Hewlett-packard Company

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Martin Guenther

Martin Wunderling

Lothar Rupp

Siegfried Walter Kaestle

Ruediger Maestle

Bernhard Fischer

Bernd Maisenbacher

The invention relates to an optical device comprising an emitting source and a partly-reflective element which is adapted for receiving an emitted light beam. This element is tilted in a small angle with respect to the emitted light beam. A portion of the emitted light beam is reflected by the partly-reflective element towards a transmittive element which is arranged in close proximity to the emitting source and adapted to receive and transmit the reflect portion. The transmittive element is arranged for at least partly fixing or positioning an optical fiber, which is emitting the input light beam, and provided for transmitting the laterally offset reflected portion of the input light beam away from the input fiber.

Return loss reduction

A sensor performs medical measurements, particularly pulsoximetric measurements, and is attached or otherwise adhered to a human fingernail or toenail by an inwardly concave, first casing part of a sensor. Electromagnetic, particularly optical, transmitting elements and receiving elements permit the measurement of the radiation reflected by or transmitted through the tissue. The sensor is easy to apply, allows a long application period and is reusable.

Sensor for performing medical measurements, particularly pulsoximetry

An invasive blood parameter probe includes a flexible pressure tube which surrounds the sterile probe portion. When the pressure tube is stretched, the proximal probe tip slips into the pressure tube. Pressure tube is held in its elongated position by means of an--e.g. U-shaped--spanning member against which a Y-connector and a threaded sleeve abut. A container may now be replaced, under sterile conditions, by a catheter.

Invasive blood parameter probe to be introduced into a catheter

An improved optical probe for the invasive measurement of blood parameters is disclosed that minimizes reading inaccuracy due to mechanical stresses. An optical probe for the invasive measurement of blood parameters is typically made up of various sensors that end in a sheath. Each sensor is connected to a monitor via an optical fiber. The optical fibers are surrounded by a tube. In the region where the sheath adjoins the tube, the sheath is deformed by crimping such that a better mechanical contact (form-locking) between the sheath, the sensors, and the tube can be obtained, in order to avoid systemic errors caused by displacement of the optical fibers inside the sheath.

Method for manufacturing an optical probe

An improved optical probe for the invasive measurement of partial carbon dioxide pressures is disclosed that minimizes pCO.sub.2 reading drift. An optical probe for the invasive measurement of the partial carbon dioxide pressure comprises an optical fiber and a pCO.sub.2 sensor. The pCO.sub.2 sensor comprises a diffusion zone with a dye-containing gel that is optically sensitive to H.sup.+ ions and a semi-permeable membrane that is permeable to CO.sub.2 molecules, but is substantially nonpermeable to hydrogen ions Components of the pCO.sub.2 sensor, such as the part of the optical fiber extending into the sensor or a reflector, are covered with a substance--preferably with a coating--that is substantially nonpermeable to hydrogen ions. This prevents the hydrogen ions from diffusing into the sensor components, which otherwise would cause an imbalance of hydrogen ions and, therefore, a drift in the pCO.sub.2 reading.

Optical probe

Probes, preferably optical probes for the invasive measurement of blood parameters consist of a plurality of sensors (or at least one sensor and a stabilizing core, or at least one single sensor), (11,17), each of these sensors (11,17) having a diffusion zone with a selective membrane (15) and all together surrounded by a stabilizing sheath (18); this sheath (18) is to be fastened on the sensor(s) (11,17) by a glue (22). A method is described for manufacturing such probes. This method includes the steps of covering the selective membrane (15) by a hardenable and soluble cover material (21), in particular a silicate, then fastening said sheath (18) on the sensors (11,17) by glue (22)--which cannot reach the selective membranes (15) as they are just covered by the cover material (21)--and then dissolving said cover material (21). This method guarantees that the selective membranes (15) are free of glue (22) after the manufacturing process.

Growing community of inventors

Wildberg, Germany

Martin Guenther