Low noise oximetry cable including conductive cords

• US 7,919,713 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2008
• Issued: 04/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Forrest, Kevin, Schmidt, John, Al-Ali, Ammar
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Chau N
• Application Number:
  US12/104,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20080255435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 174/113.R, 174/47, 174/105.R
• US Class Current: 174/113.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/222 Electrical cables or leads therefor, e.g. coaxial cables or ribbon cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/1091 with screen grounding means, e.g. drain wires
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

In an embodiment, one or more conductive cable cords are twisted with the sensitive signal carrying cables. The cords may advantageously comprise dummy wires, or very flexible hollow cables without an inner conductor. As the conductive cords do not carry and inner conductor, the conductive cords are individually flexible and small, resulting in a twisted bundle that more is flexible while potentially having a smaller outer diameter.

Claims

1. An oximetry system capable of acquiring signals indicative of one or more physiological parameters of a patient, the system comprising:

a noninvasive sensor including a detector configured to detect light attenuated by body tissue and output a detector signal indicative of the detected light;

a patient monitor configured to receive the detector signal and determine one or more physiological parameters the patient; and

a cable comprising an inner bundle including detector wires and at least one hollow conductive cord, the inner bundle being at least partially surrounded by an inner shield encased in an inner jacket, the inner jacket being at least partially surrounded by a plurality of outer wires, an outer shield and an outer jacket.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner bundle comprises a twisted assembly of the at least one conductive cord and the detector wires.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner bundle comprises a marginally twisted assembly of the at least one conductive cord and the detector wires.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner bundle comprises a weaved assembly of the at least one conductive cord and the detector wires.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner bundle comprises an untwisted twisted assembly of the at least one conductive cord and the detector wires.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner bundle comprises the detector wires assembled around at least one central conductive cord.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner bundle comprises two cords.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner bundle comprises a twisted assembly of the at least one conductive cord and the detector wires.

9. An oximetry cable for communicating sensitive low level signals, the cable comprising:

at least one wire including a conductor configured to communicate the sensitive signals and an insulator surrounding the conductor;

at least one hollow conductive cord assembled with said at least one wire;

a shield at least partially surrounding said assembly of at least one wire and at least one hollow conductive cord;

a jacket surrounding said shield, wherein said shield is capable of being set to a predetermined voltage to drain potential buildup of triboelectric charge on said jacket;

outer wires surrounding said jacket;

an outer shield at least partially surrounding said outer wires; and

an outer jacket surrounding said outer shield, wherein the at least one wire comprises one or more detector wires, the outer wires comprise emitter drive wires.

10. A cable for communicating sensitive low level signals, the cable comprising:

at least one wire including a conductor configured to communicate the sensitive signals and an insulator surrounding the conductor;

at least one hollow conductive cord assembled with said at least one wire;

a shield at least partially surrounding said assembly of at least one wire and at least one hollow conductive cord;

a jacket surrounding said shield, wherein said shield is capable of being set to a predetermined voltage to drain potential buildup of triboelectric charge on said jacket;

a first end configured to be coupled to a pulse oximetry sensor; and

a second end configured to be coupled to a patient monitor, wherein the at least one wire comprises two detector wires, and wherein the outer wires comprise emitter drive wires, and wherein the cable comprises an oximetry cable.

11. The cable of claim 10, further comprising:

outer wires surrounding said jacket;

an outer shield at least partially surrounding said outer wires; and

an outer jacket surrounding said outer shield.