Medical Sensor

• US 20100081900A1
• Filed: 09/30/2008
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Price, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,417,309 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/324
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to a medical sensor configured to attach to a patient'"'"'s finger. According to embodiments, a sensor body is attached to a ring such that the sensor body is limited to contact with the patient'"'"'s finger. The ring may have a fixed diameter or be adjustable. The ring may also include an indicator that facilitates the determination of whether the ring applies appropriate tension to the patient'"'"'s finger. The sensor body may comprise a strip attached to the ring at two points or a hood that covers the distal end of the patient'"'"'s finger. The sensor body may be coupled to the patient'"'"'s finger with adhesives or securing flaps.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising.

a ring capable of being placed on a patient'"'"'s finger;

a sensor body having a substantially closed end and a substantially open end, the substantially open end being coupled to the ring, and the substantially closed end being capable of at least partially enclosing a distal end of the patient'"'"'s finger when the ring is placed on the patient'"'"'s finger;

a securing mechanism coupled to the sensor body, the securing mechanism being capable of generally securing the sensor body to the finger; and

a sensor disposed on the sensor body, the sensor being capable of coupling to the patient'"'"'s finger.

2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the ring is adjustable, such that the ring generally conforms to the patient'"'"'s finger.

3. The sensor of claim 2, wherein the ring comprises:

a generally rigid generally annular loop having a first radius of curvature; and

a semicircular spring having a second radius of curvature greater than the first radius of curvature, the spring disposed to an inside surface of the loop at an attachment point, such that when the ring is placed on the patient'"'"'s finger the spring compresses and provides tension on the finger.

4. The sensor of claim 2, wherein the ring comprises:

a first substantially semicircular arc, having a ring opening disposed to a first end and a hinge disposed to a second end;

a second substantially semicircular arc, having a first end being disposed to the hinge and a second end disposed to a sizing section, the sizing section being inserted into the ring opening;

a ratchet release mechanism configured to facilitate adjustment of the sizing section within the ring opening when the mechanism is engaged and preventing such adjustment when the mechanism is disengaged.

5. The sensor of claim 2, wherein the ring comprises:

a generally inelastic segment capable of being placed around the patient'"'"'s finger; and

a generally elastic segment coupled to the generally inelastic segment, the generally elastic segment having a fastener to secure the ring to the patient'"'"'s finger.

6. The sensor of claim 5, wherein the ring comprises at least one indicator capable of indicating whether the ring has been secured to a patient'"'"'s finger at an appropriate tension.

7. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor body comprises a strip coupled to the ring at two attachment points, the two attachment points positioned substantially opposite one another along the circumference of the ring.

8. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor body comprises a hood, wherein the substantially open end of the hood is coupled to the ring along the circumference of the ring.

9. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a layer of adhesive affixed to an inner surface of the sensor body.

10. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism comprises:

one or more flaps coupled to the sensor body; and

one or more layers of adhesive affixed to at least one side of each flap, the flaps configured to adhere to the sensor body, the patient'"'"'s finger, or the one or more flaps.

11. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a pulse oximetry sensor.

12. The sensor of claim 11, wherein the sensor comprises a transmission-type pulse oximetry sensor.

13. The sensor of claim 11, wherein the sensor comprises a reflectance-type pulse oximetry sensor.

14. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to be disabled if the sensor body is at least partially separated from the ring.

15. A pulse oximetry system comprising:

a pulse oximetry monitor; and

a pulse oximetry sensor operatively coupled to the pulse oximetry monitor, the pulse oximetry sensor comprising;

a ring capable of being placed on a patient'"'"'s finger;

a sensor body having a substantially closed end and a substantially open end, the substantially open end being coupled to the ring, and the substantially closed end being capable of at least partially enclosing a distal end of the patient'"'"'s finger when the ring is placed on the patient'"'"'s finger;

a securing mechanism coupled to the sensor body, the securing mechanism being capable of securing the sensor body to the finger; and

a sensor disposed on the sensor body, the sensor being capable of communicatively coupling to the patient'"'"'s finger.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the diameter of the ring is adjustable, such that the ring generally conforms to the patient'"'"'s finger.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the ring comprises:

a substantially rigid generally circular loop having a first radius of curvature; and

a semicircular spring having a second radius of curvature greater than the first radius of curvature, the spring disposed to an inside surface of the loop at an attachment point, such that when the ring is placed on the patient'"'"'s finger the spring compresses and provides tension on the finger.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the ring comprises:

a first substantially semicircular arc, having a ring opening disposed to a first end and a hinge disposed to a second end;

a second substantially semicircular arc, having a first end being disposed to the hinge and a second end disposed to a sizing section, the sizing section being inserted into the ring opening;

a ratchet release mechanism configured to facilitate adjustment of the sizing section within the ring opening when the mechanism is engaged and preventing such adjustment when the mechanism is disengaged.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the ring comprises:

a generally inelastic segment capable of being placed around the patient'"'"'s finger; and

a generally elastic segment coupled to the generally inelastic segment, the generally elastic segment having a fastener to secure the ring to the patient'"'"'s finger.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the ring comprises at least one indicator capable of indicating whether the ring has been secured to a patient'"'"'s finger at an appropriate tension.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the securing mechanism comprises:

one or more flaps coupled to the sensor body; and

one or more layers of adhesive affixed to at least one side of each flap, the flaps configured to adhere to the sensor body, the patient'"'"'s finger, or the one or more flaps.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises a transmission-type pulse oximetry sensor.

23. The system of claim 15, wherein the sensor is configured to be disabled if the sensor body is at least partially separated from the ring.