Portable electronic spirometric device
First Claim
1. A portable spirometric device for analyzing the flow rate and volume of exhalation of a patient under a doctor'"'"'s care, the device recording, storing and displaying respiratory movement of the patient, the device comprising:
- electronic package means mounted inside a hand held housing for computing and recording the flow rate and volume of the exhalation;
an air flow chamber mounted on said housing with a mouthpiece attached to and communicating with said air flow chamber;
a hot wire acting as an anemometer for sensing exhaled air flow rate through said mouthpiece, said hot wire mounted inside said air flow chamber, said air flow chamber removably attached to said housing and including a memory chip connected to said electronic package means and said hot wire, said memory chip programmed with calibration and operating information for said hot wire; and
a signal generating means for determining the air flow rate through said mouthpiece, said signal generating means connected to said hot wire and to said electronics package means.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable hand held electronic spirometric device for analyzing the strength of the exhalation of a patient under a doctor'"'"'s care. The electronic spirometric device is designed to sense and measure exhaled air flow rate and exhaled breath temperature, determine air flow volume, and record and display the respiratory movement of the patient for helping make medication recommendations. The spirometric device includes an electronic package mounted inside a hand held housing for computing and recording the strength, the temperature, and the volume of the exhalation along with the time and date of the exhalation. The device includes a replaceable air flow chamber mounted on the housing. A disposable mouthpiece is releasably attached to the air flow chamber. A hot wire acting as an anemometer is disposed inside the air flow chamber and provides for measuring both air flow rate and temperature. An output of the hot wire is connected to electronic circuitry inside the housing for determining the proper proportion and evaluation of the peak flow rates and volumes along with recording the exact time and date of the measured event. The device is also designed to give interpretive feedback and recommendations which are pre-programmed by the doctor for the patient and to detect before hand a possible chronic episode, for example a pending asthmatic attack, and alert the patient to take necessary medication to avert the episode. The portable device may be periodically connected to a computer system to up-load stored information and provide a chronological report stored therein for analysis by the doctor. The stored data can be transferred from the spirometric device via telephone and modem to the doctor'"'"'s office.
107 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A portable spirometric device for analyzing the flow rate and volume of exhalation of a patient under a doctor'"'"'s care, the device recording, storing and displaying respiratory movement of the patient, the device comprising:
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electronic package means mounted inside a hand held housing for computing and recording the flow rate and volume of the exhalation; an air flow chamber mounted on said housing with a mouthpiece attached to and communicating with said air flow chamber; a hot wire acting as an anemometer for sensing exhaled air flow rate through said mouthpiece, said hot wire mounted inside said air flow chamber, said air flow chamber removably attached to said housing and including a memory chip connected to said electronic package means and said hot wire, said memory chip programmed with calibration and operating information for said hot wire; and a signal generating means for determining the air flow rate through said mouthpiece, said signal generating means connected to said hot wire and to said electronics package means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A portable spirometric device for analyzing the flow rate and volume of exhalation of a patient under a doctor'"'"'s care, the device recording, storing and displaying respiratory movement of the patient, the device comprising:
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electronic package means mounted inside a hand held housing for computing and recording the flow rate and volume of each exhalation, a display means on said housing connected to said electronic package means for displaying air flow rate of each exhalation, said electronic package means programmed to sound an alarm and provide a display on said display means for requesting the patient perform an appropriate respiratory maneuver based on measured exhaled air flow rate and air flow temperature; a removable air flow chamber mounted on said housing with a disposable mouthpiece releasably attached to and communicating with said air flow chamber; a hot wire acting as an anemometer for sensing exhaled air flow rate and volume through said mouthpiece, said hot wire mounted inside said air flow chamber; and a signal generating means for determining the air flow rate and volume through said mouthpiece, said signal generating means connected to said hot wire and to said electronic package means. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A portable spirometric device for analyzing the flow rate and volume of exhalation of a patient under a doctor'"'"'s care, the device recording, storing and displaying respiratory movement of the patient, the device comprising:
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electronic package means mounted inside a hand held housing for computing and recording the flow rate and volume of each exhalation; a removable air flow chamber mounted on said housing with a disposable mouthpiece releasably attached to and communicating with said air flow chamber, said air flow chamber including an open first end for receiving said mouthpiece and an open second end; a hot wire acting as an anemometer for sensing exhaled air flow rate and volume through said mouthpiece, said hot wire mounted inside said air flow chamber, a first portion of said hot wire is used for sensing air flow rate and a second portion of said hot wire is used for sensing air flow temperature, the first portion of said hot wire operating at a temperature great enough for burning off any contaminates introduced by exhaled air through said air flow chamber, the exhaled air flow passing through said air flow chamber from the open first end, past said hot wire and exiting out the open second end without passing into or through said housing; and a signal generating means for determining the air flow rate and air flow volume through said mouthpiece, said signal generating means connected to said hot wire and to said electronic package means. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification