Electro-optical sensor for spectrophotometric medical devices

• US 5,465,714 A
• Filed: 07/11/1994
• Issued: 11/14/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Somanetics Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Scheuing, Richard S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sykes, Angela D.
• Application Number:
  US08/273,366
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 128/633.4, 128/664.7, 356/39-41
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor

Abstract

An electro-optical sensor for spectrophotometric clinical examination devices includes a thin, flexible, lightweight, elongated support frame having at least a pair of integral mounting bases. Each base is shaped and located to separately receive and position structurally independent and relatively free-standing electro-optical components including a light source and a detector. Each mounting base includes cup-like walls defining sockets of predetermined configuration of varying diameter to receive a correspondingly configured electro-optical component. An attachment device secures each component in a nested position at its respective mounting base. A plurality of discrete flexible electrical conductors extends along the support frame, each conductor being connected to a component. A shield shields at least some of the conductors from ambient sources of electrical and/or magnetic noise. A softly compliant outer cover is disposed over the support frame, components, conductors and shield. The cover has light passing portions overlying the components.

Claims

1. An electro-optical sensor for spectrophotometric-type clinical examination devices, comprising in combination:

a thin, flexible, lightweight, elongated support frame having at least a pair of integral mounting bases, each particularly shaped and located to separately receive, support and position a particular one of at least a pair of structurally independent and mutually free-standing electro-optical components including a light source and detector, each of said integral mounting bases including cup-like walls defining sockets of predetermined configuration of varying diameter to nestingly receive its correspondingly configured electro-optical component;

an attachment device securing each such component in its nested position at its respective one of said mounting bases;

a plurality of discrete flexible electrical conductors extending along said support frame, each such conductor being connected to at least one of said components to electrically enable the same for operation;

a shield for shielding at least some of said conductors connected to said detector from ambient sources of electrical and/or magnetic noise; and

a softly compliant outer cover disposed over said support frame, said mounted components, conductors and shield, said cover having light-passing portions overlying said components for passage of light from said source outwardly of said sensor and reception of resulting light from beyond said sensor by said detector;

said support frame and combined elements providing the structural support to hold and maintain said electro-optical components in predetermined particular relative locations and orientations during use of said sensor in said clinical examinations.

2. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein said support frame is comprised of material which is substantially opaque to the light emitted by said source.

3. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein said support frame is comprised of electrically insulative material.

4. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein said support frame is comprised of material which is substantially opaque to the light emitted by said source and also to ambient light, thus optically isolating the electro-optical components from each other and from ambient light.

5. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein said support frame includes means defining integral light passages disposed directly adjacent and in alignment with at least said detector.

6. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein said support frame has sufficient bending strength to be self-shape-retaining in the absence of external distorting forces but also has sufficient flexibility to elastically deflect laterally under light manual forces.

7. An electro-optical sensor for spectrophotometric-type clinical examination devices, comprising in combination:

a thin, flexible, lightweight, elongated support frame having at least a pair of integral mounting bases, each particularly shaped to separately receive and position a particular one of at least a pair of electro-optical components including a light source and detector in a particular relative location and orientation, each of said integral mounting bases including cup-like generally annular walls of varying cross-section for nestingly receiving a correspond electro-optical component;

apparatus securing each such component in its nested position at its respective one of said mounting bases;

a plurality of discrete flexible electrical conductors extending along said support frame, each such conductor being connected to at least one of said components to electrically enable the same for operation;

a shield for shielding at least some of said conductors connected to said detector from ambient sources of electrical and/or magnetic noise; and

a softly compliant outer cover disposed over said support frame, said mounted components, conductors and shield, said cover having light-passing portions overlying said components for passage of light from said source outwardly of said sensor and reception of resulting light from beyond said sensor by said detector, said support frame including means defining integral light passages disposed directly adjacent and in alignment with at least said detector, at least one of said light passages including peripheral walls which extend angularly and divergently outward from said detector to their opposite end extremity.

8. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 7, wherein said light passages include peripheral walls which are defined by and integrally formed with said support frame.

9. An electro-optical sensor for spectrophotometric-type clinical examination devices, comprising in combination:

a thin, flexible, lightweight, elongated support frame having at least a pair of integral mounting bases, each particularly shaped to separately receive and position a particular one of at least a pair of electro-optical components including a light source and detector in a particular relative location and orientation, each of said integral mounting bases including cup-like generally annular walls of varying cross-section for nestingly receiving a corresponding electro-optical component;

apparatus securing each such component in its nested position at its respective one of said mounting bases;

a plurality of discrete flexible electrical conductors extending along said support frame, each such conductor being connected at least to at least one of said components to electrically enable the same for operation;

a shield for shielding at least some of said conductors connected to said detector from ambient sources of electrical and/or magnetic noise; and

a softly compliant outer cover disposed over said support frame, said mounted components, conductors and shield said cover having light-passing portions overlying .said components for passage of light from said source outwardly of said sensor and reception of resulting light from beyond said sensor by said detector, said frame having a thickness which is on the order of about only three to ten times the thickness of said electro-optical components.

10. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 9, wherein said frame defines integrally formed socket-like recesses for receiving and positioning said electro-optical components, said recesses including said cup-like generally annular walls.

11. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 10, wherein said support frame includes means defining integral light passages disposed directly adjacent and in alignment with at least said detector.

12. An electro-optical sensor for spectrophotometric-type clinical examination devices, comprising in combination:

a thin, flexible, lightweight, elongated support frame having at least a pair of integral mounting bases, each particularly shaped to separately receive and position a particular one of at least a pair of electro-optical components including a light source and detector in a particular relative location and orientation, each of said integral mounting bases including cup-like generally annular walls of varying cross-section for nestingly receiving a corresponding electro-optical component;

apparatus securing each such component in its nested position at its respective one of said mounting bases;

a plurality of discrete flexible electrical conductors extending along said support frame, each such conductor being connected to at least one of said components to electrically enable the dame for operation;

a shield for shielding at least some of said conductors connected to said detector from ambient sources of electrical and/or magnetic noise; and

a softly compliant outer cover disposed over said support frame, said mounted components, conductors and shield, said cover having light-passing portions overlying said components for passage of light from said source outwardly of said sensor and reception of resulting light from beyond said sensor by said detector, said support frame defining integrally formed socket-like recesses for receiving and positioning said electro-optical components, said recesses including said cup-like generally annular walls, said frame including means defining integral light passages disposed directly adjacent and in alignment with at least said detector, and said frame having oppositely-disposed sides and said socket-like recesses opening outwardly from said frame on a first of said sides while said light passages open outwardly of the other such side, for access to said socket-like recesses from said first side.

13. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 12, wherein said light passages include peripheral walls which are defined by and integrally formed with said support frame.

14. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 13, wherein the overall thickness of said frame at the location of said passages and recesses is only on the order of about six to ten times the thickness of said detector component.

15. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 12, and further including means substantially filling said socket-like recesses from said first side to seal said components in their respective such recesses.

16. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 15, wherein said filling means comprises a material generally opaque to at least ambient light.

17. An electro-optical sensor for spectrophotometric-type clinical examination devices, comprising in combination:

a thin, flexible, lightweight, elongated support frame having at least a pair of integral mounting bases, each particularly shaped to separately receive and position a particular one of at least a pair of electro-optical components including a light source and detector in a particular relative location and orientation, each of said integral mounting bases including cup-like generally annular walls of varying cross-section for nestingly receiving a corresponding electro-optical component;

apparatus securing each such component in its nested position at its respective one of said mounting bases;

a plurality of discrete flexible electrical conductors extending along said support frame, each such conductor being connected to at least one of said components to electrically enable the same for operation;

a shield for shielding at least some of said conductors connected to said detector from ambient sources of electrical and/or magnetic noise; and

a softly compliant outer cover disposed over said support frame, said mounted components, conductors and shield, said cover having light-passing portions overlying said components for passage of light from said source outwardly of said sensor and reception of resulting light from beyond said sensor by said detector said support frame comprising an openwork member having longitudinally extending side portions and cross-members interconnecting said side portions to resist bowing thereof.

18. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 17, wherein said support frame comprises a molded elastomeric member.

19. An electro-optical sensor for spectrophotometric-type clinical examination devices, comprising in combination:

a thin, flexible, lightweight, elongated support frame having at least a pair of integral mounting bases, each particularly shaped to separately receive and position a particular one of at least a pair of electro-optical components including a fight source and detector in a particular relative location and orientation, each of said integral mounting bases including cup-like generally annular walls of varying cross-section for nestingly receiving a corresponding electro-optical component;

apparatus securing each such component in its nested position at its respective one of said mounting bases;

a plurality of discrete flexible electrical conductors extending along said support frame, each such conductor being connected to at least one of said components to electrically enable the same for operation;

a shield for shielding at least some of said conductors connected to said detector from ambient sources of electrical and/or magnetic noise; and

a softly compliant outer cover disposed over said support frame, said mounted components, conductors and shield, said cover having light-passing portions overlying said components for passage of light from said source outwardly of said sensor and reception of resulting light from beyond said sensor by said detector, said support frame defining integrally formed socket-like recesses for receiving and positioning said electro-optical components, said recesses including said cup-like generally annular walls, said electro-optical components including electrically actuated light-responsive elements disposed within optically transmissive bodies, said bodies having a size and shape generally complementary to and receivable within said socket-like recesses and against said cup-like generally annular walls.

20. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 19, and further including means retaining said optically transmissive component bodies within their respective recesses.

21. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 20, wherein said retaining means comprises at least in part peripheral portions of said socket-like recesses defining said cup-like generally annular walls.

22. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 21, wherein said retaining means further comprises an adhesive.

23. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 19, and further including means substantially filling portions of said socket-like recesses not occupied by said optically transmissive component bodies to seal said components in their respective such recesses.

24. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 23, wherein said filling means comprises a material generally opaque to at least ambient light.

25. An electro-optical sensor for spectrophotometric-type clinical examination devices, comprising in combination:

a thin, flexible, lightweight, elongated support frame having at least a pair of integral mounting bases, each particularly shaped to separately receive and position a particular one of at least a pair of electro-optical components including a light source and detector in a particular relative location and orientation, each of said integral mounting bases including cup-like generally annular walls of varying cross-section for nestingly receiving a corresponding electro-optical component;

apparatus securing each such component in its nested position at its respective one of said mounting bases;

a plurality of discrete flexible electrical conductors extending along said support frame, each such conductor being connected to at least one of said components to electrically enable the same for operation;

a shield for shielding at least some of said conductors connected to said detector from ambient sources of electrical and/or magnetic noise; and

a softly compliant outer cover disposed over said support frame, said mounted components, conductors and shield, said cover having light-passing portions overlying said components for passage, of light from said source outwardly of said sensor and reception of resulting light from beyond said senior by said detector, said electro-optical components each including at least one electrically actuated light-responsive element mounted physically on and electrically coupled to a thin conductive lead frame member, said flexible electrical conductors being connected to said lead frame members.

26. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 25, wherein at least portions of said lead frame members and their attached light-responsive elements are disposed within optically transmissive bodies as an integral structure.

27. An electro-optical sensor for spectrophotometric-type clinical examination devices, comprising in combination:

a thin, flexible, lightweight, elongated support frame having at least a pair of integral mounting bases, each particularly shaped to separately receive and position a particular one of at least a pair of electro-optical components including a light source and detector in a particular relative location and orientation, each of said integral mounting bases including cup-like generally annular walls of varying cross-section for nestingly receiving a corresponding electro-optical component;

apparatus securing each such component in its nested position at its respective one of said mounting bases;

a plurality of discrete flexible electrical conductors extending along said support frame, each such conductor being connected to at least one of said components to electrically enable the same for operation;

a shield for shielding at least some of said conductors connected to said detector from ambient sources of electrical and/or magnetic noise; and

a softly compliant outer cover disposed over said support frame, said mounted components, conductors and shield, said cover having light-passing portions overlying said components for passage of light from said source outwardly of said sensor and reception of resulting light from beyond said sensor by said detector, said socket-like recesses terminating in outer extremities and said shield including a sheet-like member which overlies at least certain of said socket-like recesses receiving said electro-optical components and is conformably configured to the said outer extremities of said recesses.

28. An electro-optical sensor according to claim 27, wherein said socket-like recesses open outwardly from said frame on a first side thereof disposed opposite said light passages, for access to said recesses from said first side, said sheet-like shielding member overlying and covering said recesses and the electro-optical components disposed therein.

29. In an electro-optical sensor for spectrophotometric-type equipment used in clinical patient examination and having electro-optical components including at least an optical source and detector, the improvement comprising a thin, generally flat, light-weight, longitudinally flexible support member for receiving and mounting said components in predetermined relative positions, said support member comprising a one piece molded structure of openwork configuration, said support member including means defining integral light passages disposed directly adjacent and in alignment with at least said detector.

30. In an electro-optical sensor for spectrophotometric-type equipment used in clinical patient examination and having electro-optical components including at least an optical source and detector, the improvement comprising a thin, generally flat, light-weight, longitudinally flexible support member for receiving and mounting said components in predetermined relative positions, said support member comprising a one piece molded structure of openwork configuration, said support member including means defining integral light passages disposed directly adjacent and in alignment with at least said detector, and said light passages including peripheral walls having at least portions which extend angularly and divergently outward from said detector.

31. The improvement according to claim 30, wherein said frame defines integrally formed socket-like recesses for receiving and positioning said electro-optical components.

32. In an electro-optical sensor for strophiometric-type equipment used in clinical patient examination and having electro-optical components including at least an optical source and detector, the improvement comprising a thin, generally flat, light-weight, longitudinally flexible support member for receiving and mounting said components in predetermined relative positions, said support member comprising a one piece molded structure of openwork configuration, said frame defining integrally formed socket-like recesses for receiving and positioning said electro-optical components, said support frame including means defining integral light passages disposed directly adjacent and in alignment with at least said detector, said socket-like recesses opening outwardly from said frame on a side thereof disposed opposite said light passages, for access to said recesses from said opposite side.

33. The improvement according to claim 32, wherein the overall thickness of said frame at the location of said passages and recesses is only on the order of about six to ten times the thickness of said detector component.

34. The improvement according to claim 32, wherein said support frame has sufficient bending strength to be self-shape-retaining in the absence of external distorting forces but also has sufficient flexibility to elastically deflect laterally under light manual forces.

35. In an electro-optical sensor for spectrophotometric-type equipment used in clinical patient examination and having electro-optical components including at least an optical source and detector, the improvement wherein said electro-optical components include electrically actuated light-responsive elements disposed within optically transmissive bodies, and wherein said bodies are of a size and shape generally complementary to and receivable in nested relationship within cup-like mounting recesses provided by said sensor, said electro-optical components each including at least one electrically actuated light-responsive element mounted physically on and electrically coupled to a thin conductive lead frame member, said optically transmissive bodies being disposed upon at least portions of said lead frame members.