US 8,346,330 B2 · Reflection-detector sensor position indicator

Abstract

A reflection-detector sensor position indicator comprises emitters that transmit light having a plurality of wavelengths. A detector outputs a sensor signal. At least one reflection detector outputs at least one sensor position signal. An attachment assembly attaches the emitters, the detector and the reflection detector onto a tissue site. A sensor-on condition indicates that the attachment assembly has positioned the emitters generally centered over a fingernail, the detector on a fingertip opposite the fingernail and the reflection detector over the fingernail. The sensor signal, in the sensor-on condition, is at least substantially responsive to the emitter transmitted light after attenuation by pulsatile blood flow perfused within a fingernail bed underneath the fingernail. The sensor position signal, in the sensor-on condition, is at least substantially responsive to the emitter transmitted light after reflection off of the fingernail.

Claims10

Dependent claims

An optical sensor configured to provide an indication of a physiological parameter comprising:

a plurality of emitters that transmit light having a plurality of wavelengths;
a detector that outputs a sensor signal, the sensor signal is at least substantially responsive to the emitter transmitted light after attenuation by pulsatile blood flow perfused within a fingernail bed underneath the fingernail;
and
at least one reflection detector that outputs at least one sensor position signal, the sensor position signal including a sensor-on condition indicating that the attachment assembly has positioned the emitters generally centered over a fingernail, the detector on a fingertip opposite the fingernail and the at least one reflection detector over the fingernail, the at least one sensor position signal, in the sensor-on condition, is at least substantially responsive to the emitter transmitted light after reflection off of the fingernail;
an attachment assembly that attaches the emitters, the detector and the at least one reflection detector onto a tissue site.

2 more elements

A physiological measurement system comprising:

a sensor having an attachment assembly configured to position emitters over a fingernail and to position a detector on a fingertip opposite the fingernail so that the emitters are positioned to transmit multiple wavelength light into the fingernail and so that the detector is positioned to detect the transmitted light after attenuation by pulsatile blood flow perfused within a fingernail bed underneath the fingernail and generate a sensor signal responsive to the intensity of the detected light;
a second detector incorporated within the sensor that generates a sensor position signal responsive to the position of the emitters over the fingernail;
and
a physiological monitor in communications with the sensor so as to drive the emitters, receive the corresponding sensor signal from the detector, and receive the corresponding sensor position signal from the second detector;
the physiological monitor deriving a plurality of physiological parameters from the sensor signal;
and
the physiological monitor deriving a sensor position indicator from the sensor position signal.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Reflection-detector sensor position indicator

Life of this patent

Reflection-detector sensor position indicator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10