MUCOSAL SENSOR FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF TISSUE AND BLOOD CONSTITUENTS AND TECHNIQUE FOR USING THE SAME

• US 20120271131A1
• Filed: 07/02/2012
• Published: 10/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kling, Carl, Campbell, Shannon
• Application Number:
  US13/540,301
• Publication Number:
  US 20120271131A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/324
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/146 for optical coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6819 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/682 Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A sensor for physiological constituent detection may be adapted to include a mucoadhesive. A sensor is provided that is appropriate for use on mucosal tissue. The mucoadhesive provides a mechanism for holding the sensor on the mucous membrane in order to measure physiological constituent levels in the tissue and blood.

Claims

1. A sensor kit, comprising:

a sensor comprising;

an indicator configured to provide feedback related to a physiological constituent, wherein the indicator comprises an emitter and a detector disposed on a tissue-contacting surface of the sensor;

a mucoadhesive disposed on the tissue-contacting surface of the sensor, wherein the mucoadhesive is in direct contact with the emitter and the detector; and

a protective package configured to house the sensor, wherein the protective package comprises a material configured to reduce drying out or oxidation of the mucoadhesive.

2. The sensor kit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the material comprises a foil.

3. The sensor kit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mucoadhesive comprises an acrylic acid polymer, a methyl vinyl copolymer, or a polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

4. The sensor kit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mucoadhesive comprises a liquid or a gel.

5. The sensor kit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the physiological constituent comprises at least one of a tissue or a blood constituent.

6. The sensor kit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the physiological constituent comprises at least one of carboxyhemoglobin or methemoglobin.

7. The sensor kit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a pulse oximetry sensor.

8. The sensor kit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode and wherein the detector comprises at least one photodetector.

9. The sensor kit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mucoadhesive is configured to degrade over time.

10. The sensor kit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mucoadhesive is configured to dissolve upon contact with a solvent.

11. The sensor kit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a removable substrate disposed on the tissue-contacting surface of the sensor, wherein the removable substrate is configured to cover the mucoadhesive.

12. A system, comprising:

a monitor; and

a sensor configured to be operatively coupled to the monitor, wherein the sensor comprises;

a substrate comprising a tissue-contacting surface shaped to be secured to a mucosal tissue of a patient;

an indicator configured to provide feedback to the monitor related to a physiological constituent of the patient, wherein the indicator comprises an emitter and a detector disposed on the tissue-contacting surface; and

a mucoadhesive disposed on the tissue-contacting surface of the sensor such that the mucoadhesive is in direct contact with the indicator.

13. The system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the mucoadhesive comprises an acrylic acid polymer, a methyl vinyl copolymer, or a polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

14. The system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the mucoadhesive comprises a liquid or a gel.

15. The system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a pulse oximetry sensor or a carbon dioxide sensor.

16. A method of manufacturing a sensor, comprising:

providing a substrate comprising a tissue-contacting surface shaped to be secured to a mucosal tissue of a patient;

providing an emitter and a detector disposed on the substrate; and

providing a mucoadhesive disposed on the tissue-contacting surface such that the mucoadhesive is in direct contact with the emitter and the detector.

17. The method, as set forth in claim 16, wherein the sensor comprises a pulse oximetry sensor.

18. The method, as set forth in claim 16, comprising providing a removable layer disposed on the tissue-contacting surface of the sensor, wherein the removable layer is configured to cover the mucoadhesive.

19. The method, as set forth in claim 16, comprising providing a housing surrounding the sensor.

20. The method, as set forth in claim 16, comprising providing a cable coupled to the emitter and the detector.