Nasal volume meter
First Claim
1. An apparatus for measuring nasal air flow comprising:
- a head for interfacing with at least one of the nasal cavities of a patient in a sealed relationship such that essentially all of the air passing through the nasal passage flows through the head, said head having a measuring chamber through which air is inhaled and exhaled from the nasal cavity;
a resistance wire disposed within the measuring chamber about which the air flows past;
a current generator electrically connected to the resistance wire for providing a constant current through the resistance wire which heats the resistance wire;
means for analyzing change in voltage across the resistance wire over time such that air flow through said measuring chamber is determined, said analyzing means in electrical communication with said resistance wire; and
means for displaying said determined air flow, said displaying means in communication with said analyzing means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention pertains to an apparatus for measuring nasal air flow. The apparatus includes a head for interacting with at least one of the nasal cavities of a patient. The head has a measuring chamber through which air is inhaled into and exhaled from the nasal cavity. A resistance wire is positioned within the measuring chamber with the path of air flow. There is also a current generator electrically connected to the resistance wire for providing a constant current through the resistance wire such that the resistance wire is heated. The apparatus further includes means for analyzing change in voltage across the resistance wire over time such that air flow through the measuring chamber is determined. The analyzing means is electrically connected to the resistance wire. There are also means for displaying the determined air flow. The present invention is also a method for measuring nasal air flow. The method comprises the first step of orienting a heated resistance wire in the air flow of a nasal cavity. Then, there is the step of analyzing the change in voltage over time across the resistance wire such that the amount of air flow past the resistance wire is determined. Preferably, after the analyzing step, there is the step of displaying the determined air flow. The displaying step can include the step of printing the determined air flow.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An apparatus for measuring nasal air flow comprising:
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a head for interfacing with at least one of the nasal cavities of a patient in a sealed relationship such that essentially all of the air passing through the nasal passage flows through the head, said head having a measuring chamber through which air is inhaled and exhaled from the nasal cavity; a resistance wire disposed within the measuring chamber about which the air flows past; a current generator electrically connected to the resistance wire for providing a constant current through the resistance wire which heats the resistance wire; means for analyzing change in voltage across the resistance wire over time such that air flow through said measuring chamber is determined, said analyzing means in electrical communication with said resistance wire; and means for displaying said determined air flow, said displaying means in communication with said analyzing means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of measuring nasal air flow comprising the steps of:
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disposing ahead having a measuring chamber in a sealed relationship against a nasal cavity of a patient such that essentially all of the air passing through the nasal passage flows through the measuring chamber; and analyzing a change in voltage over time across a resistance wire in the measuring chamber such that the amount of air flow through the nasal cavity is determined. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification