Portable belt monitor of physiological functions and sensors therefor
First Claim
1. A stretchable belt sized to fit around a body torso for sensing physiological functions, comprising:
- a plurality of mechanically and electrically connected generally flat modules that are distributed so as to cover different portions of a body;
selected modules being provided with means to detect EKG signals;
a said module containing respiration sensor means for generating a breathing signal in response to belt tension changes attributable to breathing;
a said module containing means responsive to breathing signals and EKG signals for generating heart pulse rate signals, respiration rate signals and for detecting alarm conditions associated therewith;
a said module containing transmitter means to transmit detected alarm conditions; and
a said module containing a battery to electrically power said respective means; and
web means for flexibly connecting the modules to each other to form a part of the belt with sufficient articulation so that the modules can conform to a body'"'"'s contour.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable belt-type monitor of body functions such as the heart and breathing is described formed of a plurality of articulated, distributed modules containing EKG sensors, a respiration sensor, circuitry including a microprocessor for sensing alarm conditions, a transmitter for sending alarm conditions to a remote receiver and a battery to drive the various circuits. A respiration sensor is described wherein tension changes in the belt due to breathing are transformed into opposing forces directed transversely to the belt and which cooperate to produce a reliable, sensitive detection of respiratory activities. The belt can be conveniently worn with reliable EKG sensing during normal body activities. A processor program is described whereby these body functions are monitored with alarms being generated when these functions exceed preset limits while preserving sufficient functional performance data when an alarm occurs.
263 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A stretchable belt sized to fit around a body torso for sensing physiological functions, comprising:
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a plurality of mechanically and electrically connected generally flat modules that are distributed so as to cover different portions of a body;
selected modules being provided with means to detect EKG signals;
a said module containing respiration sensor means for generating a breathing signal in response to belt tension changes attributable to breathing;
a said module containing means responsive to breathing signals and EKG signals for generating heart pulse rate signals, respiration rate signals and for detecting alarm conditions associated therewith;
a said module containing transmitter means to transmit detected alarm conditions; and
a said module containing a battery to electrically power said respective means; andweb means for flexibly connecting the modules to each other to form a part of the belt with sufficient articulation so that the modules can conform to a body'"'"'s contour. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification