Abstract: An oximetry device sealed in a sheath directs a user to allow the oximetry device to make oximetry readings at a number of different tissue locations of a patient and average two or more of the oximetry readings by directing the lifts and placements of the oximetry device and sheath to and from the different tissue locations and detecting the lift and placements. The averages are generated and displayed on a display of the device for the oximetry readings if the lifts are made while use directions for the lifts are displayed on a display of the oximetry device. The averages are not generated if the lifts are not made while the user directions for the lifts are not displayed. The averages are simultaneously displayed with the oximetry readings which are instantaneous measurement for patient tissue.

Abstract: A method for determining oxygen saturation includes emitting light from sources into tissue; detecting the light by detectors subsequent to reflection; and generating reflectance data based on detecting the light. The method includes determining a first subset of simulated reflectance curves from a set of simulated reflectance curves stored in a tissue oximetry device for a coarse grid; and fitting the reflectance data points to the first subset of simulated reflectance curves to determine a closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves. The method includes determining a second subset of simulated reflectance curves for a fine grid based on the closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves; determining a peak of absorption and reflection coefficients from the fine grid; and determining an absorption and a reflectance coefficient for the reflectance data points by performing a weighted average of the absorption coefficients and reflection coefficients from the peak.

Abstract: A method for determining oxygen saturation includes emitting light from sources into tissue; detecting the light by detectors subsequent to reflection; and generating reflectance data based on detecting the light. The method includes determining a first subset of simulated reflectance curves from a set of simulated reflectance curves stored in a tissue oximetry device for a coarse grid; and fitting the reflectance data points to the first subset of simulated reflectance curves to determine a closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves. The method includes determining a second subset of simulated reflectance curves for a fine grid based on the closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves; determining a peak of absorption and reflection coefficients from the fine grid; and determining an absorption and a reflectance coefficient for the reflectance data points by performing a weighted average of the absorption coefficients and reflection coefficients from the peak.

Abstract: An oximetry device sealed in a sheath directs a user to allow the oximetry device to make oximetry readings at a number of different tissue locations of a patient and average two or more of the oximetry readings by directing the lifts and placements of the oximetry device and sheath to and from the different tissue locations and detecting the lift and placements. The averages are generated and displayed on a display of the device for the oximetry readings if the lifts are made while use directions for the lifts are displayed on a display of the oximetry device. The averages are not generated if the lifts are not made while the user directions for the lifts are not displayed. The averages are simultaneously displayed with the oximetry readings which are instantaneous measurement for patient tissue.

Abstract: An oximeter probe that takes into account tissue color (e.g., skin color or melanin content) to improve accuracy when determining oxygen saturation of tissue. Light is transmitted from a light source into tissue having melanin (e.g., eumelanin or pheomelanin). Light reflected from the tissue is received by a detector. A compensation factor is determined to account for absorption due to the melanin. The oximeter uses this compensation factor and determines a melanin-corrected oxygen saturation value.

Abstract: A laparoscopic medical device includes an oximeter sensor at its tip, which allows the making of oxygen saturation measurements laparoscopically. The device can be a unitary design, wherein a laparoscopic element includes electronics for the oximeter sensor at a distal end (e.g., opposite the tip). The device can be a multiple piece design (e.g., two-piece design), where some electronics is in a separate housing from the laparoscopic element, and the pieces (or portions) are removably connected together. The laparoscopic element can be removed and disposed of; so, the electronics can be reused multiple times with replacement laparoscopic elements. The electronics can include a processing unit for control, computation, or display, or any combination of these. However, in an implementation, the electronics can connect wirelessly to other electronics (e.g., another processing unit) for further control, computation, or display, or any combination of these.

Abstract: An oximeter probe includes sensor head with a probe face having one or more sensor structures to make measurements, a handle, and an elastic member connected between the handle and the base. A user can hold the handle while measurements are made and the elastic member permits the handle to flex relative to the sensor head with one or more sensor structures.

Abstract: A retractor system with a closed loop control includes a retractor having one or more sensors, which measure parameters associated with a retracted tissue. The system further includes a positioning mechanism connected to the retractor and a controller which receives feedback signals from the sensors. Based on the feedback signals from the sensors, the retractor is actuated by the positioning mechanism so that the tissue can be retracted while maintaining the parameters associated with the retracted tissue above a threshold level or within a desired range. Another retractor system includes a retractor with a force sensor and at least one additional sensor, which can be used without a closed loop control arrangement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are used to assess the viability of tissue such as flap tissue. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for assessing the viability of flap tissue includes obtaining an oxygen saturation level associated with a first location on the flap tissue, determining whether the oxygen saturation level is less than a first level, and identifying the first location as having a poor blood supply if the oxygen saturation level is less than the first level.

Abstract: A sheath for an oximetry device includes a top and a body where the top opens to provide an opening where the oximetry device can be placed into the body of the sheath. The top of the sheath can be closed onto the body and the closure of the top can be verified by circuits in the oximetry device. The circuits can monitor the position of a latch that is connected to the top of the sheath. The circuits can determine when the latch is unlatched and the top is open and not sealed closed to the body. And, the circuits can determine when the latch is latched and the top is closed and sealed to the body.

Abstract: An oximetry device sealed in a sheath directs a user to allow the oximetry device to make oximetry measurements at a number of different tissue locations of a patient and average two or more of the oximetry measurements by directing the lifts and placements of the oximetry device and sheath to and from the different tissue locations and detecting the lift and placements. The averages are generated and displayed on a display of the device for the oximetry measurements if the lifts are made while use directions for the lifts are displayed on a display of the oximetry device. The averages are not generated if the lifts are not made while the user directions for the lifts are not displayed. The averages are simultaneously displayed with the oximetry measurements which are instantaneous measurement for patient tissue.

Abstract: An oximeter probe includes a probe unit or a base unit and a probe tip where the probe tip has a number of sources and detectors that can be accessed individually or in differing combinations for measuring tissue oxygen saturation at different tissue depth in tissue. A processor of the oximeter probe controls a multiplexer that is coupled to the detectors for selectively collecting measurement information from the detectors via the multiplexer. The oximeter probe is user programmable via one or more input devices on the oximeter probe for selecting the particular sources and detectors to collect measurement information from by the processor.

Abstract: A sleeve or sheath includes a body having a top opening. The body covers a handheld oximeter probe or a portion of the probe. The sleeve has a shape that approximately matches the oximeter probe or portion of the probe, which is covered by the sleeve. The sleeve has a top opening that allows a user to slide the oximeter probe into the sleeve. The sleeve is transparent to radiation emitted and collected by the oximeter probe. The sleeve is formed of a material that prevents patient tissue, fluid, viruses, bacteria, and fungus from contacting the covered portions of the oximeter probe. The sleeve leaves the probe relatively sterile after use so that little or no clearing of the probe is required for a subsequent use, such as when the probe is covered with a new, unused sleeve.

Abstract: An oximeter device has a replaceable probe tip. The probe tip can be removed or detached from the probe unit and discarded. A replacement probe tip can be attached to the probe tip. The replaceable probe tip allows the probe unit to be reused many times, each time with new sterile probe tip.

Abstract: An oximeter probe determines an oxygen saturation for the tissue and determines a quality value for the oxygen saturation and associated measurements of the tissue. The quality value is calculated from reflectance data received at the detectors of the oximeter probe. The oximeter probe then displays a value for the oxygen saturation with the error value to indicate a quality level for the oxygen saturation and associated values used to calculate oxygen saturation.

Abstract: A method includes increasing or decreasing a temperature of an oximeter device by cycling oximetry measurements and temperature adjustment at a predetermined frequency. During temperature adjustment, power supplied to LEDs of the oximeter device may be modulated to heat or cool the oximeter device if the oximetry device is above a temperature setpoint or below the temperature setpoint. After the device is heated to the temperature setpoint an oximetry measurement is made using the LED to illuminate patient tissue, detected the light from the tissue after illumination, and determining oximetry information for the tissue. Using the LED for heating and oximetry measurements reduces electronic components of the device improves reliability from the reduction of electronic components. The device can also not power the LEDs to allow the device to cool if the temperature is above the temperature setpoint.

Abstract: An oximetry device includes an inductive detector. When the oximetry device is sealed in a sheath and a latch of the sheath is in a latched position, the inductive detector inductively detects that latch. The oximeter device uses first information received from the detector for the latch being in the latched position to allow the device to take oximetry measurements. The oximeter device uses second information received from the detector for the latch not being in the latched position to allow the device to display a message on a display of the device that the sheath is not sealed. The displayed message indicates to a user that the sheath lid needs to be closed. The closed lid prevents contaminants in the sheath from reaching patient tissue during use of the device and sheath.

Abstract: A laparoscopic medical device includes an oximeter sensor at its tip, which allows the making of oxygen saturation measurements laparoscopically. The device can be a unitary design, wherein a laparoscopic element includes electronics for the oximeter sensor at a distal end (e.g., opposite the tip). The device can be a multiple piece design (e.g., two-piece design), where some electronics is in a separate housing from the laparoscopic element, and the pieces (or portions) are removably connected together. The laparoscopic element can be removed and disposed of; so, the electronics can be reused multiple times with replacement laparoscopic elements. The electronics can include a processing unit for control, computation, or display, or any combination of these. However, in an implementation, the electronics can connect wirelessly to other electronics (e.g., another processing unit) for further control, computation, or display, or any combination of these.