Gel pad for use with an ultrasonic monitor
First Claim
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1. An ultrasonic monitor, comprising:
- a transmission transducer configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal;
a receiving transducer configured to receive a reflected ultrasonic signal;
circuitry to process the received ultrasonic signal;
a housing containing the transmission transducer, the receiving transducer and the circuitry; and
a gel pad attached to the housing, the gel pad having a gel layer and a membrane, the ultrasonic signal and reflected ultrasonic signal transmitted through the gel pad between the transducers and a subject'"'"'s skin.
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Abstract
An ultrasonic monitor implemented on a PCB includes a gel pad comprised of a gel layer and a membrane layer. Ultrasonic signals are transmitted between the ultrasonic monitor and a living subject through the gel pad. An air gap is formed in the PCB underneath transducer elements to provide for more efficient signal transmission. These features provide for a low power, low cost, more efficient ultrasonic monitor. The entire ultrasonic monitor may be encapsulated in plastic, a gel, or both to provide water resistant properties.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic monitor, comprising:
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a transmission transducer configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal;
a receiving transducer configured to receive a reflected ultrasonic signal;
circuitry to process the received ultrasonic signal;
a housing containing the transmission transducer, the receiving transducer and the circuitry; and
a gel pad attached to the housing, the gel pad having a gel layer and a membrane, the ultrasonic signal and reflected ultrasonic signal transmitted through the gel pad between the transducers and a subject'"'"'s skin. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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8. The ultrasonic monitor of 7, wherein the RTV silicone rubber is adhered to the gel pad.
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14. An ultrasonic monitor comprising:
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an ultrasonic monitor module, and a gel pad, the gel pad including a gel layer and a membrane, the gel pad positioned in contact with and providing transmission of ultrasonic signals between the ultrasonic monitor module and a subject'"'"'s skin. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for monitoring a heart rate, comprising:
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applying a gel pad to an ultrasonic monitor module, the gel pad including a gel material and a membrane;
transmitting an ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic monitor module through the gel pad to a subject;
receiving a reflected ultrasonic signal by the ultrasonic monitor module through the gel pad from the subject; and
processing the received ultrasonic signal. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A gel pad, comprising:
a gel layer and a membrane, the gel layer having an upper surface and a lower surface and a thickness between 1 and 5 millimeters, the gel layer configured to eliminate air pockets when positioned between an ultrasonic monitor and a subject'"'"'s skin and applied to the subject'"'"'s skin by the ultrasonic monitor. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
Specification