OPTICAL SENSOR INCLUDING DISPOSABLE AND REUSABLE ELEMENTS

• US 20140088388A1
• Filed: 09/30/2013
• Published: 03/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cercacor Laboratories
• Inventors: Al-Ali, Ammar, Abdul-Hafiz, Yassir
• Granted Patent: US 8,868,150 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/344
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/085 combined with means for recording calibration data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/12 Manufacturing methods specially adapted for producing sensors for in-vivo measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02427 Details of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6832 using adhesives A61B5/259 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a noninvasive optical sensor or probe including disposable and reusable components. The assembly of the disposable and reusable components is straightforward, along with the disassembly thereof. During application to a measurement site, the assembled sensor is advantageously secured together while the componentry is advantageously properly positioned.

Claims

1. A disposable element of a noninvasive optical sensor, the disposable element configured to engage a plurality of tabs extending from a first casing of a reusable element, the disposable element comprising:

a first clip comprising;

a plurality of slots, wherein the slots are configured to receive the plurality of tabs upon assembly of the reusable and disposable elements, and

a plurality of holding elements, wherein the tabs slide away from the slots and under the holding elements upon application of the optical sensor around a measurement site due to tension on the first casing from a flexible circuit connected to the first casing, wherein the tabs sliding under the holding elements vertically fixes the first casing to the first clip; and

disposable electronic components, wherein assembly of the reusable and disposable components electrically connects the disposable electronic components to reusable electronic components in the reusable element.

2. The disposable element of claim 1, wherein the disposable electronic components comprise an information element or memory device.

3. The disposable element of claim 2, wherein, upon assembly of the reusable and disposable elements, an electrical contact is made between the information element or memory device and the reusable electronic components in the reusable element.

4. The disposable element of claim 1, wherein the first clip further comprises a first electrical contact, the disposable element further comprising a second clip, the second clip comprising a second electrical contact.

5. The disposable element of claim 1, further comprising a flexible tape having an adhesive side capable of removably adhering to the measurement site.

6. The disposable element of claim 1, wherein the holding elements are configured with a predetermined length, the predetermined length allowing longitudinal movement between the reusable element and the disposable element.

7. The disposable element of claim 6, wherein the predetermined length vertically fixes the first casing to the first clip during attachment of the noninvasive optical sensor to patient measurement sites of a range of radial attachment requirements.

8. The disposable element of claim 1, the noninvasive optical sensor comprising a light emitting portion configured to emit light at a plurality of wavelengths, the disposable element further comprising a flexible tape having a plurality of layers.

9. The disposable element of claim 8, wherein the plurality of layers comprise a base tape layer, a web layer above the base tape layer, and a light blocking layer above the web layer.

10. The disposable element of claim 9, wherein the base tape layer is transparent to allow the light to pass through the base tape layer.

11. The disposable element of claim 9, wherein the web layer comprises windows configured to allow the light to pass through the web layer on a first site of the measurement site to the measurement site, and to allow light attenuated by body tissue at the measurement site to pass through the web layer on a second side of the measurement site to a detector portion of the noninvasive optical sensor.

12. The disposable element of claim 9, wherein the light blocking layer is configured to substantially prevent ambient light from reaching the measurement site.

13. The disposable element of claim 9, wherein the plurality of layers further comprise a polyester film layer between the web layer and the light blocking layer, the polyester film layer configured to hold the first clip in place against the web layer

14. The disposable element of claim 13, wherein the polyester film layer comprises a plurality of openings to allow the slots and holding elements of the first clip to protrude therefrom.

15. The disposable element of claim 13, wherein the plurality of layers further comprise a face tape layer above the light blocking layer, the face tape layer having an adhesive side capable of removably adhering to the measurement site.

16. The disposable element of claim 15, wherein the polyester film layer, the light blocking layer, and the face tape layer comprise cut outs adapted to accept the first clip.

17. A noninvasive optical sensor comprising the disposable element of claim 1 and a reusable element.

18. A method of providing disposable sensor components, the method comprising:

providing disposable element comprising at least a first clip, the first clip comprising;

a plurality of slots, wherein the slots are configured to receive a plurality of tabs of a first casing of a reusable element upon assembly of the disposable element and the reusable element, and

a plurality of holding elements, wherein the tabs slide away from the slots and under the holding elements upon application of the optical sensor around a measurement site due to tension on the first casing from a flexible circuit connected to the first casing, wherein the tabs sliding under the holding elements vertically fixes the first casing to the first clip; and

disposable electronic components, wherein assembly of the reusable and disposable components electrically connects the disposable electronic components to reusable electronic components in the reusable element.