System for providing intermittent communication without compromising a sterile field

• US 20090054005A1
• Filed: 08/22/2007
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark Adrian Goodman
• Original Assignee: Joseph J. Eberle
• Inventors: Prokop, Alexander, Eberle, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,242,885 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/44 Transmit/receive switching

Abstract

A system for providing intermittent communication while preserving a sterile area is provided. Sterility is preserved because the user can switch between transmitting and receiving mode without needing to touch a physical button, switch, or dial. The system is particularly valuable to doctors or dentists performing procedures. The system includes a two-way communication device coupled with a sensor, the sensor being capable of detecting the presence of an object, generally the user'"'"'s hand or an instrumentality of the user, located closer than a predetermined distance from the sensor in a predetermined direction relative to the sensor. Upon such detection, the communication device is switched from receiving to tranmitting mode and remains in transmitting mode until a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the object has ceased to be located within the predetermined distance in the predetermined direction of the sensor.

Claims

8-1. A system for providing intermittent communication as claimed in claim 8 wherein said light-emitting diode emits pulsed infrared radiation.