Patent ID: 7596398

Claim:
A physiological sensor adapted to removably attach an emitter assembly and a detector assembly to a fingertip, the emitter assembly adapted to transmit optical radiation having a plurality of wavelengths into fingertip tissue, the detector assembly adapted to receive the optical radiation after attenuation by the fingertip tissue, the sensor comprising: a first shell; a second shell hinged to the first shell; a spring disposed between and urging together the shells, the spring including a first leg pressing against the first shell and a second leg extending along the second shell, wherein the first shell and second shell and spring are adapted to create a pivot point along a finger gripped between the shells that is substantially behind the fingertip; an emitter pad fixedly attached to the first shell and configured to retain the emitter assembly; a detector pad fixedly attached to the second shell configured to retain the detector assembly; a detector aperture defined within the detector pad and adapted to pass optical radiation to the detector assembly; and a contour defined along the detector pad and generally shaped to conform to the fingertip when said finger is positioned over the detector aperture.