Abstract: A photoplethysmographic device includes a photoplethysmographic monitor, a laser housing electronically coupled to the photoplethysmographic monitor, at least two diode lasers, which generate laser light, positioned within the laser housing, the photoplethysmographic monitor providing electronic control of the at least two diode lasers, a desiccant fully enclosed within the laser housing, the desiccant positioned within the laser housing such that the desiccant does not make physical contact with the at least two diode lasers and/or interfere with the laser light, and a sensor in communication with the photoplethysmographic monitor and adapted to output the laser light from the at least two diode lasers. The sensor includes a photodetector, and the photoplethysmographic monitor receives and processes photoplethysmographic data from the sensor.

Abstract: A photoplethysmographic device including at least one laser light source and further including a protective sensor connector that has a protective flap (350), a mechanism (340) for controlling movement of the protective flap, and a plurality of interconnections, at least one of which is an optical connection (240). The movement of the protective flap designed to provide at least a substantially open position and a substantially closed position.

Abstract: A photoplethysmographic device including at least one laser light source and further including a protective sensor connector that has a protective flap (350), a mechanism (340) for controlling movement of the protective flap, and a plurality of interconnections, at least one of which is an optical connection (240). The movement of the protective flap designed to provide at least a substantially open position and a substantially closed position.

Abstract: An embodiment of a laser to fiber coupling apparatus having a substrate 110 that supports a laser mount 120, to which is affixed a submount 130 and laser die 140, and an open slot mount 150, in which a light guide 160 is affixed with an adhesive 170, such that the light from the laser 140 is coupled into the light guide 160. The open slot arrangement permits the light guide to be moved in all six translational and rotational degrees of freedom to maximally couple the light from the laser to the light guide. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Abstract: An embodiment of a light launching portion of a photoplethysmographic device having a laser (20) light source and a light guide (40). The coupled end of the light guide (40) includes an anti-reflection coating (30a) to prevent or minimize the back reflection of light emitted by the laser (20). This minimizes the extent to which back reflected light can re-enter the laser and adversely alter the optical output properties of the laser (20) and additionally minimizes the associated light loss thus helping to maximize the optical coupling efficiency. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Abstract: An embodiment of a laser to fiber coupling apparatus having a substrate 110 that supports a laser mount 120, to which is affixed a submount 130 and laser die 140, and an open slot mount 150, in which a light guide 160 is affixed with an adhesive 170, such that the light from the laser 140 is coupled into the light guide 160. The open slot arrangement permits the light guide to be moved in all six translational and rotational degrees of freedom to maximally couple the light from the laser to the light guide. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Abstract: One embodiment of an optical coupling for use in a photoplethysmographic device having a first light guide (160) with core (150) that mates to a second light guide (210) that has a core (220) with a diameter and numerical aperture that are larger than those of the first light guide. This results in a high-throughput optical coupling that is insensitive to lateral offset and angular misalignments of the light guide axes. It allows the use of lower-cost, lower-precision molded parts in the manufacture of optical connectors, yet maximizes the light that is available for delivery to the tissue-under-test. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Abstract: An embodiment of a light delivery portion of a photoplethysmographic device having a series of two or more optical elements. The series of two or more optical elements (20, 40, 50) are arranged to conduct light (10) from a laser and at least two consecutive elements of the series of two or more optical elements are coupled together by a non-reflective coupling (30a, 30b). This minimizes the extent to which back reflected light can re-enter the laser and adversely alter the optical output properties of the laser and additionally minimizes the light loss associated with back reflection thus helping to maximize the optical throughput. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Abstract: An embodiment of a light launching portion of a photoplethysmographic device having a laser (20) light source and a light guide (40). The coupled end of the light guide (40) includes an anti-reflection coating (30a) to prevent or minimize the back reflection of light emitted by the laser (20). This minimizes the extent to which back reflected light can re-enter the laser and adversely alter the optical output properties of the laser (20) and additionally minimizes the associated light loss thus helping to maximize the optical coupling efficiency. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Abstract: A photoplethysmographic sensor designed for use on the presenting portion of a fetus during labor and delivery. The sensor has a non-deployed state in which the sensor presents a smaller footprint, or cross sectional area, for transvaginal insertion. Once the sensor is applied to the fetal tissue it is moved into the deployed state, which has a larger footprint or cross sectional area, than the sensor does in the non-deployed state. The deployed state optimizes the physical distance between the light emitter and the photodetector to maximize the photoplethysmographic measurement accuracy from the fetal tissue.

Abstract: In this invention, a substantially straight needle containing one or more optical fibers is bent into a curved shape, typically including a helical portion, after the insertion of optical fibers into the needle. This curved needle, with its integral optical fibers, allows the subcutaneous delivery of light to a tissue-under-test. The preferred embodiment of this apparatus performs three functions: subcutaneous delivery of light to a tissue-under-test, attachment to the tissue-under-test, and subcutaneous electrical contact. In this invention the optical fibers are inserted into the needle prior to needle bending which prevents fiber breakage because the needle is not curved or in a helical form and therefore provides no resistance to the insertion of the fibers.

Abstract: A photoplethysmographic sensor designed for use on the presenting portion of a fetus during labor and delivery. The sensor has a non-deployed state in which the sensor presents a smaller footprint, or cross sectional area, for transvaginal insertion. Once the sensor is applied to the fetal tissue it is moved into the deployed state, which has a larger footprint or cross sectional area, than the sensor does in the non-deployed state. The deployed state optimizes the physical distance between the light emitter and the photodetector to maximize the photoplethysmographic measurement accuracy from the fetal tissue.