Shunt barrier in pulse oximeter sensor

• US 6,173,196 B1
• Filed: 05/27/1998
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Delonzor, Russ, Hannula, Don, Fein, Michael E., Mannheimer, Paul D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): YARNELL, BRYAN KEITH
• Application Number:
  US09/085,698
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 600/310, 600/322, 600/323, 600/326, 600/344, 600/473, 600/476, 356/39-41, 250/227.11, 250/200, 250/221, 250/216
• US Class Current: 600/310
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips

Abstract

A pulse oximeter sensor having an emitter(s) and a detector, with a layer having a first portion of the emitter and a second portion of layer over the detector is provided. A barrier is included between the first and second portions of the overlying layer to substantially block radiation of the wavelengths emitted by the emitter(s). Preferably, the barrier reduces the radiation shunted to less than 10% of the radiation detected, and more preferably to less than 1% of the radiation detected. Additionally the shunt barrier is selected from a fibrous material, a woven material, and a compressible foam.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising:

at least one emitter;

a detector;

a covering layer having a first portion over the emitter and a second portion over the detector; and

a shunt barrier positioned between said first and second portions of said covering layer to substantially block radiation of the wavelengths emitted by said emitter, such that less than 10% of the radiation detected by said detector is shunted radiation, said shunt barrier extending across a width of said sensor being entirely contained between any emitter, including said at least one emitter, and said detector;

wherein said shunt barrier comprises a fibrous material.

2. A sensor comprising:

at least one emitter;

a detector;

a covering layer having a first portion over the emitter and a second portion over the detector; and

a shunt barrier positioned between said first and second portions of said covering layer to substantially block radiation of the wavelengths emitted by said emitter, such that less than 10% of the radiation detected by said detector is shunted radiation, said shunt barrier extending across a width of said sensor being entirely contained between any emitter, including said at least one emitter, and said detector;

wherein said shunt barrier comprises a woven material.

3. A sensor comprising:

at least one emitter;

a detector;

a covering layer having a first portion over the emitter and a second portion over the detector; and

a shunt barrier positioned between said first and second portions of said covering layer to substantially block radiation of the wavelengths emitted by said emitter, such that less than 10% of the radiation detected by said detector is shunted radiation, said shunt barrier extending across a width of said sensor being entirely contained between any emitter, including said at least one emitter, and said detector;

wherein there is a break between said first and second portions of said covering layer, said shunt barrier comprising a compressible foam mounted in said break.