NONINVASIVE OXIMETRY OPTICAL SENSOR INCLUDING DISPOSABLE AND REUSABLE ELEMENTS

• US 20140330099A1
• Filed: 07/15/2014
• Published: 11/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cercacor Laboratories
• Inventors: Al-Ali, Ammar, Abdul-Hafiz, Yassir
• Granted Patent: US 9,693,719 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 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A pulse oximetry sensor includes reusable and disposable elements. To assemble the sensor, members of the reusable element are mated with assembly mechanisms of the disposable element. The assembled sensor provides independent movement between the reusable and disposable elements.

Claims

1. A noninvasive optical oximetry sensor including a reusable portion and a disposable portion, the sensor comprising:

said reusable portion including;

a flex circuit,

a light source,

one or more detectors configured to detect light from said light source after attenuation by tissue of a patient at a measurement site and configured output said signals responsive to said detected light,

a plurality of conductors proximate said flex circuit, some of said conductors communicating with said light source and others of said conductors communicating with said one or more detectors, and

a protective coating encasing at least said light source, said one or more detectors and at least some of said conductors and some of said flex circuit;

said disposable portion including a positioning mechanism configured to position said light source proximate said measurement site; and

mechanical elements, a first one or more elements proximate said reusable portion and configured to mate with a second one or more elements proximate said disposable portion, wherein when mated and when said light source is positioned proximate said measurement site, some of said elements self-adjust to lock the reusable portion in position with respect to the disposable portion.

2. The noninvasive optical oximetry sensor of claim 1 wherein said protective coating comprises a flexible protective coating.

3. The noninvasive optical oximetry sensor of claim 2 wherein the flexible protective coating comprise a rubber or plastic material.

4. A multi-layered noninvasive optical medical sensor comprising:

an attachment layer configured to position sensor components proximate a measurement site on a patient;

a nonflexible layer including mechanical structures configured to mate with other mechanical structures, wherein when said attachment layer positions said sensor components, said mated structures move to preclude separation and when said attachment layer is not positioning said sensor components, said mated structures move to allow separation; and

a flexible layer including a light source and a detector, said light source configured to emit light, said detector configured to detect said light after attenuation by body tissue at said measurement site.

5. The multi-layered noninvasive optical medical sensor of claim 4, wherein said flexible layer includes a reusable portion.

6. The multi-layered noninvasive optical medical sensor of claim 5, wherein said flexible layer includes a protective coating.

7. The multi-layered noninvasive optical medical sensor of claim 4, wherein said attachment layer includes a disposable portion.

8. The multi-layered noninvasive optical medical sensor of claim 4, wherein said mechanical structures include tabs and matable slots for said tabs.

9. The multi-layered noninvasive optical medical sensor of claim 8, wherein some of said tabs and matable slots combine to preclude vertical movement of said tabs within said slots when said attachment layer positions said sensor components.