Pulse oximetry sensor and technique for using the same on a distal region of a patient's digit

A method for performing pulse oximetery, the method comprising:

• placing an emitter and a detector of a pulse oximetery sensor on a distal region of a distal portion of a patent's digit, wherein distal portion of the patient's digit includes a distal bone covered with skin and tissue and wherein the distal portion has a length L as measured from a tip of the distal portion to a transverse fold of skin located generally at a joint between the distal bone and an adjacent bone, and wherein the distal region of the distal portion of the patient's digit is measured as extending from the tip of the distal portion to a location spaced no more than approximately 30% of the length L from the tip.

A method of manufacturing a pulse oximetry sensor to monitor a distal region of a distal portion of a patient's digit, wherein the distal portion includes a distal bone covered with skin and tissue and wherein the distal portion has a length L as measured from a tip of the distal portion to a transverse fold of skin located generally at a joint between the distal bone and an adjacent bone, and wherein the distal region is measured as extending from the tip of the distal portion to a location spaced no more than approximately 30% of the length L from the tip, the method comprising:

• fabricating a pulse oximetry sensor to include an emitter and a detector adapted to be located on the distal region of the distal portion of the patient's digit.

The method, as set forth in claim 18, wherein fabricating comprises:

• disposing the emitter and the detector on a structure that comprises a flat substrate.

A pulse oximetry system comprising:

• a pulse oximetry monitor;
• and
• a pulse oximetery sensor having an emitter and a detector adapted to be located on a distal region of a distal portion of a patient's digit, wherein the distal portion of the patient's digit includes a distal bone covered with skin and tissue and wherein the distal portion has a length L as measured from a tip of the distal portion to a transverse fold of skin located generally at a joint between the distal bone and an adjacent bone, and wherein the distal region is measured as extending from the tip of the distal portion to a location spaced no more than approximately 30% of the length L from the tip.

A pulse oximetery sensor adapted for use on a patient's digit, the pulse oximetery sensor comprising:

• an emitter adapted to transmit light into the patient's digit;
• and
• a detector adapted to receive the transmitted light from the patient's digit, the detector being positioned to receive at least approximately 50% of the received light from a distal region of a distal portion of the patient's digit, wherein the distal portion of the patient's digit includes a distal bone covered with skin and tissue and wherein the distal portion has a length L as measured from a tip of the distal portion to a transverse fold of skin located generally at a joint between the distal bone and an adjacent bone, and wherein the distal region is measured as extending from the tip of the distal portion to a location spaced no more than approximately 30% of the length L from the tip.