Respiratory flow meter and methods of use
First Claim
1. A peak respiratory flow monitoring system, comprising:
- a base unit enclosing a pressure transducer disposed adjacent a port extending through a sidewall of a receptacle on an exterior surface of the base unit; and
a flowhead defining a bore therethrough and having at least an exterior portion configured for receipt within the receptacle so as to effect a pneumatic seal defining communication between the flowhead bore and the pressure transducer through a sidewall of the flowhead.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A peak flow monitoring system having a base unit and a flowhead. The flowhead is designed for roll and snap connection to the base unit so as to be easily removable therefrom after use for ease of cleaning and storage. A gasket compressed between the flowhead and a pressure transducer housed in the base unit forms a pneumatic seal between the two when the flowhead is connected to the base unit, providing a minimal dead volume therebetween. Pressure in the flowhead generated by patient exhalation therethrough is measured by the base unit pressure transducer and a microprocessor computes pulmonary function parameter values from the transducer output for storage and display. The base unit display function includes text-based, customizable, reconfigurable patient symptom and medication queries. Methods of system assembly, disassembly and operation are also disclosed.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A peak respiratory flow monitoring system, comprising:
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a base unit enclosing a pressure transducer disposed adjacent a port extending through a sidewall of a receptacle on an exterior surface of the base unit; and
a flowhead defining a bore therethrough and having at least an exterior portion configured for receipt within the receptacle so as to effect a pneumatic seal defining communication between the flowhead bore and the pressure transducer through a sidewall of the flowhead. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of using a peak flow monitoring system, comprising:
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generating a pressure in a flowhead responsive to exhalation;
communicating the generated pressure to a pressure transducer;
outputting a signal from the pressure transducer responsive to the generated pressure;
computing at least one pulmonary function parameter value using the signal;
storing the at least one computed pulmonary function parameter value in non-volatile memory;
manually inputting additional patient information responsive to reconfigurable display messages;
storing the manually input additional patient information in the non-volatile memory; and
reconfiguring at least one reconfigurable display message using an interfaced host device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification