Warning system for excessive orthopedic pressures
First Claim
1. An apparatus for monitoring pressure beneath an orthopedic restraining member that has been applied to a person'"'"'s body, said apparatus comprising:
- sensing means for sensing a pressure level at a plurality of compartments beneath a restraining member, said sensing means includes a plurality of electrical pressure sensors, whereby at least one of said sensors can be situated at each of the compartments,means, coupled to the plurality of electrical pressure sensors of said sensing means, for generating an electrical output signal that is proportional to the algebraic sum of said pressure levels sensed at a plurality of compartments, andwarning means, coupled to said generating means and responsive to the output signal, for warning when said output signal reaches a predetermined danger level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A small, inexpensive, but reliable pressure warning system includes a plurality of pressure sensors which are disposed between an orthopedic restraining member and an injured portion of a patient'"'"'s body, and a processor and alarm unit coupled to the pressure sensor and providing a warning when the pressure reaches a danger level (i.e. 30 mm) in which medical assistance is required. If the pressure goes above a critical value (i.e. 35 mm), another warning is provided that immediate medical attention is needed. The processor and alarm unit can be mounted directly on the patient'"'"'s cast and are disposable, one-use items.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for monitoring pressure beneath an orthopedic restraining member that has been applied to a person'"'"'s body, said apparatus comprising:
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sensing means for sensing a pressure level at a plurality of compartments beneath a restraining member, said sensing means includes a plurality of electrical pressure sensors, whereby at least one of said sensors can be situated at each of the compartments, means, coupled to the plurality of electrical pressure sensors of said sensing means, for generating an electrical output signal that is proportional to the algebraic sum of said pressure levels sensed at a plurality of compartments, and warning means, coupled to said generating means and responsive to the output signal, for warning when said output signal reaches a predetermined danger level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for detecting a pressure level beneath an orthopedic restraining member that has been applied to a person'"'"'s body, said apparatus comprising,
non-invasive pressure sensor means, disposed externally on a portion of a body encircled by a restraining member, for providing pressure signals representing the pressure sustained by said portion of the body at a plurality of compartments beneath the orthopedic restraining member, said signals together indicating attempted changes in volume of the affected portion of the body encircled by the restraining member, said sensing means including a plurality of pressure sensitive fluid-filled pads, whereby at least one of said pads can be situated at each of the compartments; -
processor means, coupled to the plurality of fluid-filled pads of said pressure sensor means, for processing said pressure signals to provide at least one output signal having a value that substantially corresponds to the combination of the pressure signals; and warning means, coupled to said processor means and responsive to the output signal, for warning when said output signal reaches a predetermined danger level. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method of monitoring pressure beneath an orthopedic restraining member that has been applied to a person'"'"'s body, said method includes the steps of
placing a plurality of pressure sensors at a plurality of compartments beneath an orthopedic restraining member, sensing a pressure level at a plurality of compartments beneath an orthopedic restraining member, generating an electrical output signal having a value that substantially corresponds to the combination of the pressure levels sensed, and providing a warning signal in response to a predetermined warning value of said electrical output signal.
Specification