Medical sensor for reducing motion artifacts and technique for using the same

• US 8,971,979 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2012
• Issued: 03/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hoarau, Carine
• Primary Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US13/544,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20120277560A1
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 600/310, 600/322, 600/323, 600/344
• US Class Current: 600/344
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7207 of noise induced by motion artifacts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A sensor may be adapted to reduce motion artifacts by damping the effects of outside forces and sensor motion. A sensor is provided with a motion damping structure adapted to reduce the effect of motion of a sensor emitter and/or detector. Further, a method of damping outside forces and sensor motion is also provided.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising:

a sensor body;

an impact-absorbing chamber associated with the sensor body, wherein the impact-absorbing chamber is configured to damp a force experienced by the sensor body, wherein the impact-absorbing chamber comprises a fluid, and wherein the fluid comprises a viscoelastic fluid or a gel; and

an emitter and a detector disposed on the sensor body, wherein at least one of the emitter or the detector is disposed within the impact-absorbing chamber.

2. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a pulse oximetry sensor.

3. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode, and wherein the detector comprises at least one photodetector.

4. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to be applied to a forehead of a patient.

5. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor body comprises a plastic.

6. A patient monitoring system comprising:

a patient monitor; and

a sensor configured to be operatively coupled to the patient monitor, wherein the sensor comprises;

a sensor body;

an impact-absorbing chamber associated with the sensor body, wherein the impact-absorbing chamber is configured to damp a force experienced by the sensor body, wherein the impact-absorbing chamber comprises a fluid, and wherein the fluid comprises a viscoelastic fluid or a gel; and

an emitter and a detector disposed on the sensor body, wherein at least one of the emitter or the detector is disposed within the impact-absorbing chamber.

7. The patient monitoring system, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a pulse oximetry sensor or a sensor for measuring a water fraction.

8. The patient monitoring system, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode, and wherein the detector comprises at least one photodetector.

9. The patient monitoring system, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the sensor is configured to be applied to a forehead of a patient.

10. The patient monitoring system, as set forth in claim 6, comprising a cable configured to couple the sensor to the patient monitor.

11. A method of manufacturing a sensor, comprising:

providing a sensor body; and

providing an impact-absorbing chamber disposed on the sensor body, wherein the impact-absorbing chamber surrounds at least one of an emitter or a detector associated with the sensor, wherein providing the impact-absorbing chamber comprises providing a chamber comprises a fluid, and wherein the fluid comprises a viscoelastic fluid.

12. The method, as set forth in claim 11, wherein providing the sensor body comprises providing a sensor body configured to be applied to a forehead of a patient.

13. The method, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a pulse oximetry sensor or a sensor for measuring a water fraction.