Esophageal probe with dual sound detection

• US 4,304,240 A
• Filed: 03/07/1980
• Issued: 12/08/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Kendall Company (Colgate-Palmolive Company)
• Original Assignee: The Kendall Company (Colgate-Palmolive Company)
• Inventors: Perlin, Alfred R.
• Primary Examiner(s): HOWELL, KYLE
• Application Number:
  US06/128,015
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 128/642, 128/696, 128/715, 128/786, 128/802, 128/670, 128/349 B, 128/773, 128/671, 179/1 ST
• US Class Current: 600/484
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/023 for introduction into the body, e.g. into the oesophagus oesophageal ECG probes A61B5/285

Abstract

An esophageal probe comprising, an elongated hollow sleeve defining a cavity. The probe has a first vibration detection device at a first distal location in the sleeve cavity, and a second vibration detection device in the sleeve cavity, with the second detection device being spaced a substantial distance proximally from the first detection device.

Claims

1. An esophageal probe, comprising:

an elongated hollow sleeve;

first electrical means for detecting sounds at a first distal location in the sleeve, and a conductive lead connected to the first detecting means; and

second electrical means for separately detecting sounds at a second location in the sleeve proximal said first location, and a conductive lead connected to the second detecting means.

2. An esophageal probe, comprising:

an elongated hollow sleeve defining a cavity, and having a distal end, and a proximal end;

first electrical sound detection means at a first distal location in the sleeve cavity, and a conductive lead connected to the first detection means; and

second electrical sound detection means in the sleeve cavity, said second detection means being spaced a substantial distance proximally from the first detection means, and a conductive lead connected to the second detection means.

3. The probe of claim 2 wherein said first and second sound detection means comprise microphones.

4. The probe of claim 3 wherein the first detection means is located adjacent a distal end of the sleeve.

5. The probe of claim 3 wherein the first detection means is located in the proximity of a patient'"'"'s heart when the probe is inserted into the patient.

6. An esophageal probe, comprising:

a disposable housing having an elongated sleeve defining a cavity;

a permanent monitoring device having an elongated stem receivable in the sleeve cavity, said monitoring device having first electrical sound detection means at a first distal location of the stem, and second electrical sound detection means at a second location of the stem positioned a substantial distance proximally from the first location; and

means for releasably attaching the monitoring device to the housing with said stem received in the sleeve cavity.

7. The probe of claim 6 wherein the first and second detection means comprise microphones.