FLOW LINE BREAK ALARM DEVICE

• US 3,595,228 A
• Filed: 11/27/1968
• Issued: 07/27/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Michael W. Heron, Robert C. Simon, Robert E. Swanson
• Original Assignee: Michael W. Heron, Robert C. Simon, Robert E. Swanson
• Inventors: Simon, Robert C., Heron, Michael W., Swanson, Robert E.
• Application Number:
  US04/779,529
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• US Class Current: 128/202.22
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/021 operated by electrical means A61M16/202 – A61M16/205 take precedence

Abstract

A portable alarm device is attached to interfitting coupling portions in a therapeutic apparatus, such as, the metal or plastic coupling portions between a respirator hose and tracheostomy tube, the device including normally engaging electric contacts on the coupling portions which separate with the coupling portions to sense a break. One contact is connected to the patient'"'"''"'"'s body, the other contact connected to a low-power electric pulse generating circuit for triggering an electric switch, the latter being adapted to activate the alarm element when the contacts disconnect to alert hospital personnel.

Claims

1. An alarm device for signaling a line separation comprising interfitting male and female line coupling portions in the flow line between a tracheostomy tube and a respirator hose, sensing means including first and second electric contacts arranged for support on said male and female line-coupling portions and being aligned for electric connection with each other when the coupling portions are joined for disconnection when the coupling portions are separated, an alarm element, and electric circuit means coupled to said alarm element and responsive to the disconnection of said contacts for actuating said alarm element.

2. An alarm device as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of electric contacts is connected to an electrode and includes means for attachment to the body of a patient to ground said circuit means to said patient when said contacts are closed.

3. An alarm device as set forth in claim 1 further including a coaxial cable arranged to clamp on one of said coUpling portions to connect one of said electric contacts to said electric circuit means.

4. An alarm device as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said electric contacts is an exposed wire loop at one end of a coil of insulated wire slidably mounted on one of said coupling portions.

5. An alarm device as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of said coupling portions is formed of an insulative material and said associated contact is an end loop of a coil of wire wound on said coupling portion.

6. An alarm device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said coil of wire is connected to a skin electrode including means for fastening to the body of a patient.

7. An alarm device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tracheostomy tube and associated coupling portion is formed of an electrically conductive material and having means forming one of said contacts for connecting the circuit means to the body of the patient.

8. An alarm device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electric circuit means includes a relaxation oscillator circuit for simultaneously generating pulses of an opposite polarity which are applied across the electrodes of an electronic switch element in the circuit of the alarm element for triggering said switch element when the contacts are separated.

9. An alarm device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said electronic switch element is a silicon controlled rectifier.

10. An alarm device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said oscillator circuit includes a negative resistance element and capacitors connected thereto and interconnected with a load resistor across which said pulses are formed.

11. An electric alarm device for signaling a line separation, comprising male and female line-coupling portions in the flow line between a tracheostomy tube and a respirator hose, an electric contact arranged for support on each of said coupling portions to be engageable with each other when said coupling portions are joined and disengaged when said coupling portions are separated, and electronic circuit means including an audible alarm element and electric power source for the alarm element and means connected to one of said contact elements to alternately connect the power source to the alarm element when the contacts are in engagement and disconnect the power source from the alarm element when the contacts are separated.

12. An alarm device for signaling a line separation comprising interfitting male and female line coupling portions in the flow line between a tracheostomy tube and a respirator hose, an electric contact arranged for slidable movement on each of the coupling portions to be electrically connected with each other when the coupling portions are connected and to be disconnected when the coupling portions are separated, a first electric circuit including a power supply, an audible alarm element and a low voltage electronic switch arranged to turn on the alarm element when triggered, and a second electric circuit connected to one of said contacts and the electronic switch having means for generating a plurality of electric pulses which sufficiently change in amplitude when said contacts separate to trigger said switch for activating said alarm element.