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

• US 20080058622A1
• Filed: 08/22/2006
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Baker, Clark R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,145,288 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/344
• 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

A sensor may be adapted to reduce signal artifacts by deflecting the effects of outside forces and sensor motion. A sensor is provided with a rigid annular structure adapted to reduce the effect of motion of a sensor emitter and/or detector. Further, a method of deflecting or minimizing outside forces and sensor motion is also provided.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising:

a sensor body;

at least one sensing element disposed on the sensor body; and

at least one rigid annular structure adapted to be removably applied to the sensor body.

2. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a blood constituent sensor or a tissue constituent sensor.

3. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a pulse oximetry sensor or a sensor for measuring a water fraction.

4. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensing element comprises at least one emitter.

5. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensing element comprises at least one detector.

6. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rigid annular structure comprises a ring.

7. The sensor, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the ring comprises a substantially oval shape.

8. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rigid annular structure comprises an arch, a collar, a thimble or a sleeve.

9. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor is adapted to operate in reflectance mode or transmission mode.

10. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor body comprises an alignment index adapted to indicate a predetermined position for the rigid annular structure on the sensor body.

11. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rigid annular structure has an adjustable diameter.

12. The sensor, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the rigid annular structure comprises a hinge.

13. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rigid annular structure is applied to less than 50% of the surface of the sensor body.

14. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rigid annular structure is adapted to cover at least one joint of a patient'"'"'s digit.

15. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a bandage-type sensor.

16. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor body is non-adhesive.

17. A physiologic monitoring system comprising:

a monitor; and

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

a sensor body;

at least one sensing element disposed on the sensor body; and

at least one rigid annular structure adapted to be removably applied to the sensor body.

18. The system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a blood constituent sensor or a tissue constituent sensor.

19. The system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a pulse oximetry sensor or a sensor for measuring a water fraction.

20. The system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the sensing element comprises at least one emitter.

21. The system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the sensing element comprises at least one detector.

22. The system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the rigid annular structure comprises a ring.

23. The system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the rigid annular structure comprises an arch, a collar a thimble or a sleeve.

24. The system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the sensor is adapted to operate in reflectance mode or transmission mode.

25. The system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the sensor body comprises an alignment index adapted to indicate a predetermined position for the rigid annular structure on the sensor body.

26. The system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the rigid annular structure has an adjustable diameter.

27. The system, as set forth in claim 26, wherein the rigid annular structure comprises a hinge.

28. The system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the rigid annular structure is applied to less than 50% of the surface of the sensor body.

29. The system as set forth in claim 17, wherein the rigid annular structure is adapted to cover at least one joint of a patient'"'"'s digit.

30. The system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the sensor comprises a bandage-type sensor.

31. The system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the sensor body is non-adhesive.

32. A method comprising:

deflecting a mechanical force with a rigid annular structure dispersed around an emitter and a detector of a sensor applied to a patient, wherein the rigid annular structure is removably applied to the sensor.

33. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the rigid annular structure comprises an arch, a collar, a ring, a sleeve, or a thimble.

34. The method, as set forth in claim 32, comprising deflecting the mechanical force with a spring.

35. The method, as set forth in claim 32, comprising preventing a patient joint from bending with the rigid annular structure.

36. A method of manufacturing a sensor, comprising:

providing sensor body;

providing at least one sensing element disposed on the sensor body; and

providing at least one rigid annular structure adapted to be removably applied to the sensor body.

37. The method, as set forth in claim 36, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a pulse oximetry sensor or a sensor for measuring a water fraction.

38. The method, as set forth in claim 36, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a blood constituent sensor or a tissue constituent sensor.

39. The method, as set forth in claim 36, wherein the rigid annular structure comprises a ring.

40. The method, as set forth in claim 36, wherein the rigid annular structure comprises an arch, a collar, a thimble, or a sleeve.

41. The method, as set forth in claim 36, wherein the sensor is adapted to operate in reflectance mode or transmission mode.

42. The method, as set forth in claim 36, comprising:

providing an alignment index adapted to indicate a predetermined position for the rigid annular structure on the sensor body.

43. The method, as set forth in claim 36, wherein the rigid annular structure has an adjustable diameter.

44. The method, as set forth in claim 36, wherein the rigid annular structure comprises a hinge.

45. A sensor kit comprising:

a sensor body;

an emitter and a detector disposed on the sensor body; and

a plurality of rigid annular structures of various sizes adapted to be removably applied to the sensor body.

46. The kit, as set forth in claim 45, wherein the plurality of rigid annular structures have various different diameters.

47. The kit, as set forth in claim 45, wherein the plurality of rigid annular structures have various different widths.

48. The kit, as set forth in claim 45, wherein the plurality of rigid annular structures have various different profiles.

49. The kit, as set forth in claim 45, wherein the wherein the plurality of rigid annular structures have various different colors.

50. The kit, as set forth in claim 45, wherein the plurality of rigid annular structures have various different patterns.