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US 8,577,435 B2Granted
Flexible bandage ear sensor
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorsCharles Haisley, David Besko
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to sensors for use on a patient's ear. The sensors as provided may be disposable and configured to be retained on an ear with a biasing mechanism. In particular embodiments, the biasing mechanism is a sliding clip that is configured to bias a first portion and a second portion of a sensor body towards one another.
Claims16
A sensor comprising:
- a bandage-type sensor body comprising a stopping feature, a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to be applied to opposing sides of an ear;
- an emitter disposed on the sensor body and configured to emit light into a tissue;
- a light detector disposed on the sensor body and configured to receive the transmitted light from the tissue;
- a clip comprising a base member, a passageway, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member, and wherein the clip is configured to slide relative to the sensor body to bias the first portion and the second portion towards one another, and wherein the stopping feature is positioned such that at least a portion of the first biasing member and the second biasing member superpose a location on the sensor body corresponding to an emitter and a detector when the clip is at a stopped position abutting the stopping feature;
- and
- a cable coupled to the emitter and to the detector and extending from the sensor body and configured to fit within the passageway, wherein the cable terminates in a plug wider than the passageway such that the clip is not removable from the sensor.
3 more elements
A sensor comprising:
- a bandage-type sensor body comprising a stopping feature, a first portion, and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to be applied to opposing sides of an ear;
- an emitter disposed on the sensor body and configured to emit light into a tissue;
- a light detector disposed on the sensor body and configured to receive the transmitted light from the tissue;
- a cable coupled to the emitter and to the detector and terminating in a plug;
- and
- a clip comprising a base, wherein the base defines a passageway that accommodates the cable and only a portion of the bandage-type sensor body, wherein the passageway is narrower than a thickness of the first portion and the second portion combined such that the base cannot slide along the first portion and the second portion of the sensor body, and wherein the stopping feature prevents movement of the base past a junction of the first portion and the second portion of the sensor body.
3 more elements
A physiological monitoring system comprising:
- an ear sensor comprising:
- a bandage-type sensor body comprising a stopping feature, a first portion, and a second portion, wherein the stopping feature is located at a junction of the first portion and the second portion, and wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to be applied to opposing sides of an ear;
- an emitter disposed on the sensor body and configured to emit light into a tissue;
- a light detector disposed on the sensor body and configured to receive the transmitted light from the tissue to generate an electrical signal related to a physiological parameter;
- an electrical connector coupled to the sensor body and configured to carry the electrical signal;
- and
- a biasing mechanism configured to bias the first portion and the second portion towards one another and wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to move relative to the sensor body such that a base of the biasing mechanism comprises a passageway that is narrower than a thickness of the first portion and the second portion combined such that the base cannot slide along the first portion and the second portion of the sensor body and abuts the stopping feature to stop movement of the base and prevent the base from passing the junction of the first portion and the second portion of the sensor body;
- a cable coupled to the emitter and to the detector and extending from the sensor body and configured to fit within the passageway, wherein the cable terminates in a plug wider than the passageway such that the clip is not removable from the sensor;
- and
- a monitor coupled to the ear sensor through the electrical connector, wherein the monitor is configured to receive the electrical signal and provide an output related to the physiological parameter.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.