Apnea monitor belt

• US 4,895,162 A
• Filed: 09/15/1988
• Issued: 01/23/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marla Dolliver
• Original Assignee: Marla Dolliver
• Inventors: Dolliver, Marla
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): GETZOW, SCOTT M
• Application Number:
  US07/244,927
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 128/716, 128/721, 128/723, 128/782, 128/644, 128/384, 128/385, 128/904, 128/204.23, 128/203.14, 128/719, 128/387, 128/388, 128/389, 128/783, 128/802, 128/798 , 128/791, 128/793, 2/338, 2/250
• US Class Current: 600/534
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/06 Children, e.g. for attention deficit diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses

Abstract

An improved belt having two opposing sides, an electrode side and a lead side. The belt being capable of supporting reusable electrodes on its electrode side. The belt is further provided with a lead pocket at each end, and at least one vent intermittent the two lead pockets. A pair of monitor lead wires having been connected to the electrodes pass through the vent to the lead side of the belt and are inserted into the lead pockets through a lead hole. The belt is also provided with a means for clasping at its two ends, so the belt can be securely fitted on an infant.

Claims

1. An improved apnea monitor belt comprising, in combination:

a belt, said belt having a first end and a second end and defining at least one vent intermittent the first end and the second end;

a first lead pocket at said first end of said belt, said first lead pocket having an upper and a lower end and defining a lead slot at one of said upper and lower ends and further defining a lead hole intermittent said upper and lower ends, said lead hole allowing access to the interior of said first lead pocket;

a second lead pocket, at said second end of said belt, said second lead pocket having upper and a lower ends and defining a lead slot at one of said upper and lower ends and further defining a lead hole intermittent said upper and lower ends, said lead hole allowing access to the interior of said second lead pocket; and

means for clasping the first end of said belt to the second end of said belt, whereby the belt can be securely fastened around the torso of an infant.

2. The apnea monitor belt of claim 1 wherein said belt is made of double looped face polyurethane foam.

3. The apnea monitor belt of claim 1 further comprising a cover made of infant flame retardant cloth.

4. The apnea belt of claim 1 wherein the clasping means is adjustable.

5. The apnea belt of claim 1 wherein at least one vent comprises a series of round vents cut into said belt about one inch apart, center to center.

6. An improved apnea monitor belt comprising, in combination:

a belt, said belt having a first end, a second end, an electrode side and a lead side and defining at least one vent intermittent the first end and the second end passing through the belt allowing access from said electrode side to said lead side;

a first lead pocket at said first end of said belt, said first lead pocket having an upper and a lower end and defining a lead slot at one of said upper and lower ends and further defining a lead hole intermittent said upper and lower ends, said lead hole allowing access to the interior of said first lead pocket;

a second lead pocket, at said second end of said belt, said second lead pocket having a upper and a lower end and defining a lead slot at one of said upper and lower ends and further defining a lead hole intermittent said upper and lower ends, said lead hole allowing access to the interior of said second lead pocket;

a set of electrodes adapted to be secured to the electrode side of said belt near said vent;

a set of monitor lead wires adapted to connect to said electrodes, each said lead wire passing through said vent to said lead side of said belt, traversing said lead side of said belt, and passing through one of said lead pockets by way of its said lead hole and said lead slot; and

means for clasping the first end of said belt to the second end of said belt, whereby the belt can be securely fastened around the torso of an infant.

7. The apnea monitor belt of claim 6 wherein said belt is made of double looped face polyurethane foam.

8. The apnea monitor belt of claim 6 further comprising a cover made of infant flame retardant cloth.

9. The apnea belt of claim 6 wherein the clasping means is adjustable.

10. The apnea belt of claim 6 wherein at least one vent comprises a series of round vents cut into said belt about one inch apart, center to center.