Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for measuring light extinction during trans-illumination of a portion of blood perfused flesh having a cutaneous layer, said apparatus including at least one light source and at least one photo-sensor, said photo-sensor being designed to be mounted at a position to form a light path between said photo-sensor and said light source passing through said flesh, characterised in that a flexible substrate capable of conforming to and with said cutaneous layer of said flesh when placed upon said cutaneous layer, supports a light source and the photosensor upon the cutaneous layer; and in that means are provided for attaching each substrate along a substrate face in conforming contact to the cutaneous layer to distribute force placed on the light source and on the photo-sensor over the cutaneous layer to minimise constriction of blood perfusion in said flesh.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for measuring light extinction during trans-illumination of a portion of blood perfused flesh having a cutaneous layer, said apparatus including at least one light source and at least one photo-sensor, said photo-sensor being designed to be mounted at a position to form a light path between said photo-sensor and said light source passing through said flesh, characterised in that a flexible substrate capable of conforming to and with said cutaneous layer of said flesh when placed upon said cutaneous layer, supports a light source and the photosensor upon the cutaneous layer; and in that means are provided for attaching each substrate along a substrate face in conforming contact to the cutaneous layer to distribute force placed on the light source and on the photo-sensor over the cutaneous layer to minimise constriction of blood perfusion in said flesh.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said attaching means is adhesive distributed over the substrate face to non-invasively fasten the substrate to flesh.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the light source and the photo-sensor each have a planar configuration with a low aspect ratio appropriate for conformance with said substrate and are arranged to be supported by a single common substrate upon the cutaneous layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said substrate is shaped in an elongated substantially flat form with first and second end portions and is of sufficient length and said photo-sensor and said light source being of sufficient separation that said photo-sensor and said light source in use oppose one another through said portion of blood perfused flesh and the end portions are capable of joining one another around the said portion of blood perfused flesh.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said substrate is shaped in an elongated substantially flat butterfly form with a first end portion, a central connecting portion, and a second end portion, said first end portion and said second end portion having larger widths than said central connecting portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the substrate is opaque.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the attaching means includes means for attaching said substrate to an exterior portion of a nasal septum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said attaching means includes a clear transparent strip with adhesive coating, covering the light source and the photo-sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the substrate is scored to a depth less than the thickness of the flexible substrate such that a semi-flexing hinge is formed in the unscored flexible substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein a closed cell, opaque, dense, medical grade foam is affixed to said flexible substrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said substrate is configured in a "Y" shape.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of use of an apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 11 for measurement of light extinction during trans-illumination of a portion of blood perfused flesh comprising: a) placing said attaching means as a strip cutaneously to said flesh portion by adhering a first end portion to one side of said flesh portion and adhering a second end portion to an opposing side of said flesh portion such that said light source and said photo-sensor face one another and substantially conform non-invasively to said cutaneous layer of said flesh portion to be trans-illuminated and such that force is distributed over said flesh portion minimising constriction of blood perfusion in said flesh; and b) causing light to emit from said light source through said flesh portion for detection by said light photo-sensor such that extinction of light trans-illuminated through said flesh portion may be measured.