Selectively plated sensor
First Claim
1. An optical probe for non-invasive measurement of characteristics of a medium, comprising:
- an emitter which transmits optical radiation;
a detector configured to detect said optical radiation transmitted by said emitter and attenuated by said medium; and
a flexible circuit assembly including said emitter, said detector, and a connector tab, said connector tab adapted to releasably engage a connector, said flexible circuit assembly having electrical circuit paths coupling said emitter and said detector with said connector tab, said electrical circuit paths having component connection areas positioned and adapted to facilitate electrical connection between said paths and said emitter and detector, and a contact area defined on the connector tab and adapted to facilitate electrical connection between said paths and said connector;
wherein the circuit paths in the contact area and component connection areas are coated with a solderable protective coating, and the rest of said circuit paths are coated with non-conductive insulation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A selectively plated low-noise optical sensor for non-invasive physiological monitoring has an LED emitter that emits light at a known wavelength. The light propagates through a body material and an attenuated signal is received by a photodetector, which produces an electrical signal indicative of the intensity of light energy incident on the detector. The electrical signal is conducted through a plurality of traces to a contact end of the sensor. The contact end allows connection to a connector which communicates the electrical signal to a processor. The emitter and detector are connected to the sensor traces at trace connection pads in the component connection areas. The trace connection pads in the contact area and the connection areas are electroplated with a protective metallic layer. The traces are otherwise covered with a solder mask. In this manner, solderability of the connection pads is enhanced and the traces and connection pads are protected from environmental factors which may cause noise-generating degradation.
422 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An optical probe for non-invasive measurement of characteristics of a medium, comprising:
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an emitter which transmits optical radiation;
a detector configured to detect said optical radiation transmitted by said emitter and attenuated by said medium; and
a flexible circuit assembly including said emitter, said detector, and a connector tab, said connector tab adapted to releasably engage a connector, said flexible circuit assembly having electrical circuit paths coupling said emitter and said detector with said connector tab, said electrical circuit paths having component connection areas positioned and adapted to facilitate electrical connection between said paths and said emitter and detector, and a contact area defined on the connector tab and adapted to facilitate electrical connection between said paths and said connector;
wherein the circuit paths in the contact area and component connection areas are coated with a solderable protective coating, and the rest of said circuit paths are coated with non-conductive insulation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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- 11. A flexible circuit assembly for providing electrical communication between at least one component and a connector, comprising a plurality of electrical circuit paths extending between the connector and the component, at least one contact area being defined along the paths, and the component attaches to the paths at one contact area, the circuit paths being covered with a solderable protective coating in the at least one contact area and the circuit paths being otherwise covered with non-conductive insulation.
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18. A method for making a flexible circuit assembly for a medical sensor, comprising the steps of:
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forming a plurality of electrical circuit paths on at least one side of a flexible substrate;
defining a contact area at a first end of the circuit paths and at least one component connection area at a second end of the circuit paths;
providing an emitter adapted to transmit optical radiation;
providing a detector configured to detect said optical radiation transmitted by said emitter;
coating the electrical circuit paths except for said contact and component connection areas with insulation;
coating the electrical circuit paths in said contact and component connection areas with a solderable protective coating; and
electrically connecting the detector to at least one circuit path in the component connection area.
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29. An optical probe for non-invasive measurement of characteristics of a medium, comprising:
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an emitter which transmits optical radiation;
a detector configured to detect said optical radiation transmitted by said emitter and attenuated by said medium; and
a flexible circuit assembly including said emitter, said detector, and a connector tab, said flexible circuit assembly having electrical circuit paths connecting said emitter and said detector with said connector tab, said electrical circuit paths being coated with a solderable protective coating comprising a layer of gold.
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Specification