U.S. patent application number 14/579981 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-16 for low noise oximetry cable including conductive cords.
The applicant listed for this patent is MASIMO CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Ammar Al-Ali, Kevin Forrest, John Schmidt.
Application Number | 20150101844 14/579981 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39854362 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150101844 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Al-Ali; Ammar ; et
al. |
April 16, 2015 |
LOW NOISE OXIMETRY CABLE INCLUDING CONDUCTIVE CORDS
Abstract
In an embodiment, one or more conductive cable cords are twisted
with the sensitive signal carrying cables. The cords may
advantageously comprise dummy wires, or very flexible hollow cables
without an inner conductor. As the conductive cords do not carry
and inner conductor, the conductive cords are individually flexible
and small, resulting in a twisted bundle that more is flexible
while potentially having a smaller outer diameter.
Inventors: |
Al-Ali; Ammar; (San Juan
Capistrano, CA) ; Schmidt; John; (Lake Forest,
CA) ; Forrest; Kevin; (Rancho Santa Margarita,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MASIMO CORPORATION |
Irvine |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
39854362 |
Appl. No.: |
14/579981 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13079756 |
Apr 4, 2011 |
8921699 |
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14579981 |
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12104350 |
Apr 16, 2008 |
7919713 |
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13079756 |
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60912139 |
Apr 16, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
174/115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2562/222 20130101;
H01B 11/1091 20130101; Y10T 29/49117 20150115; A61B 5/14551
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
174/115 |
International
Class: |
H01B 11/10 20060101
H01B011/10 |
Claims
1. A cable for communicating sensitive low level signals, the cable
comprising: at least one wire including a conductor configured to
communicate the sensitive signal and an insulator surrounding the
conductor; at least one hollow conductive cord assembled with said
at least one wire; and a shield at least partially surrounding said
assembly of at least one wire and at least one hollow conductive
cord; and a jacket surrounding said shield, wherein said shield is
capable of being set to a predetermined voltage to drain potential
buildup of triboelectric charge on said jacket.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] The present application claims priority benefit under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.120 to, and is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/079,756, filed Apr. 4, 2011, entitled "Low
Noise Oximetry Cable Including Conductive Cords," which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/104,350, filed
Apr. 16, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,919,713, entitled "Low Noise
Oximetry Cable Including Conductive Cords," which claims a priority
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/912,139, filed Apr.
16, 2007, entitled "Low Noise Oximetry Cable Including Conductive
Cords." The present application thus claims an effective filing
date of Apr. 16, 2007 through its parent utility application and
through that utility application's provisional application. The
foregoing applications are incorporated in their entirety by
reference herein.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] The present application is related to the disclosure of
abandoned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/325,602, filed on
Dec. 19, 2002, titled "Low Noise Patient Cable," which is
incorporated herein by reference. Also, pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/367,013, filed Mar. 1, 2006, titled
"Multiple Wavelength Sensor Emitters," is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0004] The disclosure relates to improving the performance of
patient monitors through low noise cabling.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Oximetry utilizes a noninvasive optical sensor to measure
physiological parameters of a patient. In general, the sensor has
light emitting diodes (LEDs) that transmit optical radiation into a
tissue site and a detector that responds to the intensity of the
optical radiation after absorption (e.g., by transmission or
transreflectance) by, for example, pulsatile arterial blood flowing
within the tissue site. Based on this response, a processor
determines measurements for oxygen saturation (SpO.sub.2), pulse
rate, plethysmograph waveforms, perfusion quality index (e.g., an
index that quantifies perfusion), assessments of other blood
constituents, parameters or analytes, including for example, a
percent value for arterial carbon monoxide saturation (HbCO), a
percent value for methemoglobin saturation (a brownish-red form of
hemoglobin that cannot function as an oxygen carrier) (HbMet),
total hemoglobin (HbT), fractional SpO.sub.2 (SpaO.sub.2) or the
like. Additionally, caregivers often desire knowledge of HbO.sub.2,
Hb, blood glucose (HbGu), water, the presence or absence of
therapeutic drugs (aspirin, Dapson, nitrates, or the like) or
abusive/recreational drugs (methamphetamine, alcohol, steroids, or
the like), concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2), oxygen
(O.sub.2), oxygen concentration, pH levels, bilirubin, perfusion
quality, albumin, cyanmethemoglobin, and sulfhemoglobin (HbSulf),
signal quality or the like. It is noted that "oximetry" as used
herein encompasses its broad ordinary meaning known to one of skill
in the art, which includes at least those noninvasive procedures
for measuring parameters of circulating blood through spectroscopy.
Moreover, "plethysmograph" as used herein (commonly referred to as
"photoplethysmograph"), encompasses its broad ordinary meaning
known to one of skill in the art, which includes at least data
representative of a change in the absorption of particular
wavelengths of light as a function of the changes in body tissue
resulting from pulsing blood.
[0007] Oximeters capable of reading many of the foregoing
parameters during motion induced noise are available from Masimo
Corporation (Masimo) of Irvine, Calif. Moreover, portable and other
oximeters are disclosed in at least U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,770,028,
6,658,276, 6,157,850, 6,002,952, and 5,769,785, incorporated by
reference herein, and others patent publications such as those
listed at http://www.masimo.com/patents.htm. Such reading through
motion oximeters have gained rapid acceptance in a wide variety of
medical applications, including surgical wards, intensive care and
neonatal units, general wards, home care, physical training, and
virtually all types of monitoring scenarios.
[0008] The detectors of the noninvasive sensors read by many of the
foregoing patient monitors generate one or more low-level signals
that are susceptible to corruption from various noise, such as
electromagnetic interference (EMI) and internal noise that
originate in the sensor, cabling and monitors. One internal noise
source is due to a triboelectric effect, which includes static
charges that build when two materials rub together. For example,
when a cable housing detector wires is flexed, impacted, or the
like, the detector wires may rub together and triboelectric noise
can be induced in the detector signal. These induced triboelectric
noise spikes can be orders of magnitude larger than the desired low
level detector signals.
[0009] To alleviate the buildup of triboelectric charges, low noise
cable manufacturers included graphite coatings exterior to, for
example, the cabling configured to communicate detector signals.
However, the graphite gel used in the manufacturing process proved
difficult to apply and remove. Because of these and other
difficulties, manufacturers began substituting the graphite
coatings with a coextruded conductive PVC sheath around, for
example, their sensitive signal carrying cables.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure include the
realization that coextruding the conductive PVC sheath around
detector cables produces unnecessary rigidity in the resulting low
noise cables. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure
seek to overcome the foregoing and other drawbacks through
inclusion of one or more conductive polymer cords with sensitive
signal carrying cables, such as, for example, the detector cables.
The cords may be disposed around and adapted to drain triboelectric
charge away from detector wires communicating low level detector
signals from a noninvasive optical sensor. In one embodiment, the
detector cables are twisted with the one or more polymer cords. In
a particular embodiment, the polymer cords comprise hollow
conductive polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes, although the cords may
also comprise a flexible conductive vinyl or any suitable flexible
conductive material recognizable to an artisan from the disclosure
herein.
[0011] In other embodiments of the disclosure, some or all of an
inner bundle of conductors configured to carry sensitive signals
may be assembled marginally twisted or untwisted with one or more
conductive cords, may be twisted, marginally twisted, or untwisted
around one or more central conductive cords, combinations of the
same or the like.
[0012] Accordingly, one embodiment of the disclosure includes an
oximetry system capable of acquiring signals indicative of one or
more physiological parameters of a patient. The system comprises a
noninvasive sensor including a detector configured to detect light
attenuated by body tissue and output a detector signal indicative
of the detected light. The system also comprises a patient monitor
configured to receive the detector signal and determine one or more
physiological parameters the patient. The system also comprises a
cable comprising an inner bundle including detector wires and at
least one hollow conductive cord, the inner bundle being at least
partially surrounded by an inner shield encased in an inner jacket,
the inner jacket being at least partially surrounded by a plurality
of outer wires, an outer shield and an outer jacket.
[0013] Another embodiment includes a cable for communicating
sensitive low level signals. The cable comprises at least one wire
including a conductor configured to communicate the sensitive
signal and an insulator surrounding the conductor, and at least one
hollow conductive cord assembled with said at least one wire. The
cable also comprises a shield at least partially surrounding said
assembly of at least one wire and at least one hollow conductive
cord. The cable also comprises a jacket surrounding said shield,
wherein said shield is capable of being set to a predetermined
voltage to drain potential buildup of triboelectric charge on said
jacket.
[0014] Yet another embodiment of the disclosure includes a method
of manufacturing a cable comprising assembling an inner bundle
including detector wires and at least one hollow conductive cord.
The method also comprises at least partially surrounded the inner
bundle with an inner shield, and surrounding said inner shield with
an inner jacket.
[0015] For purposes of summarization, certain aspects, advantages
and novel features are described herein. Of course, it is to be
understood that not necessarily all such aspects, advantages or
features need to be present in any particular embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The following drawings and the associated descriptions are
provided to illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and do
not limit the scope of the claims.
[0017] FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a patient monitoring
system including a patient monitor and a noninvasive optical sensor
communicating through a cable, according to an embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 2A is an exemplary cutaway side-view of the cable of
FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 2B is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the cable of
FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 3A is an exemplary cutaway side-view of the cable of
FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 3B is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the cable of
FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Embodiments of the present disclosure include a low noise
oximetry cable configured to communicate low level sensitive
signals between a sensor and a patient monitor. In an embodiment,
one or more conductive cable cords are twisted with the sensitive
signal carrying cables. The cords can advantageously comprise dummy
wires, or very flexible hollow cables or tubes without an inner
conductor. The conductive cords advantageously reduce interference
or noise from corrupting the sensitive signals, by, for example,
reducing or draining triboelectric charge buildup from around the
sensitive signal carrying cables. Moreover, as the conductive cords
do not carry an inner conductor, the conductive cords are
individually very flexible, resulting in a twisted bundle that is
more flexible and in some embodiments, may have a smaller outer
diameter than the PVC sheath discussed above.
[0023] In an embodiment, the number cords twisted within the
sensitive signal carrying cables is selected by balancing overall
twisted bundle thickness, shape, size such as outer diameter,
rigidity or flexibility, conductive or drain performance, cost, and
the like. In an embodiment, the low noise cable includes from about
one (1) to about eight (8) or more conductive cords twisted with
one or more of the sensitive signal carrying cables or conductors.
In another embodiment, the low noise cable includes from about two
(2) to about seven (7) conductive cords twisted with one or more of
the sensitive signal carrying cables or conductors. In yet another
embodiment, the low noise cable includes two (2) conductive cords
twisted with one or more of the sensitive signal carrying cables or
conductors.
[0024] In other embodiments, the cords and/or the sensitive signal
carrying cables may be assembled un-twisted or marginally twisted
within the bundle, may entirely or partially surround sensitive
signal carrying cables within the bundle, or the like. In still
additional embodiments, one or more sensitive signal carrying
conductors may be twisted, marginally twisted, or untwisted around
one or more twisted, marginally twisted, or untwisted central
cords.
[0025] To facilitate a complete understanding of the disclosure,
the remainder of the detailed description references the drawings,
wherein like reference numbers are referenced with like numerals
throughout.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a patient
monitoring system 100 including a patient monitor 102 and a
noninvasive optical sensor 104 communicating through a cable 106,
according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The monitor 102
includes one or more processing boards 110 communicating with one
or more host instruments 112. According to one embodiment, the
board 110 comprises processing circuitry arranged on one or more
printed circuit boards capable of installation into a handheld or
other monitor, or capable of being distributed as an OEM component
for a wide variety of host instruments monitoring a wide variety of
patient information. As shown, the board 110 includes one or more
emitter driving circuits 114, a front end 116, and a microprocessor
118.
[0027] The emitter driving circuit 114 outputs drive signals to the
sensor 104. In an embodiment, the emitter driving circuit 114 may
drive two (2) or more emitters capable of emitting light at two (2)
or more wavelengths, or it may drive a matrix of eight (8) to
sixteen (16) or more emitters capable of emitting light at eight
(8) to sixteen (16) or more wavelengths.
[0028] The front end 116 conditions the signals, applies gain,
converts signals to digital information, and the like, although an
artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein that any or all
of the functions of the drive circuit 114 and the front end 116
could be performed by other software or hardware components, or by
the microprocessor 118. The microprocessor 118 may comprise one or
more hardware or software components capable of executing
instructions designed to control drive signals and to process
incoming signal data related to the drive signals to determine
desired physiological parameters of a monitored patient. In an
embodiment, such parameters may include one or more of SpO.sub.2,
plethysmograph waveforms, perfusion quality index, pulse rate,
HbCO, HbMet, HbT, SpaO.sub.2, HbO.sub.2, Hb, HbGu, water, the
presence or absence of therapeutic drugs or abusive/recreational
drugs, CO.sub.2, O.sub.2, pH levels, bilirubin, albumin,
cyanmethemoglobin, and HbSulf, signal quality, signal confidence
measures, trend data on one, some, all, or combinations of the
foregoing, or the like. Moreover, the microprocessor 114 can
determine when alarm conditions exist for alerting a caregiver to
the current condition of the patient.
[0029] The host instrument 112 includes one or more display devices
120 capable of providing indicia representative of the calculated
physiological parameters. In an embodiment, the host instrument 120
may advantageously comprise virtually any housing, including a
handheld or otherwise portable monitor capable of conveying one or
more of the foregoing measured or calculated parameters to a
caregiver. The host instrument 120 may include audio or visual
alarms that alert caregivers that one or more physiological
parameters are falling below or above predetermined safe
thresholds, or are trending in a predetermined direction (good or
bad). The host instrument 120 may include indications of the
confidence a caregiver should have in the conveyed data.
[0030] In an embodiment, the sensor 104 includes a plurality of
emitters 122 irradiating the body tissue 124 with light, and one or
more detectors 128 capable of detecting the light after attenuation
by the tissue 124. The sensor 104 can also include a temperature
sensor 130, such as, for example, a thermistor or the like, and a
memory device 132. The memory 132 may comprise any one or more of a
wide variety of memory devices known to an artisan from the
disclosure herein, including an EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, a
ROM, a RAM, single wire memories, combinations, or the like. The
memory device 132 can advantageously store some or all of a wide
variety data and information, including, for example, information
on the type or operation of the sensor, type of patient or body
tissue, buyer or manufacturer information, sensor characteristics
including the number of wavelengths capable of being emitted,
number of emitters, emitter specifications, emitter operational
characteristics, emitter drive requirements, history of the sensor
temperature, current, or voltage, demodulation data, calculation
mode data, calibration data, software such as scripts, executable
code, or the like, sensor electronic elements, sensor life data
indicating whether some or all sensor components have expired and
should be replaced, encryption information, keys, indexes to keys,
the parameters the sensor is intended to measure (e.g., HbCO,
HbMet, etc.), monitor or algorithm upgrade instructions or data,
some or all of parameter equations, combinations of the same, or
the like.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of conductors communicates
signals to and from the sensor 104 and the board 110. These
conductors include detector composite signal conductor(s) 136,
temperature sensor conductor(s) 138, memory device conductor(s)
140, emitter drive signal conductor(s) 142, and the like. In an
embodiment, some or all of these conductors are housed by the cable
106.
[0032] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a low
noise patient cable 200, such as the cable 106 of FIG. 1, according
to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown, cable 200 includes an
outer jacket 202, an outer shield 204, outer wires 206, an inner
jacket 208, an inner shield 210, polymer cords 212, and detector
wires 214, with the cords 212 and the detector wires 214 twisted.
In an embodiment, the inner shield 210 is wrapped around the
twisted bundle of cords 212 and detector wires 214, which is then
encased by the inner jacket 208. The inner jacket 208 is then
circumferentially surrounded by the outer wires 206, outer shield
204 and outer jacket 202, respectively.
[0033] As discussed in the foregoing, the number of cords 212 used
in the twisted bundle can vary depending upon desired bundle
thickness, shape, size such as outer diameter, rigidity or
flexibility, conductive performance, cost, and the like. In an
embodiment, to create a substantially circular shape to the inner
bundle which is smaller than shapes created through the sheath,
while maintaining or improving triboelectric drain and
substantially improving flexibility, the inner bundle includes two
(2) conductive cords 212 with two (2) detector wires 214, each
detector wire comprising its inner conductor 218 and outer
insulator 216. In an embodiment, the cords and wires are wound as
if the cords were aligning substantially horizontally and the wires
substantially vertically and then the resulting "+" shape was
wound.
[0034] In an embodiment, the outer wires include conductors 222 and
insulation 220. The shields 204 and 210 can also advantageously
reduce EMI on each of and crosstalk between the outer wires 206 and
the detector wires 214. It will be understood that when the shield
210 is grounded in use, or set to a predetermined threshold, that
triboelectric charge buildup is drained off the jacket 208. The
same triboelectric charge drain off the outer jacket 202 can occur
when the shield 204 is grounded.
[0035] The outer conductor wires 206 are configured to carry
multiple drive signals to the emitters 122. In an embodiment, the
outer wires 206 communicate cathode and anode drive signals or the
like. In an embodiment where the emitters 122 comprise a matrix
emitter array, the outer wires 206 communicate row and column drive
signals. In other embodiments, the outer wires also communicate
temperature sensor signals, memory device signals, and the like.
The detector wires 214 communicate a low level sensitive detector
output signal(s) which is relied upon by the monitor 102 to
determine patient physiological parameter data.
[0036] The components described in association with FIGS. 2A-2B can
also share properties with the corresponding components described
in association with FIGS. 3A-3B that follow below.
[0037] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a low
noise patient cable 300, such as the cable 106 of FIG. 1, according
to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown, the cable 300 of
FIGS. 3A-3B includes an outer jacket 302, an outer separator 350,
an outer shield 304, outer wires 306, an inner jacket 308, an inner
shield 310, polymer cords 312, and detector wires 314, with the
cords 312 and the detector wires 314 twisted or otherwise bundled
together. In an embodiment, the inner shield 310 is wrapped around
the twisted bundle of the cords 312 and the detector wires 314,
which is then encased by the inner jacket 308. The inner jacket 308
is then circumferentially surrounded by the outer wires 306, the
outer shield 304, the outer separator 350 and the outer jacket 302,
respectively.
[0038] These components of the cable 300 shown in FIGS. 3A-3B can
be designed, for example, by adjusting size, material, and relative
placement, to meet performance or design objectives, such as, for
example, outer diameter, flexibility, hardness, cost, degree of
reduction of triboelectric noise, matching impedance, or other
suitable objectives. Examples of these types of variations are
disclosed in the following embodiments.
[0039] The design objectives can influence the outer diameter of
the cable 300. Suitable dimensions for the outer diameter depend,
for example, on the properties of the components within the cable.
The cable 300 can vary in outer diameter, for example, in an
embodiment, between 0.13 inches and 0.25 inches. In a more
preferred embodiment, the outer diameter of cable 300 ranges from
0.135 inches to 0.21 inches. In an embodiment, the outer diameter
of cable 300 is between 0.165 inches and 0.171 inches. The
thickness of outer jacket 302 can also be adjusted, for example, by
changing thickness and material to meet design objectives. In an
embodiment, the outer jacket 302 has a thickness that ranges from
0.01 inches to 0.06 inches. In an embodiment, the outer jacket 302
has a nominal thickness of 0.022 inches. Outer jacket 302 can be
constructed out of jacket materials such as, for example,
Teflon.RTM., other fluoropolymers, Polytetrafluoroethelene (PFTE),
Perfluoroalkoixy (PFA), Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP),
Neoflon.TM., Kynar.RTM., Polyvinylidene Fluride, Polyethylene,
Polyvinylchloride (PVC), or other suitable jacket materials. In an
embodiment, the outer jacket 302 is PVC. The material and thickness
of outer jacket 302 can also be adjusted to meet hardness
objectives. In an embodiment, the hardness of outer jacket 302
measures Shore 70A on a durometer using the ASTM D2240 type A
scale.
[0040] The outer separator 350 can help provide flexibility to the
cable and can also be adjusted to meet design objectives. The outer
separator 350 can be made out of materials such as, for example,
the jacket materials previously discussed or other suitable
materials. The outer separator 350 can, for example, be made out of
a material that will increase the flexibility of the cable by
allowing the components housed inside the outer separator 350 to
move somewhat independently of the outer jacket 302. In an
embodiment, the outer separator 350 is Teflon.RTM.. In an
embodiment, the outer separator 350 has a thickness that ranges
from 0.001 inches to 0.01 inches. In a more preferred embodiment,
the outer separator 350 has a thickness that ranges from 0.001
inches to 0.005 inches. In an embodiment, the outer separator 350
has a thickness of 0.002 inches. In an embodiment, the outer
separator 350 is approximately 0.004 inches thick PTFE
material.
[0041] The outer shield 304 can advantageously reduce EMI on each
of and crosstalk between the outer wires 306. Outer shield 304 can
be constructed of conductive materials or other suitable shield
materials to meet performance or design objectives. An artisan will
recognize from the present disclosure herein that copper, silver,
or other suitable materials could be used as materials for the
outer shield 304. In an embodiment, the outer shield 304 is
constructed using braided copper strands. In an embodiment, the
outer shield 304 is constructed using spiral strands. The thickness
of the shield can also be adjusted to meet design objectives. In an
embodiment, the outer shield 304 ranges in size from 44 AWG
(American Wire Gauge) to 40 AWG. In an embodiment, the outer shield
304 is 44 AWG. In an embodiment, the outer shield 304 is 44 AWG,
tinned copper, with a ninety percent minimum coverage.
[0042] The outer wires 306 can also be designed to meet certain
performance or design objectives. In an embodiment, the outer wires
306 have an outer diameter that ranges from 0.005 inches to 0.03
inches. In a more preferred embodiment, the outer wires 306 have an
outer diameter that ranges from 0.012 inches to 0.025 inches. In an
embodiment, the outer wires 306 have an outer diameter of 0.022
inches. In an embodiment, the outer wires 306 are constructed out
of wire that ranges in gauge from 32 AWG to 24 AWG. In a more
preferred embodiment, the outer wires 306 are constructed out of
wire that ranges in gauge from 32 AWG to 28 AWG. In an embodiment,
the outer wires 306 are constructed out of 30 AWG wire. In an
embodiment, the outer wires 306 have insulation that ranges in
thickness from 0.002 inches to 0.01 inches. In an embodiment, the
outer wires 306 have 0.005 inches of insulation. In an embodiment,
the outer wires 306 are stranded 22/44 tinned copper. In an
embodiment, the outer wires 306 are 25/44 tinned copper, insulated
by 0.005 inch thick polypropylene, with an outer diameter of 0.022
inches. Although disclosed with reference to copper insulated by
polypropylene, an artisan would recognize from the disclosure
herein that other materials could also be used to construct the
outer wires 306.
[0043] In addition to the outer wires 306 and inner jacket 308, the
outer separator 350 can house filler materials to help meet design
or performance objectives. The filler material can, for example,
help create a round shape for the cable. The filler material can be
materials such as, for example, Kevlar or other suitable materials.
In an embodiment, the outer separator 305 houses Kevlar filler
materials.
[0044] The inner jacket 308 can also be designed to meet certain
design or performance objectives. The inner jacket 308 can be
constructed, for example, out of the jacket materials previously
disclosed or other suitable materials. In an embodiment, the inner
jacket 308 is constructed from PFTE. The inner jacket can also be
constructed by layering materials. In an embodiment, the inner
jacket 308 is constructed with a single sintered PFTE wrap plus a
single unsintered PFTE wrap. In an embodiment, the inner jacket 308
is PVC with a single PFTE wrap. The inner jacket 308 can also range
in size, in an embodiment, from 0.001 inches to 0.01 inches. In a
more preferred embodiment, the inner jacket 308 ranges in size from
0.002 inches to 0.008 inches. In an embodiment, the inner jacket
308 is a sintered PFTE film that is approximately 0.0012 inches
thick and a single layer of unsintered PFTE film that is
approximately 0.004 inches thick. In an embodiment, the overlap is
minimized to minimize the overall diameter of the inner jacket 308
and the components it contains.
[0045] The inner shield 310 can advantageously reduce EMI on each
of and crosstalk between the detector wires 314 and the outer wires
306. Inner shield 310 can be constructed of conductive materials or
other suitable shield materials to meet performance or design
objectives. An artisan will recognize from the present disclosure
herein that copper, silver, or other suitable materials could be
used as materials for the inner shield 310. In an embodiment, the
inner shield 310 is constructed using braided copper strands. In an
embodiment, the inner shield 310 is constructed using spiral copper
strands. The thickness of the inner shield 310 can also be adjusted
to meet design objectives. In an embodiment, the inner shield 310
ranges in size from 44 AWG to 40 AWG. In an embodiment, the inner
shield 310 is 44 AWG, tinned copper, with a ninety percent minimum
coverage.
[0046] The cords 312 can also be designed to meet performance or
design objectives. The cords 312 can be constructed from
semi-conductive PVC or other suitable materials. The material can
be chosen or arranged, such as, for example, by twisting, to
enhance low-noise characteristics. In an embodiment, the cords 512
are semi-conductive PVC and twisted. In an embodiment, the cords
312 have a size that ranges from 0.01 inches to 0.02 inches. In a
more preferred embodiment, the cords have a size that ranges from
0.012 inches to 0.015 inches. The cords 312 In an embodiment, the
cords 312 are approximately 0.015 inches plus or minus 0.003
inches.
[0047] The detector wires 314 can also be designed to meet
performance or design objectives. The detector wires 314 can share
properties with the outer wires 306. The thickness of the detector
wires 314 can influence the performance or design objectives. In an
embodiment, the gauge of the detector wires 314 ranges from 32 AWG
to 24 AWG. In a more preferred embodiment, the gauge of the
detector wires 314 ranges from 32 AWG to 28 AWG. In an embodiment,
the detector wires are 30 AWG. In an embodiment, the detector wires
are 28 AWG. In an embodiment, the outer wires 306 are constructed
out of 30 AWG wire. In an embodiment, the detector wires 314 have
insulation that ranges in thickness from 0.002 inches to 0.01
inches. In an embodiment, the detector wires 314 are have 0.007
inches of insulation. The detector wires 314 can be constructed out
of materials such as, copper, silver, or other suitable materials.
In an embodiment, the detector wires 314 are stranded 22/44 tinned
copper. The insulation for detector wires 314 can be constructed
out of materials such as polypropylene or other suitable materials.
In an embodiment, the detector wires are 25/44 tinned copper,
insulated by 0.007 inch thick polypropylene, with a nominal outer
diameter of 0.027 inches.
[0048] The conductive cords have several advantages over a
deposited graphite coatings and a coextruded PVC sheath for
reducing triboelectric noise. For example, the cords may drain
triboelectric induced charges away from the detector wire
insulation 216 as well as or better than the graphite coating and
PVC sheath. As with the PVC sheath, grouping of the cords with the
detector wires 214 can increase the eventual signal quality output
from signal processing circuitry, such as, for example, a
differential amplifier. For example, use of the cords in a manner
that maintains the close physical proximity of detector wires 214
tends to ensure external noise applied to the cable 200 is applied
substantially equally (or common) to each conductor of the detector
wires 214. Thus, a differential amplifier (not shown) of the
monitor 102 can effectively filter the applied external noise
through, for example, the amplifier's common mode rejection.
[0049] Thus, while exhibiting the same or superior advantageous
characteristics of the coating or sheath, the cords are also easier
to control, cause less rigidity (e.g., result in a more flexible
bundle), and provide more straightforward processes during
manufacturing that the coating or sheath. For example, the cords
may be simply cut away at points of connectivity for the detector
conductors 218 to circuit substrates or other electrical
components. Moreover, inner bundles made with the hollow cords are
often thinner than the foregoing coatings or sheath. For these and
other reasons, the cords also advantageously provide less expensive
manufacturing processes.
[0050] FIG. 2A also shows a braided inner bundle as an alternative
to the twisted or wound inner bundle, the braided inner bundle
having the cords 212 and the detector cables 214 braided together.
However, an artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein that
the inner bundle could advantageously be assembled in any manner of
configuration to reduce costs, increase drain potential, create
desired shapes, or the like. For example, the cords may be
assembled braided, marginally braided, twisted, marginally twists,
unbraided and untwisted, individually combined, twisted or braided,
combinations of the same, or the like.
[0051] Although the low noise oximetry cable including conductive
cords is disclosed with reference to its preferred embodiment, the
disclosure is not intended to be limited thereby. Rather, a skilled
artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein a wide number of
alternatives for the cable. For example, the cords may not be
hollow, may include a conductor or other conductive materials, may
comprise only conductors of any suitably flexible material.
Moreover, use of blank hollow cords may advantageously apply
flexibility in a wide variety of applications, including cabling
for virtually any medically monitored signals such as those
invasively or noninvasively acquired signals relating to heart or
brain activity or condition, spinal activity or condition,
circulation parameters, tissue health, or the like. Moreover, an
artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein that the cabling
may comprises only one or more portions of the communication link
between sensor components and monitor electronics. The cable may
also be an integral part of a reusable, disposable or combination
sensor. Moreover, the addition of conductive cords for shielding
sensitive cabling may advantageously be applied generally to any
and all cabling environments, and particularly in environments
susceptible to triboelectric noise.
[0052] Additionally, other combinations, omissions, substitutions
and modifications will be apparent to the skilled artisan in view
of the disclosure herein. Accordingly, the present disclosure is
not intended to be limited by the reaction of the preferred
embodiments, but is to be defined by reference to the appended
claims.
[0053] Additionally, all publications, patents, and patent
applications mentioned in this specification are herein
incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual
publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and
individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
* * * * *
References