Method for manufacturing a heat-sealed neo-natal medical monitoring probe
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing a heat-sealed monitoring probe which comprises a plurality of sensor elements and at least two outer layers of conformable material which substantially prevent interchange of fluids between an ambient environment extant around said probe and said plurality of sensor elements, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming a first heat-sealed seam in a predetermined pattern substantially around a portion of the periphery of said at least two outer layers to form a pocket which is adapted to receive, enclose and secure said plurality of sensor elements in a predetermined position;
inserting said plurality of sensor elements in said pocket; and
forming a second heat-sealed seam in a predetermined pattern, which joins with said first heat-sealed seam formed around said portion of the periphery of said at least two outer layers, to completely enclose said plurality of sensor elements within said pocket, isolated from said ambient environment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for manufacturing a heat-sealed neo-natal medical monitoring probe requires a pair of light sources and a light detector to be placed between two layers or conformable material used to implement the probe. The layers are designed to be self-aligning when placed in the assembly press for heat-sealing the perimeter of the probe. The heat-sealing process both protects the light sources and detector from fluids and also functions to precisely position and secure these devices.
151 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing a heat-sealed monitoring probe which comprises a plurality of sensor elements and at least two outer layers of conformable material which substantially prevent interchange of fluids between an ambient environment extant around said probe and said plurality of sensor elements, said method comprising the steps of:
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forming a first heat-sealed seam in a predetermined pattern substantially around a portion of the periphery of said at least two outer layers to form a pocket which is adapted to receive, enclose and secure said plurality of sensor elements in a predetermined position; inserting said plurality of sensor elements in said pocket; and forming a second heat-sealed seam in a predetermined pattern, which joins with said first heat-sealed seam formed around said portion of the periphery of said at least two outer layers, to completely enclose said plurality of sensor elements within said pocket, isolated from said ambient environment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of manufacturing a heat-sealed monitoring probe which comprises a plurality of sensor elements connected to a first end of a plurality of electrical conductors and at least two outer layers of conformable material which substantially prevent interchange of fluids between an ambient environment extant around said probe and said plurality of sensor elements, said method comprising the steps of:
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placing said at least two outer layers of conformable material in a fixture for retaining said at least two outer layers of conformable material in predetermined position; forming a first heat-sealed seam in a predetermined pattern substantially around a portion of the periphery of said at least two outer layers of conformable material to form a pocket which is adapted to receive, enclose and secure said plurality of sensor elements in a predetermined position; inserting said plurality of sensor elements, including a length of said plurality of electrical conductors proximate said first end into said pocket; and forming a second heat-sealed seam in a predetermined pattern, which joins with said first heat-sealed seam formed around said portion of the periphery of said at least two outer layers, around said plurality of electrical conductors where said plurality of electrical conductors exit said pocket to completely enclose said plurality of sensor elements within said pocket, isolated from said ambient environment. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification