Heat sink for noninvasive medical sensor

• US 8,570,503 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2012
• Issued: 10/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cercacor Laboratories
• Inventors: Vo, Hung, Lamego, Marcelo, Merritt, Sean, Dalvi, Cristiano, Poeze, Jeroen, Lesmana, Ferdyan, Olsen, Greg, Kiani, Massi Joe E., Bruinsma, Johannes
• Primary Examiner(s): Chowdhury, Tarifur
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nur, Abdullahi
• Application Number:
  US13/525,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20120253150A1
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 356/222, 600/322, 600/476
• US Class Current: 356/222
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/04 Arrangements of multiple sensors of the same type
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/146 for optical coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02427 Details of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4875 Hydration status, fluid retention of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6816 Ear lobe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6829 Foot or ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/70 Means for positioning the patient in relation to the detecting, measuring or recording means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7275 Determining trends in physiological measurement data; Predicting development of a medical condition based on physiological measurements, e.g. determining a risk factor

Abstract

A noninvasive physiological sensor for measuring one or more physiological parameters of a medical patient can include a heat sink that can direct heat away from the light source.

Claims

1. A physiological sensor capable of outputting a signal responsive to a blood analyte present in a monitored patient, the sensor comprising:

a sensor housing comprising an optical source on a substrate, the optical source configured to emit optical radiation on a body tissue of a medical patient;

a heat sink in direct thermal communication with the substrate and an ambient environment, the heat sink operative to receive thermal energy from the optical source and release thermal energy outside of the sensor housing to the ambient environment; and

a plurality of photodetectors each configured to detect the optical radiation from the optical source after attenuation by the body tissue of the medical patient and to output a signal responsive to the detected optical radiation, the signal reflecting one or more physiological parameters of the medical patient.

2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the heat sink comprises one or more fins.

3. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the heat sink comprises a comb.

4. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the heat sink comprises a metalicized plastic.

5. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the heat sink comprises carbon and aluminum material.

6. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the heat sink comprises a protuberance connected to the substrate, the protuberance configured to sink heat from the optical source.

7. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the heat sink is connected to the substrate with thermal paste.

8. A physiological sensor capable of outputting a signal responsive to a blood analyte present in a monitored patient, the sensor comprising:

a sensor housing comprising an optical source configured to emit optical radiation on a body tissue of a medical patient, the optical source comprising one or more emitters disposed on a submount;

a conductive shield of a medical cable configured to be in electrical communication with the submount, such that the conductive shield acts at least in part as a heat sink for the one or more emitters; and

a plurality of photodetectors each configured to detect the optical radiation from the optical source after attenuation by the body tissue of the medical patient and to output a signal responsive to the detected optical radiation, the signal reflecting one or more physiological parameters of the medical patient.

9. The sensor of claim 8, wherein the conductive shield is soldered to the submount.

10. The sensor of claim 8, further comprising a heat sink layer connected to the submount.

11. The sensor of claim 10, wherein the conductive shield is soldered to the heat sink layer.