Universal modular pulse oximeter probe for use with reusable and disposable patient attachment devices

Abstract

A system and method of standardizing modular probe housings so that the standardized probe housings may be incorporated into probes adapted to work with at least one of a multiplicity of manufacturers' oximeters. The probe housings are adapted to matingly engage at least a disposable bandage apparatus and a reusable finger attachment device. A pulse oximeter system comprises a finger attachment device having first and second probe couplers, the first and second probe couplers are configured to be matingly engageable with probe housings of a pulse oximeter probe.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

BRIEF DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

DESCRIPTION OF THE MODULAR PULSE OXIMETER PROBE

Universal Modular Pulse Oximeter Probe for Use with Reusable and Disposable Patient Attachment Devices

Description of a Modular Pulse Oximeter Probe

The According to one embodiment, the Modular Pulse Oximeter Probe consists of a “Y” type probe assembly in which the Light Emitting Diode (FIG. 1 21, Item A) and the Photocell Detector (FIG. 1 21, Item B) are incorporated into modular plastic housings. Said housings have an aperture or radiation transparent window incorporated therein so that said emitter and detector may be in communication with each other when said windows are in alignment with each other. In this preferred embodiment the modular housings consist of two half shells which encapsulate each the emitter and detector, one side of said shells (FIG. 1 21, Items C) being fabricated of an opaque plastic material and the other half of said shells (FIG. 1 21, Items D) being fabricated of a radiation transparent plastic material. The housings are designed in order to accommodate at least one of a possible multiplicity of manufacturers' light emitting diodes and photocell detectors. The housings may also contain an indentation (FIG. 1 21, Items E) into which a locking lever of the receptacles of the disposable bandage apparatus or reusable finger attachment device may lodge in order to secure the probe housings to the receptacles of the preferred attachment device. The cable (FIG. 1 21, Item F) and the connector (FIG. 1 21, Item G) of the probe may also be interchanged in order to be compatible with a multiplicity of different manufacturers' oximeters.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISPOSABLE BANDAGE APPARATUS

Description of a Disposable Bandage Apparatus

The According to one embodiment, the disposable bandage apparatus consists of at least one adhesive bandage strip (FIG. 2 22, Item A) wherein at least two receptacles (FIG. 2 22, Items B) are mounted on said strip. Said receptacles are mounted over apertures in the strip (FIG. 2 22, Items C) so that these apertures may diametrically oppose each other when the bandage strip is wrapped over the end of a patient's appendage. The Receptacles of the Disposable Bandage Apparatus may also incorporate locking levers (FIG. 2 22, Items D) that are intended to engage the indentations in the housings of the probe (FIG. 1 21, Items E) thus securing the probe housings within the bandage receptacles. The apparatus may also contain a radiation transparent window (FIG. 2 22, Items E) for isolation of the probe housings from the patient and may also incorporate an additional foam strip (FIG. 2 22, Item F) with apertures (FIG. 2 22, Items G) for cushioning the patient's appendage from the radiation transparent windows. FIG. 3 23 illustrates the disposable bandage apparatus with an engaged probe as it would appear in use on a human appendage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REUSABLE FINGER ATTACHMENT DEVICE

Description of a Reusable Finger Attachment Device

The One preferred embodiment of the Reusable Finger Attachment Device comprises a flexible plastic or foam strip (FIG. 4 24, Item A) with two receptacles (FIG. 4 24, Items B) mounted thereon. Said receptacles are mounted over apertures in the strip (FIG. 4 24, Items C) so that these apertures may diametrically oppose each other when the bandage strip is wrapped over the end of a patient's appendage. The strip also incorporates two perforated tabs (FIG. 4 24, Items D) and two additional tabs with molded knobs (FIG. 4 24, Items E) so that when the strip is looped over a human digit, the tabs with the perforations overlay the tabs with the knobs and these, when pressed together, can adjustably and removably interlock with each other for securing the device to a human digit. The Receptacles of the Reusable Finger Attachment Device may also incorporate locking levers (FIG. 4 24, Items F) that are intended to engage the indentations in the housings of the probe (FIG. 1 21, Items E) thus securing the probe housings within the bandage receptacles. FIG. 5 25 illustrates the device as it would appear in use on a patient with the probe housings engaged in the Reusable Finger Attachment Device.

Other Fastening Means

As can be appreciated there are many means of fabricating either the Disposable Bandage Apparatus and the Reusable Finger Attachment Device using modular receptacles into which a universal modular probe housing could be lockingly engaged. While these devices may offer the most efficient method fabrication and/or user friendliness, they are by no means exhaustive.

Method of Use

Whether using the Disposable Bandage Apparatus or the Reusable Finger Attachment Device, the methods of use are essentially the same. With either apparatus, the end of the human appendage is wrapped by the device and, in the case of the Disposable Bandage Apparatus, the adhesive strip simply sticks to the skin of the patient. With the Reusable Finger Attachment Device, the tabs containing the perforations and knobs are simply overlaid and pushed together thus securing the device to the digit. With either device the probe housings are pushed into the receptacles of the device and are locked into place by the locking levers that engage the indentations in the probe housings. When the monitoring of the patient is complete, the locking levers of the receptacles of either device are lifted in order to release the probe housings and the probe is removed from the device. In the event that a Disposable Bandage Apparatus is in use, it is then thrown away after the probe has been removed. When a Reusable Finger Attachment Device is in use, it may be removed, washed, and reused on another patient.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Advantages of Some Embodiments

• • 1. The standardization of probes within a hospital whereby a multiplicity of manufacturers' oximeters could utilize probes having housings of the same size for engaging either reusable or disposable attachment devices is very favorable.
  • 2. Finger attachment devices on the market today are hard wired to the probes, and when breakage occurs on the finger clip, the entire probe must be repaired or thrown away. With some embodiments of the present invention, when breakage occurs in either the finger attachment device or the probe itself, only the broken component has to be replaced.
  • 3. A big problem exists with maintaining the cleanliness of reusable finger clips because the electronics are not removable from the finger clip and the device cannot be immersed or cleaned. With some embodiments of the present invention, the Reusable Finger Attachment Device can be removed from the probe and cleaned or sterilized.

While the invention has been described in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that other embodiments, adaptations and modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A pulse oximeter probe system comprising a probe having at least one light emitting diode and at least one photocell detector wherein said emitter and detector are incorporated into modular plastic housings, at least one housing having an aperture or radiation transparent window aligned with said diode, and at least a second housing having an aperture or radiation transparent window aligned with said detector; a selected one of:

(a) a reusable finger attachment device having a first modular receptacle pair mounted thereon, or

(b) a disposable bandage device having a second modular receptacle pair mounted thereon;

2. The probe system of claim 1 in which said housings have indentations for lockingly engaging and disengaging the levers of receptacles of a disposable bandage apparatus or reusable finger attachment device.

3. The probe system of claim 1 wherein said disposable bandage apparatus incorporates radiation transparent windows for the isolation of the probe housings from the patient.

4. The probe system of claim 1 in which the probe housings of probes to be used on a multiplicity of manufacturers' oximeters are adapted to be matedly engaged with a selected reusable finger attachment device or a disposable bandage apparatus having receptacles designed to mate with said probe housings.

5. A reusable finger attachment device for use with a pulse oximeter probe incorporating modular housings, comprising said attachment device incorporating modular receptacles for matingly engaging said modular probe housings; wherein the receptacles of the reusable finger attachment device have locking levers for lockingly engaging and disengaging said modular probe housings.

6. The reusable finger attachment device of claim 5 which said modular probe housings are adapted to be removed from said reusable finger attachment device in order to clean or sterilize said reusable finger attachment device.

7. A method of standardizing probes comprising designing probe housings to be matingly engageable with modular receptacles of a disposable bandage apparatus and a reusable finger attachment device and further constructing said probe housings to be incorporated into probes adapted to work with at least one of a multiplicity of manufacturers' oximeters.

8. A device for use with a reusable probe sensor assembly in a system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient, the device comprising a disposable bandage apparatus and first and second probe couplers, the bandage apparatus having adhesive on at least a portion thereof, the first and second probe couplers being operably attached to the bandage apparatus and configured to be matingly engageable with probe housings of a reusable probe sensor assembly, wherein the first and second probe couplers comprise respective first and second locking features that engage and disengage probe housings of a reusable probe sensor assembly.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first and second locking features comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of a fastener, a hook-and-loop type material, a snap-on connector, a ring, a groove, a notch, a twistable connector, a contoured portion of a receptacle, a threaded connector, a flange, a tab, an indentation and a slot.

10. A system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient comprising:

a probe assembly having a light emitter, a light detector, and first and second modular housings for the light emitter and light detector, respectively; and

a disposable bandage apparatus having first and second modular receptacles operably attached thereto, the bandage apparatus having adhesive on at least a portion thereof, and said modular receptacles having locking features to engage and disengage with said modular housings of said probe.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein at least one of said locking features comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of a fastener, a hook-and-loop type material, a snap-on connector, a ring, a groove, a notch, a twistable connector, a contoured portion of a receptacle, a threaded connector, a flange, a tab, an indentation and a slot.

12. A method of providing a system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient having reusable and disposable components, comprising:

providing at least one reusable probe assembly having a light emitter, a light detector, and first and second modular housings for the light emitter and the light detector; and

providing a plurality of disposable bandages, each disposable bandage having first and second probe couplers respectively, each disposable bandage having adhesive on at least a portion thereof, the respective first and second probe couplers being operably attached to each respective disposable bandage and configured to be matingly engageable with the first and second modular probe housings of the at least one reusable probe assembly, wherein the respective first and second probe couplers comprise respective first and second locking features to engage and disengage the first and second modular probe housings of the at least one reusable probe assembly.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising positioning at least one of the plurality of disposable bandages on an appendage of a patient.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising engaging the respective first and second probe couplers of at least one of the plurality of disposable bandages with the respective first and second modular probe housings of the at least one reusable probe assembly.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising sensing at least one signal transmitted through an appendage of a patient.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising disengaging the respective first and second probe couplers of at least one of the plurality of disposable bandages from the respective first and second modular probe housings of the at least one reusable probe assembly.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising disposing of at least one of the plurality of disposable bandages.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising reusing the at least one reusable probe assembly.