Apnea monitor

• US 7,611,472 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2006
• Issued: 11/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Guixian Lu
• Original Assignee: Guixian Lu
• Inventors: Lu, Guixian
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser; Robert L
• Application Number:
  US11/546,851
• Publication Number:
  US 20080091082A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 600/538
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/09 using an element rotated by the flow toys actuated by air current A63H33/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea

Abstract

The present invention is an apnea monitor giving alarm when apnea occurs. It uses new designed gas flow sensor and gas differential flow sensor to detect actual airflow from patients nose and mouth. The gas flow sensor and gas differential flow sensor are evolved from a galvanometer utilizing it'"'"'s structure for sensitivity. The apnea monitor measures the change of chest volume to detect breathing by a conductive rubber string. The apnea monitor also detects the frequency of baby'"'"'s movement to predict possible apnea.

Claims

1. A gas flow sensor used for apnea monitors, gas flow meters, and other industrial purposes comprises:

1) a sail as a gas flow sensing member mounted in an axle, around said axle said sail rotates,

2) a balance weight mounted in said axle,

3) a gossamer or spring connected to said axle with one end and connected to a case of said gas flow sensor with the other end for generating opposite torque against rotation of said sail,

4) a light path controller mounted in said axle to control the amount of light going from a light source to a light sensor, by partially or completely blocking the light while the position of said light path controller is changing, or by reflecting the light from said fight source to said light sensor while the angle of said light path controller is changing,

5) said light source mounted in said case in the proximity of said light path controller, on one side of said light path controller, and

6) said light sensor mounted in said case in the proximity of said light path controller;

on the other side of said fight path controller, or on the same side of said light path controller with said light source, for generating output of said gas flow sensor.

2. The gas flow sensor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said balance weight:

is made so that the central gravity of a whole rotating assembly is at the central line of said axle, said whole rotating assembly comprises said sail, said balance weight, said axle, said gossamer, and said light path controller.

3. The gas flow sensor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said light path controller is made of non-transparent materials or a light reflecting mirror.

4. A gas differential flow sensor used for apnea monitors and industrial purposes comprises:

1) a coil frame mounted in two axles which are in a central line, said coil frame turns around said axles,

2) a sail as gas flow sensing member mounted in said axles, or in said coil frame,

3) a wire wound on said coil frame thereof forming a coil,

4) at least one balance weight mounted in one of said axles,

5) two gossamers or springs, each of said gossamers is connected to one of said axles with one end and is connected to a case of said differential gas flow sensor with the other end for generating opposite torque against the turning of said coil, and for providing an electrical path of the output from said coil, and

6) a magnet mounted in the proximity of said coil for generating electrical potential in said coil while said coil is turning, said electrical potential will eventually be converted to the output of said gas differential flow sensor.

5. The gas differential flow sensor as set forth in claim 4 wherein said balance weight is made so that central weight of a whole turning assembly is located at said central line, said whole turning assembly comprises said sail, said coil frame, said coil, said balance weight, said axles, and said gossamers.