Abstract: An oximeter device has an ergonomically shaped enclosure that allows a user to comfortably grip and use the device during handheld operation. A sensor tip can be easily placed evenly on the tissue surface, so that all sources and detectors are directly on the tissue with even pressure. This allows for more consistent and accurate results. The user can easily move the device from one position to another and take numerous measurements. The user will have a wide, unobstructed view of the tissue because of the tip's small size, angle of display, and the grip and fingers are positioned away from the tip. Components housed by the enclosure are arranged to give the device a balanced weighting while in the hand. The device can be used for long periods at a time without fatigue.

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 device includes source and detector sensors. In a specific implementation, the device has two near detectors, two far detectors, and two sources. The two near detectors are arranged closer to the two sources than the two far detectors. A light-diffusing layer covers the two near detectors. The device may be part of a medical device that is used to monitor or measure oxygen saturation levels in a tissue. In a specific implementation, light is transmitted into the tissue and received by the detectors. An attenuation coefficient is first calculated for a shallow layer of tissue. The attenuation coefficient is then used to calculate an attenuation coefficient for a deep layer of tissue.

Abstract: An intraoperative tissue oximetry device includes a tissue marker that includes one or more pens or one or more similar ink sources, such that the tissue marker can mark tissue according to oxygen saturation measurements made by the tissue oximetry device, thereby visually delineating regions of potentially viable tissue from regions of potentially nonviable tissue.

Abstract: A method for calibrating detectors of a self-contained, tissue oximetry device includes emitting light from a light source into a tissue phantom, detecting in a plurality of detectors the light emitted from the light source, subsequent to reflection from the tissue phantom, and generating a set of detector responses by the plurality of detectors based on detecting the light emitted from the light source. The method further includes determining a set of differences between the set of detector responses and a reflectance curve for the tissue phantom, and generating a set of calibration functions based on the set of differences. Each calibration function in the set of calibration functions is associated with a unique, light source-detector pair. The method further includes storing the set of calibration function in a memory of the self-contained, tissue oximetry device.

Abstract: A method differentiates a blood vessel from a nonvascular tissue during a minimally invasive surgery using a device. A device may be any penetration sensor device, such as a dilator sensor device, a hollow needle sensor device, or a trocar sensor device, which penetrates the skin and subcutaneous layers to reach a target location inside the body. The penetration sensor device includes a sensor probe which can make optical measurements to determine various parameters of the tissue at the tip of the sensor probe. These parameters may include an optical signal level returned from tissue contacting the tip of the sensor probe, an oxygen saturation level of the tissue, a total hemoglobin concentration, a blood flow, and a pulse. Based on these parameters, the presence or absence of a blood vessel at the tip of the penetration sensor device can be determined while the device travels towards the target location for surgery.

Abstract: A system includes an enclosure having a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The enclosure includes a display coupled to the processor where the display is visible from an exterior of the enclosure; and a battery within the enclosure coupled to the processor and the display. The enclosure includes a probe tip coupled to an exterior of the enclosure. The probe tip includes first, second, and third sensor openings. A first distance between the first and second sensor openings is different than a second distance between the first and third sensor openings. The enclosure includes code stored in the memory where the code is executable by the processor, and includes code to receive first data associated with the first and second sensor openings, code to receive second data associated with the first and second sensor openings, and code to perform SRS using the first and the second data.

Abstract: Devices and systems have a sensor probe configured to measure tissue oxygen saturation in the intestine or mesentery. The devices and systems can determine the oxygenation state of the entire thickness of the intestine or mesentery. Embodiments of the invention also include methods for inducing a temporary ischemic period in an intestine or mesentery tissue and analyzing changes in oxygen saturation of the tissue during the temporary ischemic period or during a recovery phase. The devices, systems, and methods can be applied in diagnosing intestinal ischemia in a patient, as well as in monitoring tissue oxygen saturation of the intestine or mesentery during or after a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A sensor probe has a connector and the connector's corresponding receptacle on a console have security mechanisms that ensure that the connector and the receptacle are properly connected and mated. The connector and receptacle can have physical security features that block insertion of the connector into the receptacle if they are not aligned in a proper orientation. The console can also include a software security feature that allows optical measurements from the sensor probe only if the connector of the sensor probe and receptacle on the console are connected properly. An adapter can also be used to convert a conventional receptacle mounted on a console into a receptacle with security features.

Abstract: Devices and systems have a sensor probe configured to measure tissue oxygen saturation in the intestine or mesentery. The devices and systems can determine the oxygenation state of the entire thickness of the intestine or mesentery. Embodiments of the invention also include methods for inducing a temporary ischemic period in an intestine or mesentery tissue and analyzing changes in oxygen saturation of the tissue during the temporary ischemic period or during a recovery phase. The devices, systems, and methods can be applied in diagnosing intestinal ischemia in a patient, as well as in monitoring tissue oxygen saturation of the intestine or mesentery during or after a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A flexible sensor pad includes a cavity to hold a sensor unit with an attached cable. According to one aspect of the present invention, a light-shielding layer is coupled to a bottom surface of the sensor pad, surrounds the sensor unit, and extends past two sides of the sensor pad. A transparent adhesive layer is coupled to the light-shielding layer and extends past two sides of the light-shielding layer. Another light shielding layer is coupled to a top surface of the sensor pad and covers the sensor unit. The cable divides the sensor pad into a first side and a second side which are mirror images of each other.

Abstract: A tissue oximetry device utilizes at least three or at least four different wavelengths of light for collection of reflectance data where the different wavelengths are longer than 730 nanometers. The three or four wavelengths are utilized to generate a range of reflectance data suited for accurate determination of oxygenated hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations. The relatively long wavelengths decrease optical interference from certain dyes, particularly methylene blue and PVPI, which may be present on tissue being analyzed for viability and further enhance the generation of accurate reflectance data. The wavelengths are 760 nanometers, 810 nanometers, and 850 nanometers, or 760 nanometers, 810 nanometers, 850 nanometers, and 900 nanometers.

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 retractor has an oximeter sensor at its tip, which allows measuring of oxygen saturation of a tissue being retracted by the retractor. The tip includes one or more openings for at least one source and detector. A specific implementation is a spinal nerve root retractor with an oximeter sensor.

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 method differentiates a blood vessel from a nonvascular tissue during a minimally invasive surgery using a device. A device may be any penetration sensor device, such as a dilator sensor device, a hollow needle sensor device, or a trocar sensor device, which penetrates the skin and subcutaneous layers to reach a target location inside the body. The penetration sensor device includes a sensor probe which can make optical measurements to determine various parameters of the tissue at the tip of the sensor probe. These parameters may include an optical signal level returned from tissue contacting the tip of the sensor probe, an oxygen saturation level of the tissue, a total hemoglobin concentration, a blood flow, and a pulse. Based on these parameters, the presence or absence of a blood vessel at the tip of the penetration sensor device can be determined while the device travels towards the target location for surgery.

Abstract: A medical device such as an oximeter includes a marking feature. In an implementation, a marking mechanism of the device marks tissue based on a location of where a measurement was taken by the device. In an implementation, the marking mechanism of the device marks tissue based on an oxygen saturation measurement obtained by the device.

Abstract: A sensor head for a compact oximeter sensor device includes light sources and light detectors. A compact oximeter sensor device implementation is entirely self-contained, without any need to connect, via wires or wirelessly, to a separate system unit. The sources and detectors are arranged in a circular arrangement having various source-detector pair distances that allow for robust calibration and self-correction in a compact probe. Other source-detector arrangements are also possible.