Miniature disposable blood flow monitor
First Claim
1. Monitor means for monitoring flow through a vessel by measuring deflection of said vessel during flow, comprising:
- a substrate having one major surface adhered to a surface in close proximity to said vessel being monitored;
said substrate comprising a thin, conductive, metallic plate capable of being deflected responsive to a deflection of said vessel wall;
control circuitry including;
transducer means mounted upon said substrate for generating an electrical signal responsive to deflection of said substrate;
peak detector means responsive to energization of said monitor means for periodically and repetitively determining a peak value of each deflection responsive to an output of said transducer means;
reference generating means responsive to operation of a calibrate switch for storing a peak value of a deflection for use as a reference value;
means for comparing said stored value with each value periodically determined by said peak detector means; and
means for providing a visually readable indication of said comparison.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A small, lightweight, disposable blood flow monitor adhered directly to the skin of a patient above the vessel being monitored, such as an artery. A transducer generates an electric signal representative of a deflection of a vessel wall due to pulsatile pressure, which deflection is enhanced by a thin conductive substrate providing a mechanical advantage for the detected deflection. Control circuitry periodically stores a peak value of a deflection caused by a systolic pulse. A reference value is obtained by pressing a calibrate switch to store a value representing a systolic pulse encountered during a calibration interval. Peak values of systolic pulses are stored at predetermined intervals and compared with the reference value. A simplified display, preferably comprised of LEDs of different colors respectively represent a normal, slightly abnormal and significantly more abnormal conditions. The monitor, once turned on, remains on throughout its useful operating life. The reference value may be selected or reselected at any given time. The monitor may be comprised of custom circuitry or may utilize a microprocessor having a stored operating program.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. Monitor means for monitoring flow through a vessel by measuring deflection of said vessel during flow, comprising:
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a substrate having one major surface adhered to a surface in close proximity to said vessel being monitored; said substrate comprising a thin, conductive, metallic plate capable of being deflected responsive to a deflection of said vessel wall; control circuitry including; transducer means mounted upon said substrate for generating an electrical signal responsive to deflection of said substrate; peak detector means responsive to energization of said monitor means for periodically and repetitively determining a peak value of each deflection responsive to an output of said transducer means; reference generating means responsive to operation of a calibrate switch for storing a peak value of a deflection for use as a reference value; means for comparing said stored value with each value periodically determined by said peak detector means; and
means for providing a visually readable indication of said comparison. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. Monitor means for monitoring flow through a vessel by measuring deflection of said vessel during flow, comprising:
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a substrate having one major surface adhered to a surface in close proximity to said vessel being monitored; said substrate comprising a thin plate capable of being deflected responsive to a deflection of said vessel wall; control circuitry including; transducer means mounted upon said substrate for generating an electrical signal responsive to deflection of said substrate; peak detector means responsive to energization of said monitor means for periodically and repetitively determining a peak value of each deflection responsive to an output of said transducer means; reference generating means responsive to operation of a calibrate switch for storing a peak value of a deflection for use as a reference value; means for comparing said stored value with each value periodically determined by said peak detector means; and means for providing a usually readable indication of said comparison. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification