Reusable wireless medical sensors
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A medical sensor comprising:
- a sensor housing;
an emitter disposed in the sensor housing, the emitter being configured to direct light through the tissue of a patient;
a detector disposed in the sensor housing, the detector being configured to detect light from the emitter after the light has passed through the tissue of the patient and to convert the detected light to an electrical signal;
a rechargeable battery disposed in the sensor housing, the rechargeable battery being adapted to provide power to the emitter and the detector;
a first induction coil in the sensor housing and electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery, wherein the first induction coil is operable to inductively receive electrical power and is operable to supply charging power to the rechargeable battery;
at least one magnet disposed in the sensor housing, wherein the magnet is configured to align the first induction coil with a generally horizontal surface to enable the first induction coil to receive electrical power from a second induction coil; and
a dye disposed in the sensor housing, wherein the dye is configured to exit the sensor housing when the sensor housing is damaged and in the presence of a solution.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to reusable wireless sensors. According to certain embodiments, the wireless sensor may include a rechargeable battery coupled to an induction coil for recharging the battery. One or more magnets may be disposed within or coupled to the wireless sensor, and the one or more magnets may be arranged to align the induction coil of the wireless sensor with a recharging device to facilitate recharging the battery of the wireless sensor.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A medical sensor comprising:
-
a sensor housing; an emitter disposed in the sensor housing, the emitter being configured to direct light through the tissue of a patient; a detector disposed in the sensor housing, the detector being configured to detect light from the emitter after the light has passed through the tissue of the patient and to convert the detected light to an electrical signal; a rechargeable battery disposed in the sensor housing, the rechargeable battery being adapted to provide power to the emitter and the detector; a first induction coil in the sensor housing and electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery, wherein the first induction coil is operable to inductively receive electrical power and is operable to supply charging power to the rechargeable battery; at least one magnet disposed in the sensor housing, wherein the magnet is configured to align the first induction coil with a generally horizontal surface to enable the first induction coil to receive electrical power from a second induction coil; and a dye disposed in the sensor housing, wherein the dye is configured to exit the sensor housing when the sensor housing is damaged and in the presence of a solution. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A charging and disinfecting system for medical sensors comprising:
a housing comprising; a disinfecting chamber configured to receive and to hold a disinfecting agent; and a charging station disposed below the disinfecting chamber, wherein the charging station comprises an induction coil configured to receive electrical power from an electrically connected power supply and at least one magnet disposed proximal to the induction coil; wherein the system is configured to detect the presence of a dye within the disinfecting agent and to block delivery of the electrical power from the electrically connected power supply to the induction coil if the dye is detected within the disinfecting agent. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
16. A rechargeable medical sensor system comprising:
-
a medical sensor comprising; a sensor housing comprising; one or more emitters; one or more detectors; a rechargeable battery configured to provide power to the one or more emitters and the one or more detectors; a first induction coil electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery; at least one magnet disposed proximal to the first induction coil; a dye disposed in the sensor housing, wherein the dye is configured to exit the sensor housing when the sensor housing is damaged and in the presence of a solution and a charging device comprising; a housing comprising a charging station, wherein the charging station comprises a second induction coil configured to be electrically coupled to an external power supply and at least one magnet disposed proximal to the second induction coil; wherein the at least one magnet of the charging device is configured to attract the at least one magnet of the medical sensor and to substantially align the first induction coil of the medical sensor with the second induction coil of the charging device and to maintain the first induction coil of the medical sensor within operational proximity of the second induction coil of the charging device to facilitate recharging of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification