Health care instrument containing oxidation-reduction potential measuring function

• US 6,269,261 B1
• Filed: 10/24/1997
• Issued: 07/31/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Yugen Kaisha Endo Process
• Original Assignee: Yugen Kaisha Endo Process
• Inventors: Ootomo, Yoshitaka
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor, Cary
• Assistant Examiner(s): CARTER, RYAN CHRISTOPHER
• Application Number:
  US08/957,553
• Time in Patent Office: 1,376 Days
• Field of Search: 600/345-351, 600/353, 600/355, 600/364-365, 600/547, 600/551, 600/584, 600/357, 600/573
• US Class Current: 600/345
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0418 Pen-shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1468 using chemical or electrochemical methods, e.g. by polarographic means A61B5/1486 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/20 for measuring urological functions restricted to the evaluation of the urinary system A61B5/4375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4261 Evaluating exocrine secretion production A61B3/101 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention aims to provide a health care instrument adapted to measure oxidation-reduction potential in human being, animal, fish and shellfish, plant, vegetable as well as water, air or earth surrounding those organisms and thereby to determine a level of active oxygen in such subject so that the measured data may be used for health care. The object set forth above is achieved by a health care instrument containing an oxidation-reduction potential measuring function comprising a main body, a power source consisting of a battery with or without a battery charger and an oxidation-reduction potential measuring unit both contained in the main body, a measuring probe attached to one end of the main body, a sensor included in the measure probe so as to be connected to the oxidation-reduction potential measuring unit, and a display unit provided on a part of the main body to display the measured oxidation-reduction potential value. The health care instrument according to the invention allows the oxidation-reduction potential in the subject to be easily determined in order to know a condition of the subject'"'"'s health or growth. The health care instrument allows an internal abnormal condition to be detected and thereby allows the subject to be prevented from being affected by disease. Thus, the health care instrument according to the invention effectively contributes to health care.

Claims

1. A health-care instrument comprising:

(a) a sensor for measuring an oxidation-reduction potential value, wherein the sensor produces a detection signal output;

(b) a circuit for determining the oxidation-reduction potential value from the detection signal output, wherein the circuit produces an actuation signal;

(c) a delay circuit that delays the actuation signal for a period of time to determine whether the actuation signal is noise, wherein, if the actuation signal is not noise, the actuation signal is transmitted to a display unit; and

wherein the actuation signal causes the display unit to display the oxidation-reduction potential value.

2. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor measures the oxidation-reduction potential value of a fluid obtained from a subject, wherein the instrument further comprises a main body connected to the sensor and a health-standard list on the main body, and wherein the health-standard list shows how the oxidation-reduction potential value correlates with health of the subject.

3. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 2, wherein the health-standard list indicates that the subject is healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is less than −

50 mV.

4. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 2, wherein the health-standard list indicates that the subject is not healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is greater than or equal to 72 mV.

5. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor measures the oxidation-reduction potential value of a fluid obtained from a subject, and wherein the display unit also displays how the oxidation-reduction potential value correlates with health of the subject.

6. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 5, wherein the display unit indicates that the subject is healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is less than −

50 mV.

7. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 5, wherein the display unit indicates that the subject is not healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is greater than or equal to 72 mV.

13. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the instrument includes a probe and a main body, wherein the probe comprises the sensor, and wherein the probe is detachably and/or exchangeably mounted on the main body.

14. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a memory mechanism for storing, reproducing, and/or deleting the oxidation-reduction potential value measured by the sensor.

15. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 14, wherein a data memory key controls whether the oxidation-reduction potential value is stored in the memory mechanism.

16. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 14, wherein a data call key controls whether datum stored in the memory mechanism is read out from the memory mechanism.

17. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 14, wherein a data deletion key controls whether datum stored in the memory mechanism is deleted from the memory mechanism.

18. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the instrument includes a main body connected to the sensor, wherein the main body is flat or is partially provided with a projection and/or a clip.

19. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor measures the oxidation-reduction potential value of a fluid, wherein the fluid comprises saliva, sweat, urine, or blood;

and wherein the oxidation-reduction potential value of the fluid is measured when the sensor is brought into contact with the fluid.

20. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display unit includes one or more of a digital display, a color display, and an audio display, wherein the digital display, color display, and/or audio display depend on the oxidation-reduction potential value measured by the sensor.

21. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor measures the oxidation-reduction potential value of a fluid obtained from a subject;

and wherein the subject is a human being, an animal, a fish, a shellfish, a plant, a vegetable, or a fruit.

22. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the instrument further comprises an acoustic mechanism, wherein, if the actuation signal is not noise, the actuation signal causes the acoustic mechanism to generate a sound indicating that the oxidation-reduction potential value has been measured.

23. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 22, wherein the sensor measures the oxidation-reduction potential value of a fluid obtained from a subject, and wherein the display unit also displays how the oxidation-reduction potential value correlates with health of the subject.

24. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 22, further comprising a memory mechanism for storing, reproducing, and/or deleting the oxidation-reduction potential value measured by the sensor.

8. A health-care instrument comprising:

(a) a means for measuring an oxidation-reduction potential value, wherein the measuring means produces a detection signal output;

(b) a means for determining the oxidation-reduction potential value from the detection signal output, wherein the determining means produces an actuation signal;

(c) a means for delaying the actuation signal for a period of time to determine whether the actuation signal is noise, wherein, if the actuation signal is not noise, the actuation signal is transmitted to a display means; and

wherein the actuation signal causes the display means to display the oxidation-reduction potential value.

9. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sensor measures the oxidation-reduction potential value of a fluid obtained from a subject, and wherein the display means also displays how the oxidation-reduction potential value correlates with health of the subject.

10. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a memory mechanism for storing, reproducing, and/or deleting the oxidation-reduction potential value measured by the sensor.

11. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 9, wherein the display means indicates that the subject is healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is less than −

50 mV.

12. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 9, wherein the display means indicates that the subject is not healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is greater than or equal to 72 mV.

25. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sensor measures the oxidation-reduction potential value of a fluid obtained from a subject, wherein the instrument further comprises a main body connected to the sensor and a health-standard list on the main body, wherein the health-standard list shows how the oxidation-reduction potential value correlates with health of the subject.

26. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 25, wherein the health-standard list indicates that the subject is healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is less than −

50 mV.

27. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 25, wherein the health-standard list indicates that the subject is not healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is greater than or equal to 72 mV.

28. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 8, wherein the means for determining the oxidation-reduction potential value comprises an oxidation-reduction potential detector and an oxidation-reduction potential decision circuit.

33. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 25, wherein the means for determining the oxidation-reduction potential value comprises an oxidation-reduction potential detector and an oxidation-reduction potential decision circuit.

34. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 8, wherein the instrument further comprises an acoustic means, wherein, if the actuation signal is not noise, the actuation signal causes the acoustic means to generate a sound indicating that the oxidation-reduction potential value has been measured.

35. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 34, wherein the means for determining the oxidation-reduction potential value comprises an oxidation-reduction potential detector and an oxidation-reduction potential decision circuit.

36. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 34, wherein the sensor measures the oxidation-reduction potential value of a fluid obtained from a subject, and wherein the display means also displays how the oxidation-reduction potential value correlates with health of the subject.

29. A health-care instrument comprising:

(a) a sensor for measuring an oxidation-reduction potential value of a fluid from a subject; and

(b) a display unit to display the oxidation-reduction potential value measured by the sensor, wherein the display unit also displays how the oxidation-reduction potential value correlates with health of the subject.

30. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 29, wherein the display unit indicates that the subject is healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is less than −

50 mV.

31. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 29, wherein the display unit indicates that the subject is not healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is greater than or equal to 72 mV.

32. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 29, wherein the display unit indicates that the subject has cancer if the oxidation-reduction potential value is in a range of 200 to 280 mV.

37. A health-care instrument comprising:

(a) a main body;

(b) a sensor for measuring an oxidation-reduction potential value of a fluid from a subject, wherein the sensor is connected to the main body;

(c) a display unit to display the oxidation-reduction potential value measured by the sensor; and

(d) a health-standard list on the main body, wherein the health-standard list shows how the oxidation-reduction potential value correlates with health of the subject.

38. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 37, wherein the health-standard list indicates that the subject is healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is less than −

50 mV.

39. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 37, wherein the health-standard list indicates that the subject is not healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is greater than or equal to 72 mV.

40. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 37, wherein the health-standard list indicates that the subject has cancer if the oxidation-reduction potential value is in a range of 200 to 280 mV.

41. A health-care instrument comprising:

(a) a measuring means for measuring an oxidation-reduction potential value of fluid, wherein the measuring means comprises a probe; and

(b) a means for displaying the oxidation-reduction potential value measured by the measuring means;

wherein the probe comprises a sensor that produces a detection signal output, and wherein the instrument further comprises;

a circuit for determining the oxidation-reduction potential value from the detection signal output, wherein the circuit produces an actuation signal; and

a delay circuit that delays the actuation signal for a period of time to determine whether the actuation signal is noise, wherein, if the actuation signal is not noise, the actuation signal is transmitted to a display unit; and

wherein the actuation signal causes the display unit to display the oxidation-reduction potential value.

42. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 41, wherein the instrument further comprises an acoustic mechanism, wherein, if the actuation signal is not noise, the actuation signal causes the acoustic mechanism to generate a sound indicating that the oxidation-reduction potential value has been measured.

43. A health-care instrument comprising:

(a) a measuring means for measuring an oxidation-reduction potential value of a fluid, wherein the measuring means comprises a probe; and

(b) a means for displaying the oxidation-reduction potential value measured by the measuring means;

wherein the probe comprises a sensor that produces a detection signal output, and wherein the instrument further comprises;

a means for determining the oxidation-reduction potential value form the detection signal output, wherein the determining means produces an actuation signal;

a means for delaying the actuation signal for a period of time to determine whether the actuation signal is noise, wherein, if the actuation signal is not noise, the actuation signal is transmitted to a display means; and

wherein the actuation signal causes the display means to display the oxidation-reduction potential value.

44. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 43, wherein the instrument further comprises an acoustic means, wherein, if the actuation signal is not noise, the actuation signal causes the acoustic means to generate a sound indicating that the oxidation-reduction potential value has been measured.

45. A health-care instrument comprising:

(a) a measuring means for measuring an oxidation-reduction potential value of a fluid, wherein the measuring means comprises a probe; and

(b) a means for displaying the oxidation-reduction potential value measured by the measuring means;

wherein the fluid is obtained from a subject, wherein the instrument further comprises a main body connected to the probe and a health-standard list on the main body, and wherein the health-standard list shows how the oxidation-reduction potential value correlates with health of the subject.

46. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 45, wherein the health-standard list indicates that the subject is healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is less than −

50 mV.

47. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 45, wherein the health-standard list indicates that the subject is not healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is greater than or equal to 72 mV.

48. A health-care instrument comprising:

(a) a measuring means for measuring an oxidation-reduction potential value of a fluid, wherein the measuring means comprises a probe; and

(b) a means for displaying the oxidation-reduction potential value measured by the measuring means;

wherein the fluid is obtained from a subject, and wherein the display unit also displays how the oxidation-reduction potential value correlates with health of the subject.

49. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 48, wherein the display unit indicates that the subject is healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is less than −

50 mV.

50. A health-care instrument as claimed in claim 48, wherein the display unit indicates that the subject is not healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is greater than or equal to 72 mV.

51. A method for determining health of a subject, the method comprising:

(1) measuring an oxidation-reduction potential value of a fluid from the subject;

(2) comparing the measured oxidation-reduction potential value with a health standard, wherein the health standard indicates how the oxidation-reduction potential value correlates with health of the subject.

52. A method as claimed in claim 51, wherein the health standard indicates that the subject is healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is less than −

50 mV.

53. A method as claimed in claim 52, wherein the subject is a human being having a mouth and step (1) comprises placing a sensor in the mouth of the human being, wherein the sensor measures the oxidation-reduction potential value in the human being.

54. A method as claimed in claim 51, wherein the health standard indicates that the subject is not healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is greater than or equal to 72 mV.

56. A method as claimed in claim 51, wherein the health standard indicates that the subject has cancer if the oxidation-reduction potential value is in a range of 200 to 280 mV.

57. A method as claimed in claim 56, wherein the subject is a human being having a mouth and step (1) comprises placing a sensor in the mouth of the human being, wherein the sensor measures the oxidation-reduction potential value in the human being.

58. A method as claimed in claim 51, wherein the subject is a human being having a mouth and step (1) comprises placing a sensor in the mouth of the human being, wherein the sensor measures the oxidation-reduction potential value in the human being.

59. A method as claimed in claim 51, wherein the subject is a human being;

and wherein the fluid comprises saliva, sweat, urine, or blood.

55. A method as claimed in claim 55, wherein the subject is a human being having a mouth and step (1) comprises placing a sensor in the mouth of the human being, wherein the sensor measures the oxidation-reduction potential value in the human being.

60. A method for determining if a subject is not healthy, the method comprising:

measuring an oxidation-reduction potential value in a subject, wherein the subject is considered not healthy if the oxidation-reduction potential value is greater than or equal to 72 mV.

61. A method as claimed in claim 60, wherein the method indicates that the subject has cancer if the oxidation-reduction potential value is in a range of 200 to 280 mV.

62. A method as claimed in claim 60, wherein the subject is a human being having a mouth, and wherein measuring the oxidation-reduction potential value comprises placing a sensor in the mouth of the human being, wherein the sensor measures the oxidation-reduction potential value in the human being.

63. A method as claimed in claim 61, wherein the subject is a human being having a mouth, and wherein measuring the oxidation-reduction potential value comprises placing a sensor in the mouth of the human being, wherein the sensor measures the oxidation-reduction potential value in the human being.

64. A method as claimed in claim 60, wherein the method indicates that the subject has lung cancer, gastric cancer, or liver cancer if the oxidation-reduction potential value is in a range of 200 to 280 mV.

65. A method as claimed in claim 64, wherein the subject is a human being having a mouth, and wherein measuring the oxidation-reduction potential value comprises placing a sensor in the mouth of the human being, wherein the sensor measures the oxidation-reduction potential value in the human being.

66. A method as claimed in claim 60, wherein the method indicates that the subject has hepatitis, hypertension, diabetes, or asthma if the oxidation-reduction potential value is in a range of 72 to 120 mV.

67. A method as claimed in claim 66, wherein the subject is a human being having a mouth, and wherein measuring the oxidation-reduction potential value comprises placing a sensor in the mouth of the human being, wherein the sensor measures the oxidation-reduction potential value in the human being.

68. A method as claimed in claim 60, wherein the method indicates that the subject has hepatopathy, cystitis, cecitis, Behcet'"'"'s syndrome, or collagenosis if the oxidation-reduction potential value is in a range of 72 to 120 mV.

69. A method as claimed in claim 68, wherein the subject is a human being having a mouth, and wherein measuring the oxidation-reduction potential value comprises placing a sensor in the mouth of the human being, wherein the sensor measures the oxidation-reduction potential value in the human being.