Heated reprocessing of physiological sensors
AssigneeMasimo Corporation
InventorYassir Kamel Abdul-Hafiz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods of reprocessing physiological sensors may include applying heat to a physiological sensor so as to efficiently remove adhesives, adhesive layers, and/or other disposable components of the sensor. Heat may be applied to the physiological sensor efficiently via a medium, such as an aqueous solution (for example, water). Reusable components of the physiological sensor may then be reassembled with new disposable components and/or adhesives to produce a reprocessed sensor. The methods may further include testing and/or replacement of various reusable sensor components, testing of the reprocessed sensor, cleaning of the reprocessed sensor and/or sensor components, and/or sterilization of the reprocessed sensor, among other steps.
Claims16
A method for reprocessing a previously used physiological sensor, the method comprising:
- moving the sensor on a conveyor belt;
- applying, during a first phase, heat to the sensor via a first medium, wherein the first medium includes at least one of:
- radiant heat, a fluid bath, a fluid spray, or a fluid steam;
- after the first phase, further moving the sensor on the conveyor belt;
- applying, during a second phase occurring after the first phase, heat to the sensor via a second medium, wherein the second medium is a different medium from the first medium;
- applying to the sensor, during the first phase and/or second phase, at least one of:
- agitation, vibration, or ultrasonic waves;
- disassembling the sensor into sensor components including one or more reusable sensor components;
- and
- assembling a reprocessed sensor by attaching one or more new sensor components to at least one of the reusable sensor components.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.