Noninvasive oximetry optical sensor including disposable and reusable elements

Abstract

A pulse oximetry sensor includes reusable and disposable elements. To assemble the sensor, members of the reusable element are mated with assembly mechanisms of the disposable element. The assembled sensor provides independent movement between the reusable and disposable elements.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A sensor comprising:
 a light source configured to transmit light;   a detector configured to detect the light after it interacts with tissue of a patient and generate a signal responsive to the detected light;   first and second mating elements configured to mechanically mate with each other to facilitate attachment of the sensor to the patient, wherein during the attachment of the sensor to the patient, the first mating elements are configured to move with respect to the second mating elements to provide independent flexion of one or more portions of the sensor and to facilitate proper alignment of at least one of the light source or the detector; and   a plurality of electrical contacts configured to electrically connect with each other responsive to mating of the first mating elements and the second mating elements plurality, the sensor being inoperative when the plurality of electrical contacts are not sufficiently proximate to one another to form a completed circuit that includes an electrical circuit element.   
     
     
         14 . The sensor  claim 13 , further comprising a reusable portion and a disposable portion, wherein the reusable portion comprises the light source and the detector. 
     
     
         15 . The sensor  claim 14 , wherein the disposal portion comprises the first mating elements or the second mating elements, at least one of the plurality of electrical contacts, and the electrical circuit element. 
     
     
         16 . The sensor  claim 13 , wherein the proper alignment comprises a proper alignment of the light source or the detector with respect to the tissue of the patient. 
     
     
         17 . The sensor  claim 13 , wherein the proper alignment comprises a proper alignment of the light source with respect to the detector. 
     
     
         18 . The sensor  claim 13 , wherein the electrical circuit element is an element other than the light source and the detector. 
     
     
         19 . The sensor  claim 13 , wherein the electrical circuit element comprises a breakable conductor, the breakable conductor configured to lose continuity after a particular number of uses of the sensor, the loss of continuity rendering the sensor inoperative such that the breakable conductor prevents the first and second electrical contacts from forming the completed circuit. 
     
     
         20 . The sensor  claim 13 , wherein the electrical circuit element comprises at least one of conductive ink. 
     
     
         21 . The sensor  claim 13 , wherein the electrical circuit element comprises an information element, wherein the information element is configured to provide at least one of an indication of sensor type, patient type, sensor operating characteristics, or that the sensor is from an authorized supplier. 
     
     
         22 . The sensor  claim 13 , wherein the first and second electrical contacts are sufficiently proximate to one another to form the completed circuit when the disposable portion is mated with the reusable portion. 
     
     
         23 . The sensor of  claim 13 , wherein the disposable portion is a first disposable portion of a plurality of identical disposable portions, the reusable portion configured to mate with an individual one of any of the plurality of identical disposable portions at distinct time intervals. 
     
     
         24 . The sensor of  claim 13 , wherein an oximeter receiving the signal generated by the detector is configured to determine one or more physiological parameters of the patient including at least oxygen saturation or pulse rate, the oximeter including a front end in electrical communication with the sensor. 
     
     
         25 . A physiological monitoring system comprising:
 a noninvasive physiological sensor comprising:
 a light source configured to transmit light;
 a detector configured to detect the light after it interacts with tissue of a patient and generate a signal responsive to the detected light; 
 first and second mating elements configured to mechanically mate with each other to facilitate attachment of the noninvasive physiological sensor to the patient, wherein during the attachment of the noninvasive physiological sensor to the patient, the first mating elements are configured to move with respect to the second mating elements to provide independent flexion of one or more portions of the noninvasive physiological sensor and to facilitate proper alignment of at least one of the light source or the detector; and 
 a plurality of electrical contacts configured to electrically connect with each other when the first mating elements are mated with the second mating elements plurality, the noninvasive physiological sensor being inoperative when the plurality of electrical contacts are not sufficiently proximate to one another to form a completed circuit that includes an electrical circuit element. 
 
   
     
     
         26 . The system  claim 25 , wherein the noninvasive physiological sensor further comprises a reusable portion and a disposable portion, wherein the reusable portion includes the light source and the detector. 
     
     
         27 . The system  claim 25 , wherein the disposal portion includes the first mating elements or the second mating elements, at least one of the plurality of electrical contacts, and the electrical circuit element. 
     
     
         28 . The system  claim 25 , wherein the electrical circuit element is an element other than the light source and the detector. 
     
     
         29 . The system  claim 25 , further comprising an oximeter configured to:
 receive the signal generated by the detector; and   determine one or more physiological parameters of the patient based at least in part on the signal.   
     
     
         30 . A method comprising:
 providing a noninvasive physiological sensor, the noninvasive physiological sensor comprising light source, a detector, first and second mating elements, and a plurality of electrical contacts, wherein the first and second mating elements are configured to mechanically mate with each other to facilitate attachment of the noninvasive physiological sensor to a patient, wherein during the attachment of the noninvasive physiological sensor to the patient, the first mating elements are configured to move with respect to the second mating elements to provide independent flexion of one or more portions of the noninvasive physiological sensor and to facilitate proper alignment of at least one of the light source or the detector, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts are configured to electrically connect with each other when the first mating elements are mated with the second mating elements plurality, the noninvasive physiological sensor being inoperative when the plurality of electrical contacts are not sufficiently proximate to one another to form a completed circuit that includes an electrical circuit element;   causing the light source to emit light; and   determining one or more physiological parameters of the patient based at least in part on a signal generated by the detector in response to detecting the light after the light interacts with tissue of the patient.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the noninvasive physiological sensor further comprises a reusable portion and a disposable portion, wherein the reusable portion includes the light source and the detector, wherein the disposal portion includes the first mating elements or the second mating elements, at least one of the plurality of electrical contacts, and the electrical circuit element. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the electrical circuit element is an element other than the light source and the detector.