Abstract: A conformable medical sensor is provided that has particular applicability for positioning a pulse oximeter sensor relative to a patient appendage. In one embodiment, the sensor holder includes a patient engaging member that is plastically deformable to permit the sensor holder to be conformed to the patient appendage, and plastically deformable to provide a retention force relative to the patient appendage. For example, the engaging member may be bent into a first shape that disposes first and second portions of the sensor holder into an opposing relationship the for receiving a patient appendage therebetween. Once deformed, the engaging member may be elastically deformed to a second shape to provide a retention force so as to maintain the sensor holder and a sensor interconnected thereto in contact with the patient appendage.

Abstract: A pulse oximeter sensor comprising an emitter and a detector disposed on a substrate layer with a thinned portion between the emitter and the detector. A partially transparent covering layer covers the substrate layer and comprises a corresponding thinned portion. The thinned portions attenuate light shunted via the substrate layer and the partially transparent covering layer from the emitter to the detector, and may be configured such that less than 10% of the light detectable by the detector is shunted light.