SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CAPACITANCE SENSING IN MEDICAL DEVICES
First Claim
1. A sensor, comprising:
- an emitter disposed on a tissue-facing surface of the sensor and configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light into a tissue region of a patient;
a detector disposed on the tissue-facing surface of the sensor;
a capacitive element comprising at least one plate configured to generate and measure an electric field; and
a non-conductive material disposed on the tissue-facing surface of the sensor, wherein the non-conductive material is configured to separate the capacitive element from the tissue region of the patient.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various methods and systems for the use of capacitance sensors within medical devices configured for patient monitoring are provided. The capacitance sensors are configured to measure a change in capacitance resulting from a material (e.g., human tissue, water, gel, cloth, etc.) placed near (e.g., close proximity to) the medical device and/or resulting from a material making physical contact with the medical device. In certain embodiments, the capacitance sensor may be utilized to detect whether one or more portions of the medical sensor are securely applied to the patient'"'"'s tissue (e.g., sensor “on”) and/or may be utilized to detect whether one or more portions of the medical sensor fail to maintain secure contact with the patient'"'"'s tissue (e.g., sensor “off”). Further, in certain embodiments, the capacitance sensor may be utilized to distinguish between one or more types of materials (e.g., human tissue, water-based materials, etc.).
32 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A sensor, comprising:
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an emitter disposed on a tissue-facing surface of the sensor and configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light into a tissue region of a patient; a detector disposed on the tissue-facing surface of the sensor; a capacitive element comprising at least one plate configured to generate and measure an electric field; and a non-conductive material disposed on the tissue-facing surface of the sensor, wherein the non-conductive material is configured to separate the capacitive element from the tissue region of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A monitoring system, comprising:
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an input for a plethysmographic signal responsive to light emitted into a tissue of a patient and a capacitance signal based on a strength of an electric field applied by a single plate to the tissue; a monitor coupled to the input, wherein the monitor comprises; a memory storing instructions for; receiving the plethysmographic signal; receiving the capacitance signal; and determining if a sensor is associated with the tissue based at least in part on the capacitance signal, wherein the capacitance signal is representative of a capacitance level of the electrical field generated between the first plate and the tissue; and a processor configured to execute the instructions. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method, comprising:
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receiving a capacitance signal from a capacitive element disposed on a patient sensor, wherein the capacitive element is configured to generate a capacitance signal based on the strength of an electric field; receiving a physiological parameter signal from the sensor; dividing each signal into epochs comprising corresponding to time periods of the physiological parameter signal and the capacitance signal; determining whether each epoch of the capacitance signal are associated with a sensor on or sensor off condition; and determining the physiological parameter based on the epochs of the physiological parameter signal associated with a sensor on capacitance signal. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification