Somanetics Corporation

Richard S Scheuing

Oleg Gonopolskiy

Gary D Lewis

Wayne P Messing

Bruce J Barrett

Oleg Gonopolsky

Weijia Cui

A method and apparatus for spectrophotometric in vivo monitoring of blood metabolites such as hemoglobin oxygen concentration at a plurality of different areas or regions on the same organ or test site on an ongoing basis, by applying a plurality of spectrophotometric sensors to a test subject at each of a corresponding plurality of testing sites and coupling each such sensor to a control and processing station, operating each of said sensors to spectrophotometrically irradiate a particular region within the test subject; detecting and receiving the light energy resulting from said spectrophotometric irradiation for each such region and conveying corresponding signals to said control and processing station, analyzing said conveyed signals to determine preselected blood metabolite data, and visually displaying the data so determined for each of a plurality of said areas or regions in a comparative manner.

Multi-channel non-invasive tissue oximeter

A method of conducting clinical examination procedures by use of electrically actuated spectrometric apparatus, of the type which uses a sensor that is placed in contact with the patient to transmit and receive electromagnetic energy of selected wavelengths for non-invasive in vivo examination of a selected area on the body, in which a conductive member is placed in contact with the patient near or at the location of the sensor and connected to the signal-processing circuitry of the processor for the spectrometric signals in a manner such that the examination signals have significantly less noise content than would otherwise be true. In so doing, the signal-processing circuitry is isolated from the power supply circuitry, and the sensor and conductive member are preferably coupled to the processor by use of an isolation preamplifier, such that the signal-processing ground potential reference is maintained separate and distinct from the power supply ground. The specially-grounded conductive member that is placed in contact with the patient is preferably made part of the sensor itself, as by using a conductive material on at least part of the sensor surface that is placed in contact with the patient, and such a conductive surface element may comprise a flexible outer coating or layer of a compliant sensor which is conformable to the shape of the patient extremity to which it is applied. In this manner, the surface potential of the patient at the location of the sensor may be equalized with that of the signal-processing circuitry ground potential to substantially reduce signal noise content, and ambient sources of electrical noise may be effectively shielded as well.

Method for improving signal-to-noise in clinical spectrometric procedures

A specially grounded sensor for improving signal-to-noise ratios in clinical spectrometric procedures includes a sensor body carrying electrically actuated spectrometric signal-producing and receiving components, e.g., electro-optical components, for transmittal and reception of particular examination energy wavelengths, in which the sensor body has an electrically conductive portion or element associated therewith for contacting the patient. This electrically conductive, member is coupled to the signal ground potential of associated signal-processing apparatus to thereby equalize the electrical potential of the patient surface area to which the sensor is applied with the aforementioned signal ground potential. Preferably, an isolation preamplifier is utilized between the sensor and a microprocessor wherein the examination signals are analyzed, to provide the aforementioned signal ground, but in any event this signal ground is maintained separate from and preferably isolated from the primary ground conductor and potential of the processor and/or of the driver circuitry which provides excitation for the electro-optical components. In a particular preferred embodiment, conductive shielding is used in the sensor for reducing electrical noise from ambient sources, and the aforementioned conductive sensor member is electrically connected to such shielding, for improved results. Also, in a preferred embodiment, this shielding substantially encloses an inner portion of the sensor carrying the electro-optical components, in particular, the light-detector, except for openings in the shielding of a size and shape to fit relatively closely around the detector and thereby provide maximal shielding effects for the detector and their associated electrical conductors.

Specially grounded sensor for clinical spectrophotometric procedures

An optical sensor for use in clinical patient examination by spectrophotometric apparatus, having a body with softly deformable material which is conformable to a selected area on the body of the patient and internally-mounted electro-optical source and receivers for obtaining patient pathology data by transmission of selected wavelengths through a tissue volume adjacent the selected area, including substantially non-deforming light-transfer members disposed in alignment with the source and detectors and between them and the patient, to provide substantially constant and unchanging light-transfer passages or conduits therebetween. In the most preferred form, the light-transfer members comprise generally tubular elements having light-reflective interior walls, and the sensor body comprises either a layered structure of opaque, soft polymeric foam or the like (e.g. , cellular urethane) or a substantially one-piece, molded or other such structure of generally comparable or analogous material and characteristics.

Patient sensor for optical cerebral oximeters and the like

An electro-optical sensor for spectrophotometric clinical examination devices includes a thin, flexible, lightweight, elongated support frame having at least a pair of integral mounting bases. Each base is shaped and located to separately receive and position structurally independent and relatively free-standing electro-optical components including a light source and a detector. Each mounting base includes cup-like walls defining sockets of predetermined configuration of varying diameter to receive a correspondingly configured electro-optical component. An attachment device secures each component in a nested position at its respective mounting base. A plurality of discrete flexible electrical conductors extends along the support frame, each conductor being connected to a component. A shield shields at least some of the conductors from ambient sources of electrical and/or magnetic noise. A softly compliant outer cover is disposed over the support frame, components, conductors and shield. The cover has light passing portions overlying the components.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Richard S Scheuing