Disposable SpO2 Finger Clip With Detachable Fiber Optic Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional SpO2 probes with electrical leads are unsafe in MRI environments due to induced currents, and fiber optic probes face issues with attachment, size compatibility, cross-contamination, and high costs, limiting their versatility and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The development of an SpO2 probe with detachable fiber optic cable heads and clips that include a compressible foam or plastic layer for secure fit, color-coded for size, and disposable design to prevent cross-contamination, along with easy alignment and pivoting leads for improved flexibility and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If fiber optic probes are used in MRI environments, then patient safety is improved by eliminating electrical lead burns, but probe cost increases and versatility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is divided into separate components: a reusable fiber optic cable connected to the monitor, and disposable probe heads with clips that can be exchanged between patients. This segmentation allows the expensive fiber optic cable to be reused while only the disposable probe heads need to be replaced, improving versatility and reducing overall cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses disposable probe heads and clips that are discarded after a single use, eliminating cross-contamination risks and reducing cleaning requirements. The disposable nature allows for multiple size variants to be maintained in stock without concern for sterilization, improving versatility across different patient sizes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sizes of grips are provided to cover different patient sizes, then adaptability improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The probe system is segmented into a reusable cable and disposable probe heads, allowing hospitals to stock multiple sizes of only the disposable portions rather than entire probe assemblies. This reduces the complexity of managing multiple complete probe systems while maintaining size compatibility across all patients.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable fiber optic cable is designed to be compatible with multiple sizes of disposable probe heads through standardized connection interfaces. This universal connection allows a single cable to serve multiple functions with different patient sizes, reducing overall system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If conventional clips are used for attachment, then ease of operation improves, but measurement precision deteriorates due to poor skin adhesion and fit
Solution Approach 1:
The clip assembly combines a rigid outer structure for structural integrity and attachment strength with a compressible foam or plastic layer for conforming to patient anatomy. This composite construction maintains ease of attachment while improving skin adhesion and fit, thereby enhancing measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressible foam layer allows the rigid clip to adapt its shape and pressure distribution to match different patient anatomies. By changing the physical state of the foam from uncompressed to compressed, the clip maintains optimal contact with the patient's skin or appendage, improving measurement accuracy without complicating the attachment process.
4Quantity of substance
If reusable clips are used, then cost decreases, but reliability deteriorates due to cross-contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The clip and probe head assembly is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use, eliminating cross-contamination risks entirely. The low cost of the disposable portion compared to the reusable fiber optic cable makes this economically viable, maintaining both hygiene reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates disposable probe heads and clips from reusable fiber optic cables. After use, the disposable portions are discarded while the expensive reusable cables are recovered and reused with new probe heads, achieving both hygiene reliability and cost efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables safe, versatile, and cost-effective monitoring of blood oxygen levels across various patient sizes with reduced risk of cross-contamination and simplified cleaning, while allowing for easy attachment and detachment of probes, enhancing patient care in MRI settings.
Implementation Method 1
fiber optic cables that guide light to the patient's limb or finger and back to the measurement electronics
Implementation Method 2
a compressible foam or plastic layer affixed to the interior side of the clip portion
Data Source
AI summary
When monitoring blood oxygen levels in a patient during a magnetic resonance scan, detachable and reusable fiber optic cable heads (16, 18, 98, 131, 132) are coupled to an SpO2 monitor and to a hinged finger clip (40, 70, 90, 110, 190) on a patient. The finger clip (40, 70, 90, 110, 190) includes apertures (94, 196) and a retaining structure (44, 95, 198) to which a coupling portion of the fiber heads (16, 18, 98, 131, 132) are releasable attached. The retaining structure includes retaining clips (44, 198), slots (95), or the like that flexibly receive and align the fiber heads (16, 18, 98, 131, 132). The retaining structure (44, 95, 198) may be deformable, such that detachment of the fiber heads (16, 18, 98, 131, 132) at the end of the MR scan renders the finger clip (40, 70, 90, 110, 190) unusable to ensure that the clip is not reused, thereby preventing cross-infection between patients. Alternatively, the finger clip (40, 70, 90, 110, 190) may be reusable and the retaining clips may be designed to withstand repeated attachment and detachment of the fiber heads (16, 18, 98, 131, 132). A compressible foam or plastic layer is coupled to the interior of the clip portions to provide a snug fit. A transparent layer (54) attached to the foam or plastic layer permits light to pass through the foam/plastic aperture while preventing the fiber heads (16, 18, 98, 131, 132) from contacting the patient's skin.