Portable patient call
First Claim
1. A self-contained, electrically isolated patient call device which can be used by a patient having limited muscular movement, said device comprising:
- a battery energy power source which is of low voltage to prevent electrical shock;
electrical switch means arranged in conjunction with a pneumatic actuation means which permits the making and breaking of electrical contacts in response to the movement of said pneumatic means;
means for positioningly adjusting the relationship of the switch means with respect to said pneumatic means whereby the sensitivity of the actuation of said switch means with the movement of the pneumatic means can be precisely adjusted;
alarm means connected to said electrical switch means and powered by said battery power source whereby when said contacts are made, an alarm signal is generated for alerting persons to the needs of said patient; and
an open pneumatic transducer means arranged in juxtiposition to a portion of the patient'"'"'s body and connected by a tube means to said pneumatic actuation means whereby a minor muscular movement by said patient will cause the pneumatic actuation means to energize said contact means to produce said alarm signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-contained, electrically-isolated patient call device is provided which permits use by quadriplegic or partially paralyzed patients which includes an extremely sensitive, adjustable, non-sealed, pneumatic, pressure transducer activated by the patient which in turn produces a simultaneous movement of an actuation transducer which actuates an electronic circuit. The switch and electronic circuit can produce both an audible alarm signal and activation of electrical contacts to simultaneously operate a nurse call system. The transducer activated by the patient can be actuated by a minor flexation of a muscle or skin area or can be the result of air pressure created by the breath or blowing against the transducer. This device permits electrical isolation of the patient to prevent shock and allows pneumatic activation of the system mounted directly on or close to the patient to eliminate the necessity for extended movement or positional adjustments which are usually impossible for the patient.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A self-contained, electrically isolated patient call device which can be used by a patient having limited muscular movement, said device comprising:
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a battery energy power source which is of low voltage to prevent electrical shock; electrical switch means arranged in conjunction with a pneumatic actuation means which permits the making and breaking of electrical contacts in response to the movement of said pneumatic means; means for positioningly adjusting the relationship of the switch means with respect to said pneumatic means whereby the sensitivity of the actuation of said switch means with the movement of the pneumatic means can be precisely adjusted; alarm means connected to said electrical switch means and powered by said battery power source whereby when said contacts are made, an alarm signal is generated for alerting persons to the needs of said patient; and an open pneumatic transducer means arranged in juxtiposition to a portion of the patient'"'"'s body and connected by a tube means to said pneumatic actuation means whereby a minor muscular movement by said patient will cause the pneumatic actuation means to energize said contact means to produce said alarm signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A self-contained, electrically-isolated, patient call device which is intended for use with substantially paralyzed patients, said device comprising:
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a battery power source, an alarm means powered by said battery power source which can produce a distinguished alarm signal indicating the needs of said patient; means for energizing the alarm means, pneumatic actuation means which includes adjusting means for varying the dimensional position of said energizing means with respect to said actuation means for varying the sensitivity of said energizing means, open transducer means mounted on the skin of said patient in an area which can be flexed by at least limited voluntary muscular control, and tube means interconnecting said pneumatic actuation means and said open transducer means to form a pneumatic system whereby the slight flexing of the skin surface of said patient will increase the pressure within said transducer means sufficiently to extend the pneumatic actuation means and activate said alarm energizing means. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification