Medical sensor and technique for using the same
First Claim
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1. A sensor comprising:
- a sensor body;
an emitter and a detector disposed adjacent the sensor body;
a temperature-based tissue contact sensor disposed adjacent the sensor body, wherein the temperature-based tissue contact sensor is configured to provide an electrical feedback signal related to distance between the temperature-based tissue contact sensor and tissue of a patient; and
an encoder comprising stored data or code related to the temperature-based tissue contact sensor, wherein the stored data or code is configured to be read by a monitor to cause the monitor to select a set of instructions for processing the electrical feedback signal from the temperature-based tissue contact sensor and determining if the temperature-based tissue contact sensor is in contact with the tissue of the patient.
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Abstract
Embodiments disclosed may include a sensor which may be adapted to provide information related to its position on a patient'"'"'s tissue. A sensor may be provided with tissue contact sensors which may relay a signal related to the sensor'"'"'s proper placement adjacent a patient'"'"'s tissue. Such a sensor may be useful for providing information to a clinician about the status of a sensor, such as if a sensor may be located more closely to the tissue in order to provide improved measurements.
1011 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A sensor comprising:
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a sensor body; an emitter and a detector disposed adjacent the sensor body; a temperature-based tissue contact sensor disposed adjacent the sensor body, wherein the temperature-based tissue contact sensor is configured to provide an electrical feedback signal related to distance between the temperature-based tissue contact sensor and tissue of a patient; and an encoder comprising stored data or code related to the temperature-based tissue contact sensor, wherein the stored data or code is configured to be read by a monitor to cause the monitor to select a set of instructions for processing the electrical feedback signal from the temperature-based tissue contact sensor and determining if the temperature-based tissue contact sensor is in contact with the tissue of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system comprising:
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a sensor comprising; a sensor body; an emitter and a detector disposed on the sensor body; a temperature-based tissue contact sensor disposed on or adjacent the sensor body, wherein the temperature-based tissue contact sensor is configured to provide a signal related to distance between the temperature-based tissue contact sensor and tissue of a patient; and a patient monitor operatively coupled to the sensor and the temperature-based tissue contact sensor and comprising a processor configured to receive the signal and determine if the sensor is in contact with the tissue of the patient based at least in part upon the signal from the temperature-based tissue contact sensor. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A system, comprising:
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a sensor comprising; a sensor body; an emitter and a detector disposed on the sensor body; and a first temperature sensor disposed on a surface of the sensor body configured to contact a tissue of a patient when the sensor is applied to a patient, wherein the first temperature sensor is configured to provide a first signal; and a second temperature sensor disposed on a non-tissue-contacting surface of the sensor body, wherein the second temperature sensor is configured to provide a second signal; and a patient monitor operatively coupled to the sensor and comprising; an input circuit configured to receive the first signal and the second signal; a memory storing instructions for; determining a first temperature measurement based on the first signal; determining a second temperature measurement based on the second signal; and determining a sensor condition based on a difference between the first temperature measurement and the second temperature measurement; and an output circuit configured to provide an indication of the sensor condition. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification