US3996922A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible force responsive transducer
Assignee: ELECTRONIC MONITORS Inc
•
Filing: 1975-05-19
•
Granted: 1976-12-14
•
Expires: 1995-05-19
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for monitoring the respiration of a patient through utilization of a force responsive transducer, which ideally is a capacitor transducer constructed from alternate layers of conductive and nonconductive materials that are flexible such that when placed beneath a patient or a resilient patient support, such as a mattress, the distance between the plates of the transducer changes for the purpose of producing electrical responses that upon amplification energize indicator means, such as a visual alarm or an audible alarm. The transducer is responsive to the vertical, reciprocating forces and motions caused by respiration and along with the associated circuitry, is sufficiently sensitive to energize an alarm upon sensing a cessation of respiration.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond B. Basham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/68; A61B5/6887; A61B5/6892; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A flexible force responsive means for placement beneath a patient or patient support for sensing the respiration of a patient, comprising in combination: two electrically conductive flexible metallic sheet electrodes, a center electrically conductive flexible metallic sheet electrode positioned between said two sheet electrodes, a synthetic resin, electrostatically charged, flexible sheet located between adjacent metallic sheets of conductive electrodes to form alternate layers with the electrically conductive sheets, said flexible sheets of electrically conductive material being sensitive to changes in force applied thereto and caused by the respiration of a patient, an electrical conductor connected to the center sheet electrode, an electrical conductor connected to the two outer sheet electrodes, and flexible nonconductive material surrounding and covering said outer electrodes of flexible sheets of conductive material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A flexible force responsive means for placement beneath a patient or patient support for sensing the respiration of a patient, comprising in combination: two electrically conductive flexible metallic sheet electrodes, a center electrically conductive flexible metallic sheet electrode positioned between said two sheet electrodes, a synthetic resin, electrostatically charged, flexible sheet located between adjacent metallic sheets of conductive electrodes to form alternate layers with the electrically conductive sheets, said flexible sheets of electrically conductive material being sensitive to changes in force applied thereto and caused by the respiration of a patient, an electrical conductor connected to the center sheet electrode, an electrical conductor connected to the two outer sheet electrodes, and flexible nonconductive material surrounding and covering said outer electrodes of flexible sheets of conductive material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The force responsive means as set forth in claim 1 wherein said synthetic resin flexible sheet has a volume resistivity not less than 10 18 ohm centimeters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The force responsive means as set forth in claim 1 wherein the synthetic resin flexible sheet extends beyond the outer edge dimensions of the center sheet electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A flexible force responsive means as set forth in claim 1 wherein said two electrically conductive flexible metallic sheet electrodes extend beyond the outer edge dimensions of said synthetic resin flexible sheet to shield said flexible metallic sheet center electrode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3354373A
Cited
US3760794A
Cited
US3736436A
Cited
US3809828A
Cited
US3786495A
Cited
US3926177A
Cited
US3890511A
Cited
US3894243A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-12-14 | 1980-06-14 | 1980-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-12-14 | 1984-06-14 | 1984-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-12-14 | 1988-06-14 | 1988-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |