BODY TEMPERATURE AND HEAT RATE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

• US 3,871,362 A
• Filed: 11/27/1973
• Issued: 03/18/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gerald W. Dunegan
• Original Assignee: Gerald W. Dunegan
• Inventors: Dunegan, Gerald W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US05/419,263
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.6F,2.5T,2.5P,2.5R,2.6R,2.6A,2.1A,2L,2H 73/344,362AR
• US Class Current: 600/479
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence

Abstract

A heart rate and body temperature measurement system where the temperature is measured by a thermistor placed in intimate contact with the patient which varies in resistance value, the variation being converted to a voltage which is applied to a voltage controlled oscillator forming a pulse train input to a storage register. The register is gated in timed intervals into a digital display utilizing a mode switch and reset switch. The mode switch selects temperature or pulse rate. The pulse rate is determined by transluminating a finger of the patient with a light source such as a bulb and observing coloration changes with a light sensitive device, the signal being applied to an amplifier circuit driving a schmitt trigger, the output being stretched by a monostable multivibrator and the pulses being stored in an integrating amplifier which provides a DC level. The DC level is also applied to the mode switch which is input to the same VCO. The mode switch selects pre-set inputs for the register which again is gated by a timed signal into a digital display. The apparatus described is a portable indicating device.

Claims

1. A physiological indicating system comprising:

transducer means for engaging a finger of a patient to form optically created pulse signals and wherein said transducer means includes a lamp means for transilluminating a finger and light responsive means for observing a change in the finger on a heart beat;

circuit means for converting the pulse signals into a voltage analogous to the pulse rate, said means comprising an amplifier connected to said transducer means;

level responsive circuit means connected to said amplifier for forming a pulse on a pulse of the finger so observed;

means for making the pulse so formed uniform in length;

means for summing said pulses so said circuit means can form a voltage analogous to the pulse rate;

a voltage dependent oscillator connected to said circuit means for forming output pulses at least partly proportional to the voltage level;

register means for storing the number of pulses input thereto from said oscillator;

pre-set circuit means connected to said register for providing a pre-set number therein serving as a scale factor so that the number of pulses stored in said register is scaled to the measure of interest;

timing means which gates said register on for a specifiEd interval; and

, digital display means connected to said register means for providing a digital indication.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, including a thermistor means adapted to be heated by a patient to obtain an indication of the temperature of the patient;

second circuit means connected to said thermistor for converting the temperature sensed thereby to a voltage level; and

, means for selectively providing the signal from said second circuit means to said voltage dependent oscillator.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 including pre-heater means for said thermistor means which raises it to a pre-selected temperature level.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 including housing means for receiving the finger of the patient and wherein said lamp means is positioned by said housing means for illuminating the finger of the patient.