Medical sensor and technique for using the same
A sensor assembly is provided that includes a skeletal frame comprising a loop structure. The sensor assembly includes at least one physiological sensor attached to the loop structure. A coating is provided over the skeletal frame and the at least one physiological sensor to form a sensor assembly. The sensor may be placed on a patient's finger, toe, and so forth to obtain pulse oximetry or other physiological measurements. Methods of manufacturing the sensor and sensor body and of applying the sensor are also provided.
1. A sensor assembly, comprising:
a skeletal frame comprising a loop structure;
at least one physiological sensor attached to the loop structure; and
a coating molded over the skeletal frame and the at least one physiological sensor to form a sensor assembly.
2. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one physiological sensor comprises at least one of a light emitting diode or a photodetector.
3. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor assembly comprises at least one of a pulse oximetry sensor, a sensor for measuring a water fraction, or a combination thereof.
4. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the skeletal frame comprises a single molded part.
5. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises two or more parts joined to form the skeletal frame.
6. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coating comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.
7. The sensor assembly of claim 6 , wherein the thermoplastic elastomer comprises at least one of a thermoplastic polyolefin, a thermoplastic vulcanizate alloy, thermoplastic polyurethane, silicone, or a combination thereof.
8. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coating comprises a conformable material.
9. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein no moving parts of the frame remain exposed from the coating.
10. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor assembly is fluid tight.
11. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coating is chemically bonded to the skeletal frame.
12. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , comprising a pulse oximeter monitor configured to receive data from the sensor assembly.
13. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , comprising a multi-parameter monitor configured to receive data from the sensor assembly.
14. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , comprising at least one integrated circuit device.
15. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , comprising a cable comprising one or more integrated circuits.
16. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , comprising an adapter cable connected to one or more signal transmission structures of the sensor assembly.
17. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the loop structure biases an emitter and a detector toward one another.
18. A method of applying a sensor, comprising:
applying force to a sensor body comprising a loop structure portion of an overmolded skeletal frame, wherein the applied force squeezes together opposing sides of the loop structure such that the sensor body is distorted; and
situating the sensor body on a digit of a patient while the force is applied to the sensor body.
19. The method of claim 18 , comprising:
ceasing to apply force to the sensor body once the sensor body is situated on the digit.