SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMBINED PHYSIOLOGICAL SENSORS

• US 20110112382A1
• Filed: 11/12/2010
• Published: 05/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Addison, Paul Stanley, McKenna, Edward M., Li, Youzhi, Chen, Bo
• Application Number:
  US12/944,950
• Publication Number:
  US 20110112382A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/182 Electrical shielding, e.g. using a Faraday cage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02427 Details of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for monitoring the physiological state of a subject. One or more physiological parameters of a subject may be determined from a photoplethysmograph (PPG) signal or signals obtained using at least one PPG sensor. In some embodiments, an electrical physiological signal (EPS) sensor may be located in or near a PPG sensor. A sensor configuration including both PPG sensors and EPS sensors may be advantageously used to detect a PPG signal or signals in combination with one or more EPS signal or signals. To reduce potential interference between an EPS sensor and a PPG sensor, fiber-optic input and output lines may be used to transmit optical signals from light generating circuitry and light detecting circuitry. In some embodiments, the generating and detecting circuitry may be located remotely from one another and may further be located remotely from the EPS sensor, PPG sensor, or both.

Claims

1. A physiological sensor device comprising:

a first sensor configured to receive a first electrical signal of a subject; and

a second sensor configured to transmit to or receive from the subject a first optical signal, the second sensor comprising;

an optical aperture configured to transmit or receive the first optical signal, wherein the second sensor is capable of being coupled with circuitry for generating the first optical signal or converting the first optical signal into a second electrical signal and wherein the circuitry is disposed remote from the first sensor to reduce electrical interference between the circuitry and the first sensor.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the optical aperture is disposed near the first sensor.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is an EEG sensor, and the first electrical signal is an EEG signal.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the second sensor is a PPG sensor.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the optical aperture and the circuitry are coupled by at least one fiber optic line.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first optical signal is transmitted by the second sensor into the subject, and wherein the second sensor is configured to receive a second optical signal from the subject.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the first optical signal is generated by the circuitry, and wherein the second optical signal is converted into the second electrical signal by the circuitry.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the first optical signal includes light of at least one wavelength.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein the first optical signal includes light of a plurality of wavelengths.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is included as part of the second sensor.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is included in a monitor remote from the second sensor.

12. A method for receiving physiological signals, comprising:

receiving a first electrical signal of a subject with a first sensor; and

transmitting a first optical signal into the subject with a second sensor, the second sensor comprising;

an optical aperture configured to transmit the first optical signal, wherein the second sensor is capable of being coupled with circuitry for generating the first optical signal and wherein the circuitry is disposed remote from the first sensor to reduce electrical interference between the circuitry and the first sensor.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the optical aperture is disposed near the first sensor.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first sensor is an EEG sensor, and the first electrical signal is an EEG signal.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the second sensor is a PPG sensor.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the optical aperture and the circuitry are coupled by at least one fiber optic line.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the first optical signal includes light of at least one wavelength.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the first optical signal includes light of a plurality of wavelengths.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the circuitry is included in a monitor remote from the second sensor.

20. A method for receiving physiological signals, comprising:

receiving a first electrical signal of a subject with a first sensor; and

receiving a first optical signal of the subject with a second sensor, the second sensor comprising;

an optical aperture configured to receiving the first optical signal, wherein the second sensor is capable of being coupled with circuitry for converting the first optical signal into a second electrical signal, wherein the circuitry is disposed remote from the first sensor to reduce electrical interference from the circuitry and the first sensor.