Apparatus for sensing respiration movements
First Claim
1. An apparatus for indicating the respiration movements of a patient on a recorder, which comprises:
- (a) a recorder capable of recording an electrical signal;
(b) two piezoelectric transducers mounted on a support member, wherein said transducers are disposed parallel and opposite to each other; and
;
(c) a belt disposed between said parallel piezoelectric transducers, said belt having at least one portion thereof disposed in a loop-like shape which extends angularly outwardly from the unlooped portion of the belt at an angle of at least 5°
, wherein said belt has two ends which form a flexible band adapted to surround a patient'"'"'s clothing;
wherein the two piezoelectric transducers generate an electrical signal upon stretching of said flexible band due to respiration movements of said patient, wherein said signal is indicated on said recorder.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for accurately indicating respiration movements on a recorder. The apparatus comprises two piezoelectric transducers which are disposed parallel to each other and each mounted on a support member. Between the two transducers is an elastic belt forming an elastic band, a portion of the belt having a loop or wave shape. The entire apparatus is enclosed in a rigid housing, and the elastic band wraps around the patient. When horizontal stretching forces are applied to the band, i.e. during respiration, the loop shape of the belt causes both piezoelectric transducers to bend in the same direction and generate an electronic signal for recording. Any other external force will cause the two transducers to bend in opposite directions, thereby canceling each other, and generating no signal for recording. The apparatus may further be used for prolonged periods of time and is also very sensitive, thereby resulting in accurate respiration data.
45 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for indicating the respiration movements of a patient on a recorder, which comprises:
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(a) a recorder capable of recording an electrical signal; (b) two piezoelectric transducers mounted on a support member, wherein said transducers are disposed parallel and opposite to each other; and
;(c) a belt disposed between said parallel piezoelectric transducers, said belt having at least one portion thereof disposed in a loop-like shape which extends angularly outwardly from the unlooped portion of the belt at an angle of at least 5°
, wherein said belt has two ends which form a flexible band adapted to surround a patient'"'"'s clothing;wherein the two piezoelectric transducers generate an electrical signal upon stretching of said flexible band due to respiration movements of said patient, wherein said signal is indicated on said recorder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for indicating the respiration movements of a patient on a recorder, which comprises:
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(a) a recorder capable of recording an electrical signal; (b) two piezoelectric transducers mounted on a support member, wherein said transducers are disposed parallel to each other; and
;(c) a belt disposed substantially parallel to one of said piezoelectric transducers, but not disposed between said piezoelectric transducers, said belt having at least one portion thereof disposed in a loop-like shape which extends angularly outwardly from the unlooped portion of the belt at an angle of at least 5°
, wherein said belt has two ends which form a flexible band adapted to surround a patient'"'"'s clothing. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification