US3754546A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Incentive spirometer
Assignee: American Hospital Supply Corp
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Filing: 1971-06-10
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Granted: 1973-08-28
•
Expires: 1991-06-10
Abstract
Abstract The device has a disposable unit and a re-usable unit. The disposable unit comprises a piston and vertical cylinder, a flexible tube connected with the top of the cylinder and a mouthpiece on the tube. The tube enables a patient to inhale air from the cylinder causing the piston to rise. A controlled leakage is provided between the piston and cylinder making it necessary for the patient to continue inhaling through the tube in order to hold the piston at the top of its upward stroke. The re-usable unit is an indicator unit containing a battery, a signal light and a switch which is held closed as long as the piston remains at the top of its stroke. The light provides incentive for the patient to continue inhalation as long as possible. A counter in the indicator unit records the number of inhalations made in a day or other given period of time.
Inventors
- 👤 R Cooper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:00
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/08; A61B5/091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
An incentive spirometer comprising an airway unit and an indicator unit; said airway unit comprising a vertical cylinder having a top end wall and an open bottom end, a loosely fitting piston in said cylinder having predetermined air leakage rate, and an inhalation tube connected with the upper end of said cylinder; said indicator unit comprising an electrical power supply means, a signal light, a switch in circuit with said light for turning said light on and off, and a switch actuating member for said switch; and quick detachable means connecting said two units together with said switch actuating member arranged to be lifted by upward movement of said piston to turn on said light when said piston has been raised to a predetermined position in said cylinder by inhalation of a person through said tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
An incentive spirometer comprising an airway unit and an indicator unit; said airway unit comprising a vertical cylinder having a top end wall and an open bottom end, a loosely fitting piston in said cylinder having predetermined air leakage rate, and an inhalation tube connected with the upper end of said cylinder; said indicator unit comprising an electrical power supply means, a signal light, a switch in circuit with said light for turning said light on and off, and a switch actuating member for said switch; and quick detachable means connecting said two units together with said switch actuating member arranged to be lifted by upward movement of said piston to turn on said light when said piston has been raised to a predetermined position in said cylinder by inhalation of a person through said tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A spirometer as defined in claim 1 including a counter in said indicator unit mounted for actuation by said switch actuating member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A spirometer as defined in claim 1 wherein said switch actuating member extends into said cylinder through said quick detachable connecting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A spirometer as defined in claim 1, said quick detachable connecting means comprising complementary interengaging parts on said top end wall of said cylinder and the bottom of said indicator unit for mounting said indicator unit on said top end wall with said switch actuating member extending through an opening in said top end wall for engagement by said piston.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A spirometer as defined in claim 1, said switch actuating member forming a stop to limit said upward movement of said piston.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A spirometer as defined in claim 5, said switch actuating member comprising a rod mounted for engagement with said piston, a rod guide column mounted in said indicator unit and forming means having limited movement to actuate said switch, and means securing said rod in adjusted position in said rod guide column.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
134 words
An incentive spirometer comprising a vertical cylinder having a top end wall and an open lower end, an inhalation tube connected with the upper end of said cylinder, a loosely fitting piston in said cylinder having a predetermined air leakage rate, an indicator unit mounted on said top end wall of said cylinder and containing a counter and a signal light, a switch in said indicator unit for turning said light on and off, electrical power supply means for said signal light, a rod guide column mounted for vertical movement in said indicator unit and forming means to actuate said counter and switch, and a vertical volume indicating rod adjustably mounted in said rod guide column, the lower end of said rod extending into said cylinder for engagement by the top of said piston.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
134 words
An incentive spirometer comprising a vertical cylinder having a top end wall and an open lower end, an inhalation tube connected with the upper end of said cylinder, a loosely fitting piston in said cylinder having a predetermined air leakage rate, an indicator unit mounted on said top end wall of said cylinder and containing a counter and a signal light, a switch in said indicator unit for turning said light on and off, electrical power supply means for said signal light, a rod guide column mounted for vertical movement in said indicator unit and forming means to actuate said counter and switch, and a vertical volume indicating rod adjustably mounted in said rod guide column, the lower end of said rod extending into said cylinder for engagement by the top of said piston.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A spirometer as defined in claim 7 including quick detachable means for connecting said indicator unit to said top end wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
A spirometer as defined in claim 8, said quick detachable means comprising a bayonet-type connector having a grooved hub on said top end wall of said cylinder and a ring on the bottom of said indicator unIt arranged to lock on said hub, said hub having a bore slidably receiving said rod.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A spirometer as defined in claim 9 including spring feet on said indicator unit arranged to bear against said top end wall of said cylinder and tension said ring on said hub.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
116 words
In an incentive spirometer having an indicator unit and an airway unit, said airway unit comprising a vertical cylinder containing a loosely fitting piston having a predetermined rate of air leakage, said cylinder having a top end wall and an open bottom end, an inhalation tube connected to said top end wall, an upstanding grooved hub mounted in said top end wall for quick detachable mounting of said indicator unit on said top end wall, said hub having a vertical bore communicating with the interior of the cylinder to receive an actuating member on said indicator unit, and stop means in a lower side wall portion of said cylinder to retain said piston in the cylinder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
116 words
In an incentive spirometer having an indicator unit and an airway unit, said airway unit comprising a vertical cylinder containing a loosely fitting piston having a predetermined rate of air leakage, said cylinder having a top end wall and an open bottom end, an inhalation tube connected to said top end wall, an upstanding grooved hub mounted in said top end wall for quick detachable mounting of said indicator unit on said top end wall, said hub having a vertical bore communicating with the interior of the cylinder to receive an actuating member on said indicator unit, and stop means in a lower side wall portion of said cylinder to retain said piston in the cylinder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
106 words
In an incentive spirometer having an indicator unit and an airway unit, said indicator unit comprising a housing having spring feet, a connector pin ring on the bottom of said housing, a counter and an indicator light in said housing, a switch for turning said light on and off, electrical power supply means for said indicator light, a rod guide column mounted for vertical movement in said housing to actuate said counter and switch, and a vertical volume indicating rod adjustably mounted in said rod guide column and projecting downward through said connector pin ring, said volume indicating rod being slidable in said connector pin ring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
106 words
In an incentive spirometer having an indicator unit and an airway unit, said indicator unit comprising a housing having spring feet, a connector pin ring on the bottom of said housing, a counter and an indicator light in said housing, a switch for turning said light on and off, electrical power supply means for said indicator light, a rod guide column mounted for vertical movement in said housing to actuate said counter and switch, and a vertical volume indicating rod adjustably mounted in said rod guide column and projecting downward through said connector pin ring, said volume indicating rod being slidable in said connector pin ring.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-27 | 1977-02-26 | 1977-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-27 | 1981-02-26 | 1981-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-27 | 1985-02-26 | 1985-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |