Bladder-based cuff for measuring physiological parameters and method of measuring physiological parameters using same
First Claim
1. A cuff for measuring physiological parameters of an appendage, comprising:
- a hollow, rigid tube having an inner surface and opposed ends; and
a bladder having an inner surface, an outer surface, and opposed ends, the ends of the bladder being sealed to the ends of the tube to create an enclosed internal volume between the inner surface of the bladder and the inner surface of the tube and an external volume defined by the outer surface of the bladder and surrounded by the internal volume, the bladder having a normal, relaxed state, in which the internal volume is filled with a fluid and a retracted state in which the fluid is evacuated from the internal volume,wherein the bladder is tubular in shape, and wherein the ends of the bladder overlap the ends of the tube, andwherein the thickness of the bladder is greater where the ends of the bladder overlap the ends of the tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cuff for measuring volume and change in volume of a body appendage includes a hollow, rigid tube having an inner surface; and a bladder having an inner surface and an outer surface, the ends of the bladder being sealed to the ends of the tube to create an enclosed internal volume between the inner surface of the bladder and the inner surface of the tube and an external volume defined by the outer surface of the bladder and surrounded by the internal volume, the bladder having a normal, relaxed state, in which the internal volume is filled with a fluid and a retracted state in which the fluid is evacuated from the internal volume. Two stiffener ribs placed on the inner surface of the bladder, parallel to each other and to the lengthwise axis of the tube at diametrically opposite positions. A plurality of emitters and detectors arranged in a linear array are embedded in one of the ribs, so as to emit and detect light through the bladder. A fluid port extending through the tube and communicating with the internal volume, through which the internal volume can be filled with or emptied of the fluid.
40 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A cuff for measuring physiological parameters of an appendage, comprising:
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a hollow, rigid tube having an inner surface and opposed ends; and a bladder having an inner surface, an outer surface, and opposed ends, the ends of the bladder being sealed to the ends of the tube to create an enclosed internal volume between the inner surface of the bladder and the inner surface of the tube and an external volume defined by the outer surface of the bladder and surrounded by the internal volume, the bladder having a normal, relaxed state, in which the internal volume is filled with a fluid and a retracted state in which the fluid is evacuated from the internal volume, wherein the bladder is tubular in shape, and wherein the ends of the bladder overlap the ends of the tube, and wherein the thickness of the bladder is greater where the ends of the bladder overlap the ends of the tube. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A cuff for measuring physiological parameters of an appendage, comprising:
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a hollow, rigid tube having an inner surface and opposed ends; a bladder having an inner surface, an outer surface, and opposed ends, the ends of the bladder being sealed to the ends of the tube to create an enclosed internal volume between the inner surface of the bladder and the inner surface of the tube and an external volume defined by the outer surface of the bladder and surrounded by the internal volume, the bladder having a normal, relaxed state, in which the internal volume is filled with a fluid and a retracted state in which the fluid is evacuated from the internal volume; and two stiffener ribs placed on the inner surface of the bladder, parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube at diametrically opposite positions. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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6. A cuff for measuring physiological parameters of an appendage, comprising:
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a hollow, rigid tube having an inner surface and opposed ends; a bladder having an inner surface, an outer surface, and opposed ends, the ends of the bladder being sealed to the ends of the tube to create an enclosed internal volume between the inner surface of the bladder and the inner surface of the tube and an external volume defined by the outer surface of the bladder and surrounded by the internal volume, the bladder having a normal, relaxed state, in which the internal volume is filled with a fluid and a retracted state in which the fluid is evacuated from the internal volume; a plurality of emitters and detectors positioned in the enclosed internal volume, wherein the emitters and detectors are placed on the inner surface of the bladder, and the emitters and detectors respectively emit and detect light through the bladder; and a stiffener rib placed on the inner surface of the bladder, wherein the emitters and detectors are embedded in the stiffener rib.
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Specification