System and methods for sensing a physiological parameter using an optical sensor assembly

Abstract

A device for use with a probe sensor assembly in a system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient is provided. The device includes an adhesive layer and first and second windows. The adhesive layer includes adhesive on at least a portion thereof. The first and second windows are formed in the adhesive layer and configured to be matingly engageable with apertures of the probe sensor assembly. The first and second windows include respective first and second surfaces that engage and disengage the apertures of the probe sensor assembly.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A device for use with a probe sensor assembly in a system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient, the device comprising an adhesive layer and first and second windows, the adhesive layer having adhesive on at least a portion thereof, the first and second windows being formed in the adhesive layer and configured to be matingly engageable with apertures of the probe sensor assembly, wherein the first and second windows comprise respective first and second surfaces that engage and disengage the apertures of the probe sensor assembly. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first and second windows is formed as a ring. 
     
     
         23 . A system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient comprising:
 a probe assembly having a light emitter, a light detector, and first and second apertures for the light emitter and light detector, respectively; and   an adhesive layer having first and second windows operably attached thereto, the adhesive layer having adhesive on at least a portion thereof, and said windows having surfaces to engage and disengage with said apertures of said probe assembly.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein at least one of said windows is formed as a ring. 
     
     
         25 . A method of providing a system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient, comprising:
 providing at least one probe assembly having a light emitter, a light detector, and first and second apertures for the light emitter and the light detector; and   providing a plurality of adhesive layers, each adhesive layer having first and second windows respectively, each adhesive layer having adhesive on at least a portion thereof, the respective first and second windows being operably attached to each respective adhesive layer and configured to be matingly engageable with the first and second apertures of the at least one probe assembly, wherein the respective first and second windows comprise respective first and second surfaces to engage and disengage the first and second apertures of the at least one probe assembly.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising positioning at least one of the plurality of adhesive layers on an appendage of a patient. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising attaching the respective first and second windows of the least one of the plurality of adhesive layers to the respective first and second apertures of the at least one probe assembly. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising sensing at least one signal transmitted through an appendage of a patient. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising disengaging the respective first and second windows of at least one of the plurality of adhesive layers from the respective first and second apertures of the at least one probe assembly. 
     
     
         30 . A device for use with a probe sensor assembly in a system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient, the device comprising an adhesive member and first and second coupling members, the adhesive member having adhesive on at least a portion thereof, the first and second coupling members operably attached to the adhesive member and configured to be matingly engageable with housings of a probe sensor assembly, wherein the first and second coupling members comprise respective first and second engagement features that engage and disengage the housings of the probe sensor assembly. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein at least one of the first and second engagement features is formed as a ring. 
     
     
         32 . A system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient comprising:
 a probe assembly having a light emitter, a light detector, and first and second housings for the light emitter and light detector, respectively; and   an adhesive member having first and second coupling members operably attached thereto, the adhesive member having adhesive on at least a portion thereof, and said coupling members having engagement features to engage and disengage with said housings of said probe assembly.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein at least one of said coupling members is formed as a ring. 
     
     
         34 . A method of providing a system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient, comprising:
 providing at least one probe assembly having a light emitter, a light detector, and first and second housings for the light emitter and the light detector; and   providing a plurality of adhesive members, each adhesive member having first and second coupling members respectively, each adhesive member having adhesive on at least a portion thereof, the respective first and second coupling members being operably attached to each respective adhesive member and configured to be matingly engageable with the first and second housings of the at least one probe assembly, wherein the respective first and second coupling members comprise respective first and second engagement features to engage and disengage the first and second housings of the at least one probe assembly.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising positioning at least one of the plurality of adhesive members on an appendage of a patient. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising attaching the respective first and second coupling members of the least one of the plurality of adhesive members to the respective first and second housings of the at least one probe assembly. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising sensing at least one signal transmitted through an appendage of a patient. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising disengaging the respective first and second coupling members of at least one of the plurality of adhesive members from the respective first and second housings of the at least one probe assembly. 
     
     
         39 . A device for use with a reusable probe sensor assembly in a system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient, the device comprising a disposable bandage apparatus and first and second probe couplers, the bandage apparatus having adhesive on at least a portion thereof, the first and second probe couplers being operably attached to the bandage apparatus and configured to be matingly engageable with probe housings of the reusable probe sensor assembly, wherein the first and second probe couplers comprise respective first and second locking features that engage and disengage the probe housings of the reusable probe sensor assembly. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 39 , wherein at least one of the first and second locking features comprises at least one component comprising one or more of a ring, a groove, a notch, or a contoured portion of a receptacle. 
     
     
         41 . A system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient comprising:
 a probe assembly having a light emitter, a light detector, and first and second modular housings for the light emitter and light detector, respectively; and   a disposable bandage apparatus having first and second modular receptacles operably attached thereto, the bandage apparatus having adhesive on at least a portion thereof, and said modular receptacles having locking features to engage and disengage with said modular housings of said probe assembly.   
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein at least one of said locking features comprises at least one component comprising one or more of a ring, a groove, a notch, or a contoured portion of a receptacle. 
     
     
         43 . A method of providing a system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient having reusable and disposable components, comprising:
 providing at least one reusable probe assembly having a light emitter, a light detector, and first and second modular probe housings for the light emitter and the light detector; and   providing a plurality of disposable bandages, each disposable bandage having first and second probe couplers respectively, each disposable bandage having adhesive on at least a portion thereof, the respective first and second probe couplers being operably attached to each respective disposable bandage and configured to be matingly engageable with the first and second modular probe housings of the at least one reusable probe assembly, wherein the respective first and second probe couplers comprise respective first and second locking features to engage and disengage the first and second modular probe housings of the at least one reusable probe assembly.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising positioning at least one of the plurality of disposable bandages on an appendage of a patient. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising engaging the respective first and second probe couplers of the least one of the plurality of disposable bandages with the respective first and second modular probe housings of the at least one reusable probe assembly. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising sensing at least one signal transmitted through an appendage of a patient. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising disengaging the respective first and second probe couplers of at least one of the plurality of disposable bandages from the respective first and second modular probe housings of the at least one reusable probe assembly. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising disposing of at least one of the plurality of disposable bandages. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising reusing the at least one reusable probe assembly.