Patent ID: 6519484
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A noninvasive pulse oximetry sensor comprising:a sensor housing having an internal cavity, an optical assembly housed within the cavity, the optical assembly including an LED, a photodetector, and a substrate, the substrate having substantially no elasticity in a direction along its longitudinal axis and being shaped to prevent substantial longitudinal movement of the sensor housing relative to the substrate; wherein the cavity includes a head chamber, a tail chamber, and an intermediate chamber connecting the head chamber to the tail chamber, the substrate has a head portion, a tail portion, and a link, all lying along the longitudinal axis, the link providing a connection between the head portion and the tail portion and being substantially narrower than the head portion and the tail portion, the LED being mounted to the tail portion and the photodetector being mounted to the head portion, and, with the optical assembly housed within the cavity, the head portion is positioned to lie within the head chamber, the tail portion is positioned to lie within the tail chamber, and the link is positioned to lie within the intermediate chamber; wherein the head portion and the tail portion of the substrate are substantially wider than the intermediate chamber of the cavity; and wherein the sensor housing is formed to further include a lug protruding into the tail chamber and the tail portion of the substrate is formed to further include a notch formed to receive the lug.