Tissue interface systems for optical measurement of physiological blood parameters

A tissue interface pad for applying optical signals to tissue of a patient, the tissue interface pad comprising:

• a first surface configured to contact the tissue of the patient;
• a first guide channel disposed generally parallel to a second guide channel, wherein the first guide channel is configured to route an input optical fiber to a first location on the tissue interface pad and route a reference optical fiber to a second location on the tissue interface pad, and wherein the second guide channel is configured to route a measurement optical fiber to a third location on the tissue interface pad;
• a first optical interface element configured to optically couple the input optical fiber to the tissue through the first surface at the first location;
• a second optical interface element configured to optically couple the reference optical fiber to the tissue through the first surface at the second location;
• and
• a third optical interface element configured to optically couple the measurement optical fiber to the tissue through the first surface at the third location.

A method of manufacturing a tissue interface assembly comprising the steps of:

• forming a pad element comprising a first surface configured to interface with tissue of a patient;
• forming a first guide channel in the pad element configured to route an input optical fiber to a first location on the pad element and route a reference optical fiber to a second location on the pad element generally parallel and adjacent to the input optical fiber;
• forming a second guide channel in the pad element configured to route a measurement optical fiber to a third location on the pad element;
• forming adhesive holes disposed about the first guide channel and the second guide channel configured to hold adhesive;
• inserting the input optical fiber and the reference optical fiber into the first guide channel and applying the adhesive into the adhesive holes about the first guide channel;
• and
• inserting the measurement optical fiber into the second guide channel and applying the adhesive into the adhesive holes about the second guide channel.

The method of manufacturing the tissue interface assembly, further comprising the steps of:

• bonding a first optical interface element to an end of the input optical fiber;
• bonding a second optical interface element to an end of the reference optical fiber;
• and
• bonding a third optical interface element to an end of the measurement optical fiber.