US5611337A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pulsoximetry ear sensor
Assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
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Filing: 1995-04-28
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Granted: 1997-03-18
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Expires: 2015-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A one-piece injection molded elastic plastic peg-like or clip-like support for sensor elements of a pulsoximetry ear sensor has legs interconnected by an elastically deformable rib. The rib runs in the longitudinal direction of a web and projects from a web surface. The smooth surfaces enable the support to be easily cleaned and sterilized and inexpensively manufactured.
Inventors
- 👤 Anton Bukta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/02; A61B5/024; A61B5/02416; A61B5/02427
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
Pulsoximetry ear sensor structure comprising a one-piece, elastic plastic support for a sensor element, the support including a pair of legs that are normally urged toward each other and selectively spread apart, the legs being interconnected to each other by an elastically deformable web extending in a longitudinal direction generally between the legs, the web having a surface and at least one elastically deformable rib extending in the web longitudinal direction and projecting from the web surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
Pulsoximetry ear sensor structure comprising a one-piece, elastic plastic support for a sensor element, the support including a pair of legs that are normally urged toward each other and selectively spread apart, the legs being interconnected to each other by an elastically deformable web extending in a longitudinal direction generally between the legs, the web having a surface and at least one elastically deformable rib extending in the web longitudinal direction and projecting from the web surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Pulsoximetry ear sensor structure according to claim 1 wherein the web subdivides the legs into an operating area and a clamping area, the clamping area including the sensor element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
Pulsoximetry ear sensor structure according to claim 2 wherein the rib is located on a side of the web facing the sensor element, the rib having an upper edge forming a crescent when the ends of the legs are normally urged toward each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
Pulsoximetry ear sensor structure according to claim 3 wherein the rib, web, legs and upper edge are constructed and arranged so that when the legs are spread apart by a maximum amount the upper edge of the rib is substantially parallel to the web.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Pulsoximetry ear sensor structure according to claim 2 wherein the rib is located in the operating area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Pulsoximetry ear sensor structure according to claim 5 wherein the rib has a wavy cross-section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Pulsoximetry ear sensor structure according to claim 1 wherein the support is made of a polyurethane elastomer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Pulsoximetry ear sensor structure according to claim 1 wherein a material used to make the support has a material hardness range between 98 and 75 Shore A.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
Pulsoximetry ear sensor structure according to claim 1 wherein the support is made of silicone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
Pulsoximetry ear sensor structure according to claim 9 wherein the web subdivides the legs into an operating area and a clamping area, the clamping area including the sensor element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
Pulsoximetry ear sensor structure according to claim 1 wherein the sensor element is mounted toward an end of each leg, the rib is located on a side of the web facing the sensor element, the rib having an upper edge forming a crescent when the ends of the legs are normally urged toward each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
Pulsoximetry ear sensor structure according to claim 11 wherein the rib, web, legs and upper edge are constructed and arranged so that when the legs are spread apart by a maximum amount the upper edge of the rib is substantially parallel to the web.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
165 words
Pulsoximetry ear sensor structure comprising a one-piece, elastic plastic support for a sensor element, the support including a pair of legs that are normally urged toward each other and selectively spread apart, the legs extending in a longitudinal direction, the sensor element being mounted toward an end of each leg, the legs being interconnected to each other by an elastically deformable web that extends in a longitudinal direction generally between the legs, the web having a surface and at least one elastically deformable rib extending in the web longitudinal direction and projecting from the web surface in the same general direction as the direction in which the legs extend so that the rib and the web tend to urge the legs in a direction at a right angle to the direction of extent of the legs so that the ends of the legs including the sensor element are normally biased toward each other so they can abut opposite faces of an ear of a subject.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
165 words
Pulsoximetry ear sensor structure comprising a one-piece, elastic plastic support for a sensor element, the support including a pair of legs that are normally urged toward each other and selectively spread apart, the legs extending in a longitudinal direction, the sensor element being mounted toward an end of each leg, the legs being interconnected to each other by an elastically deformable web that extends in a longitudinal direction generally between the legs, the web having a surface and at least one elastically deformable rib extending in the web longitudinal direction and projecting from the web surface in the same general direction as the direction in which the legs extend so that the rib and the web tend to urge the legs in a direction at a right angle to the direction of extent of the legs so that the ends of the legs including the sensor element are normally biased toward each other so they can abut opposite faces of an ear of a subject.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-17 | 2000-09-16 | 2001-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-17 | 2004-09-16 | 2005-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-17 | 2008-09-16 | 2009-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |