Nellcor Puritan Bennett Incorporated

Nellcor Incorporated

Ciena Corporation

James R Casciani

Paul David Mannheimer

Stephen J Ruskewicz

Steve L Nierlich

Mitchell Elliott Levinson

Phillip S Palmer

Bryan Jon Weber

Carl Ritson

Daniel Gronvall

Steven L Nierlich

Daniel Knapp

Mitch Levinson

Richard L Shaw

Andres Jimenez Lopez

A pulse oximeter sensor with a light source optimized for low oxygen saturation ranges and for maximizing the immunity to perturbation induced artifact. Preferably, a red and an infrared light source are used, with the red light source having a mean wavelength between 700-790 nm. The infrared light source can have a mean wavelength as in prior art devices used on patients with high saturation. The sensor of the present invention is further optimized by arranging the spacing between the light emitter and light detectors to minimize the sensitivity to perturbation induced artifact. The present invention optimizes the chosen wavelengths to achieve a closer matching of the absorption and scattering coefficient products for the red and IR light sources. This optimization gives robust readings in the presence of perturbation artifacts including force variations, tissue variations and variations in the oxygen saturation itself.

Pulse oximeter and sensor optimized for low saturation

Oximeter with selection between calculations based on patient type

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system and method for measuring blood oxygen saturation. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention include emitting light having a wavelength spectrum that is optimized for an oxygen saturation reading less than 80 percent, detecting the light, and transmitting signals based on the detected light, the signals being useful in determining blood oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter.

A method and system of managing slack in fiber optic cables connected to a circuit board is provided. A fiber optic cable is supported at a point between and not colinear with the two points to which it is attached to the circuit board. The fiber optic cables are preferably supported a vertical distance above the circuit board each with a plurality of points of support on a radius guide, preferably two radius guides. The radius guides each have a leading edge and a trailing edge for supporting the cable and a curved central portion therebetween around which the cable is bent. The cables are preferably tensioned between at least two of the points of support so that cables of differing lengths are taut to prevent movement during shipping or to prevent vibration that would otherwise be caused by air flow over the circuit board.

System for managing slack in fiber optic cables connected to a circuit board

An improved method for bending an oximeter sensor which simplifies the manufacturing. The sensor is manufactured without a bend, but when it is packaged for shipping, it is bent and restrained in the bent position. The sensor is made of a material which has memory so that when the packaging which restrains it is removed for use, the sensor will retain a partially bent shape.

Method of curving a fetal sensor

An oximeter sensor with an expandable element for positioning the sensor against the fetus. The expandable element is positioned to be removed from at least one of the emitter and detector so that the portion of the sensor adjacent the emitter or detector is not pressed unduly by the expandable element to exsanguinate the tissue. A constant pressure differential between a pressure of the expandable element and an amniotic pressure may be maintained.

Fetal sensor with securing balloons remote from optics

A fetal pulse oximeter sensor mounted on a sensor head with an articulating design. A lumen on one side of the sensor has a cable or rod therein to either push or pull that side of the sensor with respect to the main body, thus causing the sensor head to articulate. This can be used, for instance, to apply pressure against the fetus' scalp, with the sensor head, using the articulating mechanism, until an adhesive takes hold. Additionally, the sensor may be held in place on the fetus by an adhesive which is appropriate for a wet surface. The adhesive has the characteristics of having sufficient adhering characteristics to maintain the sensor in place, while at the same time not damaging the fetus' skin upon removal, without requiring suction.

Pulse oximeter sensor with articulating head

An oximeter sensor formed with a housing made of a relatively rigid material into which the oximeter electrical components can be mounted is provided. An overmolded material, of lesser rigidity, is injection-molded over the housing to complete the sensor. In one embodiment the housing is made of plastic, such as polypropylene, and the overmolded material is an injection-molded thermal plastic elastomer, such as Santoprene.TM. (polypropylene with 1 micron size particles of rubber). The housing preferably contains thin portions connecting thicker portions which support the electrical and optical components. These thin portions provide natural bending portions in the final oximeter sensor. By having the thin portions near or at the central, neutral axis of the sensor, flexibility is optimized in the longitudinal direction, while the housing provides stiffness laterally.

Oximeter sensor with rigid inner housing and pliable overmold

A pulse oximeter sensor with a light source optimized for low oxygen saturation ranges and for maximizing the immunity to perturbation induced artifact. Preferably, a red and an infrared light source are used, with the red light source having a mean wavelength between 700-790 nm. The infrared light source can have a mean wavelength as in prior art devices used on adults. The sensor of the present invention is further optimized by arranging the spacing between the light emitter and light detectors to minimize the sensitivity to perturbation induced artifact. The present invention optimizes the chosen wavelengths to achieve a closer matching of the absorption and scattering coefficient products for the red and IR light sources. This optimization gives robust readings in the presence of perturbation artifacts including force variations, tissue variations and variations in the oxygen saturation itself.

Pulse oximeter sensor optimized for low saturation

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for improved fetal contact with a fetal probe. The easily insertable probe includes a means for adjusting the position of the probe so that a sensor makes firm contact with the fetus. In one embodiment, the position is adjusted via a biasing segment of the probe which rotates about a fulcrum. In another embodiment, the position is adjusted via a bladder.

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Cupertino, CA, United States of America

James R Casciani