Optically aligned pulse oximetry sensor and technique for using the same
First Claim
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1. A sensor assembly, comprising:
- a frame comprising at least two rigid or semirigid portions coupled to one or more pairs of flexible hinge elements, wherein the one or more pairs of flexible hinge elements are disposed substantially symmetric relative to an optical axis and are configured to allow the frame to expand and contract along the optical axis; and
at least two housings configured to hold optical components disposed on the at least two rigid or semirigid portions of the frame, respectively, along the optical axis, wherein the at least two housings are configured to move along the optical axis without changing orientation relative to one another as the frame expands and contracts along the optical axis.
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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.
917 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A sensor assembly, comprising:
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a frame comprising at least two rigid or semirigid portions coupled to one or more pairs of flexible hinge elements, wherein the one or more pairs of flexible hinge elements are disposed substantially symmetric relative to an optical axis and are configured to allow the frame to expand and contract along the optical axis; and at least two housings configured to hold optical components disposed on the at least two rigid or semirigid portions of the frame, respectively, along the optical axis, wherein the at least two housings are configured to move along the optical axis without changing orientation relative to one another as the frame expands and contracts along the optical axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A sensor assembly, comprising:
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a frame comprising two or more pairs of rigid or semirigid flat pieces and a plurality flexible hinge elements, wherein each pair of flat pieces comprises a first flat piece disposed on an opposite side of the frame from a second flat piece, and wherein the flexible hinge elements enable the first and the second flat pieces of each of the two or more pairs of flat pieces to remain substantially parallel to one another as the frame expands and contracts; and an emitter housing and a detector housing respectively disposed on the first and second flat pieces of one of the two or more pairs of flat pieces, wherein the flexible hinge elements enable the one of the two or more pairs of flat pieces to move toward and away from one another as the frame expands and contracts. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 16)
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13. A system, comprising:
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a monitor; and a sensor configured to transmit signals to and from the monitor, the sensor comprising; a frame comprising at least two rigid or semirigid portions coupled to one or more pairs of flexible hinge elements, wherein the one or more pairs flexible hinge elements are disposed substantially symmetric relative to an optical axis and are configured to allow the frame to expand and contract along the optical axis; and at least two housings configured to hold optical components respectively disposed on the at least two rigid or semirigid portions of the frame along the optical axis, wherein the at least two housings are configured to move along the optical axis without altering an orientation of the at least two housings relative to one another as the frame expands and contracts along the optical axis. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 17)
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18. A sensor, comprising:
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a frame comprising a first rigid or semirigid annular portion coupled to a second rigid or semirigid portion by at least one pair of flexible hinge elements, wherein the at least one pair of flexible hinge elements is disposed substantially symmetric relative to an optical axis and is configured to allow the frame to expand and contract along the optical axis; and an emitter housing and a detector housing disposed on the first or second rigid or semirigid portions of the frame along the 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. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification