PHOTOACOUSTIC SENSOR SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A sensor fixture for operatively attaching a photoacoustic (PA) sensor to a patient, the sensor fixture comprising:
- an acoustic coupling agent configured to allow the transmission of both acoustic energy and light therethrough; and
a bracket configured to be affixed to skin of the patient, the bracket comprising a cavity, a patient side, and a sensor side, the acoustic coupling agent being held within the cavity, the patient side facing the skin of the patient when the bracket is affixed to the skin, the patient side of the bracket comprising a patient opening that is configured to expose the acoustic coupling agent along the patient side, the sensor side of the bracket comprising a sensor opening that is configured to expose the acoustic coupling agent along the sensor side, the sensor side of the bracket comprising a sensor cradle that is configured to hold the PA sensor such that the PA sensor is operatively attached to the acoustic coupling agent for receiving an acoustic response from the patient.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor fixture is provided for operatively attaching a photoacoustic (PA) sensor to a patient. The sensor fixture includes an acoustic coupling agent that is configured to allow the transmission of both acoustic energy and light therethrough. The sensor fixture includes a bracket configured to be affixed to skin of the patient. The bracket includes a cavity, a patient side, and a sensor side. The acoustic coupling agent is held within the cavity. The patient side includes a patient opening that is configured to expose the acoustic coupling agent along the patient side. The sensor side includes a sensor opening that is configured to expose the acoustic coupling agent along the sensor side. The sensor side includes a sensor cradle that is configured to hold the PA sensor such that the PA sensor is operatively attached to the acoustic coupling agent for receiving an acoustic response from the patient.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A sensor fixture for operatively attaching a photoacoustic (PA) sensor to a patient, the sensor fixture comprising:
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an acoustic coupling agent configured to allow the transmission of both acoustic energy and light therethrough; and a bracket configured to be affixed to skin of the patient, the bracket comprising a cavity, a patient side, and a sensor side, the acoustic coupling agent being held within the cavity, the patient side facing the skin of the patient when the bracket is affixed to the skin, the patient side of the bracket comprising a patient opening that is configured to expose the acoustic coupling agent along the patient side, the sensor side of the bracket comprising a sensor opening that is configured to expose the acoustic coupling agent along the sensor side, the sensor side of the bracket comprising a sensor cradle that is configured to hold the PA sensor such that the PA sensor is operatively attached to the acoustic coupling agent for receiving an acoustic response from the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A photoacoustic (PA) sensor system comprising:
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a PA sensor having a light source and an acoustic detector, the light source being configured to emit light, the acoustic detector being configured to receive an acoustic response from a patient; and a sensor fixture for operatively attaching the PA sensor to the patient, the sensor fixture comprising; an acoustic coupling agent configured to allow the transmission of both the acoustic response and light therethrough; and a bracket configured to be affixed to skin of the patient, the bracket comprising a cavity, a patient side, and a sensor side, the acoustic coupling agent being held within the cavity, the patient side facing the skin of the patient when the bracket is affixed to the skin, the patient side of the bracket comprising a patient opening that is configured to expose the acoustic coupling agent along the patient side, the sensor side of the bracket comprising a sensor opening that is configured to expose the acoustic coupling agent along the sensor side, the sensor side of the bracket comprising a sensor cradle that is configured to hold the PA sensor such that the acoustic detector of the PA sensor is operatively attached to the acoustic coupling agent for receiving the acoustic response from the patient through the acoustic coupling agent. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for measuring a physiological parameter of a patient using a photoacoustic (PA) sensor, the method comprising:
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affixing a sensor fixture to skin of the patient adjacent an artery of the patient such that an acoustic coupling agent of the sensor fixture engages the skin of the patient; mounting the PA sensor to the sensor fixture such that an acoustic detector of the PA sensor is operatively attached to the acoustic coupling agent for receiving an acoustic response from the artery of the patient through the acoustic coupling agent; transmitting light from the PA sensor, through the acoustic coupling agent, and into the artery of the patient to generate the acoustic response; and at the acoustic detector, receiving the acoustic response from the artery of the patient through the acoustic coupling agent.
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Specification