PULSE OXIMETRY SENSOR WITH IMPROVED APPENDAGE CUSHION

• US 20020156353A1
• Filed: 04/20/2001
• Published: 10/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Datex-Ohmeda Incorporated (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Datex-Ohmeda Incorporated (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Larson, Eric Russell
• Granted Patent: US 6,505,061 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

Abstract

The invention is directed to reusable, clip-type oximetry sensors that comprise opposing top and bottom members. In one aspect, the sensor includes a resilient spring member interposed between the top and bottom members to provide a closing force, wherein the resilient spring member comprises tensile and compressive portions. That is, upon positioning a patient appendage in the sensor different portions of the resilient spring member are in tension and in compression so as to combinatively provide an enhanced closing force utilized to secure the patient appendage between the top and bottom members. The resilient spring member may be of a molded, monolithic construction, comprising an elastomeric material. In another aspect, the inventive sensor includes cushions interconnected to the top and bottom members via snap-fit engagement. The snap-fit engagement may be provided by a plurality of interconnecting member pairs (e.g., projections and mating recesses), wherein the connection axes of the members comprising each pair are transversely disposed to yield enhanced interconnection via two-dimensional restraint between the cushions assemblies and top and bottom members.

Claims

1. A pulse oximetry sensor, comprising:

top and bottom members disposed in opposing and hinged relation;

at least one cushion for engaging a patient appendage; and

,

a plurality of interconnecting member sets for interconnecting cushion to one of said top and bottom members, and comprising, wherein at least two of said interconnecting member sets define corresponding connection axes which are transverse to one another.

2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein each of said interconnecting member sets comprises a projection and a mating recess.

3. The sensor of claim 2, wherein said at least one cushion and said one of said top and bottom members each comprise at least one said projection and at least one said mating recess.

4. The sensor of claim 2, wherein each said mating recess is configured to restrict movement of the corresponding projection in at least two dimensions.

5. The sensor of claim 2, wherein the projection of at least one of said interconnecting member sets is of a wedge-shaped configuration.

6. The sensor of claim 1, wherein said at least one cushion comprises:

a frame;

a pliable member supported about a polygonal area by said frame; and

an optical window supported about its periphery within said polygonal area by said pliable member.

7. The sensor of claim 6, wherein said pliable member is free to flex relative to said frame and thereby dispose said optical window in conformal, adjacent relation to a patient appendage.

8. The sensor of claim 7, further comprising:

at least one of a light emitter and a light detector supportably interconnected to said optical window.

9. The sensor of claim 6, wherein said frame and said pliable member are configured to define a concave surface having a center axis extending parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the sensor.

10. The sensor of claim 6, wherein said pliable member comprises a polymeric material over-molded onto said frame.

11. The sensor of claim 10, wherein said polymeric material is an elastomer.

12. The sensor of claim 10, wherein said frame is of a molded polymer construction.

13. The sensor of claim 10, wherein said pliable member is over-molded onto said optics window.

14. The sensor of claim 4, wherein each of said interconnecting member sets comprises a projection and a mating recess, and wherein said frame and said one of said top and bottom members each comprise at least one said projection and at least one said mating recess.

15. The sensor of claim 14, wherein different ones of said plurality of interconnecting member sets are located on two opposing sides of said sensor and on a forward side of said sensor.

17. The sensor of claim 16, wherein said at least one cushion further comprises:

an optical window supported about its periphery within said polygonal area by said pliable member, wherein said pliable member is free to flex relative to said frame and thereby dispose said optical window in conformal, adjacent relation to a patient appendage.

18. The sensor of claim 17, further comprising:

at least one of a light emitter and a light detector supportably interconnected to said optical window.

19. The sensor of claim 16, further comprising:

snap-fit means for interconnecting said at least one cushion to said one of said top and bottom members.

16. A pulse oximetry sensor, comprising:

top and bottom members disposed in opposing relation; and

,

at least one cushion, interconnected to one of said top and bottom members, for engaging a patient appendage, including;

a rigid frame comprising a polymeric material; and

,

a pliable member over-molded on said frame about a polygonal area and comprising an elastomeric material.

20. A pulse oximetry sensor, comprising:

top and bottom members disposed in opposing and hinged relation;

top and bottom cushions interconnected to said top and bottom members, respectively, each of said cushions comprising;

a frame;

a pliable member supported about a polygonal area by said frame; and

,

an optics window supported about its periphery within said polygonal area by said pliable member; and

,

top and bottom snap-fit means for interconnecting said top cushion to said top member and for interconnecting said bottom cushion to said bottom member, respectively, wherein each said top and bottom snap-fit means includes at least two interconnecting member sets that define corresponding connection axes which are transverse to one another.