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[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09 / 417,898, filed Oct. 14, 1999, entitled REUSABLE PULSES OXIMETER PROBE AND DISPOSABLE BANDAGE APPARATUS, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,224, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09 / 289,647, filed Apr. 12, 1999, entitled REUSABLE PULSE OXIMETER PROBE AND DISPOSABLE BANDAGE APPARATUSand , now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,144,868,; and is a continuation-in-part of application of Ser. No. 09 / 679,828, filed Oct. 5, 2000, entitled REUSABLE PULSE OXIMETER PROBE AND DISPOSABLE BANDAGE APPARATUS, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,519,487; and is a CiPcontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09 / 352,144, filed Jul. 13, 1999and is CiP of , entitled REUSABLE PULSE OXIMETER PROBE WITH DISPOSABLE LINER, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,100; and is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09 / 758,038, filed Jan. 11, 2001<?insert-start id="INS-S-00018" date="20100504" ?>, entitled ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]In another variation of the above, the bandage receptacles may be secured to the bandage through the use of small plastic protrusions or “heat stakes” mounted on the receptacles themselves. These protrusions can be pushed through slots in the bandage and can be melted on the other side of the bandage strip by means of an ultrasonic welding machine, thus locking the receptacles into position on the bandage strip. In this embodiment a radiation transparent window may then be adhered to the underside of the bandage strip and the heat stakes and radiation transparent windows may then be overlaid with a foam pad with holes in it, the purpose of which is to allow for the transmission and reception of infrared light through the holes while aiding in patient comfort.

[0019]In some embodiments, one object is to provide a method of facilitating the intra-departmental or inter-institutional transport of a patient or patients requiring the pulse oximeter monitoring, and wherein said pulse oximeters used for monitoring said patient may be of different manufacturers. The method comprises affixing to said patient a bandage apparatus having a modular emitter and detector receptacles incorporated thereon, providing each said different manufacturers' pulse oximeter probe with modular housings adapted to matedly engage and / or disengage with receptacles of the disposable bandage apparatus, thus enabling said patient to be monitored by pulse oximeters of different manufacturers without changing the affixed bandage apparatus.

[0020]With some embodiments of the present invention, intra-departmental or inter-institutional transport is greatly facilitated by having a bandage device which will accept probes of various manufacturers, as long as those probes contain housings that will matedly engage the receptacles of the disposable bandage apparatus.

[0021]Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of making and affixing a reusable finger probe to a patient by means of a finger clip apparatus with a disposable liner insert so that there is no contact between the costly, reusable portion of the probe and the patient. The contaminated liner, which is relatively inexpensive, can then be discarded after single patient use and the probe and finger clip can be re-used with a new liner. Additionally, such disposable inserts may be provided of different sizes and would greatly enhance the fit and function of the finger clip on the patient. This is important for several reasons. Firstly, a fitted finger clip would be more comfortable to wear than conventional finger clips. Secondly, a fitted finger clip would allow the transmission and reception of infrared light from the LEDs of the probe without interference from extraneous light sources around the front and edges of the finger, and thirdly, a fitted finger clip would evenly distribute the pressure from the spring of the finger clip and would be much less likely to restrict blood flow to the digit and thereby cause erroneous oxygen saturation readings.

[0022]Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a method for improving the reusability, fit, and cleanliness of a reusable pulse oximeter finger sensor. It comprises a reusable pulse oximeter probe with at least one light emitting diode and one photocell detector wherein said emitter and detector are mounted in respective finger clip housing arms having apertures therein, one housing arm having an aperture aligned with said emitter, and the other housing arm having an aperture aligned with said detector. Incorporated into each opposing side of the finger clip is a T-shaped channel or slot with a locking protrusion or detent at the entrance of each of the channels. Also included is a disposable foam liner which is an initially, substantially planar, foam strip, having plastic backing on at least a part thereof and two T-shaped protrusions mounted in the lateral plane of said plastic backing. At opposing ends of the foam strip, and incorporated into the T-shaped protrusions, are notched levers for locking the foam strip into position in the T-shaped channel of the finger clip. In the center of the foam strip, the plastic backing is of a thickness that will allow it to bend into a “U” shape for insertion into the finger clip. Alternatively, the plastic backing may be entirely absent and the inherent flexibility of the foam itself will allow it to bend into the desired shape. Additionally, the foam strip contains two apertures located centrally therein containing silicone windows, or windows of another radiation transparent material, that will allow for the transmission and reception of infrared light. Additionally, the foam may also contain an adhesive for helping to adhere the finger clip to the patient.

Problems solved by technology

Heretofore the use of pulse oximeter probes has been limited to the use of a costly, reusable probe, which is contaminated by use on a patient, or cheaper, single-use probes, which, in the aggregate, amount to a considerable expenditure for a healthcare institution.

Firstly, it is difficult to insert the flexible laminated sensor into a long sleeve.

Secondly, the thickness of a laminated sensor inside of a sleeve makes it difficult to bend around, and to stick properly to, a human appendage.

Thirdly, transmission and reception of infrared light can be affected by extraneous light entering from the sides of the sleeve.

And, fourthly, there is some dispute as to the affect on infrared light transmission when passing through the sleeve and the adhesive material coupled thereto.

One of the problems with pulse oximetry, and the continuity of monitoring a patient, is the vast array of different monitors used in different hospital departments.

Obviously, this creates additional expense in providing pulse oximetry monitoring.

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