a patient, the disposable substrate comprising:

a substrate;

an information element and a breakable conductor disposed within or on the substrate and electrically connected to one another; and

an electrical contact portion electrically connected to the information element and the breakable conductor, and configured to electrically connect to a reusable portion of a pulse oximetry sensor including an emitter and a detector, when the substrate is combined with the reusable portion,

wherein the substrate is also configured to substantially secure the reusable portion in proximity to a measurement site.

2. Reusable circuitry for combining with a disposable quality control and identification mechanism to form a pulse oximetry sensor, the reusable circuitry comprising:

an emitter configured to irradiate a measurement site with light;

a detector configured to detect the irradiated light; and

an electrical contact portion configured to make an electrical connection with a breakable conductor and information element housed within or on an attachment mechanism for substantially positioning the reusable circuitry in proximity to the measurement site, wherein communication with the electrical contact portion provides information on a type of the reusable circuitry and whether one of the reusable circuitry and the attachment mechanism has been overused.

3. A method of determining a type of pulse oximetry sensor and whether the sensor has been overused, the method comprising:

combining components including a reusable emitter, a reusable detector, a breakable conductor, information element, and a securing mechanism, to form a pulse oximetry sensor, wherein two or more of the components form an electrical circuit; and

determining from characteristics of the electrical circuit a type of one or more of the components and whether at least one of the components has been overused.

4. A pulse oximetry sensor comprising;

reusable means for determining a characteristic of a measurement site, including a means for emitting light through tissue of the measurement site, means for receiving the light from the tissue, and means for completing an electrical circuit; and

disposable means for substantially securing the reusable means to the measurement site, including means for determining overuse of the disposable means and means for determining a type of the pulse oximetry sensor, wherein the means for determining overuse and the means for determining the type are electrically connected to the means for completing the electrical circuit.