Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to reusable wireless sensors. According to certain embodiments, the wireless sensor may include a rechargeable battery coupled to an induction coil for recharging the battery. One or more magnets may be disposed within or coupled to the wireless sensor, and the one or more magnets may be arranged to align the induction coil of the wireless sensor with a recharging device to facilitate recharging the battery of the wireless sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices and, more particularly, to medical devices with electrical connectors. In one embodiment, a medical device may include a medical connector having one or more contacts configured to enable communication between the medical device and a medical monitor according to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard. The medical connector may also include an interface region disposed at least partially about the one or more contacts. The interface region may be configured to physically couple to a mating connector of the medical monitor. Additionally, the interface region may include a geometry or a dimension that does not comply with the USB standard.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to techniques for controlling the temperature of light sources within physiological sensors in order to regulate the wavelengths emitted by the light sources. The sensors may include a temperature control element that is designed to provide heating and/or cooling to the light sources. The sensors also may include a temperature sensor designed to detect the temperature of the light sources. Based on the detected temperature, a controller can vary the amount of heating and/or cooling provided by the temperature control element to maintain the temperature of the light sources at a desired temperature or within a desired temperature range.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a regional oximetry sensor may include a light emitting element configured to emit light, a light detector configured to receive the light, and a memory device configured to store a baseline. The baseline stored by the memory device enables a regional oximetry monitor to display the baseline on a display of the regional oximetry monitor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices and, more particularly, to medical devices with electrical connectors. In one embodiment, a medical device may include a medical connector having one or more contacts configured to enable communication between the medical device and a medical monitor according to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard. The medical connector may also include an interface region disposed at least partially about the one or more contacts. The interface region may be configured to physically couple to a mating connector of the medical monitor. Additionally, the interface region may include a geometry or a dimension that does not comply with the USB standard.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a regional oximetry sensor may include a light emitting element configured to emit light, a light detector configured to receive the light, and a memory device configured to store a baseline. The baseline stored by the memory device enables a regional oximetry monitor to display the baseline on a display of the regional oximetry monitor.

Abstract: Medical sensors configured to provide enhanced patient comfort when worn over a period of time are provided. The medical sensors may include a first padding layer and a second padding layer disposed on either side of an emitter and a detector for measuring a physiological parameter of a patient. The medical sensors may also include an island padding layer secured to a patient-facing side of the second padding layer for reducing localized pressure points that may be caused by protrusions of the sensor. Additionally or alternatively, certain edges of the sensors may be rounded and/or stepped to reduce marking on the patient's tissue and to reduce strain and shear forces produced on the patient's tissue. Still further, certain embodiments provide enhanced light transmission between the emitter and detector of the sensors.

Abstract: A physiological monitoring system may use a differential light drive to illuminate one or more light sources. A differential light drive may include applying two signals, one to each terminal of a light emitting diode or other light source, such that the illumination of the light source is controlled by the difference between the two light drive signals. In some embodiments, light emitting diodes may be turned on and off using a differential light drive without using switches and using only unipolar voltage sources. In some embodiments, light drive signals may be 180 degrees out-of-phase, and the phase shift may be used to reduce crosstalk and other electronic noise, for example by carrying the signals in a twisted pair of conductors.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods that use spatial modulation to focus continuous wave light into a localized region of interest such as an individual blood vessel. In certain embodiments, intensity modulation techniques, such as linear frequency modulation, are used in conjunction with spatial modulation to achieve more precise measurements through otherwise scattering medium. The focused beam of continuous wave light is capable of penetrating several centimeters of tissue to deliver measurements and images associated with individual blood vessels and other discrete vascular components.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a tracheal tube may employ optical sensing techniques for determining a distance between the inserted tube and an anatomical structure, such as a carina. The distance information may provide an indication as to whether or not the tracheal tube is properly placed within the trachea. The optical techniques may include backscattered intensity measurements.

Abstract: Headbands configured to provide pressure against a medical sensor secured to a patient's forehead are provided. The headbands may include one or more low friction materials to enable an elastic band of a tensioning mechanism to evenly stretch. Additionally or alternatively, the headbands may include two or more bands adapted to secure the headband to various portions of a patient's head. Still further, the headbands may be configured to independently vary the pressure created between two or more sensors and the patient's head.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to medical systems having a wireless medical sensor with a disposable portion and a reusable portion. According to certain embodiments, the disposable portion may include an emitter configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light. The reusable portion may include a power source, such as a battery, for providing power to the emitter and other various components of the sensor. In certain embodiments, the reusable portion may also include a wireless module for communicating with a patient monitor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to reusable wireless sensors. According to certain embodiments, the wireless sensor may include a rechargeable battery coupled to an induction coil for recharging the battery. One or more magnets may be disposed within or coupled to the wireless sensor, and the one or more magnets may be arranged to align the induction coil of the wireless sensor with a recharging device to facilitate recharging the battery of the wireless sensor.

Abstract: Multi-wavelength photon density wave medical systems, methods, and devices are provided. In one embodiment, a multi-wavelength system may include a sensor, a sensor cable, and a patient monitor. The sensor may have an emitter output and a detector input configured to pass a multi-wavelength photon density wave input signal into a patient and receive a resulting multi-wavelength photon density wave output signal. The sensor cable may couple to the sensor using two optical cables for transmitting and receiving the multi-wavelength photon density wave signals. The patient monitor may couple to the sensor cable and generate several time-division multiplexed single-wavelength input signals by modulating one or more light sources at a frequency sufficient to produce resolvable photon density waves.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices and, more particularly, to medical devices with electrical connectors. In one embodiment, a medical device may include a medical connector having one or more contacts configured to enable communication between the medical device and a medical monitor according to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard. The medical connector may also include an interface region disposed at least partially about the one or more contacts. The interface region may be configured to physically couple to a mating connector of the medical monitor. Additionally, the interface region may include a geometry or a dimension that does not comply with the USB standard.

Abstract: A system for measuring a physiological parameter of blood in a patient is presented. The system includes a transmission module configured to emit a plurality of photon density waves into tissue of the patient from a plurality of modulated light sources. The system also includes a receiver module configured to detect characteristics of the plurality of photon density waves. The system also includes a processing module configured to identify characteristics of a pulsatile perturbation of the tissue based on the characteristics of the plurality of photon density waves, and identify a value of the physiological parameter based on at least the characteristics of the pulsatile perturbation of the tissue and the characteristics of the plurality of photon density waves.

Abstract: A surgical system configured for treating tissue is provided. The surgical system includes a laser source and a laser scalpel. The laser scalpel is adapted to couple to the laser source and is operable in two modes of operation, a first mode of operation to analyze tissue of interest and a second mode of operation to treat tissue of interest. The laser scalpel includes a housing having first and second fiber optic cables extending therethrough. Each of the first and second fiber optic cables operable under the first mode of operation to collect information pertaining to at least one optical property of tissue of interest and at least one of the first and second fiber optic cables also operable under the second mode of operation to treat the tissue of interest.

Abstract: An inflatable balloon cuff may be adapted to seal a patient's trachea when associated with an endotracheal tube. These cuffs may include features that facilitate detection or visualization of the cuff, for example with ultrasound devices, to ensure proper placement of the cuff and the tube. Such surface features may include particular types of materials or shaped or protruding features that may be detected in the environment of the trachea.

Abstract: An inflatable balloon cuff may be adapted to seal a patient's trachea when associated with an endotracheal tube. These cuffs may include features that facilitate detection or visualization of the cuff, for example with ultrasound devices, to ensure proper placement of the cuff and the tube. Such surface features may include particular types of materials or shaped or protruding features that may be detected in the environment of the trachea.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a regional oximetry sensor may include a light emitting element configured to emit light, a light detector configured to receive the light, and a memory device configured to store a baseline. The baseline stored by the memory device enables a regional oximetry monitor to display the baseline on a display of the regional oximetry monitor.