PROBE AND A METHOD FOR USE WITH A PROBE

• US 20070129616A1
• Filed: 12/01/2006
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Healthcare Finland OY (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: GE Healthcare Finland OY (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: RANTALA, Borje
• Granted Patent: US 8,126,525 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases

Abstract

The invention relates to a probe and a method for use with a probe, which produces signals indicative of the light absorption of arterial blood at least at a first light wave-length and at a second light wavelength. In order to indicate if the probe is not properly attached to a tissue site the method comprises measuring with at a third wave-length. The third wavelength is chosen so that human tissue is less transparent than at the first and second wavelengths.

Claims

1. A method for use with a probe which produces signals indicative of the light absorption of arterial blood at least at a first light wavelength and at a second light wavelength, wherein, in order to indicate if the probe is not properly attached to a tissue site, the method comprises:

measuring with at a third wavelength, the third wavelength being chosen so that human tissue is less transparent than at the first and second wavelengths.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a current transfer ratio (CTR) of two or more wavelengths is compared.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the third wavelength is shorter than 600 nm or longer than 1000 nm.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the third wavelength is essentially 550-500 nm or 1300 nm or more.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is for use with a pulse oximeter probe.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein more than one poorly penetrating wavelengths are used.

7. A probe, comprising:

a light source (2) configured to send optical signals through tissue at least at a first light wavelength and at a second light wavelength; and

a detector (3) configured to receive optical signals after transmission through the tissue for producing signals indicative of the light absorption of arterial blood, wherein, in order to indicate if the probe is not properly attached to a tissue site, the probe further comprises a light emitter (9) configured to produce a signal at a third wavelength, the third wavelength being chosen so that human tissue is less transparent than at the first and second wavelengths.

8. The probe of claim 7, wherein the probe further comprises a unit for comparing a current transfer ratio (CTR) of two or more wavelengths.

9. The probe of claim 7, wherein the third wavelength is shorter than 600 nm or longer than 1000 nm.

10. The probe of claim 9, wherein the third wavelength is essentially 500-550 nm or 1300 nm or more.

11. The probe of claim 7, wherein the probe is a pulse oximeter probe.

12. The probe of claim 7, wherein the probe further comprises at least more than one light emitters, wherein each of the at least more than one light emitters is configured to produce a poorly penetrating wavelength.