Visual pulse indicator

• US 4,252,128 A
• Filed: 08/27/1979
• Issued: 02/24/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald D. Kane
• Original Assignee: Donald D. Kane
• Inventors: Kane, Donald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US06/070,161
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 128/687-690, 128/678, 128/650, 73/748, 272/8 R, 272/8 D, 272/8 N, 40/21 C, 40/406, 40/407, 40/439, 40/477
• US Class Current: 600/503
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02444 Details of sensor A61B5/02427 takes precedence

Abstract

A Visual Pulse Indicator, which may be placed directly over any area of the human body where an artery is near the surface of the skin, and includes the use of a transparent plate member, a flexible membrane and a fluid emulsion located between them. A peripheral member may also be located between the transparent member and the flexible membrane for further efficient containment of the fluid emulsion. The visual pulse indicator may be placed upon a person with the flexible membrane nearest the skin in the vicinity of any convenient pressure point such as that found in the wrist or the temple. The expansion of an artery, while absorbing a part of the pressure of the heart ventricles may be felt, and it is known as the pulse. This expansion produces movement of the artery, the skin, and even the flexible membrane of the Visual Pulse Indicator when in proper position. The pressure exerted through the flexible membrane against the transparent element produces a visual indication of the emulsion pattern change as it is disturbed in response to each beat, or arterial expansion.

Claims

1. A visual pulse indicator which may be placed over any of several common arterial pressure points on a person'"'"'s body for converting the motion of an expanding and contracting artery beneath the skin into easy-to-see patterns changing in response to the pulse, said visual pulse indicator comprising:

(a) a transparent plate member through which said patterns may be observed;

(b) a flexible membrane joined at its outer areas to the outer areas of said transparent plate member defining a closed pocket between said flexible membrane and said plate member, the flexible membrane adapted to be placed next to the person'"'"'s skin and moved in response to the motion of the adjacent skin and underlying artery;

(c) a fluid emulsion located in said closed pocket between the flexible membrane and said plate member for providing patterns visible through the transparent plate member, the patterns being changeable in response to movement of the flexible membrane caused by the pulse; and

(d) a wrist-strap in which the plate member, the flexible membrane and the fluid emulsion are positioned to facilitate wearing of the pulse indicator on the wrist with said flexible membrane being placed next to the person'"'"'s skin and underlying artery.

2. A visual pulse indicator which may be placed over any of several common arterial pressure points on a person'"'"'s body for converting the motion of an expanding and contracting artery beneath the skin into easy-to-see patterns changing in response to the pulse, said visual pulse indicator comprising:

(a) a transparent plate member through which said patterns may be observed;

(b) a peripheral member joined with the transparent plate member at the outer area of said plate member defining a pocket capable of containing a liquid;

(c) a flexible membrane joined at its outer areas with the peripheral member, defining a closure to said pocket formed by said transparent plate member and said peripheral member;

(d) a fluid emulsion located in said pocket between the flexible membrane, the peripheral member and the transparent plate member for providing patterns visible through the transparent plate member, the patterns being changeable in response to movement of the flexible membrane caused by the pulse; and

(e) a wrist-strap in which the plate member, the peripheral member, the flexible membrane and the fluid emulsion are positioned to facilitate wearing of the pulse indicator on the wrist with said flexible membrane being placed next to the person'"'"'s skin and underlying artery.

3. The visual pulse indicator of claim 2, above, wherein the flexible membrane is opaque to accentuate the visible patterns which change in response to movement of said flexible membrane.

4. The visual pulse indicator of claim 2, above, wherein the transparent plate member is circular in shape.

5. The visual pulse indicator of claim 2, above, wherein said peripheral member is circular in shape.

6. The visual pulse indicator of claim 2, above, wherein the fluid emulsion causes spectral dispersion visible through said transparent plate member when disturbed by movement of said flexible membrane as it is disturbed by the pulse.

7. A visual pulse indicator which may be placed over any of several common arterial pressure points on a person'"'"'s body for converting the motion of an expanding and contracting artery beneath the skin in easy-to-see patterns changing in response to the pulse, said visual indicator comprising:

(a) a transparent plate member through which said patterns may be observed;

(b) a peripheral member joined with the transparent plate member at the outer area of said plate member defining a shallow pocket capable of containing a fluid emulsion;

(c) a flexible membrane joined at its outer areas with the peripheral member defining a closure to the pocket formed by said transparent plate member and said peripheral member, the flexible membrane being opaque to accentuate patterns visible through said plate member;

(d) a fluid emulsion located in said shallow pocket between the flexible membrane, the peripheral member and the transparent plate member for providing patterns which are visible through the plate member and which are changeable in response to movement of the flexible membrane; and

(e) a wrist-strap in which the plate member, the peripheral member, the flexible membrane and the fluid emulsion are positioned to facilitate wearing of the pulse indicator on the wrist with said flexible membrane being placed next to the person'"'"'s skin and underlying artery.