METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING VERSATILE NIRS SENSORS

• US 20130317367A1
• Filed: 11/08/2012
• Published: 11/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: J&m Shuler, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Michael Simms Shuler
• Inventors: SHULER, MICHAEL SIMMS
• Application Number:
  US13/671,861
• Publication Number:
  US 20130317367A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/473
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2505/03 Intensive care
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2505/05 Surgical care
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0238 Optical sensor arrangements for performing transmission measurements on body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0242 for varying or adjusting the optical path length in the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0017 transmitting optical signals transmission by light H04B10/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0261 using optical means, e.g. infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/082 Evaluation by breath analysis, e.g. determination of the chemical composition of exhaled breath A61B5/083, A61B5/091 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 : Detecting or monitoring sepsis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/413 : Monitoring transplanted tissue or organ, e.g. for possible rejection reactions after a transplant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/416 : the spleen
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/445 : Evaluating skin irritation or skin trauma, e.g. rash, eczema, wound, bed sore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4504 : Bones A61B5/4547 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4519 : Muscles A61B5/389, A61B5/224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 : Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 : Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 : Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 : using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/743 : Displaying an image simultaneously with additional graphical information, e.g. symbols, charts, function plots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/746 : Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms alarms per se G08B

Abstract

A wireless near-infrared spectrometry sensor includes a light source for emitting near-infrared energy into tissue and a light receiver for receiving the near-infrared energy after it exits the tissue. The sensor may include a portable energy source for supplying energy to the light source. A processing module may control the light source and process readings in connection with the light source. A wireless transceiver may be coupled to the processing module for at least one of transmitting and receiving information, wherein the light source emits near-infrared energy at predetermined intervals in order to conserve energy in the portable energy source. The portable energy source may include at least one of a battery, a capacitor, a thermoelectric generator, a kinetic energy transducer, electricity derived from RF energy, and any combination thereof. The sensor may further include a substrate for support and which may be part of a sterile bandage.

Claims

1. A wireless near-infrared spectrometry sensor comprising:

a light source for emitting near-infrared energy into tissue;

a light receiver for receiving the near-infrared energy after it exits the tissue;

a portable energy source coupled to the light source and for supplying energy to the light source;

a processing module coupled to the light source and for controlling the light source and processing readings in connection with the light source; and

a wireless transceiver coupled to the processing module for at least one of transmitting and receiving information, wherein the light source emits near-infrared energy at predetermined intervals in order to conserve energy in the portable energy source.

2. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a substrate for supporting the light source, portable energy source, the processing module, and wireless transceiver.

3. The sensor of claim 2, wherein the substrate is part of a sterile bandage.

4. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the portable energy source comprises at least one of a battery, a capacitor, a thermoelectric generator, a kinetic energy transducer, electricity derived from RF energy, and any combination thereof.

5. The sensor of claim 4, wherein the battery or capacitor have a size which is substantially smaller than the substrate.

6. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the wireless sensor comprises absorbent materials to absorb any moisture or liquid adjacent to the light source or the light receiver.

7. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver comprises at least one of a radio-frequency transceiver, an optical transceiver, an acoustical transceiver, and a magnetic transceiver.

8. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising memory for storing the readings in connection with the light source.

9. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor has multiple modes of operation.

10. The sensor of claim 9, wherein the modes of operation are selectable.

11. The sensor of claim 10, wherein one mode of operation may increase a length of time between supplying energy to light source.

12. The sensor of claim 10, wherein one mode of operation may decrease a length of time between supplying energy to light source.

13. A wireless near-infrared spectrometry sensor comprising:

a light source for emitting near-infrared energy into tissue;

a light receiver for receiving the near-infrared energy after it exits the tissue;

a portable energy source coupled to the light source and for supplying energy to the light source;

a mechanism for activating the portable energy source; and

a processing module coupled to the light source and for controlling the light source and processing readings in connection with the light source; and

a wireless transmitter coupled to the processing module for transmitting information, wherein the sensor is assigned a unique identifier which may be transmitted by the transmitter.

14. The sensor of claim 13, wherein the mechanism for activating the portable energy source comprises at least one of a pressure transducer, a heat sensor, and a switch activated by removal of a cover.

15. The sensor of claim 13, further comprising a socket for receiving a cable that supplies at least one of power and data.

16. The sensor of claim 13, wherein the sensor is programmed to include a site or body portion specific algorithm.

17. The sensor of claim 13, further comprising a receiver coupled to the processing module for receiving wireless signals, wherein the processing module monitors a strength of received wireless signals in order to determine if the sensor is out of range with respect to a monitor.

18. The sensor of claim 13, wherein the processing module activates an alarm if it determines the sensor is out of range with respect to the monitor.

19. A system for monitoring perfusion:

a first sensor for monitoring brain tissue;

a second sensor for monitoring injured tissue separate and different from the brain tissue, the first sensor providing information relating to perfusion of an entire body while the second sensor provides information relating to perfusion specific to the injured tissue;

each sensor comprising;

a light source for emitting near-infrared energy into tissue;

a light receiver for receiving the near-infrared energy after it exits the tissue;

a portable energy source coupled to the light source and for supplying energy to the light source; and

a processing module coupled to the light source and for controlling the light source and processing readings in connection with the light source; and

a wireless transmitter coupled to the processing module for transmitting information, wherein the sensor is assigned a unique identifier which may be transmitted by the transmitter.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein each processing module may utilize a mathematical mechanism to remove noise from signals that are detected with the light receiver.