Medical sensor for reducing motion artifacts and technique for using the same

• US 20070073128A1
• Filed: 08/01/2006
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hoarau, Carine, Karst, Edward, Baker, Clark
• Granted Patent: US 8,060,171 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/340
• 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: A61B 5/6844 Monitoring or controlling distance between sensor and tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6886 Monitoring or controlling distance between sensor and tissue
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A sensor for pulse oximetry or other applications utilizing spectrophotometry may be adapted to reduce motion artifacts by fixing the optical distance between an emitter and detector. A flexible sensor is provided with a stiffening member to hold the emitter and detector of the sensor in a relatively fixed position when applied to a patient. Further, an annular or partially annular sensor is adapted to hold an emitter and detector of the sensor in a relatively fixed position when applied to a patient. A clip-style sensor is provided with a spacer that controls the distance between the emitter and detector.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising:

a substantially annular or partially annular sensor body adapted for use on a patient'"'"'s digit; and

an emitter and a detector disposed on the sensor body, wherein the sensor body is adapted to hold the emitter and detector at a substantially fixed optical distance relative to one another when the sensor is applied to a patient.

2. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor body is adapted to have an adjustable diameter.

3. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor body comprises an adjustment strap.

4. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor body comprises a hinge.

5. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor body is conformable.

6. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the emitter and the detector are adapted to operate in a transmission mode.

7. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the emitter and the detector are adapted to operate in a reflectance mode.

8. A pulse oximetry system comprising:

a pulse oximetry monitor; and

a pulse oximetry sensor adapted to be operatively coupled to the monitor, the sensor comprising;

a substantially annular or partially annular sensor body adapted for use on a patient'"'"'s digit; and

an emitter and a detector disposed on the sensor body, wherein the sensor body is adapted to hold the emitter and detector at a substantially fixed optical distance relative to one another when the sensor is applied to a patient.

9. The system, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the emitter and the detector are adapted to operate in transmission mode.

10. The system, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the emitter and the detector are adapted to operate in reflectance mode.

11. The system, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the sensor body is adapted to have an adjustable diameter.

12. The system, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the sensor body comprises an adjustment strap.

13. The system, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the sensor body comprises a hinge.

14. The sensor, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the sensor body is conformable.

15. A method of manufacturing a pulse oximetry sensor, comprising:

providing an annular or partially annular sensor body on which an emitter and a detector are disposed, wherein the sensor body is adapted to hold the emitter and the detector at a substantially fixed optical distance.

16. The method, as set forth in claim 15, comprising:

providing an adjustment strap.

17. The method, as set forth in claim 15, comprising:

providing a hinge in the sensor body.

18. The method, as set forth in claim 15, wherein the emitter and the detector are adapted to operate in transmission mode.

19. The method, as set forth in claim 15, wherein the emitter and the detector are adapted to operate in reflectance mode.

20. The method, as set forth in claim 15, wherein the sensor body is conformable.