Mucosal sensor for the assessment of tissue and blood constituents and technique for using the same

Abstract

A sensor for physiological constituent detection may be adapted to include a mucoadhesive. A sensor is provided that is appropriate for use on mucosal tissue. The mucoadhesive provides a mechanism for holding the sensor on the mucous membrane in order to measure physiological constituent levels in the tissue and blood.

1 . A sensor kit, comprising:
 a sensor comprising:
 an indicator configured to provide feedback related to a physiological constituent, wherein the indicator comprises an emitter and a detector disposed on a tissue-contacting surface of the sensor; 
 a mucoadhesive disposed on the tissue-contacting surface of the sensor, wherein the mucoadhesive is in direct contact with the emitter and the detector; and 
   a protective package configured to house the sensor, wherein the protective package comprises a material configured to reduce drying out or oxidation of the mucoadhesive.   
     
     
         2 . The sensor kit, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises a foil. 
     
     
         3 . The sensor kit, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the mucoadhesive comprises an acrylic acid polymer, a methyl vinyl copolymer, or a polyvinyl pyrrolidone. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor kit, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the mucoadhesive comprises a liquid or a gel. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor kit, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the physiological constituent comprises at least one of a tissue or a blood constituent. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor kit, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the physiological constituent comprises at least one of carboxyhemoglobin or methemoglobin. 
     
     
         7 . The sensor kit, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a pulse oximetry sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The sensor kit, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode and wherein the detector comprises at least one photodetector. 
     
     
         9 . The sensor kit, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the mucoadhesive is configured to degrade over time. 
     
     
         10 . The sensor kit, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the mucoadhesive is configured to dissolve upon contact with a solvent. 
     
     
         11 . The sensor kit, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a removable substrate disposed on the tissue-contacting surface of the sensor, wherein the removable substrate is configured to cover the mucoadhesive. 
     
     
         12 . A system, comprising:
 a monitor; and   a sensor configured to be operatively coupled to the monitor, wherein the sensor comprises:
 a substrate comprising a tissue-contacting surface shaped to be secured to a mucosal tissue of a patient; 
 an indicator configured to provide feedback to the monitor related to a physiological constituent of the patient, wherein the indicator comprises an emitter and a detector disposed on the tissue-contacting surface; and 
 a mucoadhesive disposed on the tissue-contacting surface of the sensor such that the mucoadhesive is in direct contact with the indicator. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system, as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the mucoadhesive comprises an acrylic acid polymer, a methyl vinyl copolymer, or a polyvinyl pyrrolidone. 
     
     
         14 . The system, as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the mucoadhesive comprises a liquid or a gel. 
     
     
         15 . The system, as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a pulse oximetry sensor or a carbon dioxide sensor. 
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing a sensor, comprising:
 providing a substrate comprising a tissue-contacting surface shaped to be secured to a mucosal tissue of a patient;   providing an emitter and a detector disposed on the substrate; and   providing a mucoadhesive disposed on the tissue-contacting surface such that the mucoadhesive is in direct contact with the emitter and the detector.   
     
     
         17 . The method, as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the sensor comprises a pulse oximetry sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The method, as set forth in  claim 16 , comprising providing a removable layer disposed on the tissue-contacting surface of the sensor, wherein the removable layer is configured to cover the mucoadhesive. 
     
     
         19 . The method, as set forth in  claim 16 , comprising providing a housing surrounding the sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The method, as set forth in  claim 16 , comprising providing a cable coupled to the emitter and the detector.