Reusable pulse oximeter probe and disposable bandage apparatus

Abstract

Pulse oximeter apparatus and method comprising a reusable pulse oximeter probe and a disposable bandage. The bandage has receptacles for receiving and aligning the oximeter's light emitting diode and photocell detector.

1. In a reusable  A pulse oximeter system, comprising a reusable probe having a light-emitting diode and a photocell detector, the improvement  having a light emitter and a light detector, said probe comprising a pair of modular housings and wherein the light emitting diode and the photocell detector , said light emitter and light detector of said probe are  being mounted on, or incorporated into, one of said modular housings, respectively, each housing having means for matedly engaging  being configured to matedly engage at least one bandage receptacle, and being  wherein said housings are configured to be retained, at least in part, thereon or therein, by means of  a locking tab or lever, and the pulse oximeter system comprising a bandage apparatus having adhesive on at least a portion of at least one face thereof, wherein the bandage apparatus comprises a pair of receptacles operably attached thereto and configured to matedly engage said modular housings. 
     
     
       2. The pulse oximeter probe  system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said housings has mounted thereon, or incorporates therein, said locking tab or lever. 
     
     
       3. The pulse oximeter probe  system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said housings incorporates therein, a slot or indentation, said slot or indentation for the purpose of retaining therein said locking tab or lever, said locking lever being located on or in said bandage receptacle or receptacles. 
     
     
       4. A disposable bandage apparatus comprising at least one face, adhesive on at least a portion of said at least one face thereof, and  at least two receptacles mounted on said disposable bandage apparatus, each receptacle having means for matedly engaging  being configured to matedly engage at least one housing of a pulse oximeter probe, and  wherein a locking mechanism retaining  retains at least a portion of said probe housing thereon or therein, and said disposable bandage apparatus comprising adhesive on at least a portion of at least one face thereof. 
     
     
       5. An adhesive bandage apparatus, said adhesive bandage apparatus  comprising at least two receptacles mounted thereon, said at least two receptacles each having at least one aperture or radiation transparent window therein; at least a first of said receptacles being adapted to matedly engage, and lock into place, the housing of a pulse oximeter probe, said probe housing containing, or having mounted thereon, at least one light emitting diode; and a second of said receptacles being adapted to matedly engage, and lock into place, the housing of a pulse oximeter probe, said probe housing containing, or having mounted thereon, at least one photocell detector; wherein when so mated, said probe housings and bandage receptacles allow for the transmission and reception of light through the apertures or radiation transparent windows of said mated housings and receptacles, and through the appendage of a patient. 
     
     
       6. An oximeter probe attachment system comprising, a first adhesive bandage apparatus having at least one receptacle mounted thereon, said at least one receptacle having at least one radiation transparent window therein; said at least one receptacle being adapted to matedly engage, and lock into place, the housing of a pulse oximeter probe component, said housing containing, or having selectively mounted thereon, at least one light emitting diode, or having mounted thereon, at least one photocell detector; and at least one second adhesive bandage apparatus having at least one receptacle mounted thereon, said at least one bandage receptacle being adapted to matedly engage, and lock into place, the housing of a pulse oximeter probe component, said probe housing containing, or having mounted thereon, at least one light emitting diode, or said probe housing containing, or having mounted thereon, at least one photocell detector; wherein said at least two adhesive bandage apparati can be positioned upon a patient to allow for the transmission and reception of light through the radiation transparent windows of said mated housings and receptacles, and through the appendage of said patient. 
     
     
       7. The pulse oximeter system of  claim 1 , wherein said light emitter comprises a light emitting diode. 
     
     
       8. The pulse oximeter system of  claim 1 , wherein said light detector comprises a photocell detector. 
     
     
       9. The disposable bandage apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises one or more of a fastener, a hook and loop material, a snap- on connector, a ring, a groove, a notch, a twistable connector, a contoured portion, a threaded connector, a flange, a lever, a tab, an indentation, and a slot.   
     
     
       10. A method of providing a sensor capable of sensing a physiological parameter of a patient, the method comprising:
   providing a sensor having first and second modular housings comprising a light emitter and a light detector, respectively;        providing a bandage having adhesive on at least a portion of at least one face thereof, the bandage having first and second receptacles operably attached thereto and configured to matedly engage said first and second modular housings; and        releasably securing said first and second modular housings to said first and second receptacles by one or more engagement mechanisms.     
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein said providing the sensor comprises providing at least one of said first and second modular housings including a locking element. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein said providing the bandage comprises providing at least one of the first and second receptacles including a locking element. 
     
     
       13. A bandage apparatus configured to receive a sensor for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient, the bandage apparatus comprising first and second receptacles operably attached thereto and configured to matedly engage first and second modular housings of the sensor, said receptacles being releasably securable to the modular housings by one or more engagement mechanisms, and the bandage apparatus comprising adhesive on at least a portion of at least one face thereof. 
     
     
       14. The bandage apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of said first and second receptacles comprises at least one of the one or more engagement mechanisms comprising a locking element. 
     
     
       15. The bandage apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second receptacles comprises at least one of the one or more engagement mechanisms comprising a fastener. 
     
     
       16. The bandage apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more engagement mechanisms comprise a hook- and - loop type material.   
     
     
       17. The bandage apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more engagement mechanisms comprise a snap- on connector.   
     
     
       18. The bandage apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more engagement mechanisms comprise a ring. 
     
     
       19. The bandage apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more engagement mechanisms comprise a groove. 
     
     
       20. The bandage apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more engagement mechanisms comprise a notch. 
     
     
       21. The bandage apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more engagement mechanisms comprise a twistable connector. 
     
     
       22. The bandage apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more engagement mechanisms comprise a contoured portion of a receptacle. 
     
     
       23. The bandage apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more engagement mechanisms comprise a threaded connector. 
     
     
       24. The bandage apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more engagement mechanisms comprise a flange. 
     
     
       25. The bandage apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more engagement mechanisms comprise a lever. 
     
     
       26. The bandage apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more engagement mechanisms comprise a tab. 
     
     
       27. The bandage apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more engagement mechanisms comprise an indentation. 
     
     
       28. The bandage apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more engagement mechanisms comprise a slot. 
     
     
       29. A probe system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient comprising a disposable adhesive bandage apparatus having first and second receptacles mounted thereon and being adapted to matedly engage, and lock into place, first and second housings of a probe component, the first housing comprising a light emitter and the second housing comprising a light detector, wherein said disposable adhesive bandage apparatus can be positioned upon a patient to allow for the transmission and reception of a signal through an appendage of the patient. 
     
     
       30. The probe system of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the first and second receptacles comprises an engagement mechanism including a hook- and - loop type material.   
     
     
       31. The probe system of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the first and second receptacles comprises an engagement mechanism including a snap- on connector.   
     
     
       32. The probe system of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the first and second receptacles comprises an engagement mechanism including a ring. 
     
     
       33. The probe system of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the first and second receptacles comprises an engagement mechanism including a groove. 
     
     
       34. The probe system of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the first and second receptacles comprises an engagement mechanism including a notch. 
     
     
       35. The probe system of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the first and second receptacles comprises an engagement mechanism including a twistable connector. 
     
     
       36. The probe system of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the first and second receptacles comprises an engagement mechanism including a contoured portion of the receptacle. 
     
     
       37. The probe system of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the first and second receptacles comprises an engagement mechanism including a threaded connector. 
     
     
       38. The probe system of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the first and second receptacles comprises an engagement mechanism including a flange. 
     
     
       39. The probe system of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the first and second receptacles comprises an engagement mechanism including a lever. 
     
     
       40. The probe system of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the first and second receptacles comprises an engagement mechanism including a tab. 
     
     
       41. The probe system of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the first and second receptacles comprises an engagement mechanism including an indentation. 
     
     
       42. The probe system of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the first and second receptacles comprises an engagement mechanism including a slot. 
     
     
       43. A method of sensing a physiological parameter of a patient comprising:
   providing an adhesive bandage apparatus comprising at least two receptacles mounted thereon, said at least two receptacles each having at least one aperture or radiation transparent window therein;        matedly engaging, and locking into place, at least a first of said receptacles with a first housing of a pulse oximeter probe, said first housing containing, or having mounted thereon, at least one light emitting diode;        matedly engaging, and locking into place, at least a second of said receptacles with a second housing of a pulse oximeter probe, said second housing containing, or having mounted thereon, at least one photocell detector;        transmitting and receiving light through the apertures or radiation transparent windows of said first and second housings and receptacles, and through the appendage of a patient.     
     
     
       44. The method of  claim 43 , additionally comprising:
   disengaging at least the first of said receptacles from the first housing of the pulse oximeter probe; and        disengaging at least the second of said receptacles from the second housing of the pulse oximeter probe.