Photoacoustic sensors for patient monitoring
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorsYouzhi Li, Qiaojian Huang, Charles Keith Haisley, Sarah Lynne Hayman
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Abstract
Various methods and systems for photoacoustic patient monitoring are provided. A photoacoustic system includes a light emitting component that emits one or more wavelengths of light into an interrogation region of a patient and an acoustic detector that detects acoustic energy generated by the interrogation region of the patient in response to the emitted light. A reflective coating is disposed on the light emitting component, the acoustic detector, the patient, or a combination thereof to direct the emitted light toward the interrogation region of the patient.
Claims23
A photoacoustic system, comprising:
- a light emitting component configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light into an interrogation region of a patient;
- an acoustic detector configured to detect acoustic energy generated by the interrogation region of the patient in response to the emitted light;
- and
- a reflective coating disposed on the light emitting component, the acoustic detector, the patient, or a combination thereof and configured to direct the emitted light toward the interrogation region of the patient.
A method, comprising:
- emitting one or more wavelengths of light from a light source into an interrogation region of a patient;
- directing the emitted light toward the interrogation region by providing reflective material along the path of the emitted light;
- and
- detecting an acoustic response to the emitted light from the interrogation region of the patient with an acoustic detector.
A photoacoustic system, comprising:
- a sensor, comprising:
- a body;
- one or more light emitting components disposed in the body and configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light into an interrogation region of a patient;
- one or more acoustic detectors disposed in the body and configured to detect acoustic energy generated by the interrogation region of the patient in response to the emitted light;
- and
- a reflective material disposed on the body, the one or more light emitting components, the one or more acoustic detectors, the patient, or a combination thereof and configured to direct the emitted light toward the interrogation region of the patient;
- and
- a patient monitor communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to receive a signal from the one or more acoustic detectors that corresponds to the detected acoustic energy.
A photoacoustic sensor, comprising:
- a light emitting component configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light into an interrogation region of a patient;
- an acoustic detector configured to detect acoustic energy generated by the interrogation region of the patient in response to the emitted light;
- and
- an interface through which the light is configured to pass into the interrogation region of the patient,
- wherein the light emitting component is oriented such that the light is emitted at an angle that is larger than the critical angle for the interface when the interface is opposed by air.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.