Physiological measurement devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

A non-invasive, optical-based physiological monitoring system is disclosed. One embodiment includes an emitter configured to emit light. A diffuser is configured to receive and spread the emitted light, and to emit the spread light at a tissue measurement site. The system further includes a concentrator configured to receive the spread light after it has been attenuated by or reflected from the tissue measurement site. The concentrator is also configured to collect and concentrate the received light and to emit the concentrated light to a detector. The detector is configured to detect the concentrated light and to transmit a signal representative of the detected light. A processor is configured to receive the transmitted signal and to determine a physiological parameter, such as, for example, arterial oxygen saturation, in the tissue measurement site.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A pulse oximetry sensor configured to secure to a finger of a user, the pulse oximetry sensor comprising:
 an emitter configured to emit light of one or more wavelengths toward tissue of the user's finger when the pulse oximetry sensor is in use;   a first layer comprising glass beads, the first layer configured to be positioned between the emitter and the tissue of the user's finger when the pulse oximetry sensor is in use, wherein the first layer is further configured to spread the light emitted by the emitter before the emitted light reaches the tissue and define a surface area shape by which the spread light is distributed onto the tissue;   a detector configured to detect at least a portion of the emitted, spread light after the light is attenuated by the tissue, wherein the detector is further configured to output at least one signal responsive to the detected light;   a detector filter configured to be positioned between the detector and the tissue when the pulse oximetry sensor is in use, the detector filter comprising a light-absorbing material and an opening, the opening providing a window configured to allow at least a portion of the light attenuated by the tissue to pass through the detector filter and reach the detector; and   a second layer comprising glass beads, the second layer positioned between the detector and the detector filter, wherein the second layer is configured to pass the at least the portion of the light that passes through the detector filter to the detector.   
     
     
         4 . The pulse oximetry sensor of  claim 3 , wherein the surface area shape is circular. 
     
     
         5 . The pulse oximetry sensor of  claim 3 , wherein the surface area shape is rectangular. 
     
     
         6 . The pulse oximetry sensor of  claim 3 , wherein the surface area shape comprises a width between 0.25-3 cm. 
     
     
         7 . The pulse oximetry sensor of  claim 6 , wherein the surface area shape further comprises a length between 1-6 cm. 
     
     
         8 . The pulse oximetry sensor of  claim 6 , wherein the opening comprises a width between 0.25-3 cm. 
     
     
         9 . The pulse oximetry sensor of  claim 8 , wherein the opening comprises an area that is larger than an area of the surface area shape. 
     
     
         10 . The pulse oximetry sensor of  claim 3 , wherein the light-absorbing material comprises black pigment. 
     
     
         11 . The pulse oximetry sensor of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a substrate configured to secure to the user's finger when the pulse oximetry sensor is in use, the substrate comprising a first portion and a second portion coupled to the first portion, the second portion configured to fold with respect to the first portion to facilitate securement of the substrate to the user's finger, wherein the first portion comprises a first pair of flaps and the second portion comprises a second pair of flaps, the first and second pair of flaps configured to secure at least partially around the user's finger; and   a cable coupled to the first portion of the substrate, wherein the cable is configured to receive and transmit the outputted at least one signal to a monitor.   
     
     
         12 . The pulse oximetry sensor of  claim 11 , wherein the emitter is operably positioned by the second portion of the substrate and the detector is operably positioned by the first portion of the substrate, and wherein the emitter and detector are aligned when the second portion of the substrate is folded over the first portion of the substrate. 
     
     
         13 . A pulse oximetry sensor comprising:
 an emitter configured to emit light of one or more wavelengths toward tissue of a user when the pulse oximetry sensor is in use;   a first layer comprising glass beads, the first layer configured to be positioned between the emitter and the tissue when the pulse oximetry sensor is in use, wherein the first layer is further configured to spread the light emitted by the emitter before the emitted light reaches the tissue;   a detector configured to detect at least a portion of the emitted, spread light after the light is attenuated by the tissue, wherein the detector is further configured to output at least one signal responsive to the detected light;   a detector filter configured to be positioned between the detector and the tissue when the pulse oximetry sensor is in use, the detector filter comprising a light-absorbing material and an opening, the opening providing a window configured to allow at least a portion of the light attenuated by the tissue to pass through the detector filter and reach the detector; and   a second layer comprising glass beads, the second layer positioned between the detector and the detector filter, wherein the second layer is configured to pass the at least the portion of the light that passes through the detector filter to the detector.   
     
     
         14 . The pulse oximetry sensor of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a substrate configured to secure the pulse oximetry sensor to a finger of the user, the substrate comprising a first portion and a second portion coupled to the first portion, the second portion configured to fold with respect to the first portion to facilitate securement of the substrate to the user's finger, wherein the first portion comprises a first pair of flaps and the second portion comprises a second pair of flaps, the first and second pair of flaps configured to secure at least partially around the user's finger; and   a cable coupled to the first portion of the substrate, wherein the cable is configured to receive and transmit the outputted at least one signal to a monitor.   
     
     
         15 . The pulse oximetry sensor of  claim 13 , wherein the first layer is further configured to define a surface area shape by which the spread light is distributed onto the tissue of the user. 
     
     
         16 . The pulse oximetry sensor of  claim 15 , wherein the surface area shape is rectangular. 
     
     
         17 . The pulse oximetry sensor of  claim 15 , wherein the surface area shape comprises a width between 0.25-3 cm. 
     
     
         18 . The pulse oximetry sensor of  claim 17 , wherein the surface area shape further comprises a length between 1-6 cm. 
     
     
         19 . The pulse oximetry sensor of  claim 17 , wherein the opening comprises a width between 0.25-3 cm. 
     
     
         20 . The pulse oximetry sensor of  claim 15 , wherein the opening comprises an area that is larger than an area of the surface area shape. 
     
     
         21 . The pulse oximetry sensor of  claim 13 , wherein the light-absorbing material comprises black pigment.