Patient interface for reusable optical sensor

1. A patient interface for a reusable optical sensor, the patient interface comprising:

a compliant element defining a pocket having an upper wall and a lower wall and configured to removably receive the reusable optical sensor, the lower wall of the pocket defining an opening therethrough, the compliant element including a first wing and a second wing configured for conformal placement on a patient's body; and

a rigid guide component disposed along at least a portion of an outer surface of the upper wall of the compliant element for guiding the reusable optical sensor into the pocket;

wherein the compliant element comprises a contact surface and the opening extends from inside the pocket through the lower wall to the contact surface.

2. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the compliant element comprises a material selected from the group consisting of open celled foam, closed cell foam, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and thermoplastic elastomer.

3. The patient interface of claim 2 , wherein the compliant element comprises a moisture impervious surface.

4. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the wings defines a ventilation opening therethrough, providing ventilation to the patient's skin when in use.

5. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the compliant element is molded to define a curved shape and is sized and configured to conform to a portion of a patient's body selected from the group consisting of a deltoid, an upper arm, a calf, a thigh, a forearm, an upper back, and a lower back.

6. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the compliant element comprises a nose disposed at an end of the compliant element remote from an open end of the pocket.

7. The patient interface of claim 6 , wherein the nose is angled toward the contact surface.

8. The patient interface of claim 6 , wherein the nose has a tapered profile.

9. The patient interface of claim 1 , further comprising at least one upper wall protrusion to bias an optical sensor disposed in the pocket toward the lower wall of the pocket.

10. The patient interface of claim 1 , further comprising at least one lower wall protrusion proximate an entrance of the pocket to facilitate retention of the optical sensor in the pocket.

11. The patient interface of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive layer disposed on at least a portion of the contact surface of the compliant element.

12. The patient interface of claim 11 , wherein the adhesive layer comprises a transfer adhesive.

13. The patient interface of claim 11 , further comprising a removable liner proximate the adhesive layer.

14. The patient interface of claim 13 , wherein the removable liner is optically transparent.

15. The patient interface of claim 1 , further comprising an optically clear window layer aligned with the lower wall opening.

16. The patient interface of claim 15 , wherein the optically clear window layer further comprises an adhesive surface along at least a portion thereof.

17. The patient interface of claim 15 , wherein the optically clear window layer comprises an optical tape.

18. The patient interface of claim 1 wherein the pocket is sized to receive the sensor with a sliding interference fit.

19. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the rigid component comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a plastic, a metal, and a composite material.

20. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the compliant element comprises fabric.

21. The patient interface of claim 20 , further comprising a first strap attached to one of the two wings, the first strap being configured for encircling a portion of a patient's body.

22. The patient interface of claim 21 , further comprising a fastener attached to another of the two wings, adapted to receive and secure the first strap.

23. The patient interface of claim 22 , wherein a second strap is attached to the other of the two wings and the fastener is attached the second strap.

24. The patient interface of claim 21 , wherein the first strap comprises a hook-and-loop fastener.

25. The patient interface of claim 20 , wherein the lower wall of the pocket comprises a nonslip material.

26. A method of monitoring a condition of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

in a patient interface, the patient interface comprising:

a compliant element defining a pocket having an upper wall and a lower wall and configured to removably receive the reusable optical sensor, the lower wall of the pocket defining an opening therethrough, the compliant element including a first wing and a second wing configured for conformal placement on a patient's body; and

a rigid guide component disposed along at least a portion of an outer surface of the upper wall of the compliant element for guiding the reusable optical sensor into the pocket;

wherein the compliant element comprises a contact surface and the opening extends from inside the pocket through the lower wall to the contact surface;

inserting an optical sensor into the patient interface;

performing a sensor check of the optical sensor while a transparent liner is in place on an adhesive layer;

removing the transparent liner from the adhesive layer;

applying the patient interface to the patient, wherein the optical sensor is held directly against the adhesive layer;

obtaining a measurement with the optical sensor related to the condition of the patient;

removing the patient interface from the patient; and

removing the sensor from the patient interface.

27. The method of claim 26 , further comprising disposing of the patient interface and reusing the optical sensor in a new patient interface to obtain an additional measurement.