Variable pressure reusable sensor

• US 20050085704A1
• Filed: 10/13/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Al-Ali, Ammar, Mason, Eugene, Schulz, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 7,254,434 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/344
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/146 for optical coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor

Abstract

A variable pressure reusable sensor has a first jaw having a first hinge and an emitter and an opposing second jaw having a second hinge and a detector. A pin is disposed through the first and second hinges so as to rotatably attach the first and second jaws. The jaws are adapted to attach to a tissue site so that the emitter transmits optical radiation into the tissue site and the detector receives optical radiation after absorption by the tissue site. A spring having a plurality of legs is disposed around the pin and configured so that the legs apply force to the jaws. A tensioner is disposed proximate at least one of the jaws and configured to variably position at least one of the legs so as to adjust pressure exerted by the jaws on the tissue site.

Claims

1. A variable pressure reusable sensor comprising:

a first jaw having a first hinge and an emitter;

an opposing second jaw having a second hinge and a detector;

a pin disposed through said first and second hinges so as to rotatably attach said first and second jaws;

said jaws adapted to attach to a tissue site so that said emitter transmits optical radiation into said tissue site and said detector receives said optical radiation after absorption by said tissue site;

a spring having a plurality of legs, said spring disposed around said pin and configured so that said legs apply force to said jaws; and

a tensioner disposed proximate at least one of said jaws and configured to variably position at least one of said legs so as to adjust pressure exerted by said jaws on said tissue site.

2. The reusable sensor according to claim 1 wherein said tensioner is a plurality of slots each configured to hold at least one of said legs in a corresponding one of a plurality of leg positions that determine the tension in said spring.

3. The reusable sensor according to claim 2 wherein:

said slots are disposed on said first jaw,

said spring has a center leg and two end legs,

said center leg is positioned in one of said slots, and

said end legs are positioned against said second jaw.

4. The reusable sensor according to claim 1 wherein said tensioner is a slidable wall configured to retain at least one of said legs, said wall movable to a plurality of leg positions that determine the tension in said spring.

5. The reusable sensor according to claim 1 wherein said tensioner is a wedge configured to support at least one of said legs, said wedge movable to a plurality of leg positions that determine the tension in said spring.

6. The reusable sensor according to claim 1 further comprising a screw retained by one of said jaws, said screw in mechanical communications with said tensioner so as to adjust said tensioner as said screw is turned.

7. The reusable sensor according to claim 1 further comprising a thumb switch retained by and protruding from one of said jaws, said thumb switch adapted to release and adjust said tensioner.

8. A variable pressure reusable sensor method comprising the steps of:

providing a sensor clip having an open position for inserting and removing a tissue site and a closed position for attaching said clip to said tissue site;

emitting optical radiation into said tissue site in said closed position;

receiving said optical radiation after absorption by said tissue site;

generating a physiological signal responsive to said absorption; and

urging said clip to said closed position with a variable force so as to adjust the pressure of said clip against said tissue site.

9. The variable tension reusable sensor method according to claim 8 wherein said urging step comprises the substeps of:

selecting a spring from a spring set; and

incorporating said spring into said clip.

10. The variable tension reusable sensor method according to claim 8 wherein said urging step comprises the substeps of:

selecting a predetermined number of springs of a spring type; and

incorporating said springs into said clip.

11. The variable tension reusable sensor method according to claim 8 wherein said urging step comprises the substep of adjusting a tensioner.

12. The variable tension reusable sensor method according to claim 11 wherein said adjusting substep comprises the substeps of:

selecting a particular slot from a plurality of slots fixedly attached to a first jaw; and

placing a spring leg into said particular slot.

13. The variable tension reusable sensor method according to claim 11 wherein said adjusting substep comprises the substeps of:

capturing a spring leg with a retaining wall; and

adjusting the position of said wall.

14. The variable tension reusable sensor method according to claim 11 wherein said adjusting substep comprises the substeps of:

supporting a spring leg with a wedge; and

adjusting the position of said wedge.

15. The variable tension reusable sensor method according to claim 11 wherein said adjusting substep comprises the substep of pushing a switch on said sensor clip so as to release said tensioner.

16. A variable pressure reusable sensor comprising:

a plurality of jaws adapted to attach to a tissue site, said jaws having an emitter that transmits optical radiation into said tissue site and a detector that receives optical radiation after absorption by said tissue site;

a selected spring configuration disposed proximate said jaws so as to apply force to said jaws; and

a spring set providing a range of tension characteristics, said selected spring configuration chosen from said spring set so as to provide a particular pressure profile on said tissue site.

17. The variable pressure reusable sensor accordingly to claim 16 further comprising a visible indicator associated with said selected spring configuration so as to designate said pressure profile.

18. The variable pressure reusable sensor accordingly to claim 17 wherein said visible indicator is a color encoding on at least a portion of said jaws, a particular color designating a particular pressure profile.

19. The variable pressure reusable sensor accordingly to claim 16 wherein said spring set comprises a plurality of spring types and said selected spring configuration is a particular one of said spring types.

20. The variable pressure reusable sensor accordingly to claim 16 wherein said spring set comprises a plurality of springs of a particular spring type and said selected spring configuration is a chosen number of said springs.