Methods and apparatuses for measuring static and dynamic pressures in harsh environments are disclosed. A pressure sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a diaphragm constructed from materials designed to operate in harsh environments. A waveguide may be operably connected to the diaphragm, and an electromagnetic wave producing and receiving (e.g., sensing) device may be attached to the waveguide, opposite the diaphragm. A handle may be connected between the diaphragm and the waveguide to provide both structural support and electrical functionality for the sensor. A gap may be included between the handle and the diaphragm, allowing the diaphragm to move freely. An antenna and a ground plane may be formed on the diaphragm or the handle. Electromagnetic waves may be reflected off the antenna and detected to directly measure static and dynamic pressures applied to the diaphragm.

An electronic device having a pressure detection system is disclosed. The electronic device may include one or more elements designed to detect pressure exerted on the electronic device. In some embodiments, the electronic device includes a membrane and a detection mechanism, both of which bend in response to a pressure change at the membrane. The membrane may be electrically coupled with a circuit that detects the bending of the membrane and correlates the bending with a pressure change at the membrane. A can may be hermetically sealed with the membrane and surround the circuit to shield the circuit from liquid ingress. In some embodiments, a light transmitter and light receiver are used to detect the bending of the membrane. The light may reflect from the membrane at different angles, based upon a shape of the membrane, and contact the receiving element at different locations, corresponding to pressure change.

An airway adapter includes a housing and a pressure transducer. The housing includes a flow path having a first end and a second end, a first pressure port that communicates with the flow path, and a second pressure port that communicates with the flow path. The first pressure port is spaced apart from the second pressure port. The flow restriction is disposed in the flow path between the first and second pressure ports that creates a pressure differential therebetween. The pressure transducer generates a signal that reflects the differential pressure created by the flow restriction between the first and second pressure ports, wherein the pressure transducer includes an optical interferometer.

A sensor device for use in a medical fluid delivery system, or an infusion pump device, comprises a fluidic chamber with a deformable cover closing at least an area of the chamber and an optical detection system comprising at least one light emitter for emitting one or more incident light beams and a sensor unit for monitoring one or more reflected light beams is presented. In a pressurized state of the fluidic chamber, the deformable cover is deformed such that it forms an inflexion point area within the deformed cover. The one or more incident light beams emitted by the light emitter are directed on the cover such that the one or more incident light beams are reflected essentially in the inflexion point area.

A resonator device 10 is disclosed. The resonator device may be used in a transducer or a sensor such as a pressure, force or acceleration sensor. The resonator device comprises a resonator 20 provided on a diaphragm 30. A cap 40 is provided which may be fusion bonded to the diaphragm 30 to enclose the resonator 20 and form a hermetically sealed package 10. The resonator device is excited by applying electromagnetic stimulation, such as infra-red or optical stimulation, which may be from a laser via a fiber 50. The resonator device may be interrogated by applying an electromagnetic signal into the optical cavity formed between the resonator 20 and the inside surface of the cap 40 to derive a frequency change of the resonator. As the resonator device incorporates a hermetically sealed package and is stimulated by electromagnetic radiation, it is robust and able to operate in harsh environments.

Sensing Method and Sensor System A sensing method comprises using a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) to oscillate and emit a laser beam. A diaphragm is used to reflect a portion of the laser beam back into the VCSEL. This method can be referred as self mixing interferometry. A current or voltage at the VCSEL is monitored, and is used to sense movement of the diaphragm. This allows a property external to the VCSEL to be sensed without using a photo-detector.

A method and system provide a surgical system including a cassette, a console and an interferometric pressure sensing system coupled with the console. The cassette is for exchanging material with a patient and includes a wall and a reflector. The wall undergoes a deflection in response to a nonambient internal cassette pressure. The console is coupled with the cassette. The interferometric pressure sensing system is coupled with the console. The interferometric pressure sensing system includes a light source and a detector. The light source provides a first portion of light that is reflected off of the reflector and a second portion of light that bypasses the reflector. The first portion and the second portion of light are recombined to form an interference pattern. The deflection corresponds to a shift in the interference pattern detectable by the detector.

Some embodiments of an infusion pump system may include an occlusion sensor that can be used to detect when an occlusion exists in the fluid path between the medicine reservoir and the infusion site on the user's skin. Such an occlusion may occur, for example, when the fluid flow line (e.g., a cannula, infusion set tubing, or the like) is kinked. If the medicine dispensation path to the user is occluded, the user may receive no dosage or a lower dosage of the medicine. As such, the occlusion sensor can be used to indicate when the fluid is flowing or not flowing, thereby permitting the infusion pump system to communicate an alarm to the user if an occlusion exists.

The opto-electronic module (1) comprises a first substrate member (P); a third substrate member (B); a second substrate member (O) arranged between said first and third substrate members and comprising one or more transparent portions (ta, tb) through which light can pass, said at least one transparent portion comprising at least a first optical structure (5a;5a;5b;5b); a first spacer member (S1) comprised in said first substrate member (P) or comprised in said second substrate member (O) or distinct from and located between these, which comprises at least one opening (4a;4b); a second spacer member (S2) comprised in said second substrate member (O) or comprised in said third substrate member (B) or distinct from and located between these, which comprises at least one opening (3); a light detecting element (D) arranged on and electrically connected to said first substrate member (P); a light emission element (E) arranged on and electrically connected to said first substrate member (P); and a sensing element (8) comprised in or arranged at said third substrate member (B).

Such modules (1) are particularly suitable as sensor modules for sensing a magnitude such as a pressure.

Some embodiments of an infusion pump system may include an occlusion sensor that can be used to detect when an occlusion exists in the fluid path between the medicine reservoir and the infusion site on the user's skin. Such an occlusion may occur, for example, when the fluid flow line (e.g., a cannula, infusion set tubing, or the like) is kinked. If the medicine dispensation path to the user is occluded, the user may receive no dosage or a lower dosage of the medicine. As such, the occlusion sensor can be used to indicate when the fluid is flowing or not flowing, thereby permitting the infusion pump system to communicate an alarm to the user if an occlusion exists.