Clip-style medical sensor and technique for using the same

• US 20070260131A1
• Filed: 05/02/2006
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Chin, Rodney
• Granted Patent: US 8,073,518 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/443 Evaluating skin constituents, e.g. elastin, melanin, water
• 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 5/6838 Clamps or clips

Abstract

A clip-style pulse sensor may be adapted to apply limited, even pressure to a patient'"'"'s tissue. A clip-style sensor is provided that reduces motion artifacts by exerting limited, uniform pressure to the patient tissue to reduce tissue exsanguination. Further, such a sensor provides a secure fit while avoiding discomfort for the wearer.

Claims

1. A sensor adapted to be applied to a patient'"'"'s tissue comprising:

a sensor body having a first portion and a second portion;

a spring adapted to bias the first portion towards the second portion;

a stopping element adapted to establish a minimum distance between the first portion and the second portion; and

at least one sensing element disposed on the sensor body.

2. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, comprising a resilient material disposed on at least one of the first portion or the second portion.

3. The sensor, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the spring is adapted to apply a spring force at least greater than a compression resistance of the resilient material.

4. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the stopping element comprises a rigid bar.

5. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the stopping element comprises a plug.

6. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the stopping element comprises a substantially inelastic strap.

7. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor is adapted to apply a spring force to the patient'"'"'s tissue adapted to overcome a blood pressure of about 35 mm Hg or less.

8. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the resilient material comprises a foam.

9. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the emitter and the detector are disposed on a flexible substrate disposed on a tissue-contacting side of the resilient material.

10. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, comprising an adhesive material disposed on at least one of a tissue-contacting surface of the first portion or a tissue-contacting surface of the second portion.

11. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensing element comprises an emitter and a detector.

12. The sensor, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the emitter comprises a light-emitting diode and the detector comprises a photodetector.

13. The sensor, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the emitter is disposed on the first portion and the detector is disposed on the second portion such that the emitter and the detector are not opposite each other.

14. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a pulse oximetry sensor, a sensor for measuring a water fraction, or a combination thereof.

15. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, comprising at least one integrated circuit device.

16. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, comprising a cable comprising one or more integrated circuits.

17. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, comprising an adapter cable connected to one or more signal transmission structures of the sensor assembly.

18. A pulse oximetry system comprising:

a pulse oximetry monitor; and

a pulse oximetry sensor adapted to be operatively coupled to the monitor, the sensor comprising;

a sensor body having a first portion and a second portion;

a spring adapted to bias the first portion towards the second portion;

a stopping element adapted to establish a minimum distance between the first portion and the second portion; and

at least one sensing element disposed on the sensor body.

19. The pulse oximetry system, as set forth in claim 18, comprising a resilient material disposed on at least one of the first portion or the second portion.

20. The pulse oximetry system, as set forth in claim 19, wherein the spring is adapted to apply a spring force at least greater than a compression resistance of the resilient material.

21. The pulse oximetry system, as set forth in claim 18, wherein the stopping element comprises a rigid bar.

22. The pulse oximetry system, as set forth in claim 18, wherein the stopping element comprises a plug.

23. The pulse oximetry system, as set forth in claim 18, wherein the stopping element comprises a substantially inelastic strap.

24. The pulse oximetry system, as set forth in claim 18, wherein the sensor is adapted to apply a spring force to the patient'"'"'s tissue adapted to overcome a blood pressure of about 35 mm Hg or less.

25. The pulse oximetry system, as set forth in claim 18, wherein the resilient material comprises a foam.

26. The pulse oximetry system, as set forth in claim 18, wherein the emitter and the detector are disposed on a flexible substrate disposed on a tissue-contacting side of the resilient material.

27. The pulse oximetry system, as set forth in claim 18, comprising an adhesive material disposed on at least one of a tissue-contacting surface of the first portion or a tissue-contacting surface of the second portion.

28. The pulse oximetry system, as set forth in claim 18, wherein the sensing element comprises an emitter and a detector.

29. The pulse oximetry system, as set forth in claim 28, wherein the emitter comprises a light-emitting diode and the detector comprises a photodetector.

30. The pulse oximetry system, as set forth in claim 28, wherein the emitter is disposed on the first portion and the detector is disposed on the second portion such that the emitter and the detector are not opposite each other.

31. The pulse oximetry system, as set forth in claim 18, wherein the sensor further comprises a sensor for measuring a water fraction.

32. The pulse oximetry system, as set forth in claim 18, comprising at least one integrated circuit device.

33. The pulse oximetry system, as set forth in claim 18, comprising a cable comprising one or more integrated circuits.

34. The pulse oximetry system, as set forth in claim 18, comprising an adapter cable connected to one or more signal transmission structures of the sensor assembly.

35. A method comprising:

biasing a first portion and a second portion of a sensor body towards one another with a spring; and

establishing a minimum distance between the first portion and the second portion with a stopper disposed on the sensor body;

36. The method, as set forth in claim 35, comprising absorbing part of a spring force of the hinge with a rigid bar.

37. The method, as set forth in claim 35, comprising absorbing part of a spring force of the hinge with an inelastic strap.

38. The method, as set forth in claim 35, comprising absorbing part of a spring force of the hinge with a plug.

39. A method of manufacturing a sensor, comprising:

providing a sensor body having a first portion and a second portion;

providing a spring adapted to bias the first portion towards the second portion;

providing a stopping element adapted to establish a minimum distance between the first portion and the second portion; and

providing at least one sensing element disposed on the sensor body.

40. The method, as set forth in claim 39, comprising a resilient material disposed on at least one of the first portion or the second portion.

41. The method, as set forth in claim 40, wherein the spring is adapted to apply a spring force at least greater than a compression resistance of the resilient material.

42. The method, as set forth in claim 39, wherein the stopping element comprises a rigid bar.

43. The method, as set forth in claim 39, wherein the stopping element comprises a plug.

44. The method, as set forth in claim 39, wherein the stopping element comprises a substantially inelastic strap.

45. The method, as set forth in claim 39, wherein the resilient material comprises a foam.

46. The method, as set forth in claim 39, comprising:

providing a flexible substrate disposed on a tissue-contacting side of the resilient material.

47. The method, as set forth in claim 39, comprising:

providing an adhesive material disposed on at least one of a tissue-contacting surface of the first portion or a tissue-contacting surface of the second portion.

48. A sensor adapted to be applied to a patient'"'"'s tissue comprising:

a sensor body having a first portion, a second portion;

a spring adapted to bias the first portion towards the second;

a substrate disposed on at least one of the first portion or the second portion, wherein the substrate is adapted to move with at least one degree of freedom relative to the sensor body; and

at least one sensing element disposed on the substrate.

49. The sensor, as set forth in claim 48, wherein the substrate is adapted to pivot on a pin disposed on the first portion or the second portion.

50. The sensor, as set forth in claim 48, wherein the substrate is connected to the first portion or the second portion by a hinge.

51. The sensor, as set forth in claim 48, wherein the sensor is adapted to apply a spring force to the patient'"'"'s tissue adapted to overcome a blood pressure of about 35 mm Hg or less.

52. The sensor, as set forth in claim 48, further comprising a resilient material disposed on at least one of the first portion or the second portion.

53. The sensor, as set forth in claim 52, wherein a resilient material is disposed on the substrate.

54. The sensor, as set forth in claim 52, wherein the resilient material comprises a foam.

55. The sensor, as set forth in claim 48, comprising an adhesive material disposed on at least one of a tissue-contacting surface of the first portion or a tissue-contacting surface of the second portion.

56. The sensor, as set forth in claim 48, wherein the sensing element comprises an emitter and a detector.

57. The sensor, as set forth in claim 56, wherein the emitter comprises a light-emitting diode and the detector comprises a photedetector.

58. The sensor, as set forth in claim 56, wherein the emitter is disposed on the first portion and the detector is disposed on the second portion such that the emitter and the detector are not opposite each other.

59. The sensor, as set forth in claim 48, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a pulse oximetry sensor, a sensor for measuring a water fraction, or a combination thereof.

60. The sensor, as set forth in claim 48, comprising at least one integrated circuit device.

61. The sensor, as set forth in claim 48, comprising a cable comprising one or more integrated circuits.