NONINVASIVE OXIMETRY OPTICAL SENSOR INCLUDING DISPOSABLE AND REUSABLE ELEMENTS

• US 20170367632A1
• Filed: 07/05/2017
• Published: 12/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Al-Ali, Ammar, Abdul-Hafiz, Yassir
• Granted Patent: US 10,201,298 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A pulse oximetry sensor includes reusable and disposable elements. To assemble the sensor, members of the reusable element are mated with assembly mechanisms of the disposable element. The assembled sensor provides independent movement between the reusable and disposable elements.

Claims

1. A reusable portion of a noninvasive optical oximetry sensor, the sensor when assembled with a disposable portion being configured to attach to a measurement site of a monitored patient and to output signals responsive to light absorption by tissue at said measurement site, said signals including sufficient information for an oximeter to determine one or more physiological parameters of the patient including at least one of oxygen saturation or pulse rate, the reusable portion comprising:

a flex circuit;

a light source;

one or more detectors configured to detect light from said light source after attenuation by said tissue and output said signals responsive to said detected light;

a plurality of conductors proximate said flex circuit, some of said conductors communicating with said light source and others of said conductors communicating with said one or more detectors;

a protective coating encasing at least said light source, said one or more detectors and at least some of said conductors and some of said flex circuit; and

tabs proximate at least said light source and said one or more detectors, said tabs configured to mate with slots of said disposable portion where at least some of said tabs can move with respect to a corresponding mated slot to self-adjust the disposable portion and the reusable portion with respect to one another when the disposable portion is applied to said patient after sensor assembly.

2. The reusable portion of claim 1 wherein said protective coating comprises a flexible protective coating.

3. The reusable portion of claim 2 wherein the flexible protective coating comprise a rubber or plastic material.

4. The reusable portion of claim 1, wherein said protective coating includes aperatures providing a light path from said light source or said detector to said measurement site.

5. The reusable portion of claim 1, wherein at least some of said tabs slide laterally along corresponding ones of said slots until vertical movement of said tab is reduced when said sensor is applied to said patient.

6. The reusable portion of claim 1, wherein said tabs mate with said slots comprising a rigid material.

7. A method of assembling a noninvasive optical oximetry sensor, the method comprising:

providing a disposable element of a sensor including an attachment mechanism configured to removably attach to a patient at a measurement site;

providing a reusable element of said sensor, the reusable element including a flex circuit, a light source, one or more detectors configured to detect light from said light source after attenuation by said tissue and output said signals responsive to said detected light, a plurality of conductors proximate said flex circuit, some of said conductors communicating with said light source and others of said conductors communicating with said one or more detectors, a protective coating encasing at least said light source, said one or more detectors and at least some of said conductors and some of said flex circuit, and tabs proximate at least said light source and said one or more detectors, said tabs configured to mate with slots of said disposable element where at least some of said tabs can move with respect to a corresponding mated slot to self-adjust the disposable element and the reusable element with respect to one another when the disposable element is applied to said patient after sensor assembly; and

positioning the tabs within the slots.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said providing said reusable element including said protective coating comprises providing said reusable element including a flexible protective coating.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said providing said reusable element including said flexible protective coating comprises providing said reusable element including a flexible protective coating comprising rubber.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said providing said reusable element including said flexible protective coating comprises providing said reusable element including a flexible protective coating comprising plastic.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said providing said reusable element, including said protective coating comprises providing said reusable element including said protective coating having aperatures providing a light path from said light source or said detector to said measurement site.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein said providing said reusable element, including said tabs comprises providing said reusable element including at least some of said tabs configured to slide laterally along corresponding ones of said slots until vertical movement of said tab is reduced when said sensor is applied to said patient.