Low-Cost Pneumatic Apnea or Respiration Monitor

• US 3,882,847 A
• Filed: 12/11/1973
• Issued: 05/13/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Harvey Barry Jacobs
• Original Assignee: Harvey Barry Jacobs
• Inventors: Jacobs, Harvey Barry
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dunne, G. F.
• Application Number:
  US05/423,762
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 128/25,DIG.29,203,2R,142,147.2,145.8,145.6 340/279
• US Class Current: 600/534
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices

Abstract

Low-cost pneumatic apnea or respiration monitor adapted to sound an alarm for a patient whose breathing is controlled by a ventilator or whose respiration has ceased. In the disclosed arrangement, pressure from an air pressure source is modulated by chest movement to admit air to either of two air storage tanks, each of these storage tanks having an adjustable throttle or bleed valve in a vent. Each tank feeds air to a low pressure actuated switch or valve which actuates an alarm when the pressure falls below a critical low value in the storage tanks indicating a slowing or cessation of breathing.

Claims

1. A pressure fluid breathing monitor for a patient comprising:

a support, a valve means having two relatively movable valve parts;

a body belt adapted to partly surround the patient'"'"''"'"'s chest;

means connecting one end of the belt to one valve part and means for connecting the other end of the belt to said support;

said valve parts moving relatively to each other in response to the inhalation and exhalation motions of the chest;

a source of pressure fluid connected to the valve means;

pressure fluid operated alaRm means including two alarm devices, each connected to said valve means by a separate conduit means, one alarm responding to abnormal inhalation motion and the other to abnormal exhalation motion;

conduit means connecting said alarm means to said valve means to receive pressure fluid therefrom for operation of said alarm device;

delay means connected to said conduit means to control the time interval wherein the pressure fluid effects the activation of the alarm means; and

, said relatively movable valve parts controlling the flow from said pressure fluid source to said conduit means in response to the inhalation and exhalation motions of the chest.

2. The breathing monitor as claimed in claim 1 wherein one valve part is mounted on a support resting on the chest with one belt end connected to the support and the other belt end connected to the other valve part.

3. The breathing monitor as claimed in claim 2 wherein the movable valve parts comprise two nested outer and inner parts, with the source of pressure fluid and the conduit means connected to the other valve part.

4. The breathing monitor as claimed in claim 3 wherein the outer part comprises a tubular member secured to said support and having three spaced ports, one connected to the source of pressure fluid and the others to the conduit means, and wherein the inner part carries means to interconnect the pressure fluid source to either of said ports.

5. The breathing monitor as claimed in claim 4 wherein spring means are provided to act on the inner part to bias it to a desired position to interconnect the pressure fluid source to a port.

6. The breathing monitor as claimed in claim 4 wherein the delay means comprises a vent to permit a portion of the pressure fluid flowing to the alarm device to escape.

7. The breathing monitor as claimed in claim 6 wherein an adjustable throttle valve controls the flow through the vent.

8. The breathing monitor as claimed in claim 4 wherein the delay means comprised a fixed volume tank with a throttle valve controlling the flow and quantity of fluid within the tank.

9. The breathing monitor as claimed in claim 5 wherein the delay means comprises a fixed volume tank connected to the conduit means, a vent connected to the tank, an adjustable throttlevalve to control the flow through the vent and a conduit connecting said tank to said alarm device.