Pharyngometer with detachable wavetube

• US 6,709,404 B1
• Filed: 07/27/2000
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dhss, LLC
• Original Assignee: E. Benson Hood Laboratories
• Inventors: Creedon, Dennis, Marten, Lewis H., Glass, Gary, Drinker, Philip, Sacchetti, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US09/626,607
• Time in Patent Office: 1,335 Days
• Field of Search: 600/529-538
• US Class Current: 600/538
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/003 Detecting lung or respiration noise

Abstract

A pharyngometer or similar wavetube-based apparatus which includes a wavetube which is detachable from the electronic platform. As the wavetube includes no electronic components, the wavetube can be sterilized thermally or chemically between patients without damaging the electronics of the electronic platform. The wavetube is attached to the electronic platform by a tab in the electronic platform which fits into a lateral groove within the wavetube. Similarly, a threaded member in the electronic platform engages a threaded aperture in the wavetube.

Claims

1. A wavetube-based apparatus including:

a wavetube portion which includes a passageway through which a user can expel air, said wavetube portion being free of electronic elements;

an electronic platform with microphones impinging against said wavetube portion;

wherein said wavetube portion and said electronic platform are separate elements; and

means for attaching and detaching said wavetube portion from said electronic platform, wherein said microphones are located on a biasing means and positioned over apertures in said wavetube portion leading to said passageway when said wavetube is attached to said electronic platform.

2. The wavetube-based apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for attaching and detaching includes a tab on a first of said wavetube portion and said electronic platform and a groove on a second of said wavetube portion and said electronic platform, wherein said tab fits into said groove.

3. The wavetube-based apparatus of claim 1 further including a filter between said wavetube portion and said electronic platform, said filter being sealed around edges thereof in order to impart rigidity to said filter.

4. The wavetube-based apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wavetube-based apparatus is a pharyngometer.

5. A wavetube-based apparatus including:

a wavetube portion which includes a passageway through which a user can expel air, said wavetube portion being free of electronic elements;

an electronic platform with microphones impinging against said wavetube portion;

wherein said wavetube portion and said electronic platform are separate elements; and

means for attaching and detaching said wavetube portion from said electronic platform, wherein said microphones are positioned over apertures in said wavetube portion leading to said passageway when said wavetube is attached to said electronic platform,

wherein said means for attaching and detaching includes a tab on a first of said wavetube portion and said electronic platform and a groove on a second of said wavetube portion and said electronic platform, wherein said tab fits into said groove, and

wherein said means for attaching and detaching further includes a threaded element which fits into a threaded aperture.

6. The wavetube-based apparatus of claim 5 further including a filter between said wavetube portion and said electronic platform.

7. A wavetube-based apparatus including:

a wavetube portion which includes a passageway through which a user can expel air, said wavetube portion being free of electronic elements;

an electronic platform with microphones impinging against said wavetube portion;

wherein said wavetube portion and said electronic platform are separate elements; and

means for attaching and detaching said wavetube portion from said electronic platform, wherein said microphones are positioned over apertures in said wavetube portion leading to said passageway when said wavetube is attached to said electronic platform,

wherein said means for attaching and detaching includes a swiveling bar on a first of said wavetube portion and said electronic platform and a groove on a second of said wavetube portion and said electronic platform, wherein said swiveling bar fits into said groove in an attached position.