Universal fingertip sensor

Abstract

A device includes a digit probe, a plurality of optical elements, a processor, and a communication module. The digit probe has an interior surface and has an exterior surface. The interior surface is configured to engage a digit and the exterior surface is configured to engage a tissue site associated with the digit. The plurality of optical elements is coupled to at least one of the interior surface and the exterior surface. The plurality of optical elements includes at least one emitter and includes at least one detector. The processor is coupled to the plurality of optical elements. The processor is configured to generate a measure of arterial oxygenation corresponding to the digit and configured to generate a measure of regional oxygenation corresponding to the tissue site. The communication module is coupled to the processor. The communication module is configured to communicate the measure of arterial oxygenation and regional oxygenation with a remote device.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A device comprising:
 a housing having a first portion jointly coupled to a second portion;   a plurality of optical sensors, the plurality of optical sensors including a first optical sensor coupled to the first portion and a second optical sensor coupled to the second portion, the housing configured to allow positioning of the first optical sensor proximate a first tissue site and configured to allow positioning of the second optical sensor proximate a second tissue site, wherein the first optical sensor is spaced apart from the second optical sensor; and   a processor coupled to the housing, coupled to the first optical sensor, and coupled to the second optical sensor, the processor configured to coordinate a first measuring routine using the first optical sensor and a second measuring routine using the second optical sensor and to generate a first physiological measurement based on a first signal received from the first optical sensor and configured to generate a second physiological measurement based on a second signal received from the second optical sensor and provide an output corresponding to the first physiological measurement and corresponding to the second physiological measurement.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the processor is configured to synchronize operation of the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the processor is configured to synchronize operation of the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor and include a dead time between receiving the first signal and receiving the second signal. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2  further including a display coupled to at least one of the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the display is configured to provide a visible indication of at least one of arterial oxygenation and regional oxygenation. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor includes a light emitter and a light detector. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the first portion and the second portion are coupled by a spring or elastic element. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the processor is coupled to a wireless telemetry module. 
     
     
         10 . A method for operating a device, the method comprising:
 configuring a device to activate a first emitter of a first sensor, the first sensor affixed to a first portion of a housing;   configuring the device to activate a second emitter of a second sensor, the second sensor affixed to a second portion of the housing, the first portion jointly coupled to the second portion and wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are configured for placement at a first tissue site and at a second tissue site, respectively, the first tissue site and the second tissue site spaced apart, wherein configuring includes coordinating timing as to operating the first emitter and operating the second emitter; and   determining a first physiological parameter corresponding to a first output signal received from the first sensor and determining a second physiological parameter corresponding to a second output signal received from the second sensor.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein coordinating timing includes synchronizing. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein coordinating timing includes emitting light from the first emitter at a time while the second output signal is independent of light emitted from the first emitter. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein configuring the device includes positioning the first sensor on a first surface of the device and positioning the second sensor on a second surface of the device, wherein the first surface is configured to engage with a digit and the second surface is configured to engage with a tissue site devoid of the digit. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus comprising:
 an upper jaw and a lower jaw coupled by a joint, wherein the joint allows relative movement between the upper jaw and the lower jaw;   a plurality of optical elements disposed on selected surfaces of at least one of the upper jaw and lower jaw, the plurality of optical elements including a first optical element configured to emit light of a selected wavelength and including a second optical element having a terminal for providing an electrical signal corresponding to detected light, the electrical signal associated with a subject; and   a processor coupled to the plurality of optical elements, wherein the processor is configured to control timing and operation of the plurality of optical elements, and wherein the processor is configured to determine a first physiological parameter and determine a second physiological parameter and wherein controlling timing includes synchronizing emission of light and detection of light in a manner to avoid sensor crosstalk.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the processor is configured to provide a dead time between a first signal reading and a second signal reading associated with the plurality of optical elements. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the processor is configured to determine a measure of regional oximetry. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further including a wireless telemetry module coupled to the processor, the wireless telemetry module configured to communicate with a remote device. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further including a display coupled to the processor. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the display has a visual configuration selected by the processor. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the joint includes a link. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the link includes two pivot axes. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further including a port coupled to the processor, the port configured for electrical connection with a remote device.