HUMAN PULSE RATE MEASURING APPARATUS

• US 3,835,837 A
• Filed: 09/13/1972
• Issued: 09/17/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PEEK Development Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sandford C. Peek
• Inventors: Peek, Sandford C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US05/288,713
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.5P,2.5A,2.5F,2.5M,2.5N,2.5S,2.5T,2.6A,2.6F,2.5R,2.06
• US Class Current: 600/479
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence

Abstract

The specification describes a portable human pulse rate indicator and measuring apparatus which provides an indication of human pulse rate and a timing indication so that both absolute pulse rate and pulse rate changes may be detected. Noise immunity is provided by the use of an LDR detector having poor high frequency response and through the use of low pass filters. The sensor employed utilizes light passing through an extremity of the human hand to the LDR detector providing both accurate generation of the pulse signal and virtual elimination of the generation of artifacts.

Claims

1. Apparatus for measuring and indicating human pulse rate comprising transducer means for sensing the human pulse and generating an electrical signal in response to each sensed pulse;

a portable housing, electrical circuitry in said housing connected to said transducer means, said electrical circuitry comprising battery means for supplying power to the electrical circuitry, ampLifier means connected to amplify the electrical signal from said transducer means and produce a first output signal in response thereto, timing means for producing a second output signal at fixed intervals of time, each such interval of time being a known fraction of a minute, the fraction having a numerator that is the numeral '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'1'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' and a denominator that is an integer; and

signalling means responsive to said first and second signals for producing a first humanly sensible signal in response to each of said first output signals, and a second humanly sensible signal distinct from said first humanly sensible signal in response to said second output signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transducer means includes a light source and a photocell mounted on opposite sides of an enclosure, said enclosure having an aperture therein to receive an extremity of the human body wherein light from such source passes through said extremity to said photocell and wherein said amplifier means is connected to said photocell means for producing an amplified output of said photocell generated signal;

and said signaling means produces audible signals and is connected to said amplifier output for producing a first signal upon the appearance of said amplifier output and to said timing means for producing output indications distinct from said first signals, said output indications having fixed intervals of time between them.

3. operational amplifying means connected to receive the output of said light responsive means for amplifying said output;

d. electrical charge and discharge means connected to the output of said amplifier for charging and discharging a capacitor when said capacitor reaches a predetermined charge to generate thereby a signal;

e. speaker means connected to the charging and discharge of said discharge means;

f. light emitting diode means connected to said charging and discharging means for rendering visible the signal generated upon discharge of said discharging means;

g. free running oscillating means connected to such charging and discharging means and to said audible means for producing an audible signal upon a predetermined time interval initiated by the first discharge of said discharging means and;

h. second light emitting diode means connected to said oscillating means for rendering visible the output of said ocsillating means.

4. A portable hand-held human pulse measuring device comprising:

a. a transducer comprising;