OXIMETRY SENSOR OVERMOLDING LOCATION FEATURES

• US 20090171171A1
• Filed: 12/22/2008
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Singh, Joshua, Matlock, George L.
• Application Number:
  US12/340,961
• Publication Number:
  US 20090171171A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/310
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a frame for a sensor. In an embodiment, the frame includes a frame body and one or more surface features configured to position the frame body within a mold. In certain embodiments, some or all of the frame may be overmolded such that the overmold material is substantially flush with terminal surfaces of the respective one or more surface features.

Claims

1. A sensor frame, comprising:

a frame body; and

at least one surface feature capable of generally positioning the frame body within a mold.

2. The sensor frame of claim 1, wherein the at least one surface feature contacts the mold when the frame body is positioned generally in the mold.

3. The sensor frame of claim 2, wherein the at least one surface feature comprises a pin or tab projecting generally outward from the frame body.

4. The sensor frame of claim 1, wherein the at least one surface feature generally defines an outer boundary of an overmold applied over the frame body.

5. The sensor frame of claim 1, further comprising an overmold material disposed over at least a portion of the frame body.

6. The sensor frame of claim 1, wherein the frame body comprises a polymeric material.

7. A sensor assembly, comprising:

a light emitting component;

a photodetecting component;

a flex circuit operably coupled to the light emitting component and the light detecting component;

a frame comprising one or more surface features, the frame being operably coupled to the flex circuit; and

an overmold material disposed over at least part of the frame such that the surface of the overmold material is generally flush with terminal surfaces of the respective one or more surface features.

8. The sensor assembly of claim 7, wherein the overmold material disposed over the frame comprises a generally smooth surface.

9. The sensor assembly of claim 7, wherein the one or more surface features defines, at least in part, the thickness of the overmold material.

10. The sensor assembly of claim 7, wherein the light emitting component comprises one or more light emitting diodes.

11. The sensor assembly of claim 7, wherein the photodetecting component comprises a photodiode.

12. The sensor assembly of claim 7, wherein the one or more surface features comprise pins or tabs projecting generally outward from the frame.

13. The sensor assembly of claim 7, wherein the one or more surface features are capable of orienting the frame relative to a mold.

14. The sensor assembly of claim 7, wherein the frame comprises a polymeric material.

15. The sensor assembly of claim 7, wherein the overmold comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.

16. A method for manufacturing a sensor, comprising:

positioning a frame generally within a mold such that surface features on at least part of the frame generally restrict the motion of the frame within the mold; and

coating the frame in the mold.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising:

placing at least one of a light emitting component or a photodetecting component on the frame; and

electrically connecting a flex circuit to the light emitting component or the photodetecting component.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein coating the frame comprises overmolding the frame using injection molding techniques.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the surface features project generally outward from the frame.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein coating the frame comprises overmolding the frame such that the overmold material is generally flush with the terminal surfaces of the surface features.