MXPA01002723A - Self-piercing pulse oximeter sensor assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A self-piercing pulse oximeter sensor (10) is provided for attachment to subject, e.g., and individual or an animal. The device includes a flexible pulse oximeter sensor (26), an earring post (14), and a grommet (12). The earring post may be used as a piercing device if there is not a pierced body part suitable for attaching the pulse oximeter sensor to the body. Otherwise the earring post may be slid into the pierced hole. In either case, the tip of the earring post engages a grommet once passing through the body part. Thus, the pulse oximeter sensor functions in a transilluminance mode by transmitting light through the pierced body part.

Description

ASSEMBLY OF SELF-PENETRATING PULSE OXIMETER SENSOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to pulse oximetry by transillumination. More particularly, the invention is focused on a self-penetrating pulse oximeter sensor, capable of binding, either to an individual or an animal, through a penetrated body part. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The pulse oximeter sensors, above, have been attached to an appendix of an individual such as a patient. A pulse oximeter sensor, flexible, is usually placed on a finger or toe, of a patient in need of medical monitoring, with tape or a plastic brace. The pulse oximeter sensor can also be applied with tape to the ear or kept in place over the ear with a plastic fastener. The union of the pulse oximeter sensor to the ear usually occurs in the case where the patient does not have his fingers, for example, an amputee, or with severe injuries, or in the case of significant burns that cover the body, way such that the placement of the pulse oximeter sensor on a peripheral part of the body is very difficult. However the Monitoring through the ear is currently tenuous, at best, since the methods to secure a pulse oximeter sensor to the ear are chaotic and unreliable. In addition there are situations in which a patient will need to move while having a pulse oximeter sensor attached. An example of this is when a wounded soldier needs to stand by his or her battle team with their hands free to fight and / or operate the equipment, while undergoing monitoring. Other examples are laboratory tests or monitoring of an individual's physiological state, or moving a patient under field conditions such as in battle or emergency medical service (MES) activities. The current pulse oximeter sensors are joined in such a way that this freedom of motion activity is prevented. No matter the usefulness of the pulse oximeter sensors, described above, there is still a need in the placement of a pulse oximeter sensor, so that it is secured with little risk of detaching from patients who do not have places to carry out the safe placement in the traditional way. In addition, a pulse oximeter sensor that is capable of joining an individual who needs to have their limbs free of monitoring devices is needed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention solves the current problems of attaching a pulse oximeter sensor to a patient who needs freedom of movement and / or lacks appropriate sites for joining. The invention, while focusing on the problems of the prior art, obtains advantages that could not be achieved with the devices of the prior art. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a pulse oximeter sensor that can be attached to perforated body parts, such as pierced lobes of the ears. The invention can also be joined by a new perforation of its non-reactive piercing pin. An object of this invention is to provide a stronger and more fixed connection of a pulse oximeter sensor to an individual. A further object of this invention is to provide flexibility in terms of the site where the pulse oximeter sensor is attached to an individual, based on the available parts of the body for attachment. Still another object of this invention is to join a pulse oximeter sensor to an individual, and at the same time allow an optimum freedom of movement for the individual. A window obtained by this invention is the Improved physical stability, between the pulse oximeter sensor and the individual that makes it possible, to obtain better quality in the records of data signals and therefore less patient care. Another window obtained by the invention is that it provides a more reliable mechanism for taking oximetric measurements in animals. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a pulse oximeter assembly is provided. The pulse oximeter assembly includes a pulse oximeter sensor that includes a flexible base and an opening that passes through it. A bolt provided with a sharp tip can be connected to the pulse oximeter sensor. The tip of the bolt should be sharp enough to pierce the flesh of a subject. An inner ring is placed on the flexible base to frame the opening. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a pulse oximeter assembly is provided. The pulse oximeter assembly includes a sensitive pulse oximeter sensor, comprising a flexible base, a hole passing through the flexible base, a light source placed on the flexible base, a light detector placed on the base flexible, and a connector connected to the light source and the light detector. A bolt is provided that has an axis that extends through the flexible base, - to facilitate the joining of the pulse oximeter assembly to the * tf >- Desired part of a subject's body. An inner ring is placed on the flexible base, such that the inner ring frames the hole that passes through the flexible base 5.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates a top view of the pulse oximeter assembly of the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates a cross section of the pulse oximeter assembly shown in Figure 1, taken on line 2-2. Figure 3 illustrates a cross section of the pulse oximeter assembly shown in Figure 1, attached to the ear lobe. Figure 4 illustrates another embodiment of the pulse oximeter assembly of the present invention.

THE BEST WAYS TO CARRY OUT THE MODALITIES DESCRIBED Figures 1-3 illustrate a preferred embodiment of mounting 10 of the pulse oximeter sensor, self-penetrating. The pulse oximeter assembly 10 self-penetrating includes an inner ring 12, an earring bolt 14, a light source 20 and a light detector 22; each of these is connected to a flexible base 26. More particularly the light source 20 and the light detector 22 can be placed on an outer surface of the flexible base 26 or placed inside the flexible base 26. A connector 24 can be connected to the flexible base 26 through the wiring 28. The term earring bolt is used simply for the convenience of describing a penetrating structure. However, this structure is not limited to the connection to the lobe of an ear, but the device can be attached to a variety of body parts of a subject such as a person or an animal. Examples of the flexible pulse oximeter suitable for this invention are shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,621,643 and 4,700,708 incorporated by the Nellcor ™ Oxysensor ™ II D-25. The light source 20 is preferably one or more of the following: a light emitter, a bispectral emitter, a double spectral emitter, a light emitting diode, two electroluminescent diodes (LED), a photodiode, or a semiconductor die. However, any light source that facilitates pulse oximetry by reflectance can be employed. When the light source 20 is a light emitter, then the light emitter, for example, would emit two light frequencies at about 660 nm and ^ ¡^ * ^^^ | ^^^^^^^ * ^^^ »^ - ^ * ^ U% ¿?? ^^ approximately 940 nm. Typically, an arrangement of two emitters will include a red LED, about 660 nm and a near infrared LED, which emits in the range of 890 to 950 nm. The light source 20 can emit light having a bandwidth in the range of 20 to 50 nm. The light detector 22 detects the light emitted by the light source 20. The electrical signals represent the light detected through the connector 24 towards a spectrophotometer or pulse oximeter, which discriminates between the relative intensity of these emissions and provides an index as to the degree of oxygen saturation of the hemoglobin in the blood. The light detector 22 can be one of the following devices: a photoelectric receiver, a photodetector, a photodiode, or a semiconductor die. The connector 24 preferably includes contact electrodes, conductive lines and an electrical extension. The light source 20 and the light detector 22 are each connected to a respective contact electrode. The lines conductors connect the contact electrodes to the electrical extension. The electrical extension is connected to a spectrophotometer. According to the invention, the pulse oximeter sensor, flexible, can be attached to the pin 14 of earring. The earring pin 14 can be threaded through the i ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ lobe of the ear of a subject, thus facilitating the union of the pulse oximeter assembly 10 to the ear of a subject, as illustrated in Figure 3 Earring pin 14 is preferably manufactured from physiologically non-reactive materials such as metal or plastic. The earring bolt 14 can be mounted on a flat thin base 15 which stabilizes the earring bolt 14 preferably at right angles to the pulse oximeter sensorflexible The base 15 may be rporated within the flexible base 26. Preferably, the flat base 15 is also made of physiologically non-reactive materials. The earring bolt 14 may be able to penetrate a part of the subject's body if a pre-drilled part of the body is not available, or if it is considered insufficient for coupling. The earring pin 14 preferably has a sharp point which provides the piercing capacity. In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, the earring stud 14 may be sharp enough to pierce the ear lobe, the membrane that joins the fingers or toes, the foreskin, the tongue, the nose , the eyebrows, the nipples of the breasts, the cheek / lip, etc. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that other parts of the body, in addition to those listed, could be pierced enough to allow pulse oximetry by transillumination. If the membranes are selected between the fingers, for perforation, then the membrane between the thumb and forefinger in one hand is preferably pierced. Furthermore, if the perforation of a part of the body is not required, then the earring bolt 14 can easily slide through the pre-drilled hole. The inner ring 12 reinforces a hole or eyelet made in the pulse oximeter sensor, flexible, and through it. The inner ring 12 engages and holds the tip of the earring stud 14 after the earring bolt 14 is positioned through and within the selected part of the body of the subject being monitored. The inner ring 12 and the stud 14 are preferably located near the opposite ends of the flexible base 26 or therein. After the pulse oximeter sensor is no longer needed for monitoring, the inner ring 12 can be decoupled from the earring bolt 14 and the earring bolt 14 can be removed from the body part. As a result, the self-penetrating pulse oximeter can be used, placed, and / or removed, in a manner similar to an earring that a person could use for decoration. To strengthen the connection between the inner ring 12 and the earring pin 14, a piece 16 can be attached to secure the earring to the stud 14 after it passes. through the inner ring 12 as shown in Figure 3. Preferably, the piece 16 for securing the earring can be made of either plastic or non-reactive metal. A piece 16 for securing the appropriate earring can be a standard piece for securing earrings, which are typically found on standardized drilling earrings. The piece 16 for securing the earring can be incorporated in the inner ring 12 as a single locking device. Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 4. The pulse oximeter sensor includes an earring bolt 14, a flexible pulse oximeter 50 and a part 16 to secure the earring. The flexible pulse oximeter 50 includes a light source 20, a light detector 22, and a connector 24. The flexible pulse oximeter 50 can be wrapped around the part of the body, through which transillumination will occur, such that when the earring pin 14 is attached, it passes through the two ends of the flexible pulse oximeter 50 and the body part. In In this embodiment, the stud 14 is made to penetrate, either through the flexible pulse oximeter 50 and the body part, or is simply pressed through the flexible pulse oximeter 50 into a previously perforated body part. . The piece 16 to secure the earring is attached to the pin 14 of earring, to join the flexible pulse oximeter 50 to the part of the body and therefore the individual.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY This invention can be used in patient populations where monitoring is difficult, such as injuries or diseases that occur in the field, patients with severe burns, patients with multiple amputations or astronauts, pilots, soldiers, workers who need to have free limbs to carry out certain activities such as combat or control / management of a vehicle or machinery. This invention can also be used to monitor healthy people while they work, fight, or perform other activities, to monitor the state of their health. This invention can find uses in the veterinary sciences, to monitor oxygen levels in animals, monitoring that would encounter problems similar to those encountered when performing human monitoring. Preferred uses allow the pulse oximeter assembly to be firmly attached to the subject, without fear of detachment during transport and / or movement of the subject g the pulse oximeter sensor. The versatility in joining the pulse oximeter assembly will allow its use by soldiers for special operations, pilots, astronauts, drivers and other similar professionals, while they carry out their duties, to allow the monitoring of tissue oxygen saturation. local. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the preferred embodiments described above can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced in another manner than specifically described herein. aisfaeSsM », z. > m ^ wj7, ^^ a-faith »SJfatJ¿H¿» l < i ^ ^ ¿^ -. iiM »a ^ Ja

Claims (20)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the foregoing invention, it is considered as a novelty, and therefore, what is contained in the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS

1. A pulse oximeter assembly characterized in that it comprises: a flexible pulse oximeter sensor, including a flexible base having a hole passing through it, a pin connected to the pulse oximeter sensor, the pin includes a sharp tip, such that the sharp tip is capable of piercing the flesh, 15 and, an inner ring that is in communication with the pulse oximeter sensor, the inner ring frames the hole that passes through the sensor of the pulse oximeter. pulse oximeter.

The pulse oximeter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the bolt 20 includes a base placed inside the pulse oximeter sensor.

The pulse oximeter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the pin includes a non-reactive material comprising one selected from a metal and a plastic. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ i ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ GE ^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

4. The pulse oximeter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the bolt includes an earring bolt.

5. The pulse oximeter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pulse oximeter sensor, flexible, including: at least one light source, at least one light detector which is in communication with the at least one light source, and, a connector connected to the at least one light source and to at least one light detector.

6. The pulse oximeter assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the light source includes one of at least one light emitter, a bispectral emitter, a dual spectral emitter, at least one photosensor, at least one photodiode, minus an electroluminescent diode, and a semiconductor die.

7. The assembly pulse oximeter according to claim 5, wherein the at least one light detector includes one of a photoelectric receiver, a photodetector, one photodiode receiver and a given semiconductor. The pulse oximeter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the pin is positioned near one end of the flexible base, and the inner ring is positioned near the other end of the base Á "^ ^^ a ^ £ ^^^^^ ¿^ &. A) ^^^ &. 9. Flexible assembly pulse oximeter according to claim 1, further comprising a portion to ensure the earring, capable of being coupled to the bolt 10. The pulse oximeter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner ring includes a portion for securing the earring, capable of engaging the bolt. pulse oximeter assembly according to claim 1, the method is characterized in that it comprises: placing the bolt through a part of the body of a subject, coupling the bolt with the inner ring of the pulse oximeter sensor, and connecting the pulse oximeter sensor to another device. 12. the method according to claim 11, comprising perforating the body of a subject, with the sharp point of the axle. 13. an assembly pulse oximeter characterized in that it comprises : a flexible pulse oximeter sensor, which has: a flexible base, a hole that passes through the flexible base, a light source connected to the flexible base, a light detector connected to the flexible base, and a coupled connector to the light source and the light detector; a bolt having an axis extending from the flexible base; and an inner ring that is in communication with the flexible base, the inner ring frames the hole that passes through the flexible base. The pulse oximeter assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the shaft includes a sharp tip capable of piercing a part of the body of a subject. 15. The pulse oximeter assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the 10 bolt is placed on one end of the flexible base and the inner ring is placed on the other end of the flexible base. 16. The pulse oximeter assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that 15 further comprises an element for securing the earring, capable of engaging the bolt. The pulse oximeter assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the light source includes at least one of at least one emitter 20 of light, a bispectral emitter, a double spectral emitter, at least one light emitting diode, at least one photodiode, at least one electroluminescent diode, and a semiconductor die. 18. The pulse oximeter assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the 25 light detector includes one between a photoelectric receiver, «S7 > . ^ Afe ^ -ágiá, .7- «i. a photodetector, a photodiodic receiver, and. a semiconductor die 19. A method for using the pulse oximeter assembly according to claim 13, the method is characterized in that it comprises: positioning the shaft through a body part of a subject, coupling the shaft with the inner ring of the sensor of pulse oximeter, and connect the pulse oximeter sensor to another device. 20. The method of compliance with 10 claim 19, characterized in that it also comprises piercing the body part of a subject, with the sharp point of the shaft. fifteen twenty 25 ** * ¿5 B £ ^ ff5 »? Afa? -fe £ ^^