US 12,135,337 B2
Proximity detection for assessing sensing probe attachment state
Maria A. Franceschini, Winchester, MA (US); Adriano Peruch, Cambridge, MA (US); Kuan Cheng Wu, Boston, MA (US); and Marco Renna, Cavallino (IT)
Assigned to The General Hospital Corporation, Boston, MA (US)
Filed by THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION, Boston, MA (US)
Filed on Apr. 26, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/240,148.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/015,315, filed on Apr. 24, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0333308 A1, Oct. 28, 2021
Int. Cl. G01R 1/067 (2006.01); G01R 1/073 (2006.01)
CPC G01R 1/06794 (2013.01) [G01R 1/06766 (2013.01); G01R 1/0735 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sensor assembly comprising:
a probe including a printed circuit board substrate having a sensing side and a back side opposite the sensing side, the sensing side having:
a proximity sensor having a passive energy storing circuit element, and
a biological sensor receptacle configured to receive a biological sensor for sensing a biological characteristic of an object that engages the sensing side; and
an electronic probe controller coupled the probe and configured to:
excite a circuit network incorporating the proximity sensor with an excitation signal,
determine a characteristic of the circuit network that is excited by the excitation signal, and
generate a proximity indication indicating a probe attachment state based on the characteristic of the circuit network.