Hydrophobic materials in medical sensors

A patient monitoring sensor having a communication interface is provided through which the patient monitoring sensor is capable of communicating with a monitor. A patient monitoring sensor includes a light emitting diode (LED) communicatively coupled to the communication interface and a detector communicatively coupled to the communication interface capable of detecting light. The patient monitoring sensor includes a hydrophobic material disposed about the light emitting diode and the detector, where the hydrophobic material reduces water absorption and prevents bacterial growth within the sensor. 提供了一种具有通信接口的患者监测传感器，该患者监测传感器能够通过该通信接口与监测器通信。患者监测传感器包括通信地耦合至该通信接口的发光二极管(LED)以及通信地耦合至该通信接口的、能够检测光的检测器。患者监测传感器包括设置在发光二极管和检测器周围的疏水性材料，其中，疏水性材料减少水吸收并防止传感器内的细菌生长。