US3796208A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Movement monitoring apparatus
Assignee: Memco Ltd
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Filing: 1972-02-14
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Granted: 1974-03-12
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Expires: 1992-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A system for monitoring movements of a patient and indicating when the degree of movement is such as to require attention includes a scanner providing a limited movement sensitive field surrounding at least part of the patient. Circuitry monitors variations in the field caused by the patients movements and controls alarm circuitry for calling attention to the patient, for example on cessation of normal breathing or at the onset of undue restlessness in a patient to be kept quiet. The scanner is suitably a microwave radar unit.
Inventors
- 👤 J Bloice
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/113; A61B5/05; A61B5/0507; G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/02; G01S13/50; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/22; G08B13/24; G08B13/2491
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
Movement monitoring apparatus comprising: a. microwave radar means providing a limited movement-sensitive field of microwave radiation; b. monitor circuit means monitoring disturbances of said field and providing at its output a pulsed signal indicative of the degree of field disturbance; Pg,22 c. aggregating circuit means coupled to the output of said monitor circuit means to aggregate said pulsed signal to provide at its output a signal voltage the level of which is indicative of said degree of field disturbance; d. threshold circuit means defining a predetermined threshold voltage and coupled to the output of said aggregating circuit means to receive said signal voltage; e. trigger circuit means coupled to the output of said threshold circuit means to be activated thereby when said signal voltage is below said predetermined threshold voltage; f. delay circuit means coupled to the output of said trigger circuit means and providing a predetermined delay between the appearance at its input of an input signal caused by activation of said trigger circuit means and the appearance at its output of a corresponding output signal; and g. alarm circuit means connected to the output of said delay circuit and activated by said output signal thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
Movement monitoring apparatus comprising: a. microwave radar means providing a limited movement-sensitive field of microwave radiation; b. monitor circuit means monitoring disturbances of said field and providing at its output a pulsed signal indicative of the degree of field disturbance; Pg,22 c. aggregating circuit means coupled to the output of said monitor circuit means to aggregate said pulsed signal to provide at its output a signal voltage the level of which is indicative of said degree of field disturbance; d. threshold circuit means defining a predetermined threshold voltage and coupled to the output of said aggregating circuit means to receive said signal voltage; e. trigger circuit means coupled to the output of said threshold circuit means to be activated thereby when said signal voltage is below said predetermined threshold voltage; f. delay circuit means coupled to the output of said trigger circuit means and providing a predetermined delay between the appearance at its input of an input signal caused by activation of said trigger circuit means and the appearance at its output of a corresponding output signal; and g. alarm circuit means connected to the output of said delay circuit and activated by said output signal thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said microwave radar means is a doppler radar unit and said pulsed signal is indicative of the doppler frequency shift in the output signal of said unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said microwave radar means is a microwave radar transmitter and said pulsed signal is indicative of variations in the impedance loading of said transmitter due to said field disturbances.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said monitor circuit means includes a filter which responds only to frequencies lower than a predetermined upper limit, whereby said pulsed signal is not indicative of field disturbances at frequencies above said upper limit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, in which said upper frequency limit is 80 Hz.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said trigger circuit means includes terminals for connection to a recording instrument to provide thereto said voltage signal, whereby a record of the degree of field disturbance may be obtained.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said trigger circuit means and said alarm circuit means include means for returning to their de-activated state when said signal voltage is returned to said threshold voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means wherein said alarm circuit means is activated by failure of said other means thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 constructed as respiration monitoring apparatus including means wherein said field is adapted to envelop at least the chest of a patient; said predetermined threshold voltage is produced by normal respiration of said patient, and said upper limit of frequencies corresponds to movements of the chest wall of said patient characteristic of normal respiration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said alarm circuit includes a switch means for deactivation thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means wherein said predetermined delay provided by said delay circuit means is restored to its full value upon disappearance of said input signal at said input of said delay circuit means.
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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) | 1977-03-11 | 1977-09-10 | 1978-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-11 | 1981-09-10 | 1982-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-11 | 1985-09-10 | 1986-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |