Patent ID: 6253097
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
Medical apparatus for illuminating tissue of a subject to measure light absorption of said tissue by a measurement system, wherein at least one of a patient's heart rate and oxygen saturation of arterial blood is monitored, comprising:a plurality of surface emitting laser devices, each emitting a substantially monochromatic beam of light at a different, predetermined wavelength across a plurality of layers and through a surface mirror of a solid state structure in a direction substantially normal thereto in response to drive signals received from said measurement system, for illuminating tissue of said subject;a light receiving means for generating a detector signal indicative of intensity of light emanating from said illuminated tissue;means for removably attaching said plurality of surface emitting laser devices and said light receiving means to said subject, wherein each of said plurality of surface emitting laser devices is attachable to the subject in physical alignment with said light receiving means;means for interconnecting said plurality of surface emitting laser devices and said light receiving means with said measurement system to transmit said drive signals and said detector signal therebetween.