Non-invasive physiological sensor cover

• US 10,588,556 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2018
• Issued: 03/17/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Kiani, Abraham Mazda, Kiani, Massi Joe E.
• Primary Examiner(s): LaBalle, Clayton E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rhodes, Jr., Leon W
• Application Number:
  US15/968,393
• Publication Number:
  US 20190000362A1
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/185 Optical shielding, e.g. baffles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02427 Details of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6816 Ear lobe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6819 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6829 Foot or ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6832 using adhesives A61B5/259 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/68335 including release sheets or liners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips

Abstract

A sensor cover according to embodiments of the disclosure is capable of being used with a non-invasive physiological sensor, such as a pulse oximetry sensor. Certain embodiments of the sensor cover reduce or eliminate false readings from the sensor when the sensor is not in use, for example, by blocking a light detecting component of a pulse oximeter sensor when the pulse oximeter sensor is active but not in use. Further, embodiments of the sensor cover can prevent damage to the sensor. Additionally, embodiments of the sensor cover prevent contamination of the sensor.

Claims

1. A method of providing a sensor cover for a noninvasive physiological sensor, the method comprising:

providing a sensor cover comprising;

an opaque portion attachable over a sensing portion of the sensor, the opaque portion configured to prevent the sensing portion from measuring a physiological variable; and

a connector for attaching the sensor cover to a sensor; and

attaching the sensor cover to the sensor, the sensor cover removable from the sensor,

wherein the connector comprises one or more attachment arms.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the opaque portion is made of a sound-deadening material, the sound-deadening material configured to prevent the sensing portion of the sensor from measuring sound waves.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the opaque portion is made of an insulating material, the insulating material configured to prevent the sensing portion of the sensor from measuring electrical signals.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a surface of the cover frictionally engageable with the sensor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is at least one of a pulse oximeter sensor, an acoustic sensor, or a bioimpedance sensor.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a clip-type sensor.

7. A method of providing a sensor cover for a noninvasive physiological sensor, the method comprising:

providing a sensor cover comprising;

an opaque portion attachable over a sensing portion of the sensor, the opaque portion configured to prevent the sensing portion from measuring a physiological variable;

a connector for attaching the sensor cover to a sensor; and

one or more conductive leads disposed on the opaque portion, the conductive leads configured to generate a short circuit in the sensor; and

attaching the sensor cover to the sensor, the sensor cover removable from the sensor.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the opaque portion is made of a sound-deadening material, the sound-deadening material configured to prevent the sensing portion of the sensor from measuring sound waves.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the opaque portion is made of an insulating material, the insulating material configured to prevent the sensing portion of the sensor from measuring electrical signals.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the connector further comprises a surface of the cover frictionally engageable with the sensor.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the sensor is at least one of a pulse oximeter sensor, an acoustic sensor, or a bioimpedance sensor.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the sensor is a clip-type sensor.

13. A method of providing a sensor cover for a noninvasive physiological sensor, the method comprising:

providing a sensor cover comprising;

an opaque portion attachable over a sensing portion of the sensor, the opaque portion configured to prevent the sensing portion from measuring a physiological variable; and

a connector for attaching the sensor cover to a sensor;

attaching the sensor cover to the sensor, the sensor cover removable from the sensor,

wherein the sensor is an adhesive sensor having a flexible substrate and an adhesive layer, and

wherein the opaque portion is an elongate protrusion integrated with the flexible substrate, wherein the connector is slot disposed on the flexible substrate for receiving the protrusion, and wherein placing the protrusion within the slot attaches the protrusion over the sensing portion.