Medical sensor
A medical sensor that allows wrapping about an applied part while maintaining the alignment of the detector and emitter is provided. The medical sensor includes a carrier band that can accommodate variably sized applied parts without misaligning the detector and emitter. The medical sensor can provide space between the skin of the applied part and the emitter and detector. The medical sensor carrier band can be designed with a flexible region and thicker mounting sections that act as spring-loaded mounts when the carrier band is secured in a wrapped position.
1. A medical sensor comprising:
a foam carrier band including a thick detector mounting section and a thick emitter mounting section and a thin, flexible groove section disposed between and connecting the thick detector and emitter sections;
a detector mounted in the thick detector mounting section of the carrier band; and
an emitter mounted in the thick emitter mounting section of the carrier band,
wherein the thin flexible groove section is configured to accommodate variably sized applied body parts, while maintaining substantial alignment of the detector directly opposite the emitter on an opposite side of the applied body part when applied to an applied part, wherein said carrier band includes an emitter window, the emitter window including a cut out region of the carrier band, a first layer of transparent material covering a first side of the cut out region, and a second layer of transparent material covering a second side of the cut out region, wherein an air gap defined between the first and second transparent material layers is provided between the emitter and the skin of the applied part.
2. The medical sensor of claim 1 , wherein said carrier band is polyethylene.
3. The medical sensor of claim 1 further includes hook and loop material for securing the medical sensor in a wrapped position.
4. The medical sensor of claim 1 further comprising a detector window, wherein said detector window provides a space between the detector and the skin of the applied part.
5. The medical sensor of claim 1 , wherein the medical sensor is a pulse oximetry sensor.
6. A medical sensor comprising:
a carrier band which has a recessed portion in which a cut out portion is defined;
a first clear layer disposed in the recessed portion covering one side of the cut out portion;
a second clear layer disposed on an opposite side of the cut out portion such that an air gap is defined between the first and second clear layers;
a detector mounted on a portion of the carrier band; and
an emitter mounted in the recessed portion of the carrier band and disposed adjacent the first clear layer to emit light through the first and second clear layers and the air gap into a body part,
wherein when the medical sensor is in a wrapped position around the body part, the air gap is disposed between the emitter and skin of the body part.
7. The medical sensor of claim 6 , wherein the air gap between the emitter and the skin of the applied part is a predetermined distance.
8. The medical sensor of claim 6 , wherein said carrier band is polyethylene foam.
9. The medical sensor of claim 6 , wherein said carrier band comprises a thick detector mounting section, a thick emitter mounting section, and a thin flexible groove section disposed between and connecting the thick detector and emitter mounting sections.
10. The medical sensor of claim 6 , wherein the medical sensor is a pulse oximetry sensor.
11. A medical sensor comprising:
a carrier band including a thin section that facilitates wrapping of the carrier band and first and second thick sections that act as spring-loaded mounts when the carrier band is secured in a wrapped position around a body part, the thin section being disposed between and connecting the first and second thick sections;
a detector mounted to a recessed region of the first thick section;
a cut out region in the second thick section, a first layer of material on a first side of the carrier band covering the cut out region, and a second layer of material on a second side of the carrier band covering the cutout out region to define an air gap between the first and second material layers; and
an emitter mounted adjacent the second material layer.
12. The medical sensor of claim 11 , wherein said detector and said emitter are substantially aligned on opposite sides of the body part when said carrier band is in the wrapped position.
13. The medical sensor of claim 11 , wherein said carrier band is polyethylene foam.
14. The medical sensor of claim 11 , wherein the air gap keeps the emitter a predetermined distance from skin of the body part.
15. The medical sensor of claim 11 , wherein the medical sensor is a pulse oximetry sensor.