Resposable pulse oximetry sensor

A method of forming an optical probe from disposable and reusable portions, the optical probe being capable of receiving one or more emitter drive signals and outputting one or more intensity signals indicative of one or more physiological parameters of body tissue of a patient, the method comprising:

• acquiring a reusable portion including a plurality of flexible conductors, a light emitter capable of emitting light, and a light detector capable of detecting the light after it has been attenuated by body tissue including blood, wherein ones of the plurality of flexible conductors communicate electrical signals to the emitter and others of the flexible conductors communicate electrical signals from the detector;
• acquiring a disposable portion including a face tape layer and a base tape layer having an adhesive side capable of securing the optical probe to a measurement site on the body tissue, wherein at least one layer of the disposable portion includes one or more electrical components capable of electrical communication with ones of the plurality of flexible conductors in the reusable portion;
• and
• combining the face and the base tape layers to sandwich at least a portion of the reusable portion between the face and the base tape layers, thereby establishing communication between the one or more electrical components and the ones of the plurality of flexible conductors in the reusable portion.

A disposable element of an optical probe, the optical probe being capable of receiving one or more emitter drive signals and outputting one or more intensity signals indicative of one or more physiological parameters of body tissue of a patient, the disposable element comprising:

• a face tape layer;
• and
• a base tape layer having an adhesive side capable of securing the optical probe to a measurement site on body tissue, the face and the base tape layers combining to removably sandwich at least a portion of a reusable element between the face and the base tape layers, wherein the reusable element includes a plurality of flexible conductors, a light emitter capable of emitting light, and a light detector capable of detecting the light after it has been attenuated by the body tissue, wherein ones of the plurality of flexible conductors communicate electrical signals to the emitter and others of the flexible conductors communicate electrical signals from the detector,
• wherein the face tape layer includes an information element capable of providing information about the optical probe over ones of the plurality of conductors in the reusable element.