Method and system for self regulation of sensor component contact pressure

1. A sensor, comprising:

a light emitting component comprising a first patient-contacting surface and a first opposing surface;

a light detecting component comprising a second patient-contacting surface and a second opposing surface and configured to detect light energy emitted by the light emitting component incident upon the second patient-contacting surface;

a backing layer; and

a collapsible material positioned between the backing layer and at least one of the first opposing surface or the second opposing surface, wherein the collapsible material, when applied to a tissue, is configured to maintain an expanded configuration under a first pressure below a first threshold, is configured to maintain a partially collapsed configuration under a second pressure above the first threshold and below a second threshold, and is configured to maintain a collapsed configuration under a third pressure above the first threshold and the second threshold, wherein the first threshold is in a range of 10 mmHg to 35 mmHg, and wherein the second threshold is at least 80 mmHg.

2. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible material comprises a woven material.

3. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible material comprises a foam material comprising open cells, closed cells, and/or a combination thereof.

4. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible material comprises a gel.

5. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible material is a different color based on the degree of expansion or compression of the collapsible material.

6. The sensor of claim 1 , comprising a window situated above the collapsible material such that a color of the collapsible material may be viewed.

7. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the backing layer comprises a window situated above the collapsible material through which the thickness of the collapsible material may be visually determined.

8. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the first threshold comprises a pressure which maintains intimate contact between the sensing component and the monitoring site and the second threshold comprises a pressure level which minimizes excessive localized pressure which could result in tissue damage over prolonged periods of use.

9. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible material comprises a mesh material.

10. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible material comprises a material having honeycombed cells.

11. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein a tissue pressure exerted on a patient tissue by one or more of the first patient-contacting surface or the second patient-contacting surface is 10-35 mmHg in the expanded configuration.

12. A system, comprising:

a monitor; and

a sensor in electrical communication with the monitor, the sensor comprising:

an emitter;

a detector configured to generate an electrical signal in response to light emitted by the emitter;

a backing layer; and

a collapsible material situated between the backing layer and at least one of the emitter or the detector, wherein the collapsible material is configured to maintain a pressure between a venous pressure and an arterial pressure when the sensor is applied; and

wherein the sensor comprises a window within the backing layer through which a colorimetric indication of the state of the collapsible material may be determined.

13. A sensor, comprising:

a light emitting component comprising a first patient-contacting surface and a first opposing surface;

a light detecting component comprising a second patient-contacting surface and a second opposing surface and configured to detect light energy emitted by the light emitting component incident upon the second patient-contacting surface;

a backing layer; and

a collapsible material positioned between the backing layer and at least one of the first opposing surface or the second opposing surface, wherein the collapsible material, when applied to a tissue, is configured to maintain an expanded configuration under a first pressure below a first threshold, is configured to maintain a partially collapsed configuration under a second pressure above the first threshold and below a second threshold, and is configured to maintain a collapsed configuration under a third pressure above the first threshold and the second threshold, and wherein the collapsible material comprises a woven material.

14. A sensor, comprising:

a light emitting component comprising a first patient-contacting surface and a first opposing surface;

a light detecting component comprising a second patient-contacting surface and a second opposing surface and configured to detect light energy emitted by the light emitting component incident upon the second patient-contacting surface;

a backing layer; and

a collapsible material positioned between the backing layer and at least one of the first opposing surface or the second opposing surface, wherein the collapsible material, when applied to a tissue, is configured to maintain an expanded configuration under a first pressure below a first threshold, is configured to maintain a partially collapsed configuration under a second pressure above the first threshold and below a second threshold, and is configured to maintain a collapsed configuration under a third pressure above the first threshold and the second threshold, and wherein the collapsible material comprises a mesh material.

15. A sensor, comprising:

a light emitting component comprising a first patient-contacting surface and a first opposing surface;

a light detecting component comprising a second patient-contacting surface and a second opposing surface and configured to detect light energy emitted by the light emitting component incident upon the second patient-contacting surface;

a backing layer; and

a collapsible material positioned between the backing layer and at least one of the first opposing surface or the second opposing surface, wherein the collapsible material, when applied to a tissue, is configured to maintain an expanded configuration under a first pressure below a first threshold, is configured to maintain a partially collapsed configuration under a second pressure above the first threshold and below a second threshold, and is configured to maintain a collapsed configuration under a third pressure above the first threshold and the second threshold, and wherein the collapsible material comprises a material having honeycombed cells.

16. A sensor, comprising:

a light emitting component comprising a first patient-contacting surface and a first opposing surface;

a light detecting component comprising a second patient-contacting surface and a second opposing surface and configured to detect light energy emitted by the light emitting component incident upon the second patient-contacting surface;

a backing layer; and

a collapsible material positioned between the backing layer and at least one of the first opposing surface or the second opposing surface, wherein the collapsible material, when applied to a tissue, is configured to maintain an expanded configuration under a first pressure below a first threshold, is configured to maintain a partially collapsed configuration under a second pressure above the first threshold and below a second threshold, and is configured to maintain a collapsed configuration under a third pressure above the first threshold and the second threshold; and

wherein the backing layer comprises a window situated above the collapsible material through which the thickness of the collapsible material may be visually determined.