Pulse rate monitoring device

• US 4,030,483 A
• Filed: 04/26/1976
• Issued: 06/21/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jack D. Stevens, Thelma P. Stevens
• Original Assignee: Jack D. Stevens
• Inventors: Stevens, Jack D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/680,136
• Time in Patent Office: 421 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.05 E, 128/2.05 P, 128/2.05 R, 128/2.05 S, 128/2.05 T, 128/2.06 R
• US Class Current: 600/479
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence

Abstract

A hand-held device which measures the period of a heartbeat, converts the measured period to beats per minute and displays the result on a digital read-out indicator. In using the device, the subject places his thumb in a depression formed in its case. Located in the depression are a light, a photo-sensor and an activating switch. The sensor responds to light transmitted through the thumb, the transmitted light being pulsed as blood is pumped into the thumb by the action of the heart.

Claims

1. A cardiac monitor comprising:

a hand-held case comprising two interlocking parts defining an enclosure for housing electronic pulse sensing circuitry,

one of said parts defining a cover for said case having an exposed indentation in its surface for receiving along at least a part of its length a part of a finger of the hand of the user holding the case,

electronic circuitry mounted within said case for receiving signals representative of successive pulses of a cardiac wave, counting means for recording said successive pulses sensed, and digital readout means for indicating periodic summations of said counting means, and

dual purpose means mounted within said indentation and connected to said electronic circuitry for energization of said circuitry and sensing of said successive pulses upon positioning of the finger of the user in said indentation,

said dual purpose means comprising a switch for electronically energizing said electronic circuitry upon positioning of the finger of a user in said indentation, an electric light bulb energized by said electronic circuitry and illuminating the finger in said indentation, and a sensor connected to said electronic circuitry for sensing the changing illuminated condition of the finger during successive pulses of the cardiac wave,

said switch electric light bulb and sensor being spacedly arranged within and along the length of said indentation, and

said indentation comprising an open trough form-fitting the thumb of a user.

2. The cardiac monitor set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said electric light bulb and said sensor are adjacent each other in said indentation.

3. The cardiac monitor set forth in claim 2 wherein:

said sensor comprises a photo-sensor.

4. The cardiac monitor set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said case is provided with a window in the same surface of said case as said indentation for exposing said readout means.

5. The cardiac monitor set forth in claim 1 in further combination with:

means comprising an audio means for indicating each peak of the cardic wave of the user.