Oxygen saturation sensor for clamping to a body part

Abstract

Oxygen saturation sensor (100) for clamping to a body site (200), comprising: - a first clamping element (10) for receiving a light source (31) or comprising the light source (31), and - a second clamping element (20) for receiving a radiation detector (32) or comprising the radiation detector (32), wherein the oxygen saturation sensor (100) is configured to receive the body site (200) between the first clamping element (10) and the second clamping element (20), and wherein the first clamping element (10) comprises: - a first deformable side wall (11) and a second deformable side wall (12), and - a number of first connecting elements (15a, 15b, 15c) extending between the first side wall (11) and the second side wall (12), so that the first clamping element (10) is deformable in such a way that the first clamping element (10) bends towards the body part (200) when applied to the latter, wherein the second clamping element (20) comprises: - a third deformable side wall (21) and a fourth deformable side wall (22), and - a number of second connecting elements (25a, 25b, 25c) extending between the third side wall (21) and the fourth side wall (22), so that the second clamping element (20) is deformable in such a way that the second clamping element (20) bends towards the body part (200) when applied to the latter, wherein the first clamping element (10) and the second clamping element (20) are pivotally connected to one another, and wherein the oxygen saturation sensor (100) is designed such that a difference between an orientation of the light source (31) and the radiation detector (32) to one another in a deformed state of the respective clamping element (10, 20) and an orientation of the light source (31) and the radiation detector (32) to one another in a non-deformed state of the respective clamping element (10, 20) does not exceed an angular difference (A) of 10°.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an oxygen saturation sensor for clamping to a body part.

[0002] Oxygen saturation sensors for clamping to a body site are well known. Oxygen saturation sensors are used to determine the oxygen saturation of the blood (oxygen saturation). A special type of oxygen saturation sensor is a pulse oximetry oxygen saturation sensor.

[0003] An oxygen saturation sensor is used, for example, in intensive care or in anesthesia medicine, where it is common for a measurement carried out using the oxygen saturation sensor to be carried out continuously over a longer period of time.

[0004] An oxygen saturation sensor comprises a light source, for example, a light-emitting diode, and a radiation detector, for example, a photodiode. To determine oxygen saturation, the absorption or transmission properties of a body part, for example, a user's finger, can be measured and evaluated in relation to the light emitted by the light source.

[0005] Depending on the desired application, the oxygen saturation sensor can be designed to be reusable or single-use.

[0006] An oxygen saturation sensor is known from DE 3 703 458 A1. It comprises a carrier body made of silicone, rubber, or polyurethane that can be deformed by material expansion. This carrier body can be placed over a patient's finger, arm, or leg and adheres there by clamping forces. Due to the complex design of the carrier body, the sensor known from DE 3 703 458 A1 is complex to clean and disinfect.

[0007] An oxygen saturation sensor known from DE 69 117 861 T2 has a reusable sensor part comprising a photodiode and which can be positioned on a patient's finger. The sensor further comprises a disposable, flexible nonwoven element which can be fixed to the finger by an adhesive layer and which comprises a photoemitter.

[0008] DE 10 2007 026 721 A1 discloses a medical gripping tool with at least two branches. The gripping tool utilizes the FinRay effect.

[0009] Further oxygen saturation sensors are known from US 10 863 938 B2 and from US 9 895 107 B2.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved oxygen saturation sensor for clamping attachment to a body part.

[0011] These and other problems are solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims.

[0012] The dependent claims provide advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0013] According to the invention, an oxygen saturation sensor is provided. The oxygen saturation sensor comprises a first clamping element for receiving a light source or comprising the light source, and a second clamping element for receiving the radiation detector or comprising the radiation detector. The oxygen saturation sensor is configured to accommodate the body site between the first clamping element and the second clamping element. The first clamping element comprises a first, in particular elastically, preferably flexibly, deformable side wall and a second, preferably elastically deformable, further preferably flexibly deformable side wall.The first clamping element further comprises a number of first connecting elements which extend between the first side wall and the second side wall and preferably connect them, so that the first clamping element is deformable such that the first clamping element bends towards the body part when applied to the body part.

[0014] In other words, the invention proposes providing a radiation detector for clamping to a body part, which radiation detector utilizes the fin ray effect, also known as the fin ray effect. The fin ray effect is described in more detail in EP 1 203 640 A2, for example. The fin ray effect means that a fish fin, when subjected to lateral force, does not bend in the direction of the force, but rather bends the fish fin against the direction of the force. Within the scope of the invention, it was recognized that the fin ray effect can be utilized particularly advantageously for an oxygen saturation sensor, since the first clamping element, which is deformed by accommodating a body part, bends in the direction of the body part and thus applies to the body part and avoids possible pressure points during prolonged use. Molding an oxygen saturation sensor to the body part orThe clamping effect at the body part can thus be improved. By applying the first clamping element to the body part, the gap between the body part and the sensor element is also reduced, thereby reducing potentially adverse environmental influences, such as light incidence, that can affect the measurement.

[0015] Counter-curving is therefore understood to mean that the deformable clamping element deforms concavely when viewed from the direction of an interior of the oxygen saturation sensor, i.e. that at least one end of the first clamping element deforms towards the body part.

[0016] Particularly preferably, the oxygen saturation sensor is lockable.

[0017] For the purposes of the invention, an oxygen saturation sensor is understood to be a device for determining the oxygen saturation of the blood (oxygen saturation). The oxygen saturation sensor is preferably designed as a pulse oximetry oxygen saturation sensor.

[0018] According to the invention, the oxygen saturation sensor is designed to be clamped to the body part. By appropriately dimensioning, the oxygen saturation sensor can be suitable for attachment to various body parts, for example, to a finger, an earlobe, an arm, and / or a leg, particularly in neonates and / or children.

[0019] According to the invention, a clamping element refers to an element of the oxygen saturation sensor that is suitable for clamping against a patient's body part, i.e., an element of the oxygen saturation sensor that provides a contact area for the body part. The first clamping element and the second clamping element thus provide two, particularly opposite, contact areas for the body part.

[0020] The clamping elements can be formed integrally with each other or formed separately from each other and connected (directly or indirectly) to each other.

[0021] According to the invention, a side wall refers to a lateral boundary surface of a clamping element, which is preferably designed to be solid or alternatively interrupted. Each side wall can have essentially any surface shape and, for example, be flat. A side wall can be designed to be deformable, for example, by selecting a suitable material (in particular elastic or flexurally elastic), for example, by one, several, or all side walls comprising at least one material selected from the group: thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane, and silicone.

[0022] According to the invention, a connecting element refers to an element which extends between two side walls and connects them. A connecting element can, for example, be designed as a beam-shaped strut or as a substantially planar (flat or curved) rib. Combinations of these designs are also possible. According to the invention, a number of first connecting elements are provided, i.e. only a first connecting element or a plurality of first connecting elements. Each connecting element can be designed to be rigid or elastically deformable. Likewise, each connecting element can be connected to the respective side wall in a rigid or articulated manner. All that is required is that the clamping element formed by the side walls and the number of connecting elements is deformable in such a way that the first clamping element, when applied to the part of the body, curves towards it and preferably lies flat against it.It is possible that a strength or a thickness of a connecting element is not constant along at least one extension direction.

[0023] Preferably, the first clamping element and / or the second clamping element is obtainable by a multi-component injection molding process.

[0024] Each clamping element can have additional walls and / or surfaces covered with a material.

[0025] The first deformable sidewall and the second deformable sidewall can form a profile of the first clamping element along a longitudinal axis of the first clamping element. The profile can be substantially triangular, trapezoidal, semicircular, crescent-shaped, or polygonal.

[0026] The light source can, for example, be a light-emitting diode (hereinafter also referred to as LED or in the plural as LEDs). The oxygen saturation sensor preferably has several light sources, for example a red LED and / or an infrared LED. A red LED is understood to be an LED that is configured to emit light with a wavelength in the range from 610 nm to 760 nm, preferably with a wavelength of 660 nm. An infrared LED is understood to be an LED that is configured to emit light with a wavelength of more than 760 nm, preferably in a range from 800 nm to 1000 nm, particularly preferably with a wavelength of 950 nm.

[0027] If the oxygen saturation sensor has multiple light sources, these can be designed as part of a common component or as structurally separate components.

[0028] A radiation detector is a component designed to measure electromagnetic radiation, namely light. Such a radiation detector is also referred to as a photodetector. The radiation detector can be configured, for example, as a photoresistor, photodiode, phototransistor, CCD sensor, and / or a CMOS sensor. The radiation detector is preferably configured as a photodiode. The oxygen saturation sensor can preferably have multiple radiation detectors.

[0029] Preferably, the light source and the radiation detector are designed as elements on a flexible circuit board, which can be formed integrally with the oxygen saturation sensor or which can be removed, ie reversibly accommodated, in or on the oxygen saturation sensor.

[0030] The oxygen saturation sensor according to the invention is preferably designed as a disposable oxygen saturation sensor. Alternatively, it is preferred that the oxygen saturation sensor is designed as a reusable oxygen saturation sensor.

[0031] According to the invention, the first clamping element and the second clamping element are pivotally connected to one another.

[0032] This allows for greater design flexibility for the oxygen saturation sensor with regard to the body site. Opening the oxygen saturation sensor allows for particularly gentle body site scanning, thus improving comfort.

[0033] A pivotable connection can be provided, for example, by an articulated connection of the first clamping element and the second clamping element. For this purpose, the oxygen saturation sensor can, for example, have a joint that connects the first clamping element and the second clamping element. Such a joint can be designed, for example, as a rotary joint or a spring joint. In another variant, the first clamping element and the second clamping element can be articulated by a material-elastic connection (i.e., a solid-state joint).

[0034] The oxygen saturation sensor can further comprise a spring element which, when the relative position of the first clamping element and the second clamping element changes, exerts a restoring force on the first clamping element and the second clamping element, moving them back toward their original position. This can increase the clamping forces acting on the body part by the oxygen saturation sensor.

[0035] The second clamping element can be designed in the same way or differently than the first clamping element.

[0036] According to the invention, the second clamping element has a third, in particular elastically deformable side wall and a fourth, in particular elastically deformable side wall. It is preferred that the third side wall and the fourth side wall form a profile of the second clamping element along a longitudinal axis of the second clamping element. Furthermore, the second clamping element has a number of second connecting elements which extend between the third side wall and the fourth side wall and preferably connect them, so that the second clamping element is deformable such that the second clamping element curves towards the body part when applied to the latter.

[0037] In other words, it is particularly preferred that the second clamping element also exhibits the above-described fin-ray effect. The second clamping element can be configured substantially identically to the first clamping element, which advantageously reduces the number of parts to be manufactured, or it can be configured differently from the first clamping element, thereby enabling a particularly high degree of adaptability of the deformation properties of the oxygen saturation sensor.

[0038] The profile of the second clamping element can be substantially triangular, trapezoidal, semicircular, sickle-shaped or polygonal.

[0039] According to the invention, the oxygen saturation sensor is designed such that a difference between an orientation of the light source and the radiation detector relative to one another in a deformed state of the respective clamping element and an orientation of the light source and the radiation detector relative to one another in a non-deformed state of the respective clamping element does not exceed an angular difference of 10°, preferably of 5°.

[0040] Since the light source and radiation detector generally have angle-dependent emission and reception characteristics, the signal quality provided by the oxygen saturation sensor can be improved in this way. In other words, in any deformed state, i.e., regardless of the size of the body part being scanned, it can be ensured that the alignment or orientation of the light source and radiation detector is as parallel as possible (i.e., the magnitude of an angle (predetermined angle difference) between a central axis of a light emission region and a central axis of a light reception region is as close as possible to 180° and remains the same in every opening position of the sensor, i.e., for every finger thickness).

[0041] The limit of the angle difference required to achieve the best possible signal quality depends primarily on the respective characteristics of the light source and radiation detector. However, it has generally been recognized that sufficient signal quality can be achieved if the angle difference does not exceed 10°, preferably 5°.

[0042] Preferably, the light source is arranged at a distal end of the first clamping element, wherein the radiation detector is preferably arranged at a distal end of the second clamping element.

[0043] A distal end of a clamping element refers to a region of the clamping element that is closer to an end of the clamping element than to a center of the clamping element.

[0044] It was recognized within the scope of the invention that a radius of curvature of the clamping element is smaller in a central region than in a distal region of the clamping element, so that in this preferred embodiment a difference between an orientation of the light source and the radiation detector relative to one another in a deformed state of the respective clamping element and an orientation of the light source and the radiation detector relative to one another in a non-deformed state of the respective clamping element can be reduced in a particularly simple manner.

[0045] Preferably, the first side wall and the second side wall enclose a first acute angle in an undeformed state of the first clamping element. Additionally or alternatively, it is preferred that the third side wall and the fourth side wall enclose a second acute angle in an undeformed state of the second clamping element.

[0046] This improves the deformability of the first clamping element and / or the second clamping element and thus the ability to be applied to the body part.

[0047] In case the side walls are not flat, the acute angle is enclosed by respective tangents to the respective side walls.

[0048] Preferably, a part of the number of first connecting elements and / or a part of the number of second connecting elements is formed in a planar manner, wherein respective surface normals of the connecting elements are arranged perpendicular to the respective longitudinal axis of the respective clamping element.

[0049] In this way, an advantageous symmetrical deformation of the first clamping element and / or the second clamping element can be achieved. Furthermore, the deformability of the respective clamping element toward the body part is improved and the respective clamping element is stiffened against deformation in the opposite direction.

[0050] Particularly preferably, the total number of first connecting elements and / or the total number of second connecting elements is formed in a planar manner, wherein respective surface normals of the connecting elements are arranged perpendicular to the respective longitudinal axis of the respective clamping element.

[0051] Preferably, the first side wall and / or the third side wall is provided by spaced-apart side wall segments and / or by overlapping side wall segments.

[0052] In this way, cavities formed between respective connecting elements and side wall segments can be made accessible for cleaning, which improves the cleanability of the oxygen saturation sensor.

[0053] Preferably, the first side wall and / or the second side wall and / or the third side wall and / or the fourth side wall are designed to be interrupted transversely to the direction of the respective longitudinal axis of the respective clamping element.

[0054] In this way, the application of the oxygen saturation sensor to the body site can be improved and, in particular, the incidence of unwanted light from the environment towards the radiation detector can be reduced.

[0055] The oxygen saturation sensor may also include additional elements, for example, for data processing and communication. For example, the oxygen saturation sensor may include a control unit, such as a circuit or a microprocessor, for controlling the light source and / or the radiation detector. The control unit may, for example, be configured to receive and process measurement signals from the radiation detector and / or to store them in a memory unit. Furthermore, the oxygen saturation sensor may, for example, include circuits for controlling and / or reading the light source and / or the radiation detector. The circuits may, for example, include one or more amplifiers, resistors, capacitors, filters, A / D converters, and the like. The circuits may be configured as part of the control unit or as separate components.Furthermore, for example, the oxygen saturation sensor can have a data interface, for example, a wired or wireless interface, for sending and / or receiving data. For example, the measurement signals of the radiation detector and / or measurement data stored in a storage unit can be transmitted to an external receiver via the interface. Furthermore, for example, the oxygen saturation sensor can have a power source such as an accumulator or a battery for providing electrical energy for operating the oxygen saturation sensor. Additionally or alternatively, the oxygen saturation sensor can have a power interface (wired or wireless) for receiving electrical energy for operating the oxygen saturation sensor.All of the above-mentioned elements can be designed as part of a common printed circuit board, for example as part of the flexible printed circuit board or printed circuit boards described above.

[0056] Furthermore, the object mentioned above is achieved by using a fin ray structure in an oxygen saturation sensor for clamping attachment to a body part.

[0057] These and other features and advantages are also evident from the following figure description. It shows: Fig. 1a an embodiment of an oxygen saturation sensor, Fig. 1b an embodiment of the oxygen saturation sensor according to Fig. 1a in a state attached to a part of the body, Fig. 2a an embodiment of a first clamping element according to the invention in perspective view, Fig. 2b the first clamping element according to the invention according to Fig. 2a from the front, Fig. 2c an embodiment of a first clamping element according to the invention from the front, Fig. 2d an embodiment of a first clamping element according to the invention from the front, Fig. 2e an embodiment of a first clamping element according to the invention from the front, Fig. 2f an embodiment of a first clamping element according to the invention from the front Fig. 3a an embodiment of an oxygen saturation sensor, Fig. 3b an embodiment of the oxygen saturation sensor according to Fig. 3a in a state attached to a part of the body, Fig. 3c an embodiment of an oxygen saturation sensor according to the invention, Fig. 4 an embodiment of an oxygen saturation sensor according to the invention in a deformed state, Fig. 5a an embodiment of an oxygen saturation sensor, Fig. 5b an embodiment of the oxygen saturation sensor according to Fig. 5a in an open state, Fig. 6a an embodiment of an oxygen saturation sensor, Fig. 6b an embodiment of the oxygen saturation sensor according to Fig. 6a in an open state, Fig. 6c an embodiment of the oxygen saturation sensor according to Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b in a state attached to a part of the body, Fig. 7 an embodiment of an oxygen saturation sensor according to the invention, Fig. 8 an embodiment of an oxygen saturation sensor according to the invention, Fig. 9 an embodiment of an oxygen saturation sensor according to the invention.

[0058] The present invention relates to an oxygen saturation sensor 100 for attachment to a body part 200, for example to a finger 200. Embodiments of oxygen saturation sensors 100 according to the invention or components thereof as well as further oxygen saturation sensors 100 not according to the invention are described in the Fig. 1 - 9 shown.

[0059] All embodiments of oxygen saturation sensors 100 according to the invention comprise a first clamping element 10 and a second clamping element 20, wherein the oxygen saturation sensors 100 are configured to accommodate the body site 200 between the first clamping element 10 and the second clamping element 20.

[0060] All embodiments of the first clamping element 10 comprise a first deformable side wall 11 and a second deformable side wall 12, which can form a profile of the first clamping element 10 along a longitudinal axis 14 of the first clamping element 10.

[0061] All embodiments of the first clamping element 10 further comprise a number of first connecting elements 15a, 15b, 15c, ..., which extend between the first side wall 11 and the second side wall 12 and preferably connect them.

[0062] In all illustrated embodiments of the first clamping element 10, the number of connecting elements 15a, 15b, 15c, ... is configured as a plurality. In embodiments not shown, the number of connecting elements 15 can be configured as a singular number, ie, the first clamping element 10 can also have only one connecting element 15, although this is less preferred.

[0063] In some embodiments, the connecting elements 15a, 15b, 15c, ... are formed in a planar manner, wherein respective surface normals F1 of the connecting elements 15a, 15b, 15c, ... are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 14 of the respective clamping element 10. For the sake of clarity, the surface normals F1 are only shown in Fig. 2b and omitted from the remaining figures. In embodiments not shown, however, only a portion of the number of connecting elements 15a, 15b, 15c, ... may be planar. In further embodiments not shown, the number of connecting elements 15a, 15b, 15c, ... may also be non-planar, but rather, for example, bar-shaped. Although the illustrated connecting elements 15a, 15b, 15c, ... have a planar surface shape, non-planar connecting elements 15a, 15b, 15c, ... are also possible.

[0064] In all embodiments of the oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to the invention and not according to the invention shown, the first clamping element 10 is deformable such that the first clamping element 10 bends towards the body part 200 when applied to the latter. This feature is clearly visible in the comparison between the respective undeformed state of the first clamping element 10 in Fig. 1a, Fig. 3a, Fig. 4 and Fig. 6a and 6b in comparison with the respective deformed state of the first clamping element 10 Fig. 1b, Fig. 3b, Fig. 4 and Fig. 6c illustrates this.

[0065] The oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to the invention thus has a first clamping element 10 which has a fin jet effect.

[0066] In the following, the oxygen saturation sensors 100 are described in more detail according to the individual embodiments.

[0067] The oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b includes, in addition to the first clamping element 10, a second clamping element 20, which is concavely designed to accommodate the body part 200. Furthermore, the oxygen saturation sensor 100 includes a light source 31 and a radiation detector 32, which, however, are not shown for the sake of clarity.

[0068] The first clamping element 10 and the second clamping element 20 are pivotally connected to one another by a joint 41, in this exemplary embodiment by a solid-state joint 41. Alternatively, the joint 41 can be designed as a separate component. The first clamping element 10 has a first side wall 11 and a second side wall 12 as well as five connecting elements 15a - 15e, which extend between the first side wall 11 and the second side wall 12 and preferably connect them. The number of connecting elements 15a, 15b, ... can, however, be designed differently. The first clamping element 10 further has a first base wall 16, which is connected to a second base wall 26 of the second clamping element 20 by the joint 41. A base wall 16 is not required, however. The first clamping element 10 and the second clamping element 20 can be formed integrally with one another. To accommodate the body part 200, which in Fig. 1b as a finger 200, the body part 200 can be inserted into the oxygen saturation sensor 100, whereby the first clamping element 10 bends toward the body part 200 when applied to the latter. In the illustrated embodiment, the first side wall 11 and the second side wall 12 form a profile of the first clamping element 10 along a longitudinal axis 14 of the first clamping element 10.

[0069] The first clamping element 10 according to this embodiment can, in principle, be combined with any other embodiment of an oxygen saturation sensor 100. Likewise, every second clamping element 20 can be designed accordingly.

[0070] The oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to Fig. 5a, Fig. 5b corresponds to the oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b, so that a repetitive presentation of the similarities is omitted. In contrast to the oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b, the oxygen saturation sensor 100 detects Fig. 5a, Fig. 5b has a separate joint 41, which pivotally connects the first clamping element 10 and the second clamping element 20. The oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to Fig. 5a, Fig. 5b also includes an actuating mechanism 43, by means of which the first clamping element 10 and the second clamping element 20 can be moved relative to each other to accommodate the body site 200. Such an actuating mechanism 43 can be provided in any embodiment of an oxygen saturation sensor 100.

[0071] In Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b, Fig. 2c, Fig. 2d, Fig. 2nd, Fig. Figure 2f shows five embodiments of a first clamping element 10, which can be combined with any embodiment of an oxygen saturation sensor 100. Likewise, each second clamping element 20 can be designed accordingly.

[0072] The first clamping element 10 after Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b essentially corresponds to the first clamping element 10 according to Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b, whereby it has only three connecting elements 15a, 15b, 15c. It is possible in each embodiment but only in Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b explicitly shows that some or all of the first connecting elements 15a, 15b, ... can be designed in a planar manner, wherein respective surface normals F1 of the connecting elements 15a, 15b, ... can be arranged perpendicular to the respective longitudinal axis 14 of the respective clamping element 10, 20. An alternative to the planar configuration of some or all of the first connecting elements 15a, 15b, ... is to design some or all of the first connecting elements 15a, 15b in a bar-shaped manner.

[0073] The second clamping element 20 can be designed accordingly.

[0074] The first clamping element 10 after Fig. 2c and the first clamping element 10 according to Fig. 2d differs from the previously described first clamping elements 10 in that their first side wall 11 is provided by overlapping side wall segments 11a, 11b, 11c. As in Fig. 2d, for example, it is possible that the number of connecting elements 15a, 15b corresponds to the number of side wall segments 11a, 11b. It is as in Fig. However, as shown in Fig. 2c, it is also possible that the number of connecting elements 15a, 15b is different from the number of side wall segments 11a, 11b, 11c.

[0075] The second clamping element 20 can be designed accordingly.

[0076] The first clamping element 10 after Fig. 2e differs from the previously described first clamping elements 10 in that its first side wall 11 is provided by spaced-apart side wall segments 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d. It is possible that the number of connecting elements 15a, 15b corresponds to the number of side wall segments 11a, 11b. It is as in Fig. However, as shown in Figure 2e, it is also possible that the number of connecting elements 15a, 15b is different from the number of side wall segments 11a, 11b, 11c.

[0077] The second clamping element 20 can be designed accordingly.

[0078] The first clamping element 10 after Fig. 2f differs from the previously described first clamping elements 10 in that the number of connecting elements 15a, 15b, 15c does not directly connect the first side wall 11 and the second side wall 12.

[0079] The second clamping element 20 can be designed accordingly. Fig. 3a, Fig. The oxygen saturation sensor 100 schematically illustrated in Figure 3b comprises, in addition to a first clamping element 10, a second clamping element 20, which can be configured flat to accommodate the body site 200. Such a configuration of the second clamping element 20 is possible in all embodiments of an oxygen saturation sensor 100. The first clamping element 10 and the second clamping element 20 of this embodiment are pivotally connected to one another by a joint 41. The joint 41 can be configured as a solid-state joint or as a joint component. The first clamping element 10 can be a previously described first clamping element 10 or a different first clamping element 10.The oxygen saturation sensor 100 optionally further comprises a spring 42 as a spring element, which, when the relative position of the first clamping element 10 and the second clamping element 20 changes, exerts a restoring force on the first clamping element 10 and the second clamping element 20 in order to move them back toward their initial position. In each exemplary embodiment, it is preferred that the light source 31 and the sensor element 32 lie with their respective central axes in a common plane, as indicated by the dashed-dotted line in FIG. Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b is indicated.

[0080] The oxygen saturation sensor 100 after Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b is suitable for clamping attachment to a body part 200, which in Fig. 3b is shown schematically. For example, the longitudinal axis 14 of the first clamping element 10 can be aligned transversely to a body part longitudinal direction 201 in a state fastened to the body part 200, as shown in Fig. 3b. In other embodiments, such as in Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b, Fig. 6c, the longitudinal axis 14 of the first clamping element 10 can be aligned parallel or longitudinally to a body part longitudinal direction 201 in a state fastened to the body part 200.

[0081] The oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to Fig. 3c corresponds to the oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b so that a repetitive presentation of the similarities is omitted. In contrast to the oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b, the oxygen saturation sensor 100 detects Fig. 3c, instead of a flat second clamping element 20, also has a second clamping element 20 which is designed in the manner of a fin ray structure. In other words, the second clamping element 20 according to Fig. 3c, a third deformable side wall 21 and a fourth deformable side wall 22, which preferably form a profile of the second clamping element 20 along a longitudinal axis 24 of the second clamping element 20, and further comprises a number of second connecting elements 25, which extend between the third side wall 21 and the fourth side wall 22 and preferably connect them, so that the second clamping element 20 is deformable such that the second clamping element 20 bends toward the body site 200 when applied to the latter. Such a second clamping element 20 can be provided in any embodiment of an oxygen saturation sensor 100.

[0082] In Fig. 4 is a modification of the oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to Fig. 3c. The oxygen saturation sensor 100, shown in solid lines, represents a deformed state by recording a body site 200 (not shown). The oxygen saturation sensor 100' represents a non-deformed state. The respective orientation of the light source 31' in the deformed state and the light source 31 in the non-deformed state is indicated by a normal 202' and 202, respectively. The respective orientation of the radiation detector 32' in the deformed state and the radiation detector 32 in the non-deformed state is indicated by a normal 203' and 203, respectively. It is desirable that a difference between the orientation (normal 202) of light source 31 and radiation detector 32 (normal 203) to each other in a deformed state and an orientation (normal 202') of light source 31' and radiation detector 32' (normal 203') to each other in a non-deformed state does not exceed an angular difference A of 10 °.

[0083] The oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b and Fig. 6c comprises, in addition to the first clamping element 10, a second clamping element 20, which is concavely designed to accommodate the body site 200. Such a second clamping element 20 can be provided in any embodiment of an oxygen saturation sensor 100. The first clamping element 10 and the second clamping element 20 are pivotally connected to one another by a joint 41. In this exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the first clamping element 10 and a longitudinal axis of the second clamping element 20, which can run along the profile of the second clamping element 20, are aligned parallel to one another. The oxygen saturation sensor 100 further comprises an actuating mechanism 43 and preferably also a spring element (not shown).

[0084] The oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to Fig. 7 corresponds to the oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to Fig. 3c, so that a repetitive presentation of the similarities is omitted. In contrast to the oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to Fig. 3c, the oxygen saturation sensor 100 detects Fig. 3c, instead of a flat second clamping element 20, also has a second clamping element 20, which has a fin ray effect. The first clamping element 10 and the second clamping element 20 of this embodiment are connected by a solid-state joint 41, which simultaneously functions as a spring element and provides a previously described restoring force. Likewise, the oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to this embodiment has a two-part actuating mechanism 43a, 43b. Finally, the oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to this embodiment has a first cover 17 and a second cover 27. Such a configuration of the solid-state joint 41 and / or a two-part actuating mechanism 43a, 43b can be provided in any embodiment of an oxygen saturation sensor 100.

[0085] In variants of the invention, the first side wall 11 and / or the second side wall 12 and / or the third side wall 21 and / or the fourth side wall 22 can be designed to be interrupted, in particular in order to accommodate the body part 200. This is the case in the embodiments according to Fig. 8 and after Fig. 9, in which the side wall located on an inner side of the oxygen saturation sensor 100 is interrupted.

[0086] The oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to Fig. 8, the first clamping element 10 has a plurality of connecting elements 15a-15j, which are essentially bar-shaped or can extend intermittently in a planar manner in the direction of the longitudinal axis 14 of the first clamping element 10. This provides an interruption between the two base sides of the first clamping element 10, in which the body part 200 can be received. The second clamping element 20 is designed correspondingly to the first clamping element 10, thus also has a plurality of connecting elements 25a-25j, which are essentially bar-shaped or can extend intermittently in a planar manner in the direction of the longitudinal axis 24 of the second clamping element 20. The first clamping element 10 and the second clamping element 20 can optionally be pivotally connected to one another by a joint 41. The oxygen saturation sensor 100 can also optionally have an actuating mechanism 43.It is preferred and in . Fig. 8 illustrates that the first clamping element 10 and the second clamping element 20 can be configured to engage one another, such that the first clamping element 10 and the second clamping element 20 overlap when viewed in the longitudinal direction 14 of the first clamping element 10. Such a configuration of the first clamping element 10 and / or the second clamping element 20 can be provided in any embodiment of an oxygen saturation sensor 100.

[0087] The oxygen saturation sensor 100 according to Fig.9, the first clamping element 10 has a plurality of connecting elements 15a-15f, which are essentially bar-shaped or can extend intermittently in a planar manner in the direction of the longitudinal axis 14 of the first clamping element 10. This provides an interruption between the two base sides of the first clamping element 10, in which the body part 200 can be received. The second clamping element 20 is designed correspondingly to the first clamping element 10, thus also has a plurality of connecting elements 25a-25f, which are essentially bar-shaped or can extend intermittently in a planar manner in the direction of the longitudinal axis 24 of the second clamping element 20. The first clamping element 10 and the second clamping element 20 can optionally be pivotally connected to one another by a joint 41. The oxygen saturation sensor 100 can also optionally have an actuating mechanism 43.Such a configuration of the first clamping element 10 and / or the second clamping element 20 can be provided in any embodiment of an oxygen saturation sensor 100.

[0088] All options for providing the oxygen saturation sensor described herein can be combined with each other as desired, provided this is not contradictory or involves alternatives.

[0089] Instead of a previously described oxygen saturation sensor, all features of the invention can also be provided by a device for clamping attachment to a body site for measuring medically relevant data. An example of such a device is a previously described oxygen saturation sensor. List of reference symbols 10 first clamping element 11 first side wall 12 second side wall 14 Longitudinal axis of the first clamping element 15, 15a, 15b, ... first connecting element(s) 16 first foundation wall 17 first cover 20 second clamping element 21 third side wall 22 fourth side wall 24 Longitudinal axis of the second clamping element 25, 25a, 25b, ... second connecting element(s) 26 second base wall 27 second cover 31, 31' light source 32, 32' radiation detector 41 joint 42 spring 43, 43a, 43b operating mechanism 100 oxygen saturation sensor 200 Body part, Finger 201, 201' Body part longitudinal direction 202, 202' Central axis / normal of the light source 203, 203' Central axis / normal of the radiation detector A, angle difference F1, F1a, F1b, ... Surface normal of the first connecting element(s)

Claims

[1] Oxygen saturation sensor (100) for clamping to a body part (200), comprising: - a first clamping element (10) for receiving a light source (31) or comprising the light source (31), and - a second clamping element (20) for receiving a radiation detector (32) or comprising the radiation detector (32), wherein the oxygen saturation sensor (100) is configured to receive the body site (200) between the first clamping element (10) and the second clamping element (20), and wherein the first clamping element (10) comprises: - a first deformable side wall (11) and a second deformable side wall (12), and - a number of first connecting elements (15a, 15b, 15c) extending between the first side wall (11) and the second side wall (12), so that the first clamping element (10) is deformable in such a way that the first clamping element (10) bends towards the body part (200) when applied to the latter, wherein the second clamping element (20) comprises: - a third deformable side wall (21) and a fourth deformable side wall (22), and - a number of second connecting elements (25a, 25b, 25c) extending between the third side wall (21) and the fourth side wall (22), so that the second clamping element (20) is deformable in such a way that the second clamping element (20) bends towards the body part (200) when applied to the latter, wherein the first clamping element (10) and the second clamping element (20) are pivotally connected to one another, and wherein the oxygen saturation sensor (100) is designed such that a difference between an orientation of the light source (31) and the radiation detector (32) relative to one another in a deformed state of the respective clamping element (10, 20) and an orientation of the light source (31) and the radiation detector (32) relative to one another in a non-deformed state of the respective clamping element (10, 20) does not exceed an angular difference (A) of 10°. [2] Oxygen saturation sensor (100) according to claim 1, wherein the light source (31) is arranged at a distal end of the first clamp element (10), and wherein the radiation detector (32) is arranged at a distal end of the second clamping element (20). [3] Oxygen saturation sensor (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first side wall (11) and the second side wall (12) enclose an acute angle in an undeformed state of the first clamping element (10), and / or wherein the third side wall (21) and the fourth side wall (22) enclose an acute angle in an undeformed state of the second clamping element (20). [4] Oxygen saturation sensor (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a part of the number of first connecting elements (15a, 15, 15c) and / or a part of the number of second connecting elements (25a, 25b, 25c) are planar, wherein respective surface normals (F1) of the connecting elements (15a, 15b, 15c, 25a, 25b, 25c) are arranged perpendicular to a respective longitudinal axis (14, 24) of the respective clamping element (10, 20). [5] Oxygen saturation sensor (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first side wall (11) and / or the third side wall (12) is provided by spaced-apart side wall segments (11a, 11b, 11c) and / or by overlapping side wall segments (11a, 11b, 11c). [6] Oxygen saturation sensor (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first side wall (11) and / or the second side wall (12) and / or the third side wall (21) and / or the fourth side wall (22) is designed to be interrupted transversely to a direction of a respective longitudinal axis (14, 24) of the respective clamping element (10, 20). [7] Oxygen saturation sensor (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first clamping element (10) and / or the second clamping element (20) is obtainable by a multi-component injection molding process.

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