Tonometer transducer positioning system
First Claim
1. A sensing assembly for sensing physiological parameters of a subject comprising:
- a housing;
means for mounting the housing on a subject;
a reference surface;
means for compliantly mounting the reference surface in the housing;
a sensor;
means for mounting the sensor relative to the reference surface for movement between a retracted position closer to the reference surface and an advanced position farther from the reference surface;
means for varying the hold-down pressure of the reference surface and sensor on the subject;
a fluid motor for advancing or retracting the sensor relative to the reference surface;
a fluid pump for driving the fluid motor;
conduit means for providing a path of fluid flow from the fluid motor to the pump;
a drive means for driving the fluid pump;
a pod comprising a first section;
a second section; and
means for detachably interconnecting the first section to the second section;
means for mounting the fluid pump in the first section of the pod; and
means for mounting the drive means in the second section of the pod.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tonometric blood pressure monitoring system is disclosed having a variable extension sensor assembly. The sensor assembly is connected to a central control unit through separable pod elements. Within the pod elements are a master cylinder and drive system for varying the extension of blood pressure sensor from the sensor assembly. The blood pressure sensor is mounted at the end of an sensor piston, the movement of which is guided on a central rod. The sensor assembly also includes a rolling bellows arrangement for providing a variable hold-down pressure between a cavity block and the sensor assembly housing. The blood pressure sensor is moved laterally, in one embodiment, to provide optimum lateral placement of the sensor with respect to a target source of blood pressure information such as the radial artery of the subject.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A sensing assembly for sensing physiological parameters of a subject comprising:
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a housing; means for mounting the housing on a subject; a reference surface;
means for compliantly mounting the reference surface in the housing;a sensor; means for mounting the sensor relative to the reference surface for movement between a retracted position closer to the reference surface and an advanced position farther from the reference surface; means for varying the hold-down pressure of the reference surface and sensor on the subject; a fluid motor for advancing or retracting the sensor relative to the reference surface; a fluid pump for driving the fluid motor; conduit means for providing a path of fluid flow from the fluid motor to the pump; a drive means for driving the fluid pump; a pod comprising a first section;
a second section; and
means for detachably interconnecting the first section to the second section;means for mounting the fluid pump in the first section of the pod; and means for mounting the drive means in the second section of the pod. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A sensor assembly for sensing physiological parameters of a subject comprising:
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a housing; means for mounting the housing on a subject; a sensor means for detecting a physiological parameter of the subject; a reference surface, means for mounting the reference surface in the housing; sensor mounting means for mounting the sensor means for movement relative to the reference surface; means for moving the sensor mounting means relative to the reference surface, said moving means comprising a fluid pump and a stepping motor for driving the fluid pump; and means for controlling the stepping motor to cause the sensor mounting means to move relative to the reference surface. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A sensing assembly for sensing a physiological parameter of a subject comprising:
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a housing; a sensor for detecting a physiological parameter of a subject; means for movably mounting the sensor in the housing, said movable mounting means comprising means defining a fluid cavity; an upstanding rod mounted in the cavity; a movable sensor mounting member slidably received on the rod; and biasing means for biasing the sensor mounting member in a retracted position relative to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. Apparatus for mounting a physiological sensor to a supporting structure comprising:
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a sensor; a sensor support member; means mounting the sensor on the sensor support member; a flexible printed circuit for providing electrical connections to the sensor; means for providing electrical and mechanical attachment of the flexible printed circuit to the sensor; a guard member attached to said sensor support member, for protecting the sensor mounting means and a portion of said flexible printed circuit; a clamping means for clamping said flexible printed circuit between said guard member and said sensor support member; and a fold or undulation in said flexible printed circuit, said fold being located between said attachment means and said clamping means. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification