Reusable Pulse Oximetry Sensor with Elastomeric Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical sensors are often fragile and not designed for non-traditional hospital settings, making them unsuitable for use in challenging environments where durability and ease of cleaning are required, and they lack features for reliable physiological monitoring and proper placement in low-light conditions.
Innovation Solution
A durable and reusable optical probe with a flexible elastomeric sensor housing that allows for easy cleaning and secure finger placement, featuring a light indicator for proper alignment, a design that prevents external disruptions, and a cable configuration that accommodates various finger sizes, ensuring reliable readings in non-traditional settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing medical sensors are used, then physiological monitoring can be performed, but they are fragile and not suitable for non-traditional hospital settings
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor housing is constructed from flexible elastomeric material that can be stretched and deformed to accommodate various finger sizes and shapes while maintaining structural integrity. This flexible construction allows the sensor to adapt to different body types and environmental conditions, making it suitable for non-traditional hospital settings where rigid sensors would be too fragile.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor combines multiple materials with complementary properties: flexible elastomeric material for the housing provides durability and flexibility, while integrated optical components provide the necessary sensing capability. This composite approach creates a sensor that is both durable enough for challenging environments and functional for physiological monitoring.
2Reliability
If the sensor housing is made durable for non-traditional settings, then reliability improves, but cleaning accessibility may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor housing is designed as a single-piece molded structure without internal ribs or complex features that would trap debris. This segmented, simplified design allows the entire housing to be easily removed and cleaned in non-traditional settings while maintaining structural integrity and durability.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is designed for secure finger placement, then measurement accuracy improves, but comfort and adjustability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor housing incorporates flexible elements that can dynamically adapt to different finger sizes and shapes. The housing can be stretched to accommodate larger fingers or compressed for smaller fingers, maintaining secure placement and optimal optical contact while preserving comfort and adjustability across various user types.
4Reliability
If the sensor housing structure is complex to ensure proper placement, then measurement reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor housing incorporates a light source that illuminates the internal cavity and optical components. This lighting feature provides visual feedback to ensure proper placement and alignment of the sensor on the finger, simplifying the overall structure by using optical illumination rather than complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
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 sensor provides stable, low-noise signals for accurate physiological monitoring, is comfortable and adjustable, and includes features for secure finger placement and visual indicators for proper alignment, enhancing its usability in non-traditional settings.
Implementation Method 1
light or sound energy may be caused to be incident on the individual's body and transmitted (or reflected) energy may be measured to determine information about the material through which the energy has passed
Implementation Method 2
measurements such as these are often performed with non-invasive techniques where assessments are made by measuring the ratio of incident to transmitted (or reflected) light through a portion of the body
Data Source
AI summary
A reusable sensor is disclosed for producing a signal indicative of at least one physiological parameter of tissue. The sensor can include a sensor housing that has a distal opening, a wire lumen, and a proximal opening. The distal opening can include a lumen extending through the body of the sensor housing and the wire lumen can be located on the outside of the sensor housing. The sensor can also include a first component located on a top surface of the sensor housing and along the pathway of the wire lumen. The sensor can also include a second component located on the bottom surface of the sensor housing opposite of the first component. The second component can also be located along the pathway of the wire lumen. The sensor can also include a wire coaxially disposed within the wire lumen and connecting the first component and second component.