Medical sensor with flexible components and technique for using the same

• US 8,781,548 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2010
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Besko, David, McKenna, Edward M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur, Eric
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fardanesh, Marjan
• Application Number:
  US12/722,355
• Publication Number:
  US 20100249557A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,587 Days
• Field of Search: 600309-344
• US Class Current: 600/344
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14553 specially adapted for cerebral tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6806 Gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head

Abstract

According to various embodiments, a hat-based or headband sensor assembly may include thin or flexible optical sensing components, such as optical fibers or ultra thin emitters or detectors. In embodiments, the sensor assembly may be a hat-based sensor that includes a gripping region, for example on the inside of the hat band, to help secure the hat to a patient'"'"'s head.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising:

a fabric or woven stocking cap;

a gripping portion disposed in a band region of the stocking cap comprising a tissue-contacting surface;

an emitter disposed on the gripping portion, wherein the emitter is configured to emit a light into a forehead region of the patient'"'"'s head;

a detector disposed on the gripping portion, wherein the detector is configured to detect the light;

a first lead coupled to the emitter;

a second lead coupled to the detector; and

a cable extending from an opening in a top portion of the stocking cap and terminating in the band region, wherein the cable is coupled to the first lead and the second lead at a point spaced apart from the gripping portion.

2. The sensor of 1, wherein the gripping portion has a static coefficient of friction greater than 10.

3. The sensor of 1, wherein the gripping portion is disposed on an interior surface of a band of the stocking cap.

4. The sensor of 1, wherein the emitter and the detector are substantially flush with the tissue-contacting surface of the stocking cap.

5. A sensor comprising:

a fabric or woven stocking cap;

a substrate disposed in a band region of the stocking cap on a tissue-contacting surface;

an emitter disposed on the substrate, wherein the emitter is configured to emit a light into a forehead region of the patient'"'"'s head;

a detector disposed on the substrate, wherein the detector is configured to detect the light;

a first lead coupled to the emitter and extending outwardly from the substrate;

a second lead coupled to the detector extending outwardly from the substrate; and

a cable extending from an opening in a top portion of the stocking cap to the band region, wherein the cable is coupled to the first lead and the second lead in the band region at a location spaced apart from the substrate.

6. The sensor of claim 5, wherein the emitter comprises an ultra-thin LED and the detector comprises an ultra thin-film metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetector.

7. The sensor of claim 5, wherein the first lead and the second lead are adhered to the stocking cap.

8. The sensor of claim 5, wherein the first lead and the second lead are woven into the stocking cap.

9. The sensor of claim 5, wherein the first and second leads comprise flexible shielded wires.

10. The sensor of claim 5, comprising a gripping portion disposed on the tissue-contacting surface.

11. The sensor of claim 10, wherein the gripping portion has a static coefficient of friction greater than 10.