Method and apparatus for monitoring respiration using signals from a piezoelectric sensor mounted on a substrate
First Claim
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1. A respiration sensor comprising:
- a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a sensing region having a base portion, a film ear, and a contact ear; and
a piezoelectric film mounted on the substrate so that force applied to the sensing region in response to respiration generates a charge on the piezoelectric film.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for monitoring and/or quantitatively measuring a patient'"'"'s respiration using a flexible piezoelectric film sensor. The apparatus includes a piezoelectric film which converts acoustical waves generated by the patient'"'"'s respiration into electrical signals. The piezoelectric film sensor can be used to monitor the respiration of a patient by correlating the sound generated in the patient'"'"'s airway with respiratory activity. Further, the data generated by the sensor may be further analyzed by a patient monitor to diagnose respiratory conditions.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A respiration sensor comprising:
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a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a sensing region having a base portion, a film ear, and a contact ear; and
a piezoelectric film mounted on the substrate so that force applied to the sensing region in response to respiration generates a charge on the piezoelectric film. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A respiration sensor comprising:
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a substrate having a first sensing region and a second sensing region, wherein at least one of the first and second sensing regions has a trapezoidal shape;
a first piezoelectric film mounted on the substrate adjacent the first sensing region so that force applied to the first sensing region in response to respiration generates a charge on the first piezoelectric film; and
a second piezoelectric film mounted on the substrate adjacent the second sensing region so that force applied to the second sensing region in response to respiration generates a charge on the second piezoelectric film.
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12. A patient monitoring apparatus comprising:
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a flexible substrate including a backing layer and a circuit layer having exposed metal contacts, said flexible substrate including;
a first sensing region having;
a rigid base ring mounted on the substrate;
a convex foam material layer mounted on the substrate within the base ring;
a contact ear connected to the flexible substrate via substrate hinges and being folded over at the hinges so as to rest on the rigid base ring; and
a film ear connected to the flexible substrate via substrate hinges and being folded over at the hinges so as to rest on the contact ear, the film ear including a first piezoelectric film layer mounted on the film ear;
a second sensing region including;
a rigid base ring mounted on the substrate;
a convex foam material layer mounted on the substrate within the base ring;
a contact ear connected to the flexible substrate via substrate hinges and being folded over at the hinges so as to rest on the rigid base ring; and
a film ear connected to the flexible substrate via substrate hinges and being folded over at the hinges so as to rest on the contact ear, the film ear including a first piezoelectric film layer mounted on the film ear;
a patient monitor interface connecting the first and second sensing regions and having electrically conductive contacts for providing an electrical connection between the piezoelectric films and a patient monitor. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A patient monitor comprising:
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a piezoelectric signal acquisition unit; and
a respiration sensor connected to the signal acquisition unit, wherein the respiration sensor includes a sensing region having;
a base portion;
a film ear; and
a contact ear. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
an amplifier for amplifying the signal produced by the sensor;
a signal processor for measuring variations of the signal and converting the variations into a value corresponding to a physiological characteristic; and
a display for displaying said value.
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23. The patient monitor of claim 14 including an adaptive noise canceling filter for removing non-respiratory acoustic vibrations.
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24. The patient monitor of claim 23 wherein the respiration sensor generates a noise reference signal for use by the adaptive noise canceling filter.
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25. The patient monitor of claim 14 wherein the respiration sensor includes a wireless transmitter to transmit the signal to the signal acquisition unit.
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26. The patient monitor of claim 14 wherein the respiration sensor is operatively coupled to the signal acquisition unit via a cable.
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27. A patient monitor comprising:
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a piezoelectric signal acquisition unit; and
a respiration sensor connected to the signal acquisition unit, wherein the respiration sensor includes a piezoelectric film and a foam material with a convex radius for transforming acoustical vibrations perpendicular to the piezoelectric film into longitudinal acoustical vibrations.
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28. A method of monitoring the respiration of a patient, said method comprising the acts of:
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placing a piezoelectric sensor on the patient, wherein the piezoelectric sensor includes a piezoelectric film and a foam material with a convex radius for transforming acoustical vibrations perpendicular to the piezoelectric film into longitudinal acoustical vibrations;
monitoring acoustical vibrations generated by respiration of the patient; and
providing a value correlating to respiratory activity of the patient based on the acoustical vibrations. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. A method of diagnosing respiratory conditions in a patient, said method comprising the acts of:
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placing a piezoelectric sensor on the patient, wherein the piezoelectric sensor includes a piezoelectric film and a foam material with a convex radius for transforming acoustical vibrations perpendicular to the piezoelectric film into longitudinal acoustical vibrations;
monitoring acoustical vibrations generated by respiration of the patient using the piezoelectric sensor;
generating a value correlating to respiratory activity of said patient based on the acoustical vibrations; and
comparing the value correlating to the respiratory activity of the patient with known values corresponding to known respiratory conditions. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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Specification