Hermatically sealed communication device
First Claim
1. A medical communication device, comprising:
- a hermetically sealed housing; and
an electronic communication component located within the hermetically sealed housing, the switch being capable of communicating at least one electrical signal in response to an input from a patient.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention includes improved medical communication devices, such as nurse call cords, pillow speakers, and the like, that can be used in an oxygenated environment and that can withstand the sterilization and cleaning procedures commonly used in health care institutions. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a hermetically sealed housing and a switch. The switch is located within the hermetically sealed housing and is capable of converting an electrical input into an electrical signal. The present invention may further include a cable that communicates electrical signals to and from the communication.
Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a hermetically sealed housing and a sound generator. The sound generator is located within the hermetically sealed housing and is capable of converting an electrical input into an audible sound. The present invention may also include a switch located within the hermetically sealed housing. This switch may receive a command input from a patient and relay the command to a device under control. The present invention may further include a cable that communicates electrical signals to and from the sound generator.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method of making a medical communication device, one embodiment of which comprises providing a electronic communication component, such as a sound generator or a switch, attaching an electrical cable to the electronic communication component, and hermetically sealing the electronic communication component.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. A medical communication device, comprising:
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a hermetically sealed housing; and
an electronic communication component located within the hermetically sealed housing, the switch being capable of communicating at least one electrical signal in response to an input from a patient.
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2. A call cord, comprising:
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a hermetically sealed housing; and
a switch located within the hermetically sealed housing, the switch being capable of communicating at least one electrical signal in response to an input from a patient. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21)
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19. A nurse call cord comprising:
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a hermetically sealed housing;
a switch sealed within the hermetically sealed housing, the switch being capable of communicating at least one electrical signal in response to a user input; and
a cable in operable contact with the switch that communicates the at least one electrical signal from the switch.
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26. A pillow speaker, comprising
a hermetically sealed housing; - and
a sound generator located within the hermetically sealed housing, the sound generator being capable of converting an input into an audible sound. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A pillow speaker for use in the health care industry, comprising:
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(a) a hermetically sealed housing;
(b) a piezoelectric sound generator located within the hermetically sealed housing, the piezoelectric sound generator being capable of converting an electrical input into an audible sound;
(c) a membrane switch assembly located within the hermetically sealed housing, the membrane switch assembly being capable of receiving a command from a user and communicating the command to a device under control; and
(d) a cable in operable contact with the piezoelectric sound generator that communicates the electrical input to the pillow speaker. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49)
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45. A method of making a medical communication device, comprising:
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(a) providing a electronic communication component;
(b) attaching an electrical cable to the electronic communication component; and
(c) hermetically sealing the electronic communication component.
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46. A method of making a call cord, comprising:
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(a) providing a switch;
(b) attaching an electrical cable to the switch; and
(c) hermetically sealing the switch.
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50. A method of making a pillow speaker, comprising:
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(a) providing a housing;
(b) attaching a sound generator to the housing;
(c) attaching a cable to the sound generator; and
(d) hermetically sealing the housing and the sound generator. - View Dependent Claims (51)
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52. An automatic medication dispensing apparatus, comprising:
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a automatic pump adapted to provide a medication to a patient at a controlled rate;
a call cord in communication with the automatic pump, the call cord comprising;
a hermetically sealed housing; and
a switch located within the hermetically sealed housing, the switch being capable of communicating an electrical signal in response to an input from a patient;
wherein the electrical signal changes the controlled rate.
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Specification