Mechanical Lock for a Laser-Based Photoplethysmographic Sensor

1 . A photoplethysmographic sensor for a laser-based pulse oximeter, comprising:

an enclosure and a sensor connector;

the sensor connector including a stationary portion and a sliding portion;

the stationary portion fixed in position with respect to the enclosure;

the sliding portion coupled to the stationary portion and free to slide with respect to the stationary portion;

the sensor connector stable in at least an open position and an engaged position and movable between the open and engaged positions through application of an external force;

the sensor connector adapted to retain a distal connector when in the engaged position;

the sensor connector adapted to move from the open position to the engaged position upon the stationary portion and the sliding portion being pinched together, wherein the stationary portion and the sliding portion are adapted to be pinched together without an application of pressure on the enclosure; and

the sensor connector adapted to move from the engaged position to the open position upon the stationary portion and the sliding portion being pulled apart, wherein the pulling apart motion does not require pressure on the enclosure.

2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor connector provides tactile feedback when it is slid into the engaged position.

3 . The device of claim 1 wherein the sensor connector provides auditory feedback when it is slid into the engaged position.

4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein pinching the sensor connector into the engaged position actively forces the distal connector against the stationary portion and, once in the engaged position, maintains a force between the distal connector and the stationary portion.

5 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the force maintained between the distal connector and the stationary portion is at least 1.766 newtons.

6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure and sensor connector provide an opening to accept a light emitting portion of the distal connector.

7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure and/or sensor connector provides a transparent window to mate with a light emitting portion of the distal connector.

8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor connector includes at least two electrical contacts.

9 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the distal connector includes at least two electrical contacts that mate with the at least two electrical contacts of the sensor connector.

10 . A method of assembling a photoplethysmographic sensor for a laser-based pulse oximeter, comprising the steps of:

coupling a stationary portion of a sensor connector on an enclosure such that the stationary portion does not move with respect to the enclosure;

interlocking a movable portion of the sensor connector onto the stationary portion of the sensor connector such that the sliding portion is free to slide with respect to the stationary portion;

wherein the interlocking connection of the stationary portion and the sliding portion provides at least a stable open position and a stable engaged position and the sensor connector is movable between the two positions through application of an external force;

accepting insertion of a distal connector in the open position; and

retaining the distal connector in the engaged position;

wherein the stationary portion and the sliding portion move from the open position to the engaged position with a pinching motion of the stationary portion and the sliding portion, wherein the pinching motion does not require pressure on the enclosure; and

wherein the stationary portion and the sliding portion move from the engaged position to the open position by a pulling apart motion of the stationary portion and the sliding portion, wherein the pulling apart motion does not require pressure on the enclosure.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising providing a tactile feedback when sliding the stationary portion and the sliding portion to the engaged position from the open position or when sliding the stationary portion and the sliding portion from the open position to the engaged position.

12 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising providing audible feedback when sliding the stationary portion and the sliding portion to the engaged position from the open position or when sliding the stationary portion and the sliding portion from the open position to the engaged position.

13 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising forcing the distal connector against the stationary portion when the sliding portion is moved from the open position to the engaged position and, once in the engaged position, maintaining a force between the retained distal connector and the stationary portion.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the force maintained between the distal connector and the stationary portion is at least 1.766 newtons.

15 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising accepting a light emitting portion of the distal connector in at least one of the enclosure and the sensor connector.

16 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising positioning a transparent window within in at least one of the enclosure and the sensor connector to mate with a light emitting portion of the distal connector.

17 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising positioning at least two electrical contacts in the sensor connector.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising positioning at least two electrical contacts that mate with the at least two electrical contacts of the sensor connector in the distal connector.