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| FIG. 1 illustrates the standard plethysmograph waveform 100, which can be derived from a pulse ... |
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| Low power pulse oximeter |
| Increasingly, pulse oximeters are being utilized in portable, battery-operated applications. For ... |
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| Stereo pulse oximeter |
| Prior art invasive oxygen assessment techniques are inherently limited. Specifically, in vitro ... |
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| Signal processing apparatus |
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| Dual-mode pulse oximeter |
| FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art pulse oximeter 100 and associated sensor 110. Conventionally, a ... |
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| Low-noise optical probes for reducing light piping |
| The present invention involves a probe for use in non-invasive energy absorption (or reflection) ... |
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| Method and apparatus for disabled access to polling places |
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| Electronic article surveillance system with transition zone tag monitoring |
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Shielded optical probe and method having a longevity indication
| Details |
Inventors: Schulz, Christian E.; Mason, Eugene E.; Ali, Ammar Al;
Assignee: Masimo Corporation (Irvine, CA)
Primary Examiner: Le; Que T.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear LLP
An optical probe, which is particularly suited to for use in measurements on tissue material of a patient. In one embodiment, the probe comprises upper and lower housing elements incorporating a light energy source and corresponding detector. The tissue material of the patient is disposed between the upper and lower housing elements such that the light energy emitted by the source passes through the tissue material to the detector. A plurality of light shields are attached to one or both of the housing elements to reduce the amount of ambient and reflected light reaching the detector. Additionally, various portions of the upper and lower housing elements and shields utilize light absorbent coloration and/or coatings which further mitigate the effects of undesired ambient and reflected light, thereby reducing noise generated within the instrument and increasing its accuracy. In one embodiment, the light shields are made removable from the optical probe, thereby facilitating replacement. A circuit for monitoring the condition of the probe, and indicating when replacement of the probe is desirable, is also disclosed. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention satisfies the foregoing needs by providing an improved optical probe for use in non-invasive energy absorption or reflection measurements, as well as a method of using the same.
In a first aspect of the invention, an improved shielded optical probe assembly is disclosed which incorporates a light energy source and light energy detector embedded within a multi-part housing adapted to receive and clamp onto tissue material from the patient.
When the probe is operating, light energy is directed from the light energy source through a first aperture formed within a first element of the housing and onto the tissue material of the patient, which is received within the probe.
A portion of this light is transmitted through (or reflected from) the tissue material onto the detector via a second aperture.
In this fashion, a light generated by the light source and transmitted through or reflected from the tissue material at a localized point is received by the detector.
A light shield is fitted to the housing so as to partially surround the tissue material when it is received within the housing, thereby attenuating ambient light incident on the optical probe.
In one embodiment, the light shield is made removable in order to facilitate its replacement after degradation and wear.
Additionally, portions of the shield and housing are colored and/or coated such that light incident on these portions is absorbed or attenuated.
The foregoing light attenuation features act to reduce the effects of noise induced within the detector (and associated processing circuitry) due to light energy not transmitted directly through or reflected from the tissue material from the light source.
The probe is also optionally fitted with a diffraction grating and Faraday shield to mitigate the effects of unwanted optical modes and electromagnetic interference on probe accuracy.
In a second aspect of the invention, the foregoing optical probe includes a mechanism for equalizing the force applied to the tissue of the patient when the probe is clamped thereon
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Communications 
