Medical sensor and technique for using the same

• US 20090163783A1
• Filed: 12/21/2007
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Baker, Clark R. JR., Mannheimer, Paul D., Bowman, Bruce R., Middleman, Lee M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,346,328 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/306
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6829 Foot or ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed may include a sensor which may be adapted to provide information related to its position on a patient'"'"'s tissue. A sensor may be provided with tissue contact sensors which may relay a signal related to the sensor'"'"'s proper placement adjacent a patient'"'"'s tissue. Such a sensor may be useful for providing information to a clinician about the status of a sensor, such as if a sensor may be located more closely to the tissue in order to provide improved measurements.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising:

a sensor body;

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

an electrode tissue contact sensor disposed adjacent the sensor body, wherein the electrode tissue contact sensor is capable of providing a signal related to the distance from the electrode to tissue of a patient.

2. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a pulse oximetry sensor or a sensor configured to measure a water fraction.

3. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the emitter comprises a light emitting diode.

4. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a photodetector.

5. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the signal comprises an ambient electrical noise signal.

6. A sensor comprising:

a sensor body;

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

a temperature-based tissue contact sensor disposed adjacent the sensor body, wherein the temperature-based tissue contact sensor is capable of providing an electrical feedback signal related to distance between the temperature-based tissue contact sensor and tissue of a patient.

7. The sensor, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the sensor comprises a pulse oximetry sensor or a sensor configured to measure a water fraction.

8. The sensor, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the emitter comprises a light emitting diode.

9. The sensor, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the detector comprises a photodetector.

10. The sensor, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the tissue contact sensor comprises at least two temperature sensors.

11. The sensor, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the at least two temperature sensors are positioned to contact the patient.

12. The sensor, as set for in claim 10, wherein at least one of the at least two temperature sensors is capable of sensing ambient temperature.

13. The sensor, as set forth in claim 10, wherein a first temperature sensor of the at least two temperature sensors is disposed adjacent the sensor body proximate to the emitter.

14. The sensor, as set forth in claim 10, wherein a first temperature sensor of the at least two temperature sensors is disposed adjacent the sensor body proximate to the detector.

15. A sensor comprising:

a sensor body; and

an emitter disposed adjacent the sensor body, wherein the emitter is capable of emitting a reference wavelength strongly absorbed by tissue of a patient, and a signal wavelength utilized to detect a tissue constituent; and

a detector capable of detecting the reference wavelength and the signal wavelength.

16. The sensor, as set forth in claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises a pulse oximetry sensor or a sensor configured to measure a water fraction.

17. The sensor, as set forth in claim 15, wherein the emitter comprises a light emitting diode.

18. The sensor, as set forth in claim 15, wherein the detector comprises a photodetector.

19. The sensor, as set forth in claim 15, wherein the reference wavelength is generally between 1200-2500 nm or between 400-600 nm.

20. The sensor, as set forth in claim 15, wherein the signal wavelength is generally between 600-1200 nm.

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

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