Optimized gas supply using photoplethysmography

1. A photoplethysmography probe comprising

(a) at least one light source and at least one photodetector;

(b) a co-fabricated structure that comprises a first substantially flattened side and a second substantially flattened side connected by a resilient section of plastic, each side comprising an inner face and an outer face, wherein said inner face of said first substantially flattened side opposes said inner face of said second substantially flattened side; and

(c) a first sleeve and a second sleeve, each comprising a stretchable aspect of one or more parts, or of the entire sleeve, wherein said first sleeve is stretched over a protrusion or prominence of said first substantially flattened side and said second sleeve is stretched over a protrusion or prominence of said second substantially flattened side.

2. The probe of claim 1 , wherein the light source is an LED.

3. The probe of claim 1 , wherein said photoplethysmography probe is configured to secure to a tissue of an individual's right or left nasal alar.

4. The probe according to claim 1 , wherein said probe further comprises one or more other monitoring sensors configured to determine respiratory parameters.

5. The photoplethysmography probe of claim 4 , wherein said one or more other monitoring sensors are configured to detect nasal air flow and/or nasal pressure.

6. The photoplethysmography probe of claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a height to the greater of a length or a width of said first substantially flattened side is between about 0.2:1 and 0.001:1 and a ratio of a height to the greater of a length or width of said second substantially flattened side is between about 0.2:1 and 0.001:1.

7. The photoplethysmography probe of claim 1 , wherein (a) the first sleeve encloses said at least one light source; and/or (b) said second sleeve encloses said at least one photodetector.

8. The photoplethysmography probe of claim 1 , wherein (a) the first sleeve bears said at least one light source; and/or (b) said second sleeve bears said at least one photodetector.

9. A method for monitoring an individual, said method comprising:

securing at least one photoplethysmography probe of claim 1 onto said individual's right and/or left nasal alar; and

obtaining photoplethysmography signals generated by said at least one plethysmography probe.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

(a) monitoring said photoplethysmography signals over time, and/or

(b) using said photoplethysmography signals to obtain at least one blood oxygen saturation measurement.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising any one or a combination of:

(a) using said photoplethysmography signals to diagnose and/or monitor a clinical condition in said individual;

(b) using said photoplethysmography signals to monitor blood flow at a nasal alar site in said individual;

(c) using said photoplethysmography signals to obtain at least one blood pressure measurement and/or a pulse rate for said individual; and

(d) using said photoplethysmography signals to monitor changes in vascular perfusion and/or resistance in said individual.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein tissue of said right and/or left nasal alar is between said at least one light source and said at least one photodetector.

13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

(a) obtaining breath measurements of said individual from at least one other monitoring sensor; and/or

(b) supplying oxygen or oxygen-rich gas to said individual.

14. The method according to claim 9 , said method further comprising:

delivering oxygen or an oxygen-rich gas to said individual;

obtaining photoplethysmography signals generated by said at least one photoplethysmography probe; and

adjusting at least one parameter selected from flow rate, pressure, concentration and/or amount of said oxygen or said oxygen-rich gas in response to said photoplethysmography signals.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein any one or a combination of the following applies:

(a) tissue of said right and/or left nasal alar is between said at least one light source and said at least one photodetector;

(b) said oxygen or oxygen-rich gas is delivered to said individual via a self-contained breathing apparatus;

(c) said oxygen or oxygen-rich gas is provided to said individual via mechanical ventilation; and

(d) said oxygen or said oxygen rich gas is provided via PEEP, wherein said PEEP is adjusted in response to said photoplethysmography signals.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein any one or a combination of the following applies:

(a) said self-contained breathing apparatus is used by an emergency worker;

(b) said at least one probe is combined with or part of said self-contained breathing apparatus;

(c) said oxygen or oxygen-rich gas is provided via mechanical ventilation and PEEP;

(d) PEEP is adjusted in response to an amplitude of said photoplethysmography signals; and

(e) PEEP is adjusted in response to an envelope of said photoplethysmography signals.

17. A system for obtaining photoplethysmography data from an individual, said system comprising at least one photoplethysmography probe comprising:

(a) at least one light source and at least one photodetector;

(b) a co-fabricated structure that comprises a first substantially flattened side and a second substantially flattened side connected by a resilient section of plastic, each side comprising an inner face and an outer face, wherein said inner face of said first substantially flattened side opposes said inner face of said second substantially flattened side; and

(c) a first sleeve and a second sleeve, each comprising a stretchable aspect of one or more parts, or of the entire sleeve, wherein said first sleeve is stretched over a protrusion or prominence of said first substantially flattened side and said second sleeve stretched over a protrusion or prominence of said second substantially flattened side.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the system is configured to process photoplethysmography data from said at least one photoplethysmography probe to measure or monitor any one or a combination of the following:

(a) blood oxygen saturation levels;

(b) blood flow;

(c) photoplethysmography signals over time;

(d) a clinical condition in said individual;

(e) blood pressure and/or pulse rate; and

(f) changes in vascular perfusion and/or resistance in said individual.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein said at least one photoplethysmography probe is configured to secure to a tissue of an individual's right and/or left nasal alar.

20. The system of claim 19 further comprising at least one probe comprising at least one light source and at least one photodetector that is configured to secure onto at least one non-alar site on said individual.

21. The system of claim 20 , wherein any one or a combination of the following applies:

(a) said at least one non-alar site comprises a finger and/or a toe;

(b) said system is further configured to monitor said right and/or left nasal alar photoplethysmography signals and said at least one non-alar site photoplethysmography signals over time;

(c) said system is further configured to use said right or left nasal alar photoplethysmography signals and said at least one non-alar site photoplethysmography signals to diagnose a clinical condition in said individual;

(d) said system is further configured to use said right and/or left nasal alar photoplethysmography signals and said at least one non-alar site photoplethysmography signals to monitor a clinical condition in said individual; and

(e) said system is further configured to use said right or left nasal alar photoplethysmography signals and said at least one non-alar site photoplethysmography signals to monitor changes in vascular perfusion and/or resistance in said individual.

22. The system of claim 17 , wherein said system is further configured

to obtain breath measurements of said individual from at least one other monitoring sensor.

23. The system of claim 17 , wherein

said at least one probe is unitary with one or more other monitoring sensors configured to determine respiratory parameters.

24. The system of claim 17 , said system further comprising:

a structure configured to deliver oxygen or an oxygen-rich gas to said individual; and

wherein the system is configured to adjust at least one parameter selected from flow rate, pressure, concentration and/or amount of said oxygen or said oxygen-rich gas in response to photoplethysmography signals generated from said at least one photoplethysmography probe.

25. The system of claim 24 , wherein any one or a combination of the following applies:

(a) said at least one probe is configured such that tissue of said right and/or left nasal alar is between said at least one LED and said at least one photodetector;

(b) said system is configured such that said oxygen or oxygen-rich gas is delivered to said individual via a self-contained breathing apparatus;

(c) said system of configured such that said oxygen or oxygen-rich gas is provided to said individual via mechanical ventilation; and

(d) said system if configured such that said oxygen or said oxygen rich gas is provided via PEEP, wherein said PEEP is adjusted in response to said photoplethysmography signals.

26. The system of claim 25 , wherein any one or a combination of the following applies:

(a) said self-contained breathing apparatus is configured to be used by an emergency worker;

(b) said at least one probe is combined with or part of said self-contained breathing apparatus;

(c) said system is configured so that said oxygen or oxygen-rich gas is provided via mechanical ventilation and PEEP;

(d) said system is configured so that PEEP is adjusted in response to an amplitude of said photoplethysmography signals; and

(e) said system is configured so that PEEP is adjusted in response to an envelope of said photoplethysmography signals.

27. The system of claim 17 , wherein said system is configured to calculate a blood oxygen saturation level in said individual.

28. The system of claim 27 , wherein said system is configured to increase or decrease a flow of oxygen to said individual based on said blood oxygen saturation level.