Universal modular pulse oximeter probe for use with reusable and disposable patient attachment devices

Abstract

A system and method of standardizing modular probe housings so that the standardized probe housings may be incorporated into probes adapted to work with at least one of a multiplicity of manufacturers' oximeters. The probe housings are adapted to matingly engage at least a disposable bandage apparatus and a reusable finger attachment device.A pulse oximeter system comprises a finger attachment device having first and second probe couplers, the first and second probe couplers are configured to be matingly engageable with probe housings of a pulse oximeter probe.

1. A pulse oximeter probe system comprising a probe having at least one light emitting diode and at least one photocell detector wherein said emitter and detector are incorporated into modular plastic housings, at least one housing having an aperture or radiation transparent window aligned with said diode, and at least a second housing having an aperture or radiation transparent window aligned with said detector; a selected one of:
 (a) a reusable finger attachment device having a first modular receptacle pair mounted thereon, or   (b) a disposable bandage device having a second modular receptacle pair mounted thereon;   
       wherein respective ones of said housings can lockingly engage and disengage respective ones of said modular receptacles and transmit and receive light through the appendage of a patient when the selected one of the above devices (a) or (b) is attached to a patient and when the respective housings of said probe are matedly engaged with the respective receptacles of the attached device; and the receptacles of the disposable bandage device or the reusable finger attachment device have locking levers for lockingly engaging and disengaging said modular probe housings, respectively. 
     
     
       2. The probe system of  claim 1  in which said housings have indentations for lockingly engaging and disengaging the levers of receptacles of a disposable bandage apparatus or reusable finger attachment device. 
     
     
       3. The probe system of  claim 1  wherein said disposable bandage apparatus incorporates radiation transparent windows for the isolation of the probe housings from the patient. 
     
     
       4. The probe system of  claim 1  in which the probe housings of probes to be used on a multiplicity of manufacturers' oximeters are adapted to be matedly engaged with a selected reusable finger attachment device or a disposable bandage apparatus having receptacles designed to mate with said probe housings. 
     
     
       5. A reusable finger attachment device for use with a pulse oximeter probe incorporating modular housings, comprising said attachment device incorporating modular receptacles for matingly engaging said modular probe housings; wherein the receptacles of the reusable finger attachment device have locking levers for lockingly engaging and disengaging said modular probe housings. 
     
     
       6. The reusable finger attachment device of  claim 5  which said modular probe housings are adapted to be removed from said reusable finger attachment device in order to clean or sterilize said reusable finger attachment device. 
     
     
       7. A method of standardizing probes comprising designing probe housings to be matingly engageable with modular receptacles of a disposable bandage apparatus and a reusable finger attachment device and further constructing said probe housings to be incorporated into probes adapted to work with at least one of a multiplicity of manufacturers' oximeters. 
     
     
       8. A device for use with a reusable probe sensor assembly in a system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient, the device comprising a disposable bandage apparatus and first and second probe couplers, the bandage apparatus having adhesive on at least a portion thereof, the first and second probe couplers being operably attached to the bandage apparatus and configured to be matingly engageable with probe housings of a reusable probe sensor assembly, wherein the first and second probe couplers comprise respective first and second locking features that engage and disengage probe housings of a reusable probe sensor assembly. 
     
     
       9. The device of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first and second locking features comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of a fastener, a hook-and-loop type material, a snap-on connector, a ring, a groove, a notch, a twistable connector, a contoured portion of a receptacle, a threaded connector, a flange, a tab, an indentation and a slot. 
     
     
       10. A system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient comprising:
 a probe assembly having a light emitter, a light detector, and first and second modular housings for the light emitter and light detector, respectively; and   a disposable bandage apparatus having first and second modular receptacles operably attached thereto, the bandage apparatus having adhesive on at least a portion thereof, and said modular receptacles having locking features to engage and disengage with said modular housings of said probe.   
     
     
       11. The device of claim 10, wherein at least one of said locking features comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of a fastener, a hook-and-loop type material, a snap-on connector, a ring, a groove, a notch, a twistable connector, a contoured portion of a receptacle, a threaded connector, a flange, a tab, an indentation and a slot. 
     
     
       12. A method of providing a system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient having reusable and disposable components, comprising:
 providing at least one reusable probe assembly having a light emitter, a light detector, and first and second modular housings for the light emitter and the light detector; and   providing a plurality of disposable bandages, each disposable bandage having first and second probe couplers respectively, each disposable bandage having adhesive on at least a portion thereof, the respective first and second probe couplers being operably attached to each respective disposable bandage and configured to be matingly engageable with the first and second modular probe housings of the at least one reusable probe assembly, wherein the respective first and second probe couplers comprise respective first and second locking features to engage and disengage the first and second modular probe housings of the at least one reusable probe assembly.   
     
     
       13. The method of claim 12, further comprising positioning at least one of the plurality of disposable bandages on an appendage of a patient. 
     
     
       14. The method of claim 12, further comprising engaging the respective first and second probe couplers of at least one of the plurality of disposable bandages with the respective first and second modular probe housings of the at least one reusable probe assembly. 
     
     
       15. The method of claim 12, further comprising sensing at least one signal transmitted through an appendage of a patient. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim 12, further comprising disengaging the respective first and second probe couplers of at least one of the plurality of disposable bandages from the respective first and second modular probe housings of the at least one reusable probe assembly. 
     
     
       17. The method of claim 12, further comprising disposing of at least one of the plurality of disposable bandages. 
     
     
       18. The method of claim 12, further comprising reusing the at least one reusable probe assembly.