Low-noise optical probes

• US 6,256,523 B1
• Filed: 06/09/1998
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Gerhardt, Thomas J., Diab, Mohamed, Kiani-Azarbayjany, Esmaiel, Tobler, David R., Mills, Mike A., Mason, Eugene E.
• Primary Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US09/094,202
• Time in Patent Office: 1,120 Days
• Field of Search: 600/310, 600/322, 600/323, 600/340, 600/344, 600/473, 600/476
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/12 Manufacturing methods specially adapted for producing sensors for in-vivo measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02427 Details of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6829 Foot or ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/189 characterised by the use of a flexible or folded printed circuit H05K3/326 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An optical probe, which is particularly suited to reduce noise in measurements taken on an easily compressible material, such as a finger, a toe, a forehead, an earlobe, or a lip, measures characteristics of the material. A neonatal and adult disposable embodiment of the probe include adhesive coated surfaces to securely affix the probe onto the patient. In addition, the surface of the probe is specially constructed to minimize light piping effects. Furthermore, a flex circuit acts as a spring to absorb shock which may misalign the emitter and detector. One embodiment of the adult probe includes a cushioning pocket formed for a fingertip to align the probe and to absorb motion of the probe due to contact. The neonatal probe is formed with a unique V-configuration which provides multiple advantages.

Claims

1. An optical probe for the non-invasive measurement of characteristics of a medium, said optical probe comprising:

an emitter which transmits optical radiation;

a detector configured to detect said optical radiation after attenuation through said medium;

a flexible circuit assembly extending between said emitter and said detector, said flexible circuit assembly having electrical circuit paths coupled to said detector and said emitter; and

a cushion positioned between said detector and said emitter along said flexible circuit, said cushion being formed so that it abuts a patient'"'"'s fingertip when said optical probe is attached to a finger, said cushion being formed in said flexible circuit between said emitter and said detector, said cushion formed via a hole in the flexible circuit.

2. The optical probe of claim 1, further comprising an optical cavity containing said detector.

3. The optical probe of claim 1, further comprising a flexible backing supporting said flexible circuit.

4. The optical probe of claim 1, wherein said probe comprises a pulse oximetry sensor.