DE202015106811U1 - Clamping holder for holding a sensor device - Google Patents

Abstract

An integrally formed clamp holder (12, 12 ') for holding a sensor device (36) on a living part (40) of an animal, comprising: two arm sections (14a, 14b, 14c) extending substantially along a longitudinal axis, having an actuating portion (12); 16), a connecting portion (18), a hinge portion (20) and a contact portion (22, 22c, 22d '); and a bridge section (24) connected to each of the two arm sections (14a, 14b, 14c) at their connecting portions (18); wherein the bridge section (24) forms a bridge joint for clamping the two arm sections (14a, 14b, 14c) apart from a clamping state in which the contact sections (22, 22c, 22d ') of the arm sections (14a, 14b, 14c) exert a clamping force ( 28) for clamping the body part (40) between them, pivoting to a release state in which the contact portions (22, 22c, 22d ') of the arm sections (14a, 14b, 14c) are spread apart to make the body part (40 ) when an operating force (26) is applied to the operating portion (16) of the arm section (14a, 14b, 14c); and wherein each arm section (14a, 14b, 14c) forms an arm joint in the hinge section (20) for pivoting the actuating section (16) and the contact section (22, 22c, 22d ') about a substantially parallel orientation of the contact sections (22, 22c, 22d ') of the two arm sections (14a, 14b, 14c) in the clamping state.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clamp holder for holding a sensor device on a body part of an animal, and to a device for monitoring a sign of life of a living being which includes a clamp holder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vital signs of a person, such as heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), or blood oxygen saturation, serve as indicators of a person's current state and as powerful predictors of serious medical events. For this reason, vital signs are monitored in inpatient and outpatient care facilities, at home or in other health, leisure and fitness facilities. One way to measure signs of life is plethysmography. In general, plethysmography refers to the measurement of volume changes of an organ or body part, and more particularly to the detection of volume changes due to a cardio-vascular pulse wave passing through the body of a subject with each heartbeat.

Photoplethysmography (PPG) is an optical measurement technique that evaluates a time-variant change of reflected or transmitted light of a region or volume of interest. PPG is based on the principle that blood absorbs light more than surrounding tissue, so that a variation in blood volume with each heartbeat influences the transmission or reflection accordingly. In addition to heart rate information, a PPG waveform may include information regarding other physiological phenomena, such as respiration. By evaluating transmittance and / or reflectance at different wavelengths (typically red and infrared), blood oxygen saturation can be determined.

A typical pulse oximeter that measures heart rate and (arterial) oxygen saturation in the blood of a subject includes as light sources a red LED and an infrared LED and a photodiode for detecting the light that has been transmitted through the tissue of the patient. Commercially available pulse oximeters switch quickly

between measurements at a red and an infrared wavelength, thereby measuring the transmissivity of the same area or volume of tissue at two different wavelengths. This is called time division multiplexing. The transmittance versus time at each wavelength gives the PPG waveforms for the red and infrared wavelengths.

Normally, pulse oximeters are attached to the skin of the subject, such as a fingertip, an earlobe, a nose / nostril, a toe, or the forehead by means of a sensor holder. On the one hand, such a sensor holder must ensure a reliable connection to the tissue, but also provide sufficient comfort for the subject. On the other hand, a sensor stop is used in direct contact with the skin of the subject and therefore should allow efficient cleaning. Furthermore, a sensor holder should be efficiently producible in terms of cost and allow efficient assembly with the sensor components.

In the US 2009/0275813 describes an external ear-mounted non-invasive physiological sensor. The described sensor device is capable of being attached to a tissue side of the ear comprising cartilage structures of the ear, allowing for low latencies of physiological measurements as well as secure attachment.

There is still a need for a further improvement of the sensor devices and / or the clamping holder for holding a sensor device, at least with respect to the criteria described above.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a clamp holder for holding a sensor device on a body part of a living being. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for monitoring life signs of a living being.

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an integrally formed clamp holder for holding a sensor device on a body part of an animal, comprising: two arm sections extending substantially along a longitudinal axis, having an operation section, a connection section, a hinge section, and a contact section; and a bridge section connected to each of the two arm sections at their connecting portions; wherein the bridge section forms a bridge joint for pivoting the two arm sections against each other from a clamping state in which the contact portions of the arm sections exert a clamping force to clamp the body part between them, to a release state in which the Contact portions of the arm sections are spread apart to release the body part when an operating force is applied to the operating section of the arm section; and wherein each arm section forms an arm joint in the hinge portion for pivoting the operating portion and the contact portion toward each other to achieve a substantially parallel alignment of the contact portions of the two arm sections in the clamping state.

In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for monitoring life signs of a living being is presented. The apparatus comprises: a sensor device having a light emission unit for emitting light in at least one wavelength interval and a light detection unit for detecting emitted light after interacting with a body part of the living being; and a clamp holder according to claim 1 for holding the sensor device to the body part of the living being.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims. It is understood that the claimed device has similar and / or identical preferred embodiments as the clamp holder and as defined in the subclaims.

A clamp holder according to the present invention can be used, in particular, to attach a sensor device, such as a pulse oximeter sensor, which has at least one light emission unit and a light detection unit to a body part of a living being. The clamp holder refers to the mechanical fixation unit for mounting (holding) the actual sensor equipment (sensor device), which may comprise several parts, on the body part of the living being. In this case, a body part of a living being can be represented in particular by an earlobe, the nose, a nostril, a toe or a finger of a human being. A monitoring device refers to the combination of the sensor device and the clamp holder.

The clamp holder according to one aspect of the present invention is substantially comparable to a clothespin. It comprises two arm sections, which are connected by a bridge section and which can exert a clamping force on a body part between them. All three parts are made of the same material and are made in one piece (integrally formed). Usually, a flexible non-rigid material is used, which is usually elastically deformable.

The arm sections receive between them a body part of a living being to exert a clamping force on the body part. Along a longitudinal axis, each of the arm sections has an operating section which spreads apart the two arm sections by means of an actuating force exerted by the user. Furthermore, each arm section has a connecting section via which the respective other arm section is connected. This section is referred to as a bridge section, which expresses that the arm sections are connected but still spaced apart. Furthermore, each of the two arm sections has a hinge portion, which allows the pivoting of adjacent sections against each other. As a result, a pivot axis generally corresponds to the pivot axis, which is usually perpendicular to the arm section. Further, each arm section has a contact portion by means of which the arm section is in contact with the body part of the living being. Usually, this contact section holds or comprises the actual sensor components and brings the sensor components into contact with the tissue of the animal. The sensor device or parts thereof may be glued, screwed, clamped or otherwise attached to the contact portion so that they come into contact with the body part of the living being. To perform the function of the sensor clip for measuring Sp02 in the various parts of the body, e.g. also in the nose, the contact portions of the clamp holder are preferably designed to provide a thin and conformable surface.

The bridge section forms a bridge joint. This bridge-hinged allows the arm sections to pivot against each other from a clamped condition so that the clip functionality can be achieved. For this purpose, the elastic deformability of the material is utilized. Normally the corresponding pivot axis is perpendicular to a plane which span the two arm sections (ie the longitudinal axis of the two arm sections). In order to clamp the clamp holder to the body part, an operating force (also referred to as opening force) is applied to the operating portion to spread the contact portions apart. If no force is applied to the operating portions, the clamping holder is in a relaxed state. A releasing state refers to a state in which an operating force acts on the operating portions of the two arm sections and the contact sections are spread apart so that it is possible to move the clamp over the body part. When the operating force is removed, the clamp retains its original shape, but this is not possible if there is a body part between the two arm sections. Then a clamping force is exerted on the body part. A clamping state of the clamp holder refers to the state in which the Body part of the animal (eg the ear or the finger) is located between the two arm sections and the clamp holder is clamped to the body part.

The hinge portions in the two arm sections provide joint functionality such that the contact portion and the operating portion in each of the arm sections are pivotable relative to each other. Thus, it is particularly advantageous if a pivoting about a pivot axis is provided, which is substantially perpendicular to the surface that includes the two arm sections. Then it becomes possible to provide a parallel alignment of the contact portions to each other when a body part is located between them. This parallel alignment can be achieved for body parts of different thicknesses, i. that the arm sections to each other include different angles in the clamping state. In comparison, prior clamp holders without the pivot functionality in the arm sections will normally provide only parallel alignment of the arm sections at a certain angle of the arm sections to each other in the clamped state. In particular, with respect to optical measurements requiring the parallel alignment of optical components on two sides of a body part of an animal, the clamp holder according to the present invention enables an improved measurement. Furthermore, the wearing comfort for a living being can be increased over a larger area by means of force distribution of the force exerted by the contact sections on the body part. In other words, the clamp provides a better fit on the body part.

Another advantage of the clamp holder according to the present invention is that it is integrally formed, i. made of a single piece (one-piece clip holder). No assembly process is required for mounting multiple parts. This makes it possible to carry out the production of the clamping holder at a reduced cost, compared to previous clamp holders. In addition, the integrally formed clamping holder allows effective cleaning, since dirt particles can not penetrate into spaces of different parts. Here, integrally refers to the production in one piece of the same material. Furthermore, the robustness and life of the clamping holder, compared to previous clamp holders, which are not integrally formed, can be improved.

According to one embodiment, one of the arm sections forms a cavity in the contact section for receiving at least a portion of a sensor device and a membrane to separate the cavity from the body part of the animal, the membrane being at least partially translucent. This cavity essentially refers to an opening in the contact section. In this opening, a sensor device, e.g. a light sensor and / or a light detector are inserted. The cavity will normally be on the side of the arm section pointing away from the body part that is between the two arm sections. The cavity is separated from the body part of the living being by means of a membrane. This membrane is at least partially translucent, at least at the emitted light wavelength of the light emission unit, which is part of the sensor arrangement. It is particularly advantageous that the sensor arrangement does not come into direct contact with the body part of the living being. Normally, the sensor assembly is inserted into the cavity and the cavity is filled with a cushioning material such as epoxy. Thus, the clamp holder is inseparably connected to the sensor device. The membrane allows a light-emitting unit to emit light through the membrane into the body part of the living being. Light transmitted or reflected by the body part may be received by means of a light detection unit located behind the membrane. It is not necessary for the light emission unit or the light detection unit to come in contact with the body part. This allows a more efficient cleaning. Furthermore, a more efficient manufacturing process becomes possible, essentially in terms of assembly processes and costs.

In a preferred embodiment, a first arm section forms a first cavity in the contact section for receiving a first part of a sensor device and a first membrane which is at least partially translucent; and a second arm section forming a second cavity in the contact section for receiving a second portion of the sensor device and a second membrane which is at least partially translucent. If both arm sections have cavities, it is possible to perform a transmission measurement in which the light emission unit emits light through a first diaphragm into the body part of the living being and a light detection unit mounted behind a second diaphragm in the second arm section emits the light transmitted through the body part receives. In particular, when performing such a transmission measurement, it is important that the light emission unit and the light detection unit are arranged substantially parallel to each other. On the one hand, only a fraction of the emitted light is lost by the light emission unit. On the other hand, only a small part of the ambient light is detected by the light detection unit. The present invention allows this substantially parallel arrangement by providing the hinge portions in the arm sections as described above.

In yet another embodiment, the membrane has a thickness between 0.05 and 2.5 mm, in particular 0.1 and 1.5 mm, for example between 0.1 and 0.5 mm. There are two main reasons for the membrane thickness. The first reason is that the membrane should diffuse the light of the light emission unit (eg, an LED) and filter the amount of light for the light detection unit (eg, a photodiode). The thickness of the membrane is preferably adapted to meet the requirements of the algorithm for determining a desired sign of life, eg, an SpO2 algorithm in which the membrane mainly functions as a filter. The second reason is that the mechanical stability of the membrane should be such that the membrane is not destroyed under the application load or the cleaning load. The material of the membrane is in particular translucent, so that the membrane absorbs only a small fraction of the emitted light itself.

In another embodiment, at least one of the arm sections forms a conduit for receiving a conduit to connect a sensor device to an external processing device and / or power source. A sensor device or a part of a sensor device is mounted or contained on one of the connecting sections of the arm sections and connected to external equipment via a line duct. This duct allows the connection of a sensor device in the cavity via the arm section to an external processing device and / or an external power source. This makes it possible to increase the wearing comfort for the user. The duct normally connects the sensor device to an opening in the operating section of the arm section. Thus, a conduit may be routed out of the cavity at a location where the conduit does not interfere with an animal that has attached the clamp to a body part.

In a preferred embodiment, the clamping holder is essentially formed from an elastically deformable material, in particular a polyurethane. One feature is a low compression set and the other feature is a resilient resilience to ensure proper operation of the device. The sensor housing is preferably produced by means of an injection molding process. In general, the clamp holder is made of a plastic material in a suitable manufacturing process, such as e.g. injection molding. This makes cost-effective production of the part possible. The elastically deformable material can be deformed, but it returns to its original shape. The use of such a material allows the clamping attitude to provide the functionality of the bridge joint and the hinge portion of the arm section. In particular, the clamping functionality as well as the parallel alignment of the contact portions can be provided. Furthermore, the clamp holder can be adapted to the shape of the body part to some extent, so that the user wearing comfort can be further heard.

In yet another embodiment, a cross-sectional area along the longitudinal axis of the arm section for forming the wrist joint in the hinge portion is smaller than a maximum cross-sectional area in the operating section, a maximum cross-sectional area in the connecting section, and a maximum cross-sectional area in the operating section. Thus, the wrist joint is shaped to include a waisted region, e.g. including a thinner portion or a tapered portion in the arm section that represents the wrist joint. The fact that the clamping holder is made of the same material, the thinner area automatically provides a lower resistance to deformation by applying a force. This makes the above-described functionality of the joint portion possible. To obtain this effect, only the manufacturing process needs to be modified to provide a cross-sectional area of the arm section in the hinge section which is smaller in comparison to the remaining arm section.

The cross-sectional area along the longitudinal axis of the arm sections preferably has a size between 5 and 75 mm ² , in particular between 10 and 40 mm ² , for example 30 mm ² .

Furthermore, the bridge section preferably forms substantially an arcuate opening in the direction of the contact portions of the two arm sections. This makes it possible to provide a comparatively larger area for accommodating the body part of the living being. The arcuate opening per se provides the functionality that, when an actuation force acts on the operating sections of the arm sections, the arm sections pivot against each other in the release state. In this case, the pivot axis about which pivot the arm sections, preferably within the range of the circular arc-shaped opening.

In another embodiment, a cross-sectional area of the bridge section between the connecting portions of the two arm sections is tapered to form the bridge hinge. The bridge section may also be tapered between the two contact sections. Here, tapered refers to waisted, ie having a thinner area, which refers to an area with a smaller cross-sectional area. This area will provide a lower resistance to the application of a force. This makes it possible that the two arm sections are mutually pivotable. Usually, this thinner area (taper in the cross-sectional area) will be between the two connecting sections. This thinner portion is deformed when an operating force is applied to the two contact portions to provide the hinge functionality. By dimensioning this suitable taper, the joint resistance, ie the force which the bridge joint exerts on the body part of the living being via the two arm sections, can be adjusted.

Preferably, a cross-sectional area of the bridge section has a maximum size of 75 mm ² , in particular 50 mm ² , at its connection points to the two arm sections and a minimum size of 5 mm ² , in particular 10 mm ² , between its connection points to the two arm sections , These dimensions allow the functionality of the bridge joint to be provided.

Furthermore, at least one contact section has a recessed area for arranging the sensor device and a raised area for contacting the body part of the living being. This allows a better blood circulation in the region of the body portion which faces the sensor device. In a further embodiment, the edge portions of the contact portion (s) are made very thin or of a very flexible material so that the contact portions easily conform to the shape of a body portion to which the clamp is to be clamped, e.g. when the clamp holder is to be clamped to the nose, so that a contact portion is disposed within the nostril.

In one embodiment of a monitoring device according to an aspect of the present invention, the light emission unit includes an LED, in particular an infrared LED, and the light detection unit includes a photodiode. This embodiment makes it possible to carry out a reflection or transmission measurement. Blood in the body part of the living being, which is located between the two arm sections, interacts with the light emitted by the light emission unit. This interaction is evaluated by detecting the light after it interacts with the pulsating blood by means of the light detection unit (also referred to as light sensor or photosensor). For a transmission measurement, the light emission unit and the light detection unit are attached to the opposite side of the body part when the clamp holder is clamped to the body part of the living being. For a reflection measurement, both will be on the same page.

In a preferred embodiment, the light emission unit includes a first LED for emitting light of a first wavelength and a second LED for emitting light of a second wavelength. It is particularly advantageous to insert a red LED and an infrared LED. The light of two different wavelengths is subject to different interference with pulsating blood. The evaluation of the differences between the received light of the first wavelength and the received light of the second wavelength enables the derivation of information about the blood oxygen supply of the living being. In the case of a transmission measurement, when the holder is clamped to the body part, both LEDs are attached to one side of the body part. The light detection unit is on the other side. Usually, the LEDs are pulsed. It may also be possible for the light emission unit to include two photosensors.

Further embodiments of the present invention include a processing unit for evaluating light detected by the light detection unit and for deriving living sign information of the living being by photoplethysmography therefrom; and / or a wireless interface unit for transmitting a signal representative of the light detected by the light detection unit and / or living sign information of the living being. This allows a

Processing unit, the direct evaluation of the detected light and from this an extraction of vital signs information ("vital sign information"). Sign of life information may relate in particular to the heart rate of a patient, to the blood oxygen saturation of a patient or to a respiration signal (respiratory rate). This information is usually extracted from a frequency analysis and / or an analysis of the amplitudes of the detected signal. Further signal processing may be required. In particular, the processing unit has the advantage that it becomes possible to process the detected light directly with the monitoring device according to the present invention and to pass the results for evaluation to an external device, e.g. to provide a user interface that allows the user to obtain information about his vital state. It may also be possible to transmit the derived information or the signal itself via a wireless interface unit. This has the advantage that no cable connection to a user interface is required. As a result, the wearing comfort for the user can be increased.

CRUCIAL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent and elucidated with reference to the following described embodiments. In the following drawings:

1 shows a perspective view of a device for monitoring life signs of a living being in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

2 shows a representation of an embodiment of an integrally formed clamping holder according to one aspect of the present invention;

3a and 3b illustrate the functionalities of the bridge joint and the hinge portion in the arm section of the clamp holder according to the present invention;

4 shows a detail of a cavity of a contact portion of an arm section of a clamp holder;

5 schematically illustrates the components of a device for monitoring vital signs of a living being according to the present invention;

6 shows two different views of an arm section of another embodiment of a clamp holder according to the present invention;

7 shows a side view and a perspective view of another embodiment of a clamp holder of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clamp holder for holding a sensor device and, according to another aspect, to a device for monitoring vital signs of a living being, which includes the clamp holder and the sensor device. In the embodiment shown below, the sensor device corresponds to a light emission unit and a light detection unit. Both components are integrated in the clamp holder.

1 represents a device 10 for monitoring life signs of an animal according to an aspect of the present invention. In the monitoring device illustrated 10 is a sensor device in a clamp holder 12 integrated to be worn on a body part of a living being. In the presentation of the 1 is the sensor device 36 integrated in one of the two arm sections of the clamping holder and thus is not visible even in the perspective shown (but only their position is schematically with the reference numeral 36 in 1 displayed). The sensor device includes a light emitting unit that emits light and a light detection unit that detects the emitted light after it interacts with the body part of a living being. 1 in particular represents an ear clip, which is clamped to the ear of a person.

The illustrated device may be used for noninvasive measurements of blood oxygen saturation in the blood (SpO2), heartbeat, and / or respiration rate by photophlethysmography as described in the introductory part. The main application of the monitoring device according to the present invention is in the field of blood oxygen saturation monitoring. For this purpose, a light emission unit emits light in the red and infrared spectrum in the direction of the tissue of the person. This light interacts with the blood in this tissue. After this interaction, the light is detected by means of a light detector (photo sensor). A change in blood oxygen saturation results in a color change of the blood which can be obtained by the evaluation of the detected light, in particular if light of two different wavelengths is used.

Current monitoring devices in this field normally have the optical components (light emitting unit and light detecting unit) fixedly attached to a sensor holder for carrying on a body part (usually an ear or a finger). However, additional components such as covers, screws, etc. are required for this connection. Often the optical components are incorporated in a sensor holder which is covered by a cover to seal the sensor components to the body part of the animal. This has the disadvantage that a more complicated and thus more complex and expensive assembly process is required to manufacture the device. In addition, current clamp holders typically include multiple parts, such as springs, etc. This makes it much more difficult to clean the sensor holder or monitor since dirt can get into gaps between the various parts. Furthermore, the life of such a sensor holder may be limited because individual failures of parts may destroy the device. The device 10 The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by the inclusion of an integrally formed clamping holder 12 , as in 2 shown.

The following figures illustrate the present invention by way of example of an ear clip blood oxygen sensor which is intended to be used on a person's ear. However, the present invention is not limited to use in this application. Other applications may include the sensor holder for wearing on a person's finger or on any other part of the body, such as a toe, nose, or nostril. In addition to blood oxygen saturation, it is possible to derive the respiratory rate and / or heart rate from the detected light after it has interacted with the tissue.

The clamp holder 12 According to the present invention, it is integrally formed, ie consisting of a single piece or, in other words, a one-piece element. The clamp holder 12 consists of an elastically deformable material, which deforms when applying a deformation force. When the force is released, the clamp retracts 12 back to its original form (relaxed state). The clamp holder 12 has two arm sections 14a , b, each of which is substantially along a longitudinal axis 15a , b is extended. Each arm section has a contact section 22 , Furthermore, the clamp holder has 12 over a bridge section 24 holding the two arm sections 14a . 14b combines. The bridge section 24 is at the two arm sections 14a . 14b at its connecting portions 18 connected. If an operating force on the operating portions 16 the two arm sections 14a . 14b is applied, pivot the arm sections against each other about a pivot point (or a pivot axis) in the region of the bridge section 24 , In other embodiments of the present invention, the pivot point may be at other locations.

The bridge section 24 has a pan functionality around the two arm sections 14a , b to swing, if an operating force on the operating portions 16 acts. The bridge section forms a bridge joint. For this purpose, the elastic deformability of the material is used. The bridge section is preferred 24 shaped in the shape of a circular arc portion which extends in the direction of the contact portions 22 opens. This allows the corresponding distribution of the actuating force applied to the two contact sections to provide the hinge functionality. Furthermore, the area where the body part is received is increased.

When an operating force on the operating portions 16 is applied, the clamp holder 12 in a release state and the contact sections 22 are spread apart. In other words, the arm sections 14a , b pivoted against each other, because the bridge joint is elastically deformed by the actuating force. Thereafter, a body part may be between them, or more precisely, their contact sections 22 to be recorded. Normally, the operating force on the contact portions 16 applied by the person using the monitoring device or by a doctor or caregiver applying the monitoring device to a patient. If a body part of a living thing between the arm sections 14a . 14b is received and the operating force on the operating sections 16 is released, a clamping force on the body part over the two contact portions 22 exerted what the result of the elastically deformable material of the clamp holder 12 is who wants to return to its original form. Thereafter, the clamp holder is clamped or clipped to the body part.

Usually, different people (adults, toddlers, etc.) have different sized earlobes. Therefore, it is usually not possible to have a parallel alignment of the contact sections 22 to ensure the arm sections when the clamp holder 12 attached to the earlobe. Such a parallel alignment of the contact sections 22 however, may be necessary to ensure a good optical path and accurate sensor readings. An optical sensor is usually subject to disturbing light effects. This is especially true in the case of transmission measurements based on light coming from an arm section 14a (or a contact section 22 ) through the body part to the other arm section 14b moves, important. The present invention overcomes this deficiency by providing a hinge portion 20 between the operating section 16 and the contact section 22 the two arm sections 14a , b. This is a light emission unit, which in the contact section 22 the first arm section 14a is integrated or carried on a light detection unit, which in the contact portion 22 the second arm section 14b is integrated or carried by this, aligned. The joint section 20 provides the flexibility to the contact sections 22 and operating sections 16 to swing against each other. This makes it possible for the two contact sections 22 adjust their orientations (against each other and against the body part) based on the shape and / or thickness of the body part between them, ie each contact section 22 is bent separately in contact with the body part. On the one hand allows the wrist joint in the joint portion 20 the compensation of differently sized body parts between the two arm sections 14a . 14b , On the other hand, the wearing comfort can be improved because the force that acts on the body part, evenly distributed.

Overall, the clamp holder includes 12 three pivot points 25 , two in the arm sections (joint sections 20 ) and one in the bridge section 24 , These pivot points 25 can also be called virtual joints. The opening and closing of the clamp holder 13 strained mechanical load is on the three pivot points 25 divided up.

3a and 3b show the exercise of the operating force 26 on the contact portions of the two arm sections and the force distribution, ie the load in the material, which leads to the elastic deformation of the two arm sections and the bridge section.

In 3a it can be seen that the application of the actuating force 26 leads to a deformation in the bridge section (cf., the force distribution in the region of the bridge section), so that the arm sections are spread apart, ie are pivoted against each other. 3a shows the release state. The bridge section offers the joint functionality. The joint sections in the arm sections are tension-free. When the operating force 26 is released, the arm sections exert a clamping force 28 on the lying between them body part.

3b shows the clamping state in which a body part (not shown) is received between the two arm sections. It can be seen that the elastically deformable material is also loaded in the joint portion of the arm sections. In comparison to a design with two rigid arm sections, the sensor holder according to the present invention thereby offers a more or less parallel alignment of the two arm sections. This results in alignment of the optical path (from the light emission unit to the light detection unit). This can reduce the effect of ambient light, which can have a negative impact on the quality of a measurement. Furthermore, by dividing the load into three different pivot points, the material is subject to less load than when the entire load acts on a single pivot element. Consequently, the material aging can be reduced and the life of the component can be increased. Furthermore, it becomes possible to provide a higher user comfort through a more balanced clamping force over the entire contact section.

4 shows the contact section 22 an arm section of the clamp holder in a more detailed cross-sectional view. Earlier sensor holders often had the disadvantage that separate / additional trim elements were needed to cover the sensor device towards the tissue. Such a separate cover has the disadvantage that the assembly process is more complex and thus more expensive and the cleaning of the sensor holder is more difficult because dirt particles can penetrate into small spaces between the different parts. This problem has been overcome by the present invention a membrane 30 that provides the cavity 32 from a contact surface 34 , which is in contact with the tissue of the living entity, separates. The cavity 32 is used as a mounting space and takes at least part of a sensor device 36 in itself. Usually, a duct connects 38 the sensor device 36 (or the part of the sensor device) with an external processing device or energy source. The duct 38 normally passes through the whole arm section and is connected to a line beginning at the operating section.

In the detail view of the arm section in 4 is a part of the sensor device 36 integrated into the contact section of the first arm section. This part corresponds in particular to a light emission unit, such as an LED. In the second arm section is a corresponding light detection unit, such as a photodiode (second part of the sensor device 36 ) is integrated so that it is positioned on the other side of a body part when the body part is received between the two arm sections. The integration of the photodiode (second part of the sensor device) may preferably be equivalent to the illustration in FIG 4 (ie, the illustrated portion of the sensor device may be equivalent to a photodiode). Light is emitted by the LED in one arm section and received by a photodiode in the other arm section. As a result, both the light emitted by the LED and the light received by the photodiode are through the membrane 30 went. The material and the thickness of the membrane are chosen so that the relevant wavelength of the light (eg red and infrared) is not significantly attenuated.

If it is desired to measure the oxygen saturation in the blood, it is necessary to emit the light of two different wavelengths on one side and to receive on the other side of the body part in which the light can interact with the pulsating blood. For this purpose, the light emission unit will normally have two LEDs, in particular a red LED and an infrared LED. The two LEDs usually operate alternately, i. pulsed.

During the assembly process, the cavity becomes 32 normally filled with epoxy resin after the sensor device 36 was used in it to seal the sensor device from environmental influences. The membrane 30 consists of the same material as the corresponding whole integrally formed clamp holder. If this membrane is sufficiently thin or consists of a corresponding material, the membrane is translucent.

In other embodiments, it may be possible that both LED and photodiode are integrated into the contact portion of the same arm section, so that a reflection measurement can be performed. Then no cavity in the other arm section is required.

5 schematically illustrates another embodiment of a monitoring device according to an aspect of the present invention. Apart from the light emission unit 40 , the light in the body part 42 of the living being emitted, the device 10 a light detection unit 44 put on the light after it's with the body part 42 in interaction, receives.

Furthermore, other embodiments of the device can also be a processing unit 46 (such as a microprocessor, IC or ASIC, etc.) for processing the detected light and for deriving life sign information of the living being from the detected light. This processing unit 46 can be integrated in the integrally formed clamp holder or connected to it. Furthermore, the monitoring device 10 a wireless interface unit 48 have, over which a signal that is representative of the detected light and / or derived life sign information of the living being, wirelessly can be transmitted.

6 shows two different detail views of an arm section 14c , which are the in 2 shown arm section 14a and or 14b of the clamp holder 12 can act, in a further embodiment of the clamping holder according to the present invention. 6a shows a perspective view of the inner surface 50 the arm section 14c and 6b shows a view of the outer surface 60 the arm section 14c , This construction of the arm section 14c is particularly chosen to meet the requirements of measuring SpO2 on the earlobe or nostril (ie, in the nose).

For this reason, one or both arm sections are constructed as in 6 is shown. The contact section 22c has different in 6b specially marked sections 221 . 222 . 223 , on, namely a thicker central section 222 and two thinner side sections 221 . 223 , This construction allows the contact section 22c a better fit of its geometry so that it fits the body area to which it is to be mounted, eg to fit into the nostril of the patient. The side sections 221 . 223 For example, they can be made extremely thin so that they are conveniently bendable, thereby providing a very flexible interface between the sensor device (located at one or both of the arm sections) and the patient, further enhancing patient comfort.

Furthermore, as in 6a shown is the inner surface 50 of the contact section 22c equipped with a channel, in this embodiment with two small rectangular channels 224 . 225 , for example, have a depth and width in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm, for example 0.3mm. In other words, the central area 226 (where the sensor device is mounted) of the inner surface 50 of the contact section 22c by means of two channels 224 . 225 recessed (ie forming a recessed area) with respect to the edge regions 227 . 228 (form increasing areas), so that mainly or only the peripheral regions 227 . 228 come in direct contact with the body area (eg the earlobe or nostril) to which the clamp holder is attached. This design ensures a better circulation of the blood in this body area and reduces the measurement tolerances.

7 shows a side view ( 7a ) and a perspective view ( 7b ) of another embodiment of the clamping holder 12 ' according to the present invention, which is preferably designed to be clamped to the ear. In general, the clamp holder has 12 ' about the same elements and functions as the clamp holder 12 but this embodiment of the clamp holder 12 ' shows a slightly larger and thicker contact section 22d in comparison to the contact section 22 of the clamp holder 12 ,

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, illustration and description are to be taken as illustrative or exemplary and not limiting; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations of the disclosed embodiments may be understood and made by those skilled in the art from practicing the claimed invention through a study of the drawings, the specification, and the appended claims.

In the claims, the word "with" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit can fulfill the function of several elements mentioned in the claims. The mere fact that certain actions are called in different sub-claims does not mean that a combination of these measures can not be used to advantage.

Any reference numbers in the claims are not to be construed as limiting the scope of protection.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2009/0275813 [0007]

Claims (15)

Integrally formed clamp holder ( 12 . 12 ' ) for holding a sensor device ( 36 ) on a body part ( 40 ) of a living being, with: two arm sections ( 14a . 14b . 14c ), which extend substantially along a longitudinal axis, with an actuating portion ( 16 ), a connecting section ( 18 ), a joint section ( 20 ) and a contact section ( 22 . 22c . 22d ' ); and a bridge section ( 24 ) with each of the two arm sections ( 14a . 14b . 14c ) at their connecting sections ( 18 ) connected is; the bridge section ( 24 ) forms a bridge joint around the two arm sections ( 14a . 14b 14c ) against each other from a clamping state in which the contact sections ( 22 . 22c . 22d ' ) of the arm sections ( 14a . 14b . 14c ) exert a clamping force ( 28 ) to the body part ( 40 ) between them to pivot in a release state in which the contact sections ( 22 . 22c . 22d ' ) of the arm sections ( 14a . 14b . 14c ) are spread apart to the body part ( 40 ) when an actuating force ( 26 ) on the operating section ( 16 ) of the arm section ( 14a . 14b . 14c ) is applied; and wherein each arm section ( 14a . 14b . 14c ) an arm joint in the joint portion ( 20 ) forms the operating section ( 16 ) and the contact section ( 22 . 22c . 22d ' ) to pivot against each other to a substantially parallel alignment of the contact portions ( 22 . 22c . 22d ' ) of the two arm sections ( 14a . 14b . 14c ) in the clamping state. Clamp holder ( 12 . 12 ' ) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the arm sections ( 14a . 14b . 14c ) a cavity ( 32 ) in the contact section ( 22 . 22c . 22 ' ) forms for receiving at least a part of a sensor device ( 36 ) and a membrane ( 30 ) to the cavity ( 32 ) of the body part ( 40 ) of the living being, the membrane ( 30 ) is at least partially translucent. Clamp holder ( 12 . 12 ' ) according to claim 1, wherein a first arm section has a first cavity ( 32 ) in the contact section ( 22 . 22c . 22d ' ) forms for receiving a first part of a sensor device ( 36 ) and a first membrane ( 30 ) which is at least partially translucent; and a second arm section a second cavity ( 32 ) in the contact section ( 22 . 22c . 22d ' ) forms for receiving a second part of the sensor device ( 36 ) and a second membrane ( 30 ), which is at least partially translucent. Clamp holder ( 12 . 12 ' ) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the membrane ( 30 ) has a thickness between 0.05 and 2.5 mm, in particular 0.1 and 1.5 mm. Clamp holder ( 12 . 12 ' ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the arm sections ( 14a . 14b . 14c ) a duct ( 38 ) for receiving a line to a sensor device ( 36 ) to an external processor and / or power source. Clamp holder ( 12 . 12 ' ) according to one of the preceding claims, which is essentially formed from an elastically deformable material, in particular a polyurethane. Clamp holder ( 12 . 12 ' ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a cross-sectional area along the longitudinal axis ( 15a , b) the arm section for forming the wrist joint in the hinge section (FIG. 20 ) is smaller than a maximum cross-sectional area in the operating section (FIG. 16 ), a maximum cross-sectional area in the connecting portion (FIG. 18 ) and a maximum cross-sectional area in the operating section (FIG. 16 ). Clamp holder ( 12 . 12 ' ) according to claim 7, wherein the cross-sectional area along the longitudinal axis ( 15a , b) the arm sections have a size between 5 and 75 mm ² , in particular between 10 and 40 mm ² . Clamp holder ( 12 . 12 ' ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bridge section ( 24 ) substantially a circular arc-shaped opening in the direction of the contact portions ( 22 . 22c . 22d ' ) of the two arm sections ( 14a . 14b . 14c ). Clamp holder ( 12 . 12 ' ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a cross-sectional area of the bridge section ( 24 ) between the connecting sections ( 18 ) of the two arm sections ( 14a . 14b 14c ) is tapered to form the bridge joint. Clamp holder ( 12 . 12 ' ) according to claim 10, wherein a cross-sectional area of the bridge section ( 24 ) has a maximum size of 75 mm ² , in particular 50 mm ² , at its connection points to the two arm sections ( 14a . 14b . 14c ) and has a minimum size of 5 mm ² , in particular 10 mm ² , between its connection points to the two arm sections. Clamp holder ( 12 . 12 ' ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one contact section ( 22c ) a recessed area ( 226 ) for arranging the sensor device ( 36 ) and an increase range ( 227 . 228 ) for contacting with the body part ( 40 ) of the living being. Apparatus for monitoring vital signs of a living being, comprising: a sensor device ( 36 ) with a light emission unit ( 40 ) for emitting light in at least one wavelength interval and a light detection unit ( 44 ) for detecting emitted light after an interaction with a body part ( 40 ) of the living being; and a clamp holder ( 12 . 12 ' ) according to one of claims 1 to 12 for holding the sensor device ( 36 ) on the body part ( 40 ) of the living being. Contraption ( 10 ) according to claim 13, wherein the light emission unit ( 40 ) an LED, in particular an infrared LED, or two LEDs for emitting light at different wavelengths and the light detection unit ( 44 ) includes a photodiode. Contraption ( 10 ) according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising a processing unit ( 46 ) for evaluating with the light detection unit ( 44 ) detected light and for deriving life sign information of the living being by photoplethysmography; and / or a wireless interface unit ( 48 ) for transmitting a signal corresponding to that with the light detection unit ( 44 ) detected light, and / or life sign information of the living being.

Images