Optically aligned pulse oximetry sensor and technique for using the same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sensor assembly, comprising:
- a frame comprising one or more pair of flexible elements disposed substantially symmetric relative to an optical axis;
at least two optical components disposed on the frame along the optical axis, wherein the at least two optical components are configured to move along the optical axis without changing orientation relative to one another; and
a covering provided over at least part of the frame and the at least two optical components.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A physiological sensor is provided that includes an emitter and detector disposed on a frame such that the emitter and detector define an optical axis. The frame includes one or more pair of flexible elements disposed generally symmetric relative to the optical axis. In one embodiment, the emitter and detector remain aligned when moved relative to one another along the optical axis.
923 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A sensor assembly, comprising:
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a frame comprising one or more pair of flexible elements disposed substantially symmetric relative to an optical axis; at least two optical components disposed on the frame along the optical axis, wherein the at least two optical components are configured to move along the optical axis without changing orientation relative to one another; and a covering provided over at least part of the frame and the at least two optical components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A sensor assembly, comprising:
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a single-piece frame; an emitter and a detector housed on the frame along an optical axis, wherein the emitter and the detector are configured to move relative to one another while remaining aligned along the optical axis; and a covering provided over the frame, the emitter, and the detector. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of manufacturing a sensor, comprising:
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situating an emitter and a detector on a frame, wherein the frame comprises one or more pair of flexible elements disposed substantially symmetric relative to an optical axis upon which the emitter and the detector are situated, wherein the emitter and the detector are disposed substantially parallel to one another on the frame, and wherein the one or more pair of flexible elements enable the emitter and the detector to remain substantially parallel while moving relative to one another along the optical axis; and coating the frame with a coating material to form a sensor assembly. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method for acquiring physiological data, comprising:
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emitting two or more wavelengths of light from an emitter of a sensor assembly comprising a frame; detecting transmitted or reflected light using a photodetector of the sensor assembly, wherein the emitter and the photodetector are maintained in optical alignment with one another along an optical axis by one or more pair of flexible elements of the sensor assembly, wherein the one or more pair of flexible elements are disposed symmetrical to the optical axis and are configured to enable the emitter and the photodetector to move along the optical axis without changing orientation relative to one another; and determining a physiological parameter of a patient based on the detected light.
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20. A method of manufacturing a sensor body, comprising:
coating a frame with a coating material to form a sensor body, wherein the frame comprises one or more pair of flexible elements disposed substantially symmetric relative to an optical axis defined by an emitter housing and a detector housing of the frame, and wherein the one or more pair of flexible elements are configured to enable the emitter housing and the detector housing to move along the optical axis without changing orientation relative to one another. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A sensor body, comprising:
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a frame comprising one or more pair of flexible elements disposed substantially symmetric relative to an optical axis defined by an emitter housing and a detector housing of the frame, wherein the emitter housing and the detector housing are configured to move along the optical axis without changing orientation relative to one another; and a covering provided over the frame. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A sensor body, comprising:
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a single-piece frame comprising an emitter housing and a detector housing which define an optical axis, wherein the emitter housing and the detector housing are configured to move relative to one another while remaining aligned along the optical axis; and a covering provided over the frame to form a sensor assembly. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A frame of a sensor, comprising:
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at least two optical component housings disposed substantially parallel to one another and defining an optical axis; and one or more pair of flexible elements disposed substantially symmetric relative to the optical axis, wherein the one or more pair of flexible elements enable the at least two optical component housings to remain substantially parallel while moving relative to one another along the optical axis. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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35. A frame of a sensor, comprising:
an emitter housing and a detector housing which define an optical axis, wherein the emitter housing and the detector housing are arranged to move relative to one another on a single-piece frame while remaining aligned along the optical axis.
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36. A method for manufacturing a frame of a sensor, comprising:
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forming at least two optical component housings of a frame of a sensor such that the at least two optical component housings define an optical axis; and providing one or more pair of flexible elements on the frame disposed substantially symmetric relative to the optical axis, wherein the one or more pair of flexible elements enable the at least two optical component housings to move along the optical axis without altering an orientation of the at least two optical component housings relative to one another. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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Specification