Hat-based oximeter sensor
View Patent ↗A method for use and an improved oximeter sensor substrate that is conforming to the shape of the patient's forehead. In one embodiment, the present invention is an oximeter sensor, having a substrate with a shape similar to a shape of at least a portion of a patient's forehead and including a section adapted to substantially fit over a portion of a forehead of a patient; an emitter disposed on the substrate at a position located on the section; and a detector disposed on the substrate at a distance from the emitter. In one embodiment, the substrate includes a hat that holds the emitter and the detector in a spaced-part manner against the patient's forehead.
1. A sensor comprising:
a stocking cap;
a substrate disposed on the stocking cap;
at least one sensing component disposed on the substrate; and
an electrical connector disposed on the substrate, wherein the electrical connector extends from the substrate through an open portion of the stocking cap configured to be proximate to a top of the stocking cap when the stocking cap is applied to the patient.
2. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is conformable to a forehead-contacting surface of the stocking cap.
3. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is adapted to be attached to the stocking cap.
4. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises an adhesive layer adapted to attach the substrate to the stocking cap.
5. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the stocking cap comprises a neonatal stocking cap.
6. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensing component is adapted to be attached to a forehead-contacting surface of the stocking cap.
7. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the stocking cap comprises an opening adapted to accommodate the the at least one sensing component.
8. The sensor of claim 7 , wherein the opening comprises a hole or a pocket.
9. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the electrical connector is secured by a portion of the stocking cap.
10. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the electrical connector comprises a flexible circuit.
11. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the electrical connector comprises a cable.
12. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the sensing component comprises at least one of an emitter or a detector.
13. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the stocking cap is configured to position the substrate at a predetermined position on the patient's forehead.
14. The sensor of claim 13 , wherein the predetermined position comprises a lower forehead region.
15. The sensor of claim 13 , wherein the predetermined position comprises a position substantially centering the sensing component above a patient's iris.
16. A method of manufacturing a cap-based sensor comprising:
providing a stocking cap;
providing a substrate;
providing at least one sensing component disposed on the substrate; and
providing an electrical connector disposed on the substrate, wherein the electrical connector extends from the substrate through an open portion of the stocking cap configured to be proximate to a top of the stocking cap when the stocking cap is applied to the patient.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the substrate is conformable to a forehead-contacting surface of the stocking cap.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the substrate is adapted to be attached to the stocking cap.
19. The method of claim 16 , comprising providing an adhesive layer adapted to attach the substrate to the stocking cap.
20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the stocking cap comprises a neonatal stocking cap.
21. The method of claim 16 , wherein the at least one sensing component is adapted to be attached to a forehead-contacting surface of the stocking cap.
22. The method of claim 16 , comprising providing an opening adapted to accommodate the at least one sensing component.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the opening comprises a hole or a pocket.
24. The method of claim 16 , wherein the electrical connector is secured by a portion of the stocking cap.
25. The method of claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the electrical connector comprises a flexible circuit.
26. The method of claim 16 , wherein the at least a portion of the electrical connector comprises a cable.
27. The method of claim 16 , wherein the at least one sensing component comprises at least one of an emitter or a detector.
28. The method of claim 16 , comprising configuring the stocking cap to position the substrate at a predetermined position on the patient's forehead.
29. The method of claim 28 , wherein the predetermined position comprises a lower forehead region.
30. The method of claim 28 , wherein the predetermined position comprises a position substantially centering the sensing component above a patient's iris.
31. A method comprising:
applying a stocking cap to a patient, wherein the stocking cap comprises:
a substrate;
at least one sensing component disposed on the substrate; and
an electrical connector disposed on the substrate, wherein the electrical connector extends from the substrate through an open portion of the stocking cap configured to be proximate to a top of the stocking cap when the stocking cap is applied to the patient.
32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the electrical connector is secured by a portion of the stocking cap.
33. The method of claim 31 , wherein at least a portion of the electrical connector comprises a flexible circuit.
34. The method of claim 31 , wherein the at least a portion of the electrical connector comprises a cable.