Method and apparatus for monitoring respiration
First Claim
1. Apparatus for monitoring volumetric respiration comprising:
- elastically deformable means for disposition about a torso in elastically deformed condition for self-biasing said means into close encircling relation with said torso;
a first extensible electrical conductor mounted on said elastically deformable means and extending circumferentially about a first portion of said torso comprising the rib cage;
a second extensible electrical conductor mounted on said elastically deformable means and extending circumferentially about a second portion of said torso comprising the abdomen;
means for separately and simultaneously measuring the inductances of each of said conductors;
means for weighting said measured inductances to reflect the different contributions from said first and second torso portions to said respiration volume; and
means for summing said weighted measured inductances and for providing a signal indicative thereof, whereby said signal is substantially proportional to said respiration volume.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are shown for monitoring respiration volumes by continuously measuring, while the patient breathes, variations in the patient'"'"'s chest cross sectional area, or preferably, variations in both chest and abdomen areas. Each area is measured by measuring the inductance of an extensible electrical conductor closely looped around the body, by connecting the loop as the inductance in a variable frequency LC oscillator followed by a frequency-to-voltage converter and a voltage display. Calibration is made by measuring the area variations for a few breaths while directly measuring corresponding volumes of breath, preferably while the patient assumes at least two body positions, for example sitting and supine. The method and apparatus may also be used to monitor changes in area of any non-magnetic object.
284 Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for monitoring volumetric respiration comprising:
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elastically deformable means for disposition about a torso in elastically deformed condition for self-biasing said means into close encircling relation with said torso; a first extensible electrical conductor mounted on said elastically deformable means and extending circumferentially about a first portion of said torso comprising the rib cage; a second extensible electrical conductor mounted on said elastically deformable means and extending circumferentially about a second portion of said torso comprising the abdomen; means for separately and simultaneously measuring the inductances of each of said conductors; means for weighting said measured inductances to reflect the different contributions from said first and second torso portions to said respiration volume; and means for summing said weighted measured inductances and for providing a signal indicative thereof, whereby said signal is substantially proportional to said respiration volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for monitoring volumetric respiration comprising:
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looping a first extensible electrical conductor about a first portion of a torso comprising the rib cage; looping a second extensible conductor about a second portion of said torso comprising the abdomen; holding said first and second conductors in close encircling relation about said torso during respiration; separately and simultaneously measuring the inductances of each of said conductors during respiration; weighting said measured inductances to reflect the differing contributions from said first and second torso portions to said respiration volume; and summing said weighted measured inductances whereby said sum is substantially proportional to said respiration volume. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification