Abstract: An optical sensor, for positioning and holding an optical source and optical detector on opposite sides of a patient's finger or other extremity includes a clothespin-like housing having opposed housing members. The optical source and optical detector are embedded, respectively, in separate, opposed contact pads. The contact pads are mounted on the opposed housing members. A detent mechanism and a carrier associated with each of the housing members and contact pads allows the contact pads to be detached from the housing for cleaning or repair. A pivot mechanism that permits limited lateral as well as rotational movement of the housing members relative to each other allows the sensor to accommodate fingers of varying sizes.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the oxygen saturation of blood flow within the skull is described. In a first embodiment the sensor comprises a photodetector and a pair of light emitting diodes surface mounted near the end of a length of flexible printed wiring. The sensor is hermetically sealed by a coating of rubber or polymeric material which has an optical window over the photodetector and light emitting diodes. The sensor is inserted through a burr hole drilled in the skull and slides between the skull and the dura of the brain. The light emitting diodes are pulsed to illuminate blood within the dura and brain with light, and light reflected by the blood is received by the photodetector and converted to electrical signals. The signals are processed by a pulse oximeter to provide an indication of blood saturation. In a second embodiment the photodetector and light emitting diodes are mounted at the end of a core of compressible foam extending from the end of a hollow bone screw.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the oxygen availability of blood flow within the skull is described. In a first embodiment the sensor comprises a photodetector and a pair of light emitting diodes surface mounted near the end of a length of flexible printed wiring. The sensor is sealed by a coating of rubber or polymeric material which has an optical window over the photodetector and light emitting diodes. The sensor is inserted through a burr hole drilled in the skull and slides between the skull and the dura of the drain. The light emitting diodes are pulsed to illuminate blood flow in the brain beneath the dura with light, and light reflected by the blood is received by the photodetector and converted to electrical signals. The signals are processed by a pulse oximeter to provide an indication of blood availability. In a second embodiment the photodetector and light emitting diodes are mounted at the end of a core of compressible foam extending from the end of a hollow bone screw.

Abstract: A finger sensor for a pulse oximetry system is provided having a body of flexible, resilient polymeric material formed as a pocket. On the inside walls of the pocket toward the closed end are a LED light source and an opposing photodetector. The space within the pocket transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the pocket exhibits a relatively smaller width and a relatively greater width. As a finger is inserted into the pocket with the fingertip between the LED and the photodetector, the relatively smaller width of the pocket expands and the relatively greater width of the pocket decreases. This expansion and decrease of the pocket dimensions are resisted by the resilient polymeric material, causing the walls of the pocket containing the LED and the photodetector to securely contact and retain the finger within the pocket.

Abstract: A device for holding a heartbeat sensor in a relatively fixed relationship with respect to the end of a user's fingertip. More particularly, a device is disclosed wherein a single sheet of resilient material is formed into a base portion for holding the heartbeat sensor and three resilient bands that extend upwardly therefrom. The bands are adapted to grip the user's fingertip. In one embodiment of the invention, the bands and base portion define a U-shaped channel of constant cross-sectional area. In this embodiment a holding structure for the heartbeat sensor is wedge-shaped, the wedge-shaped holding structure being adapted to be held by the base portion so that the cross-sectional area defined by each band and the wedge-shaped holding structure decreases along the longitudinal length of the base portion. In another embodiment of the invention, each band defines a smaller cross-sectional area with respect to the base portion.