Physiological sensor combination

• US 20030225323A1
• Filed: 12/19/2002
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Al-Ali, Ammar, Kiani, Massi E., Mason, Gene, Coverston, Ronald, Robertson, Fred
• Granted Patent: US 6,934,570 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head

Abstract

A physiological sensor combination has a flexible substrate configured to attach to a tissue site. Multiple sensors are disposed on the substrate, which generate physiological signals. Each of the signals is responsive to a different physiological parameter. Conductors are carried on the substrate and routed between the sensors and at least one connector. The connector is configured to communicate the physiological signals to at least one monitor, which derives measurements of the parameters.

Claims

1. A physiological sensor combination comprising:

a flexible substrate configured to attach to a tissue site;

a plurality of sensors disposed on said substrate and adapted to provide a corresponding plurality of physiological signals, each of said signals responsive to at least one of a plurality of physiological parameters; and

a plurality of conductors disposed on said substrate between said sensors and at least one connector,

said at least one connector configured to communicate said signals to at least one monitor so as to derive a plurality of measurements of said parameters.

2. The physiological sensor combination according to claim 1 wherein said sensors comprise:

a plurality of electrodes disposed on said substrate, each of said electrodes adapted to be in electrical communication with said tissue site and electrically connected to at least one of said conductors; and

an emitter and a detector mounted to said substrate and electrically connected to at least one of said conductors, said emitter adapted to transmit light into said tissue site and said detector adapted to receive reflected light from said tissue site.

3. The physiological sensor combination according to claim 2 wherein:

said substrate has a first side adapted to face toward said tissue site and a second side adapted to face away from said tissue site;

said conductors and said electrodes disposed on said first side; and

said emitter and said detector mounted to said first side.

4. The physiological sensor combination according to claim 3 wherein said substrate comprises a fold-over portion having a circuit side corresponding to said first side, said fold-over portion adapted to fold so that said circuit side is proximate said second side.

5. The physiological sensor combination according to claim 4 wherein said emitter and said detector are mounted to said a fold-over portion.

6. The physiological sensor combination according to claim 5 wherein said substrate defines at least one aperture configured so that said emitter and said detector each align with a corresponding one of said at least one aperture when said fold-over is in a folded position.

7. The physiological sensor combination according to claim 3 further comprising:

a plurality of biopotential sensor pinouts corresponding to said electrodes;

a plurality of optical sensor pinouts corresponding to said emitter and said detector; and

a common connector extending from said substrate, said biopotential sensor pinouts and said optical sensor pinouts each disposed on said common connector.

8. A physiological sensor combination comprising:

a substrate means for combining a first sensor and a second sensor;

a connector means for communicating signals from said first sensor and said second sensor to at least one monitor; and

an identifying means of conveying information about each of said first sensor and said second sensor to said monitor.

9. The physiological sensor combination according to claim 8 further comprising a fold-over means for positioning sensor components so as to extend away from a tissue site.

10. The physiological sensor combination according to claim 9 further comprising an aperture means for providing light communications between sensor components and said tissue site.