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 sensor system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient. A reusable probe sensor comprises a first housing element and a second housing element. The first housing element comprises at least one light emitter and the second housing element comprises at least one light detector. The first and second housing elements are movably coupled and configured to receive a disposable sensor shield. A disposable sensor shield comprises a first liner portion having a first aperture and a second liner portion having a second aperture. The first and second liner portions are configured to receive an appendage. The first and second apertures are configured to be aligned to allow light from the at least one light emitter to pass through the first aperture, the appendage, and the second aperture, to the at least one light detector during use. The disposable sensor shield is configured to engage the reusable probe sensor.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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 sensor system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient, the system comprising:

a reusable probe sensor comprising a first housing element and a second housing element, wherein the first housing element comprises at least one light emitter and the second housing element comprises at least one light detector, wherein the first and second housing elements are movably coupled and configured to receive a disposable sensor shield, wherein each of the first and second housing elements comprises a modular connector for engaging respective modular connectors of a disposable sensor shield;

a disposable sensor shield comprising a first liner portion having a first aperture and a second liner portion having a second aperture, wherein the first and second liner portions are configured to receive an appendage, wherein the first and second apertures are configured to be aligned to allow light from the at least one light emitter to pass through the first aperture, the appendage, and the second aperture, to the at least one light detector during use, wherein the disposable sensor shield is configured to engage the reusable probe sensor, and wherein each of the first and second liner portions comprises a modular connector for engaging respective modular connectors of the first and second housing elements, wherein at least one of the modular connectors comprises a locking member.

9. The system of claim 8, comprising a connector configured to couple the reusable probe sensor to a pulse oximeter system.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the reusable probe sensor is a clip-type sensor.

11. The system of claim 8, comprising a portable monitor configured to be coupled to the reusable probe sensor.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the reusable probe sensor comprises a hinge portion coupling the first and second housing elements.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the reusable probe sensor comprises a spring.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the disposable sensor shield forms a cavity for receiving the appendage.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the disposable sensor shield is configured to slidably engage the reusable probe sensor.

16. The system of claim 8, wherein each of the first and second liner portions comprises an adhesive.

17. The system of claim 8, wherein the disposable sensor shield comprises snap-on connectors.

18. The system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first and second apertures comprises a window.

19. The system of claim 8, wherein the modular connectors of the first and second housing elements comprise slots.

20. The system of claim 8, wherein the modular connectors of the first and second liner portions comprise slot engaging members.

21. A device for use with a reusable probe sensor in a system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient, the device comprising:

a disposable sensor shield comprising a first liner portion having a first aperture and a second liner portion having a second aperture, wherein the first and second liner portions are configured to receive an appendage, wherein the first and second apertures are configured to be aligned to allow light from a light emitter of a reusable probe sensor to pass through the first aperture, the appendage, and the second aperture, to a light detector of a reusable probe sensor, and wherein the disposable sensor shield is configured to be coupled to a reusable probe sensor to shield the reusable probe sensor from contact with the appendage, wherein each of the first and second liner portions comprises a modular connector for engaging respective modular connectors of the reusable probe sensor, wherein at least one of the modular connectors comprises a locking member.

22. The device of claim 21, comprising one or more securing features configured to interact with one or more corresponding features of the reusable probe sensor to releasably secure the disposable sensor shield with the reusable probe sensor.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the disposable sensor shield forms a cavity for receiving the appendage.

24. The device of claim 21, wherein the disposable sensor shield is configured to slidably engage a reusable probe sensor.

25. The device of claim 21, wherein each of the first and second liner portions comprises an adhesive.

26. The device of claim 21, wherein the disposable sensor shield comprises one or more locking features 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.

27. The device of claim 21, wherein the first liner portion is attached to the second liner portion.

28. The device of claim 21, wherein the first liner portion is separate from the second liner portion.

29. The device of claim 21, wherein at least one of the first and second apertures comprises a window.

30. A method of preparing a system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patent, the method comprising:

providing a reusable probe sensor comprising a first housing element and a second housing element, wherein the first housing element comprises at least one light emitter and the second housing element comprises at least one light detector, wherein the first and second housing elements are movably coupled and configured to receive a disposable sensor shield, wherein each of the first and second housing elements comprises a modular connector for engaging respective modular connectors of a disposable sensor shield;

providing a disposable sensor shield comprising a first liner portion having a first aperture and a second liner portion having a second aperture, wherein the first and second liner portions are configured to receive an appendage, wherein the first and second apertures are configured to be aligned to allow light from the at least one light emitter to pass through the first aperture, the appendage, and the second aperture, to the at least one light detector during use, wherein the disposable sensor shield is configured to engage the reusable probe sensor, and wherein each of the first and second liner portions comprises a modular connector for engaging respective modular connectors of the first and second housing elements, wherein at least one of the modular connectors comprises a locking member;

coupling the disposable sensor shield to an appendage; and

coupling the disposable sensor shield to the reusable probe sensor.

31. The method of claim 30, comprising:

transmitting light through the appendage; and

sensing a physiological parameter of the patent.

32. The method of claim 30, comprising:

uncoupling the disposable sensor shield from the reusable probe sensor; and

uncoupling the disposable sensor shield from the appendage.