Measuring sensor for monitoring characteristics of a living tissue

• US 6,285,895 B1
• Filed: 08/18/1998
• Issued: 09/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Instrumentarium Dental Incorporated (Envista Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Instrumentarium Dental Incorporated (Envista Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Nenye, Ari Mauri, Ristolainen, Kimmo Juhani
• Primary Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US09/136,719
• Time in Patent Office: 1,113 Days
• Field of Search: 600/310, 600/311, 600/322, 600/323, 600/324, 600/326, 600/340, 600/344, 600/473, 600/476
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• 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

Abstract

The invention relates to a measuring sensor (10), comprising: detector legs (1, 2 movable to varying distances (H1. . . H2) from each other; detector elements (11) and possible emission elements (12) in the detector legs; pivoting means, the detector legs being tiltable (M) relative to each other around a pivoting axis (13) established thereby; operating legs (3, 4), each of which is attached to done detector leg and serves as an extension thereof; a spring element (7) between the operating legs for producing a compressive force (P2) between the detector legs, containing for example a finger which is non-invasively measured with the measuring sensor for some characteristic. The spring element (7) consists of an elastomer material and a solid component, extending from the first operating leg (3) to the second operating leg (4). In addition, the spring element is in gripping contact with both operating legs (3 and 4) over such a length (L2) which is located substantially within a total length (L1) between the surrounding of said axis line (13) and outer ends (15) of the operating legs.

Claims

1. A measuring sensor (10) for measuring characteristics of living tissue in a living body extremity, the measuring sensor comprising:

a. at least two rigid detector legs (1, 2) movable (P1→

M) to varying distances (H1 . . . H2) from each other,

b. a detector means (11) positioned on at least one of the detector leg;

c. an emission means (12) positioned on at least one of the detector legs, the emission means and the detector means being arranged such that the detector means receives a signal emitted by the emission means;

d. pivoting elements (5) formed in the detector legs, the pivoting elements connecting the detector legs and forming a pivot axis line (13) about which the detector legs are movable relative to each other;

e. at least two rigid operating legs (3, 4) each having a total length (L1) extending between a first end and an outer end, the first end of each operating leg being attached to one of the detector legs, the outer end of each operating leg extending beyond the pivot axis line (13); and

f. a spring element (7) positioned between the operating legs for producing a compressive force (P2) between the detector legs when the living tissue is positioned between the detector legs, the spring element being composed of a resilient elastomer material, wherein the spring element includes a solid body continuously extending from the first rigid operating leg to the second rigid operating leg, the spring element being in gripping contact with both the first operating leg and the second operating leg over a first length (L2) that is located substantially on the total length (L1) of the respective operating leg between the pivot axis line and the outer end of each operating leg;

wherein the spring element is shaped such that the pivot axis line extends through the spring element, the spring element including projections (23, 24) directed from the pivot axis line toward the outer end of the respective operating leg, the projections having a gap (20) therebetween at least substantially open to surrounding atmosphere, the projections being in gripping contact with the respective operating leg.

2. A measuring sensor of claim 1, wherein the spring element is an uninterupted member extending from the outer ends of each operating leg to the pivot axis line, the spring element further including a pair of opposed ends (8), the pair of opposed ends being spaced apart from each other by a distance perpendicular to the pivot axis line, each end of the spring element being locked with a shape-matched contact to the respective operating leg (3, 4).

3. The measuring sensor of claim 2 wherein the spring element includes an outer surface extending between the pair of opposed ends, the outer surface of the spring element being concave relative to the direction of the axis line.

4. The measuring sensor of claim 2 wherein the spring element includes an outer surface extending bet ween the pair of opposed ends, the outer surface of the spring element being convex relative to the direction of the axis line.

5. The measuring sensor of claim 2 wherein the spring element has its apex provided with a free end (16).

6. The measuring sensor of claim 1 wherein the spring element is substantially V-shaped having a pair of mutual facing surfaces, the V-shape having its apex positioned to surround the pivot axis line.

7. The measuring sensor of claim 6 wherein an angle (α

) is formed between the mutual facing surfaces of the V-shaped spring element, the angle being in the range of 70°

-100°

.

8. The measuring sensor of claim 7 wherein the angle is in the range of 80°

-90°

.

9. The measuring sensor of claim 1, wherein the spring element has a width (W2) that is at least 50% of the width (W1) of the operating leg in the direction of the pivot axis line.

10. The measuring sensor of claim 1 wherein the spring element has a width (W2) that is at least 80% of the width (W1) of the operating leg in the direction of the pivot axis line.

11. The measuring sensor of claim 1, wherein the spring element has a width (W2) that is at is substantially equal to the width (W1) of the operating leg in the direction of the pivot axis line.

12. The measuring sensor of claim 1 wherein the detector means and the emmission means are arranged on the detector legs so as to non-invasively measure a characteristic of the living tissue on the basis of a change in electromagnetic waves passing through living tissue positioned between the detector legs.

13. The measuring sensor of claim 12 wherein the electromagnetic waves include infrared radiation and the measuring sensor is adapted to measure the charateristics of blood passing through the living tissue.

14. The measuring sensor of claim 12 wherein the detector means and emission means are arranged to measure the characteristics of living tissue with transmitting, or patially transmitting and reflecting radiation.

15. The measuring sensor of claim 1 wherein the measuring sensor is adapted for pulseoximetric measurements.

16. The measuring sensor of claim 1 where the detection means and the emission means in the detector legs comprise conductors, which are light conductors.

17. A measuring sensor (10) for measuring characteristics of living tissue in a living body extremity, the measuring sensor comprising;

a. at least two rigid detector legs (1, 2) movable (P1→

M) to varying distances (H1 . . . H2) from each other;

b. a detector means (11) positioned on at least one of the detector legs;

c. an emission means (12) positioned on at least one of the detector legs, the emission means and the detector means being arranged such that the detector means receives a signal emitted by the emission means;

d. pivoting elements (5) formed in the detector legs, the pivoting elements connecting the detector legs and forming a pivot axis line (13) about which the detector legs are movable relative to each other;

e. at least two rigid operating legs (3, 4) each having a total length (L1) extending between a first end and an outer end, the first end of each operating leg being attached to one of the detector legs, the outer end of each operating leg extending beyond the pivot axis line (13); and

f. a spring element (7) positioned between the operating legs for producing a compressive force (P2) between the detector legs when the living tissue is positioned between the detector legs, the spring element being composed of a resilient elastomer material, wherein the spring element includes a solid body continuously extending from the first rigid operating leg to the second rigid operating leg, the spring element being in gripping contact with both the first operating leg and the second operating leg over a first length (L2) that is located substantially on the total length (L1) of the respective operating leg between the pivot axis line and the outer end of each operating leg;

wherein the spring element includes an aperture extending therethrough, the aperture extending concentrically with the pivot axis line, the aperture receiving an axle (28) connected to the pivot elements of each detector leg to provide pivoting movement between the detector legs.

18. A measuring sensor (10) for measuring characteristics of living tissue in a living body extremity, the measuring sensor comprising:

a. at least two rigid detector legs (1, 2) movable (P1→

M) to varying distances (H1 . . . H2) from each other;

b. a detector means (11) positioned on at least one of the detector legs;

c. an emission means (12) positioned on at least one of the detector legs, the emission means and the detector means being arranged such that the detector means receives a signal emitted by the emission means;

d. pivoting elements (5) formed in the detector legs, the pivoting elements connecting the detector legs and forming a pivot axis line (13) about which the detector legs are movable relative to each other;

e. at least two rigid operating legs (3, 4) each having a total length (L1) extending between a first end and an outer end, the first end of each operating leg being attached to one of the detector legs, the outer end of each operating leg extending beyond the pivot axis line (13); and

f. a spring element (7) positioned between the operating legs for producing a compressive force (P2) between the detector legs when the living tissue is positioned between the detector legs, the spring element being composed of a resilient elastomer material, wherein the spring element includes a solid body continuously extending from the first rigid operating leg to the second rigid operating leg, the spring element being in gripping contact with both the first operating leg and the second operating leg over a first length (L2) that is located substantially on the total length (L1) of the respective operating leg between the pivot axis line and the outer end of each operating leg;

wherein the spring element is formed from a cross-linked polymer having macro-molecular chains consisting of silicon or carbon.

19. The measuring sensor of claim 18 wherein the spring element is formed from hot-cured silicon rubber having a hardness range of 20-40 shore A.

20. The measuring sensor of claim 18 wherein the spring element is formed from hot-cured silicon rubber having a hardness range of 50-70 shore A.

21. A measuring sensor (10) for measuring characteristics of living tissue in a living body extremity, the measuring sensor comprising:

a. at least two rigid detector legs (1, 2) movable (P1→

M) to varying distances (H1 . . . H2) from each other;

b. a detector means (11) positioned on at least one of the detector legs;

c. an emission means (12) positioned on at least one of the detector legs, the emission means and the detector means being arranged such that the detector means receives a signal emitted by the emission means;

d. pivoting elements (5) formed in the detector legs, the pivoting elements connecting the detector legs and forming a pivot axis line (13) about which the detector legs are movable relative to each other;

e. at least two rigid operating legs (3, 4) each having a total length (L1) extending between a first end and an outer end, the first end of each operating leg being attached to one of the detector legs, the outer end of each operating leg extending beyond the pivot axis line (13); and

f. a spring element (7) positioned between the operating legs for producing a compressive force (P2) between the detector legs when the living tissue is positioned between the detector legs, the spring element being composed of a resilient elastomer material, wherein the spring element includes a solid body continuously extending from the first rigid operating leg to the second rigid operating leg, the spring element being in gripping contact with both the first operating leg and the second operating leg over a first length (L2) that is located substantially on the total length (L1) of the respective operating leg between the pivot axis line and the outer end of each operating leg;

wherein the spring element includes a casing (25a;

25b) that extends past the pivot axis line onto the detector legs, the casing having an outer shape generally corresponding to the living tissue to be measured.

22. The measuring sensor of claim 21 wherein the casing is provided with flanks (26) setting a cushioning distance (S) apart from the rigid operating legs.

23. The measuring sensor of claim 21 wherein the signal received by the detector means and the radiation transmitted by the emission means passes through the material of the casing.

24. The measuring sensor of claim 21 wherein the signal received by the detector means and the signal transmitted by the emission means passes through an aperture formed in the casing.

43. The measuring sensor of claim 21 wherein the signal received by the detector means and the radiation transmitted by the emission means passes through the material of the casing.

25. A measuring sensor (10) for measuring characteristics of living tissue in a living body extremity, the measuring sensor comprising:

a. at least two rigid detector legs (1, 2) movable (P1→

M) to varying distances (H1 . . . H2) from each other;

b. a detector means (11) positioned on at least one of the detector legs;

c. an emission means (12) positioned on at least one of the detector legs, the emission means and the detector means being arranged such that the detector means receives a signal emitted by the emission means;

d. pivoting elements (5) formed in the detector legs, the pivoting elements connecting the detector legs and forming a pivot axis line (13) about which the detector legs are movable relative to each other;

e. at least two rigid operating legs (3, 4) each having a total length (L1) extending between a first end and an outer end, the first end of each operating leg being attached to one of the detector legs, the outer end of each operating leg extending beyond the pivot axis line (13); and

f. a spring element (7) positioned between the operating legs for producing a compressive force (P2) between the detector legs when the living tissue is positioned between the detector legs, the spring element being composed of a resilient elastomer material, wherein the spring element includes a solid body continuously extending from the first rigid operating leg to the second rigid operating leg, the spring element being in gripping contact with both the first operating leg and the second operating leg over a first length (L2) that is located substantially on the total length (L1) of the respective operating leg between the pivot axis line and the outer end of each operating leg;

wherein the spring element is substantially V-shaped having a pair of mutually facing surfaces with an angle (α

) therebetween to provide a predetermined spring force.

26. A measuring sensor (10) for measuring characteristics of living tissue in a living body extremity, the measuring sensor comprising:

a. at least two rigid detector legs (1, 2) movable (P1→

M) to varying distances (H1 . . . H2) from each other;

b. a detector means (11) positioned on at least one of the detector legs;

c. an emission means (12) positioned on at least one of the detector legs, the emission means and the detector means being arranged such that the detector means receives a signal emitted by the emission means;

d. pivoting elements (5) formed in the detector legs, the pivoting elements connecting the detector legs and forming a pivot axis line (13) about which the detector legs are movable relative to each other;

e. at least two rigid operating legs (3, 4) each having a total length (L1) extending between a first end and an outer end, the first end of each operating leg being attached to one of the detector legs, the outer end of each operating leg extending beyond the pivot axis line (13);

f. a spring element (7) positioned between the operating legs for producing a compressive force (P2) between the detector legs when the living tissue is positioned between the detector legs, the spring element being composed of a resilient elastomer material, wherein the spring element includes a solid body continuously extending from the first rigid operating leg to the second rigid operating leg, the spring element being in gripping contact with both the first operating leg and the second operating leg over a first length (L2) that is located substantially on the total length (L1) of the respective operating leg between the pivot axis line and the outer end of each operating leg; and

g. projections formed on each of the detector legs and an axle (28) extending between the projections formed on each of the detector legs, the axle extending through the spring element to immobilize the spring element.

27. A measuring sensor (10) for measuring characteristics of living tissue in a living body extremity, the measuring sensor comprising:

a. at least two rigid detector legs (1, 2) movable (P1→

M) to varying distances (H1 . . . H2) from each other;

b. a detector means (11) positioned on at least one of the detector legs;

c. an emission means (12) positioned on at least one of the detector legs, the emission means and the detector means being arranged such that the detector means receives a signal emitted by the emission means;

d. pivoting elements (5) formed in the detector legs, the pivoting elements connecting the detector legs and forming a pivot axis line (13) about which the detector legs are movable relative to each other;

e. at least two rigid operating legs (3, 4) each having a total length (L1) extending between a first end and an outer end, the first end of each operating leg being attached to one of the detector legs, the outer end of each operating leg extending beyond the pivot axis line (13);

f. a spring element (7) positioned between the operating legs for producing a compressive force (P2) between the detector legs when the living tissue is positioned between the detector legs, the spring element being composed of a resilient elastomer material, wherein the spring element includes a solid body continuously extending from the first rigid operating leg to the second rigid operating leg, the spring element being in gripping contact with both the first operating leg and the second operating leg over a first length (L2) that is located substantially on the total length (L1) of the respective operating leg between the pivot axis line and the outer end of each operating leg; and

g. projections formed on each of the detector legs, the projections being coupled to each other with mutual apertures and jackets within their overlapping area (R) to form the pivot axis line.

28. The measuring sensor of claim 27 wherein the spring element includes an outer surface extending between a pair of opposed ends (8), the outer surface of the spring element being concave relative to the direction of the axis line.

29. The measuring sensor of claim 27 wherein the spring element includes an outer surface extending between a pair of opposed ends (8), the outer surface of the spring element being convex relative to the direction of the axis line.

30. The measuring sensor of claim 27 wherein the spring element has its apex provided with a free end (16).

31. The measuring sensor of claim 27 wherein the detector means and emission means are arranged such that the emission means transmits radiation and the detector means measures reflected radiation to measure the characteristics of living tissue.

32. The measuring sensor of claim 27 wherein the measuring sensor is adapted for pulseoximetric measurements.

33. The measuring sensor of claim 27 wherein the detection means and the emission means in the detector legs comprise conductors, which are light conductors.

34. A measuring sensor for measuring characteristics of living tissue in a living body extremity, the measuring sensor comprising:

a pair of detector legs (1, 2) formed to receive the living body extremity therebetween, each detector leg including a pair of opposed, depending projections (5), the projections being coupled to each other to define a pivot axis line (13) about which the detector legs are movable with respect to each other;

a detector means (11) positioned on one of the detector legs;

an emission means (12) positioned on one of the detector legs, wherein the emission means emits a signal through the living body extremity, said signal being detected by the detector means;

a pair of rigid operating legs (3, 4) each attached to one of the detector legs and extending from the detector leg on an opposite side of the pivot axis line; and

a spring element (7) positioned between the operating legs to produce a compressive force to urge the operating legs away from each other and the detector legs toward each other, the spring element including a pair of resilient projections (23, 24) extending at an angle (α

) relative to each other, each projection being in gripping contact with one of the operating legs, wherein the angle decreases when the operating legs are moved toward each other.

35. The measuring sensor of claim 34 wherein each operating leg is integrally formed with one of the detector legs and the spring element is formed independently from the detector legs and operating legs.

36. The measuring sensor of claim 34 wherein the spring element is formed from hot-cured silicon rubber having a hardness range of 20-40 shore A.

37. The measuring sensor of claim 34 wherein the spring element is formed from hot-cured silicon rubber having a hardness range of 50-70 shore A.

38. The measuring sensor of claim 34 wherein an angle (α

) is formed between the mutual facing surfaces of the V-shaped spring element, the angle being in the range of 70°

-100°

.

39. The measuring sensor of claim 38 wherein the angle is in the range of 80°

-90°

.

40. The measuring sensor of claim 34 wherein the detector means and the emitter means are arranged on the detector legs so as to non-invasively measure a characteristic of the living tissue on the basis of a change in electromagnetic waves passing through living tissue positioned between the detector legs, the electromagnetic waves including infrared radiation and the measuring sensor is adapted to measure the characteristics of blood passing through the living tissue.

41. The measuring sensor of claim 34 wherein the measuring sensor is adapted for pulseoximetric measurements.

42. The measuring sensor of claim 34 wherein the spring element includes a casing (25a;

25b) that extends past the pivot axis line onto the detector legs, the casing having an outer shape generally corresponding to the living tissue to be measured.

44. The measuring sensor of claim 34 wherein the detection means and the emission means in the detector legs comprise conductors, which are light conductors.

45. A measuring sensor for measuring characteristics of living tissue in a living body extremity, the measuring sensor comprising:

a pair of detector legs (1, 2) formed to receive the living body extremity therebetween, each detector leg including a pair or opposed, depending pivot elements (5), the pivot elements being coupled to each other to define a pivot axis line (13) about which the detector legs are movable with respect to each other;

detector means (11) positioned on one of the detector legs;

emission means (12) positioned on one of the detector legs, wherein the emission means emits a signal through the living body extremity, said signal being detected by the detector means;

a pair of rigid operating legs (3, 4) each attached to one of the detector legs and extending from the detector leg on an opposite side of the pivot axis line; and

a spring element (7) positioned between the operating legs to produce a compressive force to urge the operating legs away from each other and the detector legs toward each other, the spring element being substantially V-shaped having a pair of resilient projections (23, 24) extending at an angle (α

) relative to each other and a gap (20) therebetween at least substantially open to surrounding atmosphere, each projection being in gripping contact with one of the operating legs, wherein the angle decreases when the operating legs are moved toward each other.

46. The measuring sensor of claim 45, wherein the spring element includes at least one outer surface (14a and/or 14b) substantially parallel to the pivot axis line, the outer surface being concave.

47. The measuring sensor of claim 45, wherein the spring element includes at least one outer surface (14a and/or 14b) substantially parallel to the pivot axis line, the outer surface being convex.

48. The measuring sensor of claim 45, wherein the spring element (7a, 7b) extends within the area of said pivot axis line (13) around this axis line, and the projections (23, 24) having a shaped length (L2) providing said gripping contact with the operating legs.

49. The measuring sensor of claim 45, wherein the spring element (7) is immobilized by means of an axle (28) extending through a cylindrical portion (17) of the spring element.

50. The measuring sensor of claim 45, wherein the spring element (7) is formed from a cross-linked polymer whose macro-molecular chains consist of silicon or carbon, being within a hardness range of 20-40 Shore A or 55-65 Shore A, whereupon a minor spring force is obtained by using a softer of said elastomers and a major spring force is obtained by using a harder of said elastomers.

51. The measuring sensor of claim 45, wherein the angle (α

) between the mutually facing surfaces (21, 22) of the V-shaped spring element (7) is within the range of 70°

-100°

, whereupon a predetermined minor spring force is obtained by using a wider angle and a predetermined major spring force is obtained by using a smaller angle.

52. The measuring sensor of claim 45, wherein said detection means and said emission means in the detector legs comprise conductors, which are light conductors.

53. The measuring sensor of claim 45, wherein the detector means and emission means are arranged to measure the characteristics of blood with transmitting, or partially transmitting and reflecting radiation.

54. The measuring sensor of claim 45, wherein the spring element (7) is immobilized by means of axle elements (29) in an overlapping area ®

of the detector legs and the operating legs.