MEDICAL SENSOR FOR REDUCING MOTION ARTIFACTS AND TECHNIQUE FOR USING THE SAME

• US 20100280344A1
• Filed: 07/14/2010
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hoarau, Carine
• Granted Patent: US 8,260,391 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7207 of noise induced by motion artifacts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A sensor may be adapted to reduce motion artifacts by damping the effects of outside forces and sensor motion. A sensor is provided with a motion damping structure adapted to reduce the effect of motion of a sensor emitter and/or detector. Further, a method of damping outside forces and sensor motion is also provided.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising:

a sensor body;

an emitter and a detector disposed on the sensor body and adapted to be positioned proximate to a tissue of a patient; and

a motion damping structure comprising a foam or a viscoelastic material disposed on an exterior surface of the sensor body, such that the motion damping structure is visible and faces away from the tissue when the sensor is applied to the patient, wherein the motion damping structure is capable of damping a force experienced by the sensor body, such that the motion damping structure moves at least partially independently of the emitter and the detector when an external force is applied to the motion damping structure.

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

3. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode, and wherein the detector comprises at least one photodetector.

4. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the motion damping structure comprises silicone or rubber.

5. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the motion damping structure comprises neoprene.

6. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a bandage-type sensor.

7. The sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a clip-type sensor.

8. 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;

an emitter and a detector disposed on the sensor body and adapted to be positioned proximate to a tissue of a patient; and

a motion damping structure comprising a foam or a viscoelastic material disposed on an exterior surface of the sensor body, such that the motion damping structure is visible and faces away from the tissue when the sensor is applied to the patient, wherein the motion damping structure is capable of damping a force experienced by the sensor body.

9. The system, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode, and wherein the detector comprises at least one photodetector.

10. The system, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a pulse oximetry sensor or a sensor for measuring a water fraction.

11. The system, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the motion damping structure substantially covers the exterior surface of the sensor body.

12. The system, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the sensor comprises a bandage-type sensor.

13. The system, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the sensor comprises a clip-type sensor.

14. A sensor comprising:

a rigid clip-style sensor body;

an emitter and a detector disposed on an interior surface of the sensor body, wherein the interior surface is adapted to be proximate to a patient'"'"'s tissue when the sensor is applied; and

a motion damping structure comprising a foam or a viscoelastic material disposed on an exterior surface the sensor body, wherein the exterior surface of the sensor body is opposite the interior surface, and wherein the motion damping structure is capable of damping a force experienced by the sensor body, such that the motion damping structure moves at least partially independently of the emitter and the detector when an external force is applied to the motion damping structure.

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

16. The sensor, as set forth in claim 14, wherein the emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode, and wherein the detector comprises at least one photodetector.

17. The sensor, as set forth in claim 14, wherein the motion damping structure comprises silicone or rubber.

18. The sensor, as set forth in claim 14, wherein the motion damping structure comprises neoprene.

19. The sensor, as set forth in claim 14, wherein the sensor body comprises a plastic.

20. The sensor, as set forth in claim 14, wherein the motion damping structure substantially covers the exterior surface.