Methods and devices for countering grativity induced loss of consciousness and novel pulse oximeter probes
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring blood flow status to the head of an individual, said method comprising:
- securing a pulse oximeter probe to a central source site of said individual,generating a plethysmography signal stream indicative of blood flow at said central source site;
isolating an AC component signal stream and a DC component signal stream from said plethysmography signal stream with a signal processor;
determining changes in blood flow at said central source site based on said DC component signal stream, and optionally said AC component signal stream, with said signal processor;
effecting with a computer a predetermined reaction responsive to said blood flow falling below a predefined value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein are methods and devices of obtaining plethysmograph readings and utilizing plethysomography to identify when pilots are about to experience GLOC. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the invention pertains to methods and devices designed to warn a pilot that he/she is about to enter GLOC and/or automatically averting catastrophic damage or injuries by directing a plane being piloted to take predetermined corrective actions. Specifically disclosed is a system embodiment for assisting in the prevention of gravity induced loss of consciousness. The system comprises at least one pulse oximeter probe 10 configured for securing to a central source site of a pilot and to generate signals indicative of blood flow at said central source site, an analyzer unit 58 communicatingly connected to said at least one pulse oximeter probe 10, said analyzer unit comprising at least one processing module 56 configured to determine whether said blood flow is approaching a predefined level, and an aircraft computer 51 communicatingly connected to said analyzer unit 58, said aircraft computer 51 comprising at least one processing module 59 configured to effect a predetermined reaction responsive to said blood flow falling below a predetermined level.
49 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring blood flow status to the head of an individual, said method comprising:
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securing a pulse oximeter probe to a central source site of said individual, generating a plethysmography signal stream indicative of blood flow at said central source site; isolating an AC component signal stream and a DC component signal stream from said plethysmography signal stream with a signal processor; determining changes in blood flow at said central source site based on said DC component signal stream, and optionally said AC component signal stream, with said signal processor; effecting with a computer a predetermined reaction responsive to said blood flow falling below a predefined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for monitoring blood flow status to the head of an individual comprising
an analyzer unit communicatingly connected to at least one pulse oximeter probe configured to generate a plethysmography signal stream at a central source site, said analyzer unit configured to isolate an AC component signal stream and a DC component signal stream from said plethysmography signal stream and to determine whether blood flow is approaching a predefined level based on said DC component signal stream, and optionally, said AC component signal stream, and a computer communicatingly connected to said analyzer unit, wherein said computer comprises at least one processing module configured to effect a predetermined reaction responsive to said blood flow falling below a predetermined level.
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15. A method of monitoring blood flow status to the head of an individual, said method comprising:
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isolating an AC component signal stream and a DC component signal stream from a plethysmography signal stream with a signal processor; and determining changes in blood flow to the head of an individual based on said DC component signal stream, and optionally said AC component signal stream, with said signal processor.
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Specification