Sensor and fastener

• US 9,770,198 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2014
• Issued: 09/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nihon Kohden Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nihon Kohden Corporation
• Inventors: Fujisaki, Hideki
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Long V
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOFFA, ANGELA MARIE
• Application Number:
  US14/482,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20150099982A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0462 Apparatus with built-in sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/14 Coupling media or elements to improve sensor contact with skin or tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/225 Connectors or couplings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0082 adapted for particular medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02108 from analysis of pulse wave characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02433 for infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14553 specially adapted for cerebral tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure

Abstract

A sensor which is adapted to attach to a head of a subject includes a first fastener that includes a first end portion and a second end portion and extends into an arc-shape, a first coupling portion that is disposed on an inner circumference side of the first fastener, a second fastener that has a first through hole and a second through hole, a second coupling portion that is disposed on a first side of the second fastener, and attachable to and detachable from the first coupling portion, a light emitter that is disposed on the first side of the second fastener, and opposed to the first through hole, and a light detector that is disposed on the first side of the second fastener, and opposed to the second through hole.

Claims

1. A sensor which is adapted to attach to a head of a subject comprising:

a first fastener that includes a first end portion and a second end portion and extends into an arc-shape;

a first coupling portion that is disposed on an inner circumference side of the first fastener;

a second fastener that includes a first side, a second side, a first contacting portion with a first through hole, a second contacting portion with a second through hole, and a central portion, wherein the first contacting portion and the second contacting portion have a first elasticity, the first contacting portion and the second contacting portion are connected by the central portion, and the central portion has a second elasticity which is lower than the first elasticity;

a second coupling portion that is disposed on the first side of the second fastener, and attachable to and detachable from the first coupling portion;

a light emitter that is disposed on the first side of the second fastener, and opposed to the first through hole; and

a light detector that is disposed on the first side of the second fastener, and opposed to the second through hole,

wherein the light emitter and the light detector are directly in contact with the first coupling portion,

wherein the first fastener has an elasticity which allows a gap between the first end portion and the second end portion to be expanded,

the first coupling portion is placed at a position which is opposed to a forehead of the subject when the sensor is attached to the head of the subject,

the first end portion and the second end portion are placed on a back of the head of the subject when the sensor is attached to the head of the subject, and,

when the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are coupled to each other, the light emitter and the light detector are disposed between the first fastener and the second fastener.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein

the first side of the second fastener includes a first recess and a second recess,

the light emitter is placed in the first recess, and

the light detector is placed in the second recess.

3. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the first fastener includes a mechanism to adjust a length in a longitudinal direction of the first fastener.

4. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the first fastener includes:

a first cable holder which is disposed on a side of the first end portion of the first fastener with respect to a center portion of the first fastener in the longitudinal direction; and

a second cable holder which is disposed on a side of the second end portion of the first fastener with respect to the center portion of the first fastener, and

the first cable holder and the second cable holder are configured so as to be able to hold cables connected to the light emitter and the light detector, respectively.

5. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling portion is a loop side of a hook and loop fastener, and

the second coupling portion is a hook side of the hook and loop fastener.

6. A second fastener which fastens a light emitter and a light detector to a first fastener that is adapted to attach to a head of a subject, comprising:

a first side;

a second side that is opposite to the first side, and opposed to the subject;

a first contacting portion with a first through hole that communicates between the first side and the second side;

a second contacting portion with a second through hole that communicates between the first side and the second side;

a central portion, wherein the first contacting portion and the second contacting portion have a first elasticity, the first contacting portion and the second contacting portion are connected by the central portion, and the central portion has a second elasticity which is lower than the first elasticity; and

a second coupling portion that is disposed on the first side, and attachable to and detachable from a first coupling portion of the first fastener, and,

when the second coupling portion is coupled to the first coupling portion, the light emitter and the light detector are able to be disposed between the second fastener and the first fastener wherein the light emitter and the light detector are directly in contact with the first coupling portion.

7. The second fastener according to claim 6, wherein the second fastener further includes:

a first recess that is formed in the first side of the second fastener, and able to hold the light emitter; and

a second recess that is formed in the first side of the second fastener, and able to hold the light detector.