Medical Sensor And Technique For Using The Same

• US 20100076282A1
• Filed: 09/25/2008
• Published: 03/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Sandmore, Donald
• Granted Patent: US 8,364,220 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/340
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 1/242 Means for mounting detecting, signalling or lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02433 for infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6806 Gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/3144 for oxymetry

Abstract

According to embodiments, a headcovering hat-based, and/or headband sensor assembly may provide an output to indicate when the sensor experiences abnormal forces or pressure. The sensor assembly may include features to increase the pressure against the tissue to allow the sensor to contact the tissue with sufficient force to obtain accurate measurement, but not so much force as to cause any discomfort for a patient.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a headcovering capable of being applied to a patient'"'"'s head;

a substrate disposed on the headcovering;

an emitter disposed on the substrate;

a detector disposed on the substrate;

a cable extending from the substrate through an open portion of the headcovering configured to be proximate to a top of the headcovering when the headcovering is applied to the patient; and

a pressure sensor associated with the headcovering, wherein the pressure sensor is capable of providing a pressure indication.

2. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pressure indication comprises an electrical signal representative of the pressure.

3. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a displacement-based sensor.

4. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a colorimetric film.

5. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is disposed on the substrate.

6. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the headcovering comprises a neonatal stocking cap.

7. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, comprising a tightening structure capable of increasing the pressure of the substrate against the patient'"'"'s head.

8. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, comprising a plurality of indicia for openings disposed on the headcovering, wherein the openings facilitate a mechanical alteration of the stocking cap to the pressure of the stocking cap against the patient'"'"'s head.

9. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the indicia comprise slits or holes.

10. A pulse oximetry system comprising:

a pulse oximetry monitor; and

a sensor assembly capable of being operatively coupled to the monitor, the sensor assembly comprising;

a headcovering capable of being applied to a patient'"'"'s head;

a substrate disposed on the headcovering;

an emitter disposed on the substrate;

a detector disposed on the substrate;

a cable extending from the substrate through an open portion of the headcovering, configured to be proximate to a top of the headcovering when the headcovering is applied to the patient; and

a pressure sensor associated with the headcovering, wherein the pressure sensor is capable of providing a feedback to the monitor.

11. The system, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the feedback comprises an electrical signal.

12. The system, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a displacement-based sensor.

13. The system, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a colorimetric film.

14. The system, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the pressure sensor is disposed on the substrate.

15. The system, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the headcovering comprises a neonatal stocking cap.

16. The system, as set forth in claim 10, comprising a tightening structure capable of increasing the pressure of the substrate against the patient'"'"'s head.

17. The system, as set forth in claim 10, comprising a plurality of indicia for openings disposed on the headcovering, wherein the openings facilitate a mechanical alteration of the headcovering to the pressure of the headcovering against the patient'"'"'s head.

18. The system, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the monitor is capable of displaying an indication when the pressure is generally not in the range of 16 mm Hg-90 mm Hg.

19. The system, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the monitor is capable of displaying an indication when the pressure is generally not in the range of 200 mm Hg-40 mm Hg.

20. A method comprising:

emitting light into a tissue with an emitter;

detecting the light with a detector;

measuring a physiological characteristic based at least in part upon the detected light;

detecting a force experienced by at least one of the emitter and the detector with a force-sensitive sensor; and

adjusting the position of the emitter and the detector against the tissue with a tightening structure when the force is outside of a predetermined range.