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

• US 20080076995A1
• Filed: 09/22/2006
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hoarau, Carine
• Granted Patent: US 8,396,527 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/344
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/222 Electrical cables or leads therefor, e.g. coaxial cables or ribbon cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• 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 5/7207 of noise induced by motion artifacts

Abstract

A sensor may be adapted to reduce motion artifacts by mitigating the effects of the tissue moving within the sensor. A sensor is provided with an elastomeric sensor body adapted to accommodate patient motion. Further, a sensor is provided in which the sensor cable is arranged to mitigate its pressure on a patient'"'"'s tissue.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising:

a sensor body comprising an exterior surface and a tissue-contacting surface;

at least one sensing element disposed on the sensor body;

a cable adapted to be electrically coupled to the sensing element; and

a cable guide disposed on exterior surface of the sensor body, wherein the cable guide is adapted to hold the cable in a predetermined position on the sensor body.

2. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensing element comprises an emitter and a detector.

3. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cable guide is removable.

4. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cable guide comprises a loop, a snap, or a slot.

5. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cable guide comprises an adhesive.

6. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor body comprises at least one alignment index adapted to indicate the predetermined position for the cable on the sensor body.

7. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a reflectance-type sensor or a transmission-type sensor.

8. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cable guide is elastic.

9. A system comprising:

a monitor; and

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

a sensor body comprising an exterior surface and a tissue-contacting surface;

at least one sensing element disposed on the sensor body;

a cable adapted to be electrically coupled to the sensing element; and

a cable guide disposed on exterior surface of the sensor body, wherein the cable guide is adapted to hold the cable in a predetermined position on the sensor body.

10. The system, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the sensing element comprises an emitter and a detector.

11. The system, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the cable guide is removable.

12. The system, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the cable guide comprises a loop, a snap, or a slot.

13. The system, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the cable guide comprises an adhesive.

14. The system, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the sensor body comprises at least one alignment index adapted to indicate the predetermined position for the cable on the sensor body.

15. The system, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the sensor comprises a reflectance-type sensor or a transmission-type sensor.

16. The system, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the cable guide is elastic.

17. A method comprising:

applying a sensor body comprising a sensing component to a patient'"'"'s tissue; and

securing a sensor cable that is operatively connected to the sensing component in a predetermined position on a sensor body with a cable guide.

18. The method, as set forth in claim 17, comprising aligning the sensor cable with at least one alignment index.

19. The method, as set forth in claim 17, wherein securing the sensor cable comprises threading the sensor cable through a loop or a slot.

20. The method, as set forth in claim 17, wherein securing the sensor cable comprises attaching the sensor cable to the sensor body with an adhesive, a snap, or a hook and loop fastener.

21. A method of manufacturing a sensor, comprising:

providing a sensor body comprising an exterior surface and a tissue-contacting surface;

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

providing a cable adapted to be electrically coupled to the sensing element; and

providing a cable guide disposed on the exterior surface of the sensor body, wherein the cable guide is adapted to hold the cable in a predetermined position on the sensor body.

22. The method, as set forth in claim 21, wherein the cable guide is removable.

23. The method, as set forth in claim 21, wherein the cable guide comprises a loop, a snap, or a slot.

24. The method, as set forth in claim 21, wherein the cable guide comprises an adhesive.

25. The method, as set forth in claim 21, comprising:

providing at least one alignment index adapted to indicate the predetermined position for the cable on the sensor body.

26. The method, as set forth in claim 21, wherein the cable guide is elastic.