Apparatus for self-monitoring of physiological variables
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for monitoring physiological variables said apparatus comprising:
- sensor means for sensing the value of at least one physiological variable,said sensor means having at least one property which varies in value in response to the value of said physiological variable,output means for generating audible outputs,tone means for driving said output means such that said audible output is responsive to variations in the value of said at least one property of said sensor means,said tone means comprising Schmitt trigger means and integrator means,supporting surface means for establishing contacting relationship between said sensor means and the anatomical site to be monitored,said Schmitt trigger means having input and first and second outputs,said outputs being complementary,said integrator means having an integrator input and an integrator output,the first Schmitt trigger output being connected to said integrator input through said sensor means,the second Schmitt trigger output being connected through a variable resistor means to said integrator input,means for connecting said integrator output to said Schmitt trigger input, andmeans to provide electrical power to the tone means.
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Abstract
A supporting surface establishes a positional relationship between a sensor and an anatomical site which is to be monitored. The supporting surface may also act as an enclosure and as an acoustic baffle. An electronic circuit produces visible and audible output responsive to changes in a property of the sensor and therefore to changes in the physiological variable being monitored. The output may be used for physiological monitoring or for biofeedback training. The output format, the control placement, and the supporting surface make possible an improved biofeedback training method.
17 Citations
10 Claims
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1. Apparatus for monitoring physiological variables said apparatus comprising:
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sensor means for sensing the value of at least one physiological variable, said sensor means having at least one property which varies in value in response to the value of said physiological variable, output means for generating audible outputs, tone means for driving said output means such that said audible output is responsive to variations in the value of said at least one property of said sensor means, said tone means comprising Schmitt trigger means and integrator means, supporting surface means for establishing contacting relationship between said sensor means and the anatomical site to be monitored, said Schmitt trigger means having input and first and second outputs, said outputs being complementary, said integrator means having an integrator input and an integrator output, the first Schmitt trigger output being connected to said integrator input through said sensor means, the second Schmitt trigger output being connected through a variable resistor means to said integrator input, means for connecting said integrator output to said Schmitt trigger input, and means to provide electrical power to the tone means. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A system for self-monitoring by a subject of physiological variables by measuring the temperature of the subject'"'"'s hand,
said system including a base, sensor means for sensing the temperature of at least some portion of the subject'"'"'s hand, said sensor means having conductor means integral thereto, surface means on said base for mounting said sensor means thereon with said conductor means totally within the space defined by said surface means and said base, said sensor means positioned to abut the portion the subject'"'"'s hand, when the subject'"'"'s hand rests on the surface means, sensor output means in said base for providing a signal varying the response to variations in the temperature of said portion of the subject'"'"'s hand, system output means in said base for generating output signal detectable by at least one of the human senses, and said system output means operating responsive to said sensor output signal to provide an output detectable by said subject, whereby variations in the temperature of the said portion of the subject'"'"'s hand is detected by the subject without the necessity of attaching cord connected electrodes to the subject.
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10. A system for self-monitoring by a subject of physiological variables by measuring the temperature of the subject'"'"'s hand,
said system including a base, sensor means for sensing the temperature of at least a portion of the subject'"'"'s hand, surface means on said base for mounting said sensor means thereon positioned to abut the portion of the subject'"'"'s hand, when the subject'"'"'s hand rests on the surface means, sensor output means providing a signal varying in response to variations in the temperature of said portion of the subject'"'"'s hand, system output means for generating an output signal detectable by at least one of the human senses, said system output operating responsive to said sensor output signal to provide an output detectable by said subject, whereby variations in the temperature of the said portion of the subject'"'"'s hand is detected by the subject without the necessity of attaching electrodes to the subject, said system output means comprising tone circuit means for producing output frequencies, a series circuit comprising a loud speaker and a light emitting diode, means for driving both the loud speaker and the light emitting diode using the same series current responsive to the output frequencies, of said tone circuit means, said tone circuit means comprising Schmitt tirgger means an integrator means, coupling means for coupling the output of said Schmitt trigger means to said integrator means, said coupling means including said sensor means operating to vary the output frequencies of said tone circuit means responsive to variations in the monitored temperature, means for coupling the output of the integrator means to the input of the Schmitt trigger means, said base comprising acoustic baffle means, and filter capacitor means bridging said system output means for assuring production of a pleasing output tone.
Specification