DEVICE FOR DETECTION AND ANALYSIS OF VITAL PARAMETERS OF THE BODY, SUCH AS, IN PARTICULAR, PULSE AND RESPIRATION

• US 20100106027A1
• Filed: 04/17/2008
• Published: 04/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Jaeger
• Original Assignee: Robert Jaeger
• Inventors: Jaeger, Robert
• Application Number:
  US12/450,782
• Publication Number:
  US 20100106027A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/484
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7267 involving training the classification device
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/22 using change in capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for detecting and analyzing vital parameters, particularly the pulse and respiration. A metal plate (3) fixed in direct proximity to the body surface (14) serves as a sensor element. The metal plate (3) is coupled to a non-linear LC oscillating circuit (11). Changes in the outermost body layers (15) caused by respiration and/or the pulse result in a shift in the resonant frequency of the LC oscillating circuit (11), in turn causing a change in the amplitude of oscillation. The amplitude of oscillation is measured, digitized, analyzed by a microprocessor (18), and evaluated. The result is displayed in a form understandable even to a layperson. The device operates automatically and determines the vital parameters independently. All components, including the power supply, are integrated in a small housing (2).

Claims

1. Device for detection and analysis of vital parameters of the body, such as, in particular, pulse and respiration, having

an LC oscillation circuit (11) that is excited to produce oscillations in the range of its resonance frequency;

a metallic sensor element that can be fixed in place at a slight distance from the body surface and is coupled with the LC oscillation circuit (11) in such a manner that small changes in the uppermost body layers (15) bring about a displacement of the resonance frequency, thereby causing a change in the oscillation amplitude;

a signal detection unit (10) that measures the oscillation amplitude of the LC oscillation circuit (11), and makes it available as an amplitude signal;

an evaluation unit (17) having a microprocessor (18), which analyzes and evaluates the amplitude signal, in order to determine the vital parameters.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the LC oscillation circuit (11) has a non-linear characteristic with a very steep resonance curve.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the LC oscillation circuit (11) comprises a non-linear capacitor diode.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the LC oscillation circuit (11) is excited by a frequency generator (12) having a frequency that can be regulated.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the sensor element is a thin metal plate (3).

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the metal plate (3) has an insulation layer.

7. Device according to claim 5, wherein a spacer made of insulating material is affixed to the front of the metal plate (3).

8. Device according to claim 5, wherein the metal plate (3) carries a plug connector (6) on its back side.

9. Device according to claim 5, wherein the sensor element has a self-adhesive layer (4) that is provided for fixation on the skin.

10. Device according to claim 1, wherein an analog/digital converter (16) is disposed between the signal detection unit (10) and the evaluation unit (17), which converter converts the analog amplitude signal into a digital signal.

11. Device according to claim 1, further comprising a display (9) for optical and/or acoustical output of the result determined by the evaluation unit.

12. Device according to claim 11, wherein the sensor element having the LC oscillation circuit (11), the signal detection unit (10), the evaluation unit (17), and the display (9) are integrated into a common housing (2).

13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the housing (2) has an essentially planar underside, in the region of which the sensor element is disposed.