Protective mask having a built-in sensor for monitoring vital functions

• US 4,875,477 A
• Filed: 06/27/1988
• Issued: 10/24/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dragerwerk AG
• Original Assignee: Dragerwerk AG
• Inventors: Topfer, Lothar, Rath, Alfred, Waschke, Christine
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Asher, Kimberly L.
• Application Number:
  US07/211,966
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 128/206.21, 128/206.26, 128/206.24, 128/714, 128/736, 128/691, 128/687, 128/672, 128/670
• US Class Current: 128/206.21
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/08 Component parts for gas-masks or gas-helmets, e.g. windows, straps, speech transmitters, signal-devices eye-pieces for protective goggles A61F9/02; composition of materials for the windows or other transparent parts A62D7/00

Abstract

An arrangement for monitoring vital functions includes at least one sensor held against the body. The arrangement of the invention provides a simple and reliable positioning of the sensor even under difficult conditions of use especially with breathing protection equipment. The arrangement according to the invention requires no additional holding devices exclusively for the purpose of mounting the sensor which could possibly be disturbing to the wearer. The sensor is mounted on the inner side of the breathing protective mask.

Claims

1. Arrangement for monitoring vital functions, the arrangement comprising:

a breathing protective mask having an inner surface facing a wearer thereof;

a sensor for sensing a vital function of the wearer when held in contact engagement with the head of the wearer;

said mask having sealing rim means for defining an uninterrupted seal with the head of the wearer of said mask;

cavity means disposed completely within said sealing rim means so as to ensure the integrity of said seal; and

,

said cavity means being formed in said sealing rim means and said sensor being held in said cavity means only by said sealing rim means so as to cause said sensor to be in firm contact engagement with the head of the wearer when the mask is worn.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, said sensor being a temperature detector.

3. The arrangement of claim 1, said sensor being a heart rate detector.

4. Arrangement for monitoring vital functions, the arrangement comprising:

a breathing protective mask having an inner surface facing a wearer thereof;

a sensor for sensing a vital function of the wearer when held in firm contact engagement with the head of the wearer;

said mask having a peripheral region at which the mask is placed on the head of the wearer;

two mutually adjacent sealing beads extending around said peripheral region;

said sealing beads defining an uninterrupted seal with the head of the wearer;

said mutually adjacent sealing beads conjointly defining a cavity therebetween; and

,

said sensor being seated in said cavity so as to be held in place therein by said sealing beads so as to cause said sensor to be in firm contact engagement with the wearer of the mask.