Volumetric physiological measuring system and method

• US 20020123701A1
• Filed: 02/28/2002
• Published: 09/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volusense AS
• Original Assignee: Volusense AS
• Inventors: Eriksen, Morten, Eriksen, Erik
• Granted Patent: US 6,945,941 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/05 Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves impedance plethysmography A61B5/0295; measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof A61B5/11; detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof A61B5/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/091 Measuring volume of inspired or expired gases, e.g. to determine lung capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1073 Measuring volume, e.g. of limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6802 Sensor mounted on worn items
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7203 for noise prevention, reduction or removal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7278 Artificial waveform generation or derivation, e.g. synthesising signals from measured signals A61B5/327 takes precedence

Abstract

A system and method for measuring volumes and areas using electromagnetic induction techniques. A current is generated and fed into one of two coil assemblies to induce voltage into another coil assembly to provide accurate values for volume or area.

Claims

1. A device for measuring the movement of an object comprising:

a. means for creating time-varying magnetic fields at least large enough to surround the object;

b. electrical circuits adapted to conform to the surface of the object; and

c. voltage monitoring means connected to the electrical circuits, whereby motion of the surface creates a measurable change in induced voltage in the circuits that correlates to the movement of the object.

2. The device of claim 1 in which the voltage monitoring means is connected to a computing means suitable for performing a series of algorithmic steps to calculate the volume change of the object from the measured induced voltage.

3. The device of claim 1 in which the electrical circuits are adapted to conform to one or more portions of a human body.