Low noise cable providing communication between electronic sensor components and patient monitor

Abstract

A physiological measurement system can include a low noise patient cable that connects a monitor and a noninvasive optical sensor. The cable has a plurality of emitter wires configured to communicate a drive signal between the monitor and at least one emitter. The cable also has a plurality of detector wires configured to communicate a physiological signal between at least one detector responsive to the emitter and the monitor. The emitter and detector wires are orthogonally disposed so that crosstalk between the two functionally different wires is mitigated.

1 . A low noise patient cable comprising:
 a plurality of detector wires configured to communicate a physiological signal between a detector, which is responsive to energy received from an emitter, and a monitor;   a shield disposed over the plurality of detector wires;   a plurality of emitter wires configured to communicate a drive signal between the monitor and at least one emitter, wherein the plurality of emitter wires are twisted in an opposing rotational direction relative to the plurality of detector wires; and   a jacket comprising the plurality of detector wires, the shield, and the plurality of emitter wires, wherein a thickness of the shield is less than or equal to 4 mm.   
     
     
         2 . The low noise patient cable of  claim 1 , wherein an angle between the plurality of emitter wires and the plurality of detector wires is between about 60 degrees and about 90 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The low noise patient cable of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of detector wires are tinsel wires. 
     
     
         4 . The low noise patient cable of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality filler wire. 
     
     
         5 . The low noise patient cable of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality filler wires comprise at least one of the following: kevlar wires and aramid wires. 
     
     
         6 . The low noise patient cable of  claim 2 , further comprising a second shield disposed over the plurality of emitter wires. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method of making a cable, the method comprising:
 twisting in a first direction a plurality of inner core wires;   using a shield over the plurality of inner core wires that does not limit flexibility of the cable;   twisting in a second direction a plurality of outer core wires around the shield, the second direction being opposite the first direction; and   disposing a jacket around the plurality of outer core wires.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising twisting a plurality of filler wires with the plurality of inner core wires. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising disposing a second shield around the plurality of outer core wires. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising twisting a plurality of filler wires with the plurality of inner core wires. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the filler wires are aramid. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the filler wires are Kevlar. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the inner and outer core wires are tinsel wires. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the tinsel wires are made from a silver copper alloy. 
     
     
         16 . A low noise patient cable comprising:
 a plurality of inner core wires twisted about a central axis of the cable in a first direction, the plurality of inner core wires being configured to communicate a first electrical signal;   a shield disposed over the plurality of inner core wires, the shield having a thickness that maintains flexibility of the plurality of inner core wires and the outer core wires, wherein the thickness is less than or equal to a diameter of a jacket;   a plurality of outer core wires twisted about the central axis in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction, wherein the plurality of outer core wires are configured to communicate a second electrical signal, wherein the low noise patient cable does not electrically fail after being kinked more than 1,000 times.   
     
     
         17 . The low noise patient cable of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of inner core wires are tinsel wires. 
     
     
         18 . The low noise patient cable of  claim 17 , wherein the tinsel wires are a silver copper alloy. 
     
     
         19 . The low noise patient cable of  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality filler wires twisted with the inner core wires. 
     
     
         20 . The low noise patient cable of  claim 16 , further comprising a second shield disposed over the plurality of outer core wires. 
     
     
         21 .- 27 . (canceled)