Apparatus for making a stretchable band-type transducer particularly suited for use with respiration monitoring apparatus

• US 5,543,012 A
• Filed: 03/24/1995
• Issued: 08/06/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Pak, Chu, Watson, Herman L.
• Primary Examiner(s): AFTERGUT, JEFFRY H
• Application Number:
  US08/410,570
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 156/177, 156/179, 156/439, 156/440, 219/549, 128/644, 128/716, 128/721, 128/774, 128/782, 128/798, 128/641, 428/317.5, 428/209, 340/578
• US Class Current: 156/440
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion

Abstract

An improved, low-cost stretchable band incorporating a conductor for disposition around the human torso or other three-dimensional object, and particularly intended for use with respiration monitoring apparatus, is disclosed. Also presented is an improved enclosure housing circuitry releasable connected to the conductor in the band when the band is incorporated in respiration monitoring apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for making a disposable band incorporating an electrical conductor disposable about a three-dimensional object for expansion and contraction therewith, comprising:

an endless belt;

a plurality of guide pins disposed on the endless belt so as to project from a surface thereof;

a first feed means for feeding a first strip of elastic material onto the surface of the endless belt from which the plurality of guide pins project;

a first pressing means for pressing the first strip of elastic material onto the surface of the endless belt from which the plurality of guide pins project so that the guide pins protrude through the first strip of elastic material;

a conductor applicator means for disposing the electrical conductor onto the first strip of elastic material after the first strip has been pressed onto the surface of the endless belt in accordance with a pattern defined by the guide pins;

a second feed means for feeding a second strip of elastic material onto the endless belt so as to sandwich the electrical conductor between the first and second strips of elastic material; and

a second pressing means for pressing the second strip of elastic material onto the first strip of elastic material with the conductor between the two strips of elastic material so that the guide pins protrude through the second strip of elastic material.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second pressing means each comprises a compression roll disposed adjacent the endless belt having a structure such that the guide pins on the endless belt are capable of penetrating the compression rolls to a depth of substantially a length of the guide pins.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductor applicator means comprises a shuttle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a belt support means disposed adjacent to and along a portion of the length of the endless belt.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive applicator for applying adhesive to a surface of the first strip of elastic material to which the conductor is applied.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the adhesive applicator comprises a container having a nozzle directed toward the endless belt.