Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a patient monitoring system having a patient monitor and a wireless pre-amplifier in wireless communication with the patient monitor. The wireless pre-amplifier is configured to receive a signal related to a physiological parameter of a patient from one or more sensors applied to the patient. The wireless pre-amplifier also includes a wireless attachment configured to wirelessly transmit the signal related to the physiological parameter of the patient to the patient monitor over a wireless communications channel, and an indicator feature configured to provide a user perceptible indication related to the wireless communication channel.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for the use of multi-element photoacoustic sensors within medical devices configured for photoacoustic spectroscopy techniques are provided. The photoacoustic sensor includes two or more acoustic detectors spatially configured to increase the probability of a clinician properly placing at least one of the acoustic detectors on the measurement site over the blood vessels of interest. Further, the photoacoustic sensor includes a light delivery system configured to provide multiple light sources to the measurement site, such that each acoustic detector has an adequate light supply within close proximity. The present techniques additionally provide methods for processing each acoustic signal measured at the two or more acoustic detectors to calculate one or more physiological parameters of interest, such as cardiac output.

Abstract: Medical sensors configured to provide enhanced patient comfort when worn over a period of time are provided. The medical sensors may include a first padding layer and a second padding layer disposed on either side of an emitter and a detector for measuring a physiological parameter of a patient. The medical sensors may also include an island padding layer secured to a patient-facing side of the second padding layer for reducing localized pressure points that may be caused by protrusions of the sensor. Additionally or alternatively, certain edges of the sensors may be rounded and/or stepped to reduce marking on the patient's tissue and to reduce strain and shear forces produced on the patient's tissue. Still further, certain embodiments provide enhanced light transmission between the emitter and detector of the sensors.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for the use of capacitance sensors within medical devices configured for patient monitoring are provided. The capacitance sensors are configured to measure a change in capacitance resulting from a material (e.g., human tissue, water, gel, cloth, etc.) placed near (e.g., close proximity to) the medical device and/or resulting from a material making physical contact with the medical device. In certain embodiments, the capacitance sensor may be utilized to detect whether one or more portions of the medical sensor are securely applied to the patient's tissue (e.g., sensor “on”) and/or may be utilized to detect whether one or more portions of the medical sensor fail to maintain secure contact with the patient's tissue (e.g., sensor “off”). Further, in certain embodiments, the capacitance sensor may be utilized to distinguish between one or more types of materials (e.g., human tissue, water-based materials, etc.).

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a medical monitoring system includes an extension cable for connecting a medical monitoring device to a sensor cable of a sensor. The extension cable includes a head for accepting a plug of the sensor club, wherein the head includes a lid for restraining the plug within an port of the head of the extension cable. Further, the head includes a hinge configured to allow the lid to rotate about the hinge, wherein the hinge is located within the head such that the head includes substantially flat outer surfaces.

Abstract: A oximetry device includes a controlled switch configured to transmit and resist a current flow. The oximetry device also includes an energy storage element configured to store energy in response to the current flow being transmitted and discharge the stored energy to a diode as a diode current in response to the controlled switch resisting the current flow. The oximetry device further comprises a sense resistor configured to receive diode current and generate a sensed voltage based on the diode current. The oximetry device additionally comprises and a comparator configured to activate the controlled switch to transmit the current flow and deactivate the controlled switch to resist the current flow based upon the sensed voltage.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and software for measuring and determining physiological parameters of a patient are presented. In one example, a physiological measurement system includes a physiological sensor system configured to detect a physiological signal representative of one or more physiological parameters associated with a patient. The measurement system also includes a capacitance system configured to apply one or more electric field signals to the patient and determine a capacitance signal. The measurement system also includes a processing system configured to reduce a noise level in the physiological signal based on at least the capacitance signal.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to patient monitoring system and, more particularly, to optical patient monitoring systems. In an embodiment, a physiological sensor includes a broadband emitter configured to emit two or more wavelengths of light into the tissue of a patient. The sensor also includes a charge coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) photodetector array comprising a plurality of photodetectors. Each photodetector in the photodetector array is configured to receive the light from the tissue of the patient and to produce a corresponding output signal. Additionally, the sensor also includes one or more filter layers disposed on the plurality of photodetectors. The filter layers are configured to only allow light of particular wavelengths, polarizations, or both, to be received by each of the plurality of photodetectors.

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: Sensor designs or shapes to facilitate the placement of sensors on a patient are provided. For example, a first sensor may include a sensor body having a keyed interface region that is configured to align with a complementary keyed interface region of second sensor. Such sensors may also include various features to further facilitate the positioning of the sensors on the patient tissue and the positioning of the sensors with respect to one another. For example, the first sensor may include indicia relating to the second sensor having the complementary keyed interface region.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices and, more particularly, to medical devices with electrical connectors. In one embodiment, a medical device may include a medical connector having one or more contacts configured to enable communication between the medical device and a medical monitor according to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard. The medical connector may also include an interface region disposed at least partially about the one or more contacts. The interface region may be configured to physically couple to a mating connector of the medical monitor. Additionally, the interface region may include a geometry or a dimension that does not comply with the USB standard.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to sensors for applying pressure to a patient's tissue. According to certain embodiments, the sensors may include one or more deformable elements that hold the optical components of the sensor against the tissue with an appropriate amount of pressure. In additional embodiments, such sensors may include a rigid one-piece sensor body that incorporates a deformable element to facilitate fine-fitting of the sensor against the tissue.

Abstract: A system for measuring a physiological parameter of blood in a patient is presented. The system includes a transmission module configured to emit a plurality of photon density waves into tissue of the patient from a plurality of modulated light sources. The system also includes a receiver module configured to detect characteristics of the plurality of photon density waves. The system also includes a processing module configured to identify characteristics of a pulsatile perturbation of the tissue based on the characteristics of the plurality of photon density waves, and identify a value of the physiological parameter based on at least the characteristics of the pulsatile perturbation of the tissue and the characteristics of the plurality of photon density waves.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to sensors for applying pressure to a patient's tissue. According to certain embodiments, the sensors may include one or more deformable elements that hold the optical components of the sensor against the tissue with an appropriate amount of pressure. In additional embodiments, such sensors may include a rigid one-piece sensor body that incorporates a deformable element to facilitate fine-fitting of the sensor against the tissue.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may include systems and method for monitoring physiological parameters of a patient. Specifically, embodiments disclose wireless, reusable, rechargeable medical sensors that include an inductive coil coupled to a rechargeable battery. Additionally, embodiments disclose systems and methods for recharging and disinfecting the disclosed medical sensors.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may include systems and method for monitoring physiological parameters of a patient. Specifically, embodiments disclose wireless, reusable, rechargeable medical sensors that include an inductive coil coupled to a rechargeable battery. Additionally, embodiments disclose systems and methods for recharging and disinfecting the disclosed medical sensors.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may include systems and method for monitoring physiological parameters of a patient. Specifically, embodiments disclose wireless, reusable, rechargeable medical sensors that include an inductive coil coupled to a rechargeable battery. Additionally, embodiments disclose systems and methods for recharging and disinfecting the disclosed medical sensors.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may include systems and method for monitoring physiological parameters of a patient. Specifically, embodiments disclose wireless, reusable, rechargeable medical sensors that include an inductive coil coupled to a rechargeable battery. Additionally, embodiments disclose systems and methods for recharging and disinfecting the disclosed medical sensors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying optical signals into tissue of a patient are provided herein. In one example, a tissue interface pad for applying an optical signal to tissue of a patient is provided. The tissue interface pad includes a first surface configured to interface with the tissue of the patient, at least one guide channel disposed within the tissue interface pad and configured to route an input optical fiber carrying the optical signal to a first location in the tissue interface pad, and a second surface at the first location configured to direct the optical signal from the input optical fiber into the tissue through the first surface.