Hat-based oximeter sensor

• US 7,047,056 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2003
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Mannheimer, Paul, Hannula, Don
• Primary Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US10/606,668
• Publication Number:
  US 20040267104A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,056 Days
• Field of Search: 600/310, 600/322, 600/323, 600/340, 600/344
• US Class Current: 600/340
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/06 Children, e.g. for attention deficit diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14553 specially adapted for cerebral tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches

Abstract

A method for use and an improved oximeter sensor substrate that is conforming to the shape of the patient'"'"'s forehead. In one embodiment, the present invention is an oximeter sensor, having a substrate with a shape similar to a shape of at least a portion of a patient'"'"'s forehead and including a section adapted to substantially fit over a portion of a forehead of a patient; an emitter disposed on the substrate at a position located on the section; and a detector disposed on the substrate at a distance from the emitter. In one embodiment, the substrate includes a hat that holds the emitter and the detector in a spaced-part manner against the patient'"'"'s forehead.

Claims

1. A pulse oximetry sensor comprising:

a stocking cap;

a substrate disposed on the stocking cap;

an emitter disposed on the substrate;

a detector disposed on the substrate; and

a cable disposed on the substrate, wherein the cable extends from the substrate at an angle not in-line with an imaginary axis extending through the emitter and the detector, and wherein the cable extends through an open portion of the stocking cap configured to be proximate to a top of the stocking cap when the stocking cap is applied to the patient.

2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the cable is disposed on the substrate in a substantially orthogonal direction relative to the axis.

3. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the cable is disposed on the substrate such that the cable substantially bisects the emitter and the detector.

4. The sensor of claim 3, wherein the substrate comprises a T-shape.

5. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor is adapted to operate in a reflectance mode.

6. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the substrate is adapted to be used on a patient'"'"'s forehead.

7. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the stocking cap comprises a neonatal stocking cap.

8. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises an adhesive layer adapted to attach the substrate to the headcovering.

9. A headcovering comprising:

a neonatal stocking cap; and

a pulse oximetry sensor, wherein the pulse oximetry sensor comprises;

a substrate;

an emitter disposed on the substrate;

a detector disposed on the substrate; and

a cable disposed on the substrate, wherein the cable extends from the substrate through an open portion of the neonatal stocking cap configured to be proximate to a top of the neonatal stocking cap when the neonatal stocking cap is applied to the patient.

10. The sensor of claim 9, wherein the substrate is conformable to a forehead-contacting surface of the headcovering.

11. The sensor of claim 9, wherein the substrate is adapted to be attached to the headcovering.

12. The sensor of claim 9, wherein the substrate comprises an adhesive layer adapted to attach the substrate to the headcovering.

13. The sensor of claim 9, wherein the cable is secured by a portion of the neonatal stocking cap.