Sensor system with pressure application

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to sensors for applying pressure to a patient's tissue. According to certain embodiments, the sensors may include one or more deformable elements that hold the optical components of the sensor against the tissue with an appropriate amount of pressure. In additional embodiments, such sensors may include a rigid one-piece sensor body that incorporates a deformable element to facilitate fine-fitting of the sensor against the tissue.

1 . A sensor, comprising:
 a conformable sensor body having a tissue-contact surface;   an emitter and detector disposed on the tissue-contact surface in a reflectance configuration; and   a deformable element comprising a bendable metal disposed on the sensor body on a surface opposing the emitter and the detector, wherein the deformable element is configured to cause a portion of the sensor body to protrude against a patient's tissue when the sensor is applied such that the pressure applied by the sensor body is non-uniform across the tissue-contact surface and is highest in the area of the sensor body proximate to the emitter and the detector.   
     
     
         2 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to be applied to a patient's forehead. 
     
     
         3 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is disposed on an interior portion of a hat. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is disposed on an interior portion of a headband, or semi-rigid or rigid head-gear. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is disposed in a window of a hat or a headband such that the sensor is visible to an observer when the hat is applied to a patient. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the bendable metal comprises a shape memory metal. 
     
     
         7 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the deformable element is adapted to cause the sensor body to apply sufficient pressure to the patient's tissue to overcome venous pressure but not arterial pressure. 
     
     
         8 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the deformable element covers less than 20% of the opposing surface sensor body. 
     
     
         9 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the deformable element assumes a bent configuration in the absence of a biasing force. 
     
     
         10 . The sensor of  claim 9 , comprising a release layer disposed on the tissue-contact surface, wherein the deformable element assumes the bent configuration when the release layer is removed. 
     
     
         11 . A sensor, comprising:
 a conformable sensor body having a tissue-contact surface;   an emitter and detector disposed on the tissue-contact surface; and   a deformable element comprising a bendable metal disposed on the sensor body on a surface opposing the emitter and the detector, wherein the deformable element is sized and positioned to correspond to less than 50% of a total area of the tissue contact surface.   
     
     
         12 . The sensor of  claim 11 , wherein the sensor is configured to be in a reflectance configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The sensor of  claim 11 , wherein the sensor is disposed on an interior portion of a hat. 
     
     
         14 . The sensor of  claim 11 , wherein the deformable element is a wire mesh. 
     
     
         15 . The sensor of  claim 11 , wherein the deformable element is positioned along an imaginary axis connecting the emitter and the detector. 
     
     
         16 . The sensor of  claim 11 , wherein the bendable metal comprises a shape memory metal. 
     
     
         17 . The sensor of  claim 11 , wherein the deformable element is adapted to cause the sensor body to apply sufficient pressure to the patient's tissue to overcome venous pressure but not arterial pressure. 
     
     
         18 . The sensor of  claim 11 , wherein the deformable element covers less than 20% of the opposing surface sensor body. 
     
     
         19 . The sensor of  claim 11 , wherein the deformable element assumes a bent configuration in the absence of a biasing force. 
     
     
         20 . The sensor of  claim 11 , comprising a release layer disposed on the tissue-contact surface, wherein the deformable element assumes the bent configuration when the release layer is removed.