Apparatus for detecting changes in shape of a body

• US 4,559,953 A
• Filed: 05/08/1980
• Issued: 12/24/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pye (Electronic Products) Ltd. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Pye (Electronic Products) Ltd. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Wright, Basil M., Haire, Christopher A. R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Kyle L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANLEY, JOHN C
• Application Number:
  US06/147,971
• Time in Patent Office: 2,056 Days
• Field of Search: 128/675, 128/680, 128/681, 128/687, 128/694, 128/715, 128/721, 128/748, 128/773, 128/774, 128/775, 128/777, 128/780, 128/782, 73/715, 179/151, 179/121 C, 179/110 A
• US Class Current: 600/493
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4356 Assessing uterine contractions A61B5/033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 13/00 Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of fluids

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting and measuring changes in the shape of a wall of a body includes a detector capsule adapted for attachment to the wall and pneumatically connected to a volume transducer responsive to changes in the internal volume of the apparatus produced by changes in the shape of the wall. The internal volume of the capsule is partially defined by a flexible diaphragm for engagement and complementary movement with the wall. The capsule contains a resiliently deformable material which presses the diaphragm into contact with the wall regardless of the convex or concave shape of the wall.

Claims

1. A detector capsule for being attached to a wall of a body, said capsule comprising at least one flexible diaphragm, one said flexible diaphragm engaging and moving complementarily with both concave and convex distensions of said wall, means for pneumatically connecting said capsule to a transducer responsive to variations in volume in said capsule as a result of changes in said wall, and means including resiliently deformable material located within said capsule for constantly urging said one diaphragm into virtually complete engagement with said wall.

2. A detector capsule according to claim 1, wherein said means including resiliently deformable material is a block of a flexible, open-cell plastics foam.

3. A detector capsule according to claim 2, wherein said block of plastics foam is polyurethane foam.

4. A detector capsule according to claim 2, wherein said block of plastics foam is PVC foam.

5. A detector capsule according to claim 1, wherein said capsule includes a rigid cup-shaped structure having said one diaphragm located across the open end, and said resiliently deformable material is internally located in said structure, and wherein said resiliently deformable material has a thickness exceeding the depth of said cup-shaped structure when in an undeformed state.

6. A detector capsule according to claim 1, wherein said capsule includes two flexible diaphragms comprising said one diaphragm engaging said wall and a second said diaphragm being coextensive with said one diaphragm and sealingly connected around the periphery thereof, said resiliently deformable material being located internally between said one diaphragm and said second diaphragm, and wherein said capsule is attached to said wall by a band of substantially inextensible material passing at least over said second diaphragm.

7. A detector capsule according to claim 6, wherein said band is an adhesive tape adhering to said wall outside the periphery of said capsule.

8. A detector capsule according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein said band encircles both said capsule and said body.