Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to maintaining sensor quality standards and/or preventing improper remanufacture of sensors, such as pulse oximetry sensors. Present embodiments may include a system that includes a biometric measurement device configured to obtain biometric data of a patient and a pulse oximetry sensor configured to obtain physiological data from a patient. The pulse oximetry sensor may include a memory device configured to receive and to store biometric data obtained during an initial reading of the patient by the biometric measurement device. The system may include a processor configured to obtain subsequent biometric data from the biometric device, to compare the subsequent biometric data to the biometric data obtained during the initial reading, and to prevent the pulse oximetry sensor from obtaining physiological data if the subsequent biometric data does not correspond to the biometric data obtained during the initial reading.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to maintaining sensor quality standards and/or preventing improper remanufacture of sensors, such as pulse oximetry sensors. Present embodiments may include a system for facilitating the monitoring of physiologic conditions that includes an optical reader configured to translate an optical machine-readable representation of data associated with a patient into electronic data, a memory device configured to receive and store the electronic data after an initial reading of the machine-readable representation of data by the optical reader, and a processor configured to associate the electronic data with historical data obtained from the patient and limit access to the historical data based on whether the optical reader provides matching electronic data based on a subsequently read optical machine-readable representation of data when predefined conditions are met.

Abstract: A photoacoustic sensor system includes a photoacoustic sensor assembly having a light emitting component configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light into a region of a patient's tissue and an acoustic detector configured to detect acoustic energy generated within the region of the patient's tissue in response to the emitted light. The photoacoustic sensor assembly is configured to generate a signal that enables a monitor to determine a potion of the sensor assembly relative to the patient's tissue.

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: Methods and systems are provided for recharging a power module of a sensor (e.g., a wireless sensor). The system may include a charging station, which may receive and recharging the power module of the sensor. The charging station may be configured to recharge the power module directly or inductively. Furthermore, the charging station may be configured to recharge the power module while the power module is removed from the sensor or while the power module is operatively coupled to the sensor. Additionally, the charging station may be a component of a monitoring device, which may operate in combination with the sensor.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for obtaining calibration coefficients for pulse oximeter sensors are provided. A method includes passing current through a light emitting element in an oximeter sensor and measuring, utilizing a first voltage sensing lead, a first voltage present at an electrical input of the light emitting element. The method also includes measuring, utilizing a second voltage sensing lead, a second voltage present at an electrical output of the light emitting element and determining a forward voltage of the light emitting element based on the first and second voltages. Utilizing the determined forward voltage, a wavelength of light emitted from the light emitting element is calculated. Utilizing the calculated wavelength of the emitted light, at least one calibration coefficient for the oximeter sensor is determined.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sensors for use on a patient's ear. The sensors as provided may be Y-shaped and configured to be retained on an ear with the forks of the Y-shape positioned below the main branch of the Y. In particular embodiments, the Y-shaped sensors may be affixed to the patient at locations on the head or neck to relieve strain and reduce the effects of motion on the optical components of the sensor.

Abstract: A physiological sensor includes an emitter configured to transmit light and a detector configured to receive the transmitted light. The sensor also includes a first accelerometer disposed on a first portion of the sensor and a second accelerometer disposed on a second portion of the sensor, the second portion opposing the first portion. The first and second accelerometers are configured to measure a change in motion that corresponds to a change in distance between the detector and the emitter.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sensors for use on a patient's ear. The sensors as provided may be disposable and configured to be retained on an ear with a biasing mechanism. In particular embodiments, the biasing mechanism is a sliding clip that is configured to bias a first portion and a second portion of a sensor body towards one another.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sensors for use on a patient's ear. The sensors as provided may include a moldable member, such as a putty. The moldable member may be molded in place to affix the optical components of the sensor to a patient's ear tissue. For example, the moldable member may be sculpted around a curvature of a patient's earlobe. In particular embodiments, the moldable member may be activated, e.g., hardened, by exposure to particular temperatures or by exposure to light.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to maintaining sensor quality standards and/or preventing improper remanufacture of sensors, such as pulse oximetry sensors. Present embodiments may include a sensor that includes an optical machine-readable representation of data included on the sensor and/or packaged therewith, and an information element configured to store data corresponding to the data represented by the optical machine-readable representation.

Abstract: A system and method for compensating for movement in a sensor. A sensor may include an emitter configured to transmit light, a detector configured to receive the transmitted light via a respective light path, and an accelerometer configured to measure a change in distance between the detector and the emitter. The sensor may transmit the measurements relating to the change in distance between the detector and the emitter to a pulse oximetry monitor. The pulse oximetry monitor may generate an attenuation factor corresponding to the change in the distance between the detector and the emitter that may be used to compensate for movement in a sensor when calculating physiological parameters of a patient.

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: A system includes a flexible sensor configured to be placed into a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the sensor is configured to measure a physiological characteristic. The sensor may include a first memory device configured to store a first set of calibration data and a second memory device configured to store a second set of calibration data. The system may further include a monitor coupled to the sensor, wherein the first memory device is accessible by the monitor in the first configuration and the second memory device is accessible by the monitor in the second configuration.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sensors for use on a patient's ear. The sensors as provided may be Y-shaped and configured to be retained on an ear with the forks of the Y-shape positioned below the main branch of the Y. In particular embodiments, the Y-shaped sensors may be affixed to the patient at locations on the head or neck to relieve strain and reduce the effects of motion on the optical components of the sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sensors for use on a patient's ear. The sensors as provided may include a moldable member, such as a putty. The moldable member may be molded in place to affix the optical components of the sensor to a patient's ear tissue. For example, the moldable member may be sculpted around a curvature of a patient's earlobe. In particular embodiments, the moldable member may be activated, e.g., hardened, by exposure to particular temperatures or by exposure to light.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sensors for use on a patient's ear. The sensors as provided may be disposable and configured to be retained on an ear with a biasing mechanism. In particular embodiments, the biasing mechanism is a sliding clip that is configured to bias a first portion and a second portion of a sensor body towards one another.

Abstract: Remanufactured medical sensors and methods for remanufacturing used stacked adhesive medical sensors are provided. Such a remanufactured sensor may include certain components from a used stacked adhesive medical sensor and certain new components. For example, a remanufactured medical sensor may include an exterior foam layer, a mask layer, an emitter and a detector, a semi-rigid optical mount to hold the emitter and the detector in place, optical windows, and an interior foam layer. At least the emitter and the detector may derive from the used stacked adhesive medical sensor, while at least one of the exterior foam layer, the mask layer, the semi-rigid optical mount, the optical windows, or the interior foam layer may be new.

Abstract: A system and method for compensating for movement in a sensor. A sensor may include an emitter configured to transmit light, a detector configured to receive the transmitted light via a respective light path, and an accelerometer configured to measure a change in distance between the detector and the emitter. The sensor may transmit the measurements relating to the change in distance between the detector and the emitter to a pulse oximetry monitor. The pulse oximetry monitor may generate an attenuation factor corresponding to the change in the distance between the detector and the emitter that may be used to compensate for movement in a sensor when calculating physiological parameters of a patient.