Medical device probe and connector
AssigneeViOptix, Inc.
InventorsJimmy Jian-min Mao, Robert E. Lash
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sensor probe has a connector and the connector's corresponding receptacle on a console have security mechanisms that ensure that the connector and the receptacle are properly connected and mated. The connector and receptacle can have physical security features that block insertion of the connector into the receptacle if they are not aligned in a proper orientation. The console can also include a software security feature that allows optical measurements from the sensor probe only if the connector of the sensor probe and receptacle on the console are connected properly. An adapter can also be used to convert a conventional receptacle mounted on a console into a receptacle with security features.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- providing a first optical conductor having a first distal end and a first proximal end;
- providing a second optical conductor having a second distal end and a second proximal end;
- and
- the first and second optical conductors are coupled to a sensor probe comprising:
- a handle, comprising an axis;
- and
- a blade, coupled to the handle, comprising a first blade portion and a second blade portion,
- wherein the second blade portion is between the first blade portion and the handle,
- the first blade portion is angled by a first angle relative to the handle's axis,
- a first side of the first blade portion faces toward the handle, and a second side of the first blade portion faces away from the handle,
- the second side of the first blade portion comprises a first sensor structure and a second sensor structure, where the first and second sensor structures will face tissue to be measured,
- the first optical conductor is coupled to the first sensor structure, and
- the second optical conductor is coupled to the second sensor structure.
A method comprising:
- providing a first conductor having a first distal end and a first proximal end;
- providing a second conductor having a second distal end and a second proximal end;
- and
- the first and second conductors are coupled to a sensor probe comprising:
- a handle, comprising an axis;
- and
- a blade, coupled to the handle, comprising a first blade portion and a second blade portion,
- wherein the second blade portion is between the first blade portion and the handle,
- the first blade portion is angled by a first angle relative to the handle's axis,
- a first side of the first blade portion faces toward the handle, and a second side of the first blade portion faces away from the handle,
- the second side of the first blade portion comprises a first sensor structure and a second sensor structure, where the first and second sensor structures will face tissue to be measured,
- the first conductor is coupled to the first sensor structure,
- the second conductor is coupled to the second sensor structure, and
- the first and second conductors comprise optical fibers.
A method comprising:
- providing a first conductor having a first distal end and a first proximal end;
- providing a second conductor having a second distal end and a second proximal end;
- and
- the first and second conductors are coupled to a sensor probe comprising:
- a handle, comprising an axis;
- and
- a blade, coupled to the handle, comprising a first blade portion and a second blade portion,
- wherein the second blade portion is between the first blade portion and the handle,
- the first blade portion is angled by a first angle relative to the handle's axis,
- the second blade portion is angled by a second angle relative to the first blade portion, where the second angle is different from the first angle,
- the first blade portion comprises a first side and a second side, the second side of the first blade portion comprises a first sensor structure and a second sensor structure, where the first and second sensor structures will face tissue to be measured,
- the first conductor is coupled to the first sensor structure, and
- the second conductor is coupled to the second sensor structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.