US 5,417,207 AGranted

Apparatus for the invasive use of oximeter probes

AssigneeSensor Devices, Inc.

InventorsRobert L. Young, Stephen H. Gorski

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Abstract

A reflectance oximeter probe is suitably disposed at a distal end of an elongated, substantially flat, semi-rigid chassis configured for insertion into an anatomical canal, for example in the esophagus, rectum or vaginal cavity of a human patient. The reflectance probe may also be suitably employed in many veterinary applications. An electrical connector extends from a proximal end of the chassis and terminates at a plug configured for mechanical and electrical connection to a pulse oximeter box. The reflectance probe includes first and second LED's mounted to an emitter assembly and a detector assembly spaced apart from and mounted substantially coplanar with respect to the emitter assembly. The reflectance probe generates and transmits signals to the oximeter box, the signals indicative of the dynamic oxygen saturation level of the blood perfused mucus membrane tissue.

Claims23

Dependent claims

An apparatus for invasively monitoring the oxygen saturation level of blood perfused mucus membrane tissue comprising:

an elongated, substantially flat, semi-rigid chassis having a proximal and a distal end;
an electrical connector extending from said proximal end of said chassis and terminating at a plug configured for mechanical and electrical connection to a pulse oximeter box;
respective first and second reflectance optics assemblies disposed on oppositely facing sides of said distal end of said chassis, each of said reflectance optics assemblies comprising:
respective first and second LEDs mounted to an emitter assembly and configured to emit light from said chassis at predetermined respective wavelengths;
and
a detector assembly, spaced apart from and mounted substantially coplanar with respect to said emitter assembly, and configured to receive at least a portion of the light emitted by said emitter assembly after at least some of said light has passed through said blood perfused mucus membrane tissue;
said reflectance optics assemblies being configured to generate and transmit electrical signals to said oximeter box, said signals being indicative of the dynamic oxygen saturation level of said blood perfused mucus membrane tissue;
and
a comparator circuit configured to select one of a first electrical signal generated by said first optics assembly, and a second electric signal generated by said second optics assembly, and to facilitate the display of indicia of said selected electrical signal by the oximeter box.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.