Medical sensor for reducing motion artifacts and technique for using the same

Abstract

A sensor may be adapted to reduce motion artifacts by damping the effects of outside forces and sensor motion. A sensor is provided with a motion damping structure adapted to reduce the effect of motion of a sensor emitter and/or detector. Further, a method of damping outside forces and sensor motion is also provided.

1 . A sensor comprising: 
 a sensor body;    an emitter and a detector disposed on the sensor body; and    a motion damping structure associated with the sensor body, wherein the motion damping structure is adapted to damp a force experienced by the sensor body.    
     
     
         2 . The sensor, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a pulse oximetry sensor or a sensor for measuring a water fraction.  
     
     
         3 . The sensor, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.  
     
     
         4 . The sensor, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the detector comprises at least one photodetector.  
     
     
         5 . The sensor, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the motion damping structure comprises a dashpot.  
     
     
         6 . The sensor, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the motion damping structure comprises a foam.  
     
     
         7 . The sensor, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the motion damping structure comprises viscoelastic solid.  
     
     
         8 . The sensor, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the motion damping structure comprises a fluid.  
     
     
         9 . The sensor, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the emitter is disposed within a chamber comprising a fluid.  
     
     
         10 . The sensor, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the detector is disposed within a chamber comprising a fluid.  
     
     
         11 . The sensor, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the motion damping structure comprises a plurality of impact-absorbing chambers connected by respective orifices, wherein the orifices are sized so as to restrict the flow rate of a fluid between the plurality of impact-absorbing chambers.  
     
     
         12 . The sensor, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a bandage-type sensor.  
     
     
         13 . The sensor, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a clip-type sensor.  
     
     
         14 . A pulse oximetry system comprising: 
 a pulse oximetry monitor; and    a pulse oximetry sensor adapted to be operatively coupled to the monitor, the sensor comprising: 
 a sensor body;  
 an emitter and a detector disposed on the sensor body; and  
 a motion damping structure associated with the sensor body, wherein the motion damping structure is adapted to damp a force experienced by the sensor body.  
   
     
     
         15 . The system, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.  
     
     
         16 . The system, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the detector comprises at least one photodetector.  
     
     
         17 . The system, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the motion damping structure comprises a dashpot.  
     
     
         18 . The system, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the motion damping structure comprises a fluid.  
     
     
         19 . The system, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the motion damping structure comprises a foam.  
     
     
         20 . The system, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the motion damping structure comprises a viscoelastic solid.  
     
     
         21 . The system, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the emitter is disposed in a chamber comprising a fluid.  
     
     
         22 . The system, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the detector is disposed in a chamber comprising a fluid.  
     
     
         23 . The system, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the motion damping structure comprises a plurality of impact-absorbing chambers connected by respective orifices, wherein the orifices are sized so as to restrict the flow rate of a fluid between the plurality of impact-absorbing chambers.  
     
     
         24 . The system, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the sensor comprises a bandage-type sensor.  
     
     
         25 . The system, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the sensor comprises a clip-type sensor.  
     
     
         26 . A method comprising: 
 damping a mechanical force affecting a sensor such that an effective force experienced by at least one of a emitter or a detector is less than the mechanical force.    
     
     
         27 . The method, as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein damping the mechanical force comprises forcing ambient air through an orifice at a controlled rate to dissipate mechanical energy.  
     
     
         28 . The method, as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein damping the mechanical force comprises forcing a fluid through a plurality of impact-absorbing chambers connected by respective orifices, wherein the orifices are sized so as to restrict the flow rate of the fluid between the plurality of impact-absorbing chambers.  
     
     
         29 . The method, as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein damping the mechanical force comprises dissipating mechanical energy through a fluid.  
     
     
         30 . The method, as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein damping the mechanical comprises dissipating mechanical energy through a foam.  
     
     
         31 . The method, as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein damping the mechanical force comprises dissipating mechanical energy through a viscoelastic solid.  
     
     
         32 . A method of manufacturing a sensor, comprising: 
 providing a sensor body on which an emitter and a detector are disposed; and    providing a motion damping structure disposed on the sensor body.    
     
     
         33 . The method, as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a pulse oximetry sensor or a sensor for measuring a water fraction.  
     
     
         34 . The method, as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein providing the emitter comprises providing one or more light emitting diodes.  
     
     
         35 . The method, as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein providing the detector comprises providing one or more photodetectors.  
     
     
         36 . The method, as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein providing the motion damping structure comprises providing a dashpot.  
     
     
         37 . The method, as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein providing the motion damping structure comprises providing a chamber comprising a fluid.  
     
     
         38 . The method, as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein providing the motion damping structure comprises providing a chamber comprising a fluid within which the emitter is disposed.  
     
     
         39 . The method, as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein providing the motion damping structure comprises providing a foam disposed on the sensor body.  
     
     
         40 . The method, as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein providing the motion damping structure comprises providing a chamber comprising a fluid within which the detector is disposed.  
     
     
         41 . The method, as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein providing the motion damping structure comprises providing a plurality of impact-absorbing chambers connected by respective orifices, wherein the orifices are sized so as to restrict the flow rate of a fluid between the plurality of impact-absorbing chambers.