Multiple configuration medical sensor and technique for using the same

• US 20080221413A1
• Filed: 03/09/2007
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hoarau, Carine
• Granted Patent: US 7,894,869 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/310
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips

Abstract

A sensor may be adapted to be placed on multiple tissue sites. A sensor is provided that may have one configuration associated with use on a digit and a second configuration associated with use on another tissue site, such as a forehead. Further, a sensor may be adapted to be a transmission-type sensor or a reflectance-type sensor, depending on its configuration.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising:

a conformable sensor body having a first configuration adapted to be applied to a first tissue site and a second configuration adapted to be applied to a second tissue site; and

an emitter and a detector disposed on the sensor body.

2. 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.

3. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode and wherein the detector comprises at least one photodetector.

4. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first tissue site comprises a digit and wherein the second patient site comprises a forehead.

5. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first tissue site comprises an adult tissue site and wherein the second patient site comprises a pediatric tissue site.

6. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first configuration and the second configuration comprise a reflectance-type sensor.

7. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first configuration comprises a transmission-type sensor and the second configuration comprises a reflectance-type sensor.

8. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor body comprises a perforated region adapted to define a removable portion of the sensor.

9. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, comprising a marker disposed on the sensor body indicating a foldable or removable portion of the sensor.

10. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, comprising an indicator adapted to provide an electronic signal relating to a first configuration or a second configuration.

11. The sensor, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the indicator comprises a breakable conductive element, a temperature sensor, a resistor, or a combination thereof.

12. A sensor comprising:

a sensor body having a first portion and a second portion that is removable from the first portion, wherein the first portion of the sensor body is adapted to be applied to a patient'"'"'s forehead and the first portion and the second portion of the sensor body are adapted to be applied to a patient'"'"'s digit; and

an emitter and a detector disposed on the sensor body.

13. The sensor, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a pulse oximetry sensor or a sensor for measuring a water fraction.

14. The sensor, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.

15. The sensor, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the detector comprises at least one photodetector.

16. The sensor, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the emitter and the detector are disposed on the first portion of the sensor body.

17. The sensor, as set forth in claim 16, comprising a second emitter or a second detector disposed on the second portion of the sensor body.

18. The sensor, as set forth in claim 12, comprising a perforated region disposed between the first portion and the second portion.

19. The sensor, as set forth in claim 12, comprising a marker disposed on the sensor body indicating the removable portion of the sensor.

20. The sensor, as set forth in claim 12, comprising an indicator adapted to provide an electronic signal relating to a first configuration or a second configuration.

21. The sensor, as set forth in claim 20, wherein the indicator comprises a breakable conductive element, a temperature sensor, a resistor, or a combination thereof.

22. A sensor comprising:

a conformable sensor body having a first configuration adapted to be applied to a first tissue site and a second configuration adapted to be applied to a second tissue site, the first configuration being adapted to measure a first physiological parameter and the second configuration being adapted to be measure a second physiological parameter; and

an emitter and a detector disposed on the sensor body.

23. The sensor, as set forth in claim 22, wherein the first physiological parameter comprises a blood oxygen saturation and the second physiological parameter comprises a water fraction.

24. The sensor, as set forth in claim 22, wherein the first physiological parameter comprises a blood oxygen saturation and the second physiological parameter comprises a carboxyhemoglobin or a methemoglobin.

25. The sensor, as set forth in claim 22, wherein the emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode and wherein the detector comprises at least one photodetector.

26. The sensor, as set forth in claim 22, wherein the first tissue site comprises a digit and wherein the second patient site comprises a forehead.

27. The sensor, as set forth in claim 22, wherein the first configuration and the second configuration comprise a reflectance-type sensor.

28. The sensor, as set forth in claim 22, wherein the first configuration comprises a transmission-type sensor and the second configuration comprises a reflectance-type sensor.

29. The sensor, as set forth in claim 22, wherein the sensor body comprises a perforated region adapted to define a removable portion of the sensor.

30. The sensor, as set forth in claim 22, comprising a marker disposed on the sensor body indicating a foldable or removable portion of the sensor.

31. The sensor, as set forth in claim 22, comprising an indicator adapted to provide an electronic signal relating to a first configuration or a second configuration.

32. The sensor, as set forth in claim 29, wherein the indicator comprises a breakable conductive element, a temperature sensor, a resistor, or a combination thereof.

33. A pulse oximetry system comprising:

a pulse oximetry monitor; and

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

a conformable sensor body having a first configuration adapted to be applied to a first tissue site and a second configuration adapted to be applied to a second tissue site; and

an emitter and a detector disposed on the sensor body.

34. The system, as set forth in claim 33, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a pulse oximetry sensor or a sensor for measuring a water fraction.

35. The system, as set forth in claim 33, wherein the emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode and wherein the detector comprises at least one photodetector.

36. The system, as set forth in claim 33, wherein the first tissue site comprises a digit and wherein the second patient site comprises a forehead.

37. The system, as set forth in claim 33, wherein the first tissue site comprises an adult tissue site and wherein the second patient site comprises a pediatric tissue site.

38. The system, as set forth in claim 33, wherein the first configuration and the second configuration comprise a reflectance-type sensor.

39. The system, as set forth in claim 33, wherein the first configuration comprises a transmission-type sensor and the second configuration comprises a reflectance-type sensor.

40. The system, as set forth in claim 33, wherein the sensor body comprises a perforated region adapted to define a removable portion of the sensor.

41. The system, as set forth in claim 33, comprising a marker disposed on the sensor body indicating a foldable or removable portion of the sensor.

42. The system, as set forth in claim 33, comprising an indicator adapted to provide an electronic signal to the monitor relating to a first configuration or a second configuration.

43. The system, as set forth in claim 42, wherein the indicator comprises a breakable conductive element, a temperature sensor, a resistor, or a combination thereof.

44. A method of operating a multi-configuration sensor comprising:

emitting light into a patient'"'"'s tissue with an emitter disposed on a sensor body;

detecting the light with a detector disposed on the sensor body; and

providing a signal related to whether the sensor body is in a first configuration or a second configuration.

45. The method, as set forth in claim 44, comprising removing a portion of the sensor body to switch from the first configuration to the second configuration.

46. The method, as set forth in claim 44, comprising folding a portion of the sensor body to switch from the first configuration to the second configuration.

47. The method, as set forth in claim 44, wherein providing the signal related to whether the sensor body is in a first configuration or a second configuration comprises measuring a temperature of the patient'"'"'s tissue.

48. The method, as set forth in claim 44, wherein providing the signal related to whether the sensor body is in a first configuration or a second configuration comprises opening a circuit.

49. A method of manufacturing a sensor, comprising:

providing a conformable sensor body having a first configuration adapted to be applied to a first tissue site and a second configuration adapted to be applied to a second tissue site; and

providing an emitter and a detector disposed on the sensor body.

50. The method, as set forth in claim 49, comprising providing a perforated region adapted to define a removable portion of the sensor.

51. The method, as set forth in claim 49, comprising providing a marker disposed on the sensor body indicating a foldable or removable portion of the sensor.

52. The method, as set forth in claim 49, comprising providing an indicator adapted to provide an electronic signal relating to a first configuration or a second configuration.

53. The method, as set forth in claim 52, wherein providing the indicator comprises providing a breakable conductive element, a temperature sensor, a resistor, or a combination thereof.