HEAT SINK FOR NONINVASIVE MEDICAL SENSOR
First Claim
1. A physiological sensor capable of outputting a signal responsive to a blood analyte present in a monitored patient, the sensor comprising:
- a sensor housing comprising an optical source configured to emit optical radiation on a body tissue of a medical patient;
a heat sink associated with the sensor, the heat sink operative to receive thermal energy from the optical source and release thermal energy outside of the sensor housing; and
a plurality of photodetectors each configured to detect the optical radiation from the optical source after attenuation by the body tissue of the medical patient and to output a signal responsive to the detected optical radiation, the signal reflecting one or more physiological parameters of the medical patient.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A noninvasive physiological sensor for measuring one or more physiological parameters of a medical patient can include a bump interposed between a light source and a photodetector. The bump can be placed in contact with body tissue of a patient and thereby reduce a thickness of the body tissue. As a result, an optical pathlength between the light source and the photodetector can be reduced. In addition, the sensor can include a heat sink that can direct heat away from the light source. Moreover, the sensor can include shielding in the optical path between the light source and the photodetector. The shielding can reduce noise received by the photodetector.
645 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A physiological sensor capable of outputting a signal responsive to a blood analyte present in a monitored patient, the sensor comprising:
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a sensor housing comprising an optical source configured to emit optical radiation on a body tissue of a medical patient; a heat sink associated with the sensor, the heat sink operative to receive thermal energy from the optical source and release thermal energy outside of the sensor housing; and a plurality of photodetectors each configured to detect the optical radiation from the optical source after attenuation by the body tissue of the medical patient and to output a signal responsive to the detected optical radiation, the signal reflecting one or more physiological parameters of the medical patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A physiological sensor capable of outputting a signal responsive to a blood analyte present in a monitored patient, the sensor comprising:
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a sensor housing comprising an optical source configured to emit optical radiation on a body tissue of a medical patient, the optical source comprising one or more emitters disposed on a submount; a conductive shield of a medical cable configured to be in electrical communication with the submount, such that the conductive shield acts at least in part as a heat sink for the one or more emitters; and a plurality of photodetectors each configured to detect the optical radiation from the optical source after attenuation by the body tissue of the medical patient and to output a signal responsive to the detected optical radiation, the signal reflecting one or more physiological parameters of the medical patient. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A heat sink of a noninvasive optical medical sensor capable of detecting light attenuated by body tissue, the heat sink comprising:
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a heat producing part of an electronic device; and a cable in thermal communication with the heat producing part, the cable comprising a conductor configured to draw heat from the heat producing part. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification