NONINVASIVE OXIMETRY OPTICAL SENSOR INCLUDING DISPOSABLE AND REUSABLE ELEMENTS
First Claim
1. A reusable portion of a noninvasive optical oximetry sensor, the sensor when assembled with a disposable portion being configured to attach to a measurement site of a monitored patient and to output signals responsive to light absorption by tissue at said measurement site, said signals including sufficient information for an oximeter to determine one or more physiological parameters of the patient including at least one of oxygen saturation or pulse rate, the reusable portion comprising:
- a flex circuit;
a light source;
one or more detectors configured to detect light from said light source after attenuation by said tissue and output said signals responsive to said detected light;
a plurality of conductors proximate said flex circuit, some of said conductors communicating with said light source and others of said conductors communicating with said one or more detectors;
a protective coating encasing at least said light source, said one or more detectors and at least some of said conductors and some of said flex circuit; and
tabs proximate at least said light source and said one or more detectors, said tabs configured to mate with slots of said disposable portion where at least some of said tabs can move with respect to a corresponding mated slot to self-adjust the disposable portion and the reusable portion with respect to one another when the disposable portion is applied to said patient after sensor assembly.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pulse oximetry sensor includes reusable and disposable elements. To assemble the sensor, members of the reusable element are mated with assembly mechanisms of the disposable element. The assembled sensor provides independent movement between the reusable and disposable elements.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A reusable portion of a noninvasive optical oximetry sensor, the sensor when assembled with a disposable portion being configured to attach to a measurement site of a monitored patient and to output signals responsive to light absorption by tissue at said measurement site, said signals including sufficient information for an oximeter to determine one or more physiological parameters of the patient including at least one of oxygen saturation or pulse rate, the reusable portion comprising:
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a flex circuit; a light source; one or more detectors configured to detect light from said light source after attenuation by said tissue and output said signals responsive to said detected light; a plurality of conductors proximate said flex circuit, some of said conductors communicating with said light source and others of said conductors communicating with said one or more detectors; a protective coating encasing at least said light source, said one or more detectors and at least some of said conductors and some of said flex circuit; and tabs proximate at least said light source and said one or more detectors, said tabs configured to mate with slots of said disposable portion where at least some of said tabs can move with respect to a corresponding mated slot to self-adjust the disposable portion and the reusable portion with respect to one another when the disposable portion is applied to said patient after sensor assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of assembling a noninvasive optical oximetry sensor, the method comprising:
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providing a disposable element of a sensor including an attachment mechanism configured to removably attach to a patient at a measurement site; providing a reusable element of said sensor, the reusable element including a flex circuit, a light source, one or more detectors configured to detect light from said light source after attenuation by said tissue and output said signals responsive to said detected light, a plurality of conductors proximate said flex circuit, some of said conductors communicating with said light source and others of said conductors communicating with said one or more detectors, a protective coating encasing at least said light source, said one or more detectors and at least some of said conductors and some of said flex circuit, and tabs proximate at least said light source and said one or more detectors, said tabs configured to mate with slots of said disposable element where at least some of said tabs can move with respect to a corresponding mated slot to self-adjust the disposable element and the reusable element with respect to one another when the disposable element is applied to said patient after sensor assembly; and positioning the tabs within the slots. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification