Respiration monitoring

• US 20100094153A1
• Filed: 10/06/2006
• Published: 04/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Elekta AB
• Original Assignee: Elekta AB
• Inventors: Wunderink, Wouter
• Application Number:
  US12/443,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20100094153A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/529
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/721 using a separate sensor to detect motion or using motion information derived from signals other than the physiological signal to be measured

Abstract

A respiration sensor comprises a frame that is adapted to extend from a first point of contact on one side of a patient to a second point of contact on an opposing side of the patient, including a force sensor in the first point of contact. The second point of contact can comprise a patient support, which will usually support the patient in a generally horizontal state. The frame is preferably as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,681,326 with an arch extending over an area adapted to receive a patient. The first point of contact can include a plate which abuts the patient. The sensor is ideally located between the plate and the remainder of the frame.

Claims

1. A respiration sensor, comprising a frame that is adapted to extend from a first point of contact on one side of a patient to a means permitting a second point of contact on an opposing side of the patient, including a force sensor in the first point of contact.

2. The respiration sensor according to claim 1 in which the means permitting a second point of contact comprises a part of the frame adapted to abut the patient.

3. The respiration sensor according to claim 1 in which the means permitting a second point of contact comprises a connector for fitting the sensor to a patient support.

4. The respiration sensor according to claim 1 in which the means permitting a second point of contact comprises at least part of a patient support of which the remainder of the respiration sensor is an integral part.

5. The respiration sensor according to claim 4 in which the patient support supports the patient in a generally horizontal state.

6. The respiration sensor according to claim 1 in which the frame is non-yielding and radiolucent.

7. The respiration sensor according to claim 1 in which the frame further comprises a radiolucent fixing means arranged inside the frame and on which the patient'"'"'s body is intended to rest, said fixing means comprising a flexible casing which contains a yieldable substance, the fixing means being adapted to permit the patient to be partly sunk into the fixing means and oriented in a desired position at a first stage, and the yieldable substance of the fixing means being transformable into a non-yielding state to fix the patient in the desired position at a second stage.

8. The respiration sensor according to claim 1 in which the frame includes an arch extending over an area adapted to receive a patient.

9. The respiration sensor according to claim 1 in which the first point of contact includes a plate which abuts the patient.

10. The respiration sensor according to claim 9 in which the plate is attached to the frame via an adjustable means.

11. The respiration sensor according to claim 10 in which the adjustable means is a screw thread.

12. The respiration sensor according to claim 10 in which the sensor is located between the adjustable means and the plate.

13. The respiration sensor according to claim 16 in which the adjustable means is attached to the frame at the arch.

15. The respiration sensor according to claim 11 in which the sensor is located between the adjustable means and the plate.

16. The respiration sensor according to claim 8 in which the plate is attached to the frame via an adjustable means.

17. The respiration sensor according to claim 8 in which the adjustable means is a screw thread.

18. The respiration sensor according to claim 17 in which the adjustable means is attached to the frame at the arch.

19. The respiration sensor according to claim 8 in which the sensor is located between the adjustable means and the plate.

20. The respiration sensor according to claim 19 in which the adjustable means is attached to the frame at the arch.

14. (canceled)