REUSABLE WIRELESS MEDICAL SENSORS

• US 20140275884A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Lin, Andy S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,301,718 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/324
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/24 Hygienic packaging for medical sensors; Maintaining apparatus for sensor hygiene
• 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 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1495 Calibrating or testing of in-vivo probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/16 using chemical substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to reusable wireless sensors. According to certain embodiments, the wireless sensor may include a rechargeable battery coupled to an induction coil for recharging the battery. One or more magnets may be disposed within or coupled to the wireless sensor, and the one or more magnets may be arranged to align the induction coil of the wireless sensor with a recharging device to facilitate recharging the battery of the wireless sensor.

Claims

1. A medical sensor comprising:

a sensor housing;

an emitter disposed in the sensor housing, the emitter being configured to direct light through the tissue of a patient;

a detector disposed in the sensor housing, the detector being configured to detect light from the emitter after the light has passed through the tissue of the patient and to convert the detected light to an electrical signal;

a rechargeable battery disposed in the sensor housing, the rechargeable battery being adapted to provide power to the emitter and the detector;

a first induction coil in the sensor housing and electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery, wherein the first induction coil is operable to inductively receive electrical power and is operable to supply charging power to the rechargeable battery; and

at least one magnet disposed in the sensor housing, wherein the magnet is configured to align the first induction coil with a generally horizontal surface to enable the first induction coil to receive electrical power from a second induction coil.

2. The sensor of claim 1, comprising a plurality of magnets circumferentially disposed about the first induction coil.

3. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the medical sensor is a clip-style sensor and the sensor housing comprises a top portion and a bottom portion configured to clip to a tissue of a patient, wherein the rechargeable battery and the first induction coil and the at least one magnet are disposed in the bottom portion of the sensor housing.

4. The sensor of claim 1, comprising a wireless transceiver disposed in the sensor housing and configured to wirelessly communicate with a patient monitor.

5. The sensor of claim 3, wherein the bottom portion is heavier than the top portion.

6. The sensor of claim 1, comprising circuitry configured to determine whether the first induction coil is aligned to receive the electrical power.

7. The sensor of claim 6, wherein the circuitry is configured to provide an indication to an external charging device that the first induction coil is aligned.

8. The sensor of claim 1, comprising a dye disposed in the sensor housing.

9. The sensor of claim 8, wherein the dye is configured to exit the sensor housing when the sensor housing is damaged and in the presence of a solution.

10. The sensor of claim 9, wherein the sensor housing comprises an external surface and one or more electrical components, and wherein the dye is disposed in the sensor housing between the external surface of the sensor housing and the one or more electrical components.

11. The sensor of claim 9, wherein the dye is disposed proximate a patient contact surface of the sensor housing.

12. The sensor of claim 1, comprising circuitry configured to identify a disinfecting duration for the sensor.

13. A charging and disinfecting device for medical sensors comprising:

a housing comprising;

a disinfecting chamber configured to receive and to hold a disinfecting agent; and

a charging station disposed below the disinfecting chamber, wherein the charging station comprises an induction coil configured to receive electrical power from an electrically connected power supply and at least one magnet disposed proximal to the induction coil.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the charging station comprises a plurality of magnets circumferentially disposed about the induction coil.

15. The system of claim 13, comprising a control circuit configured to determine whether a medical sensor placed within the disinfecting chamber is aligned with the charging station.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the control circuit is configured to send a charging signal to direct power from the power supply to the induction coil of the charging station for charging the sensor after the control circuit determines the medical sensor is aligned with the charging station.

17. The system of claim 13, comprising a display configured to provide an indication when a medical sensor is aligned with the charging station, or when the medical sensor is fully charged, or both.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the system is configured to detect the presence of a dye within the disinfecting agent.

19. A rechargeable medical sensor system comprising:

a medical sensor comprising;

a housing comprising;

one or more emitters;

one or more detectors;

a rechargeable battery configured to provide power to the one or more emitters and the one or more detectors;

a first induction coil electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery;

at least one magnet disposed proximal to the first induction coil; and

a charging device comprising;

a housing comprising a charging station, wherein the charging station comprises a second induction coil configured to be electrically coupled to an external power supply and at least one magnet disposed proximal to the second induction coil;

wherein the at least one magnet of the charging device is configured to attract the at least one magnet of the medical sensor and to substantially align the first induction coil of the medical sensor with the second induction coil of the charging device and to maintain the first induction coil of the medical sensor within operational proximity of the second induction coil of the charging device to facilitate recharging of the battery.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the housing comprises a disinfecting chamber configured to hold a disinfecting agent, and the charging station is disposed below the disinfecting chamber of the charging device.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the medical sensor is configured to wirelessly communicate with a control circuit of the charging device.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein a control circuit of the charging device is configured to determine whether the first induction coil of the medical sensor is aligned with the second induction coil of the charging station and to send a charging signal to direct power from the power supply to the second induction coil after the control circuit determines the first and second induction coils are aligned.

23. The system of claim 19, comprising a display configured to provide an indication when the first induction coil of the medical sensor is aligned with the second induction coil of the charging station, or when the medical sensor is fully charged, or both.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the housing of the medical sensor is devoid of openings accessing the rechargeable battery.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein the medical sensor further comprises a contrast agent disposed in the housing between an external surface of the housing and an electrical component of the sensor.