Abstract:
A wireless medical transducer that is attached to a patient's body contains one or more sensing assemblies for continuous, wireless and non-invasive monitoring of vital signs. These include EKG, core temperature, arterial blood pressure, arterial blood oxygenation, and others. A transducer may be configured either as a two-unit device where the units are connected by a short cable or a single unit. Sharing various components allows different vitals signs to be monitored with greater efficiency. Multiple radio transmitters may operate in the same environment without interfering with each other.
Abstract:
A contact thermometer for determining-temperature of an inner wall of a cavity, where accuracy and speed response is assured by use of a probe having a variable geometry where the first shape of the probe exists before and during placing the probe into a cavity and the second shape is formed during the measurement process. The temperature measuring tip of the probe makes an intimate thermal contact with an inner wall of a cavity after the second geometrical shape is assumed. The accuracy is assured by use of at least two temperature sensors while the speed response is improved by taking at least two readings, from one temperature sensor.
Abstract:
A medical thermometer with a miniature sensor that touches the patient's skin by a spring-loaded probe. The device computes a deep body temperature by using data of probe housing temperature and accounting for multiple responses of skin contact temperature sensor before and after touching the skin. A motion detector is employed to turn power on automatically.
Abstract:
An infrared (IR) thermometer for performing temperature measurement of an object without having contact with the object. The IR thermometer comprises at least one IR sensing element which, upon exposure to IR radiation, produces a response. The IR sensing element comprises a flat themistor flake supported by a substrate. The IR thermometer further comprises a processing circuit which analyzes the response to predict the steady-state response of the at least one IR sensing element and temperature of the object. In one embodiment, the processing circuit may obtain two or more responses separated by a predetermined period of time to predict temperature of the object. The processing circuit may also associate reference data in its prediction algorithm.
Abstract:
A probe cover for an infrared (IR) thermometer having two distinct portions, one which is substantially rigid, and the other which is stretchable by at least two times to envelop the probe of the IR thermometer. The stretchable portion allows IR radiation to pass toward the optical window of the IR thermometer probe. The rigid portion of the probe cover is engaged with the probe during the installation process.
Abstract:
A disposable cover for an infrared thermometer provides IR window isolation of handling and usage generated forces. The cover comprises a thin sidewall linked to the film window with a collar structure. The collar structure includes one or more characteristics that either isolate the film window from externally applied forces, or develops counter forces in a way that precludes film stretching and other transmission distorting effects. The cover of the present invention permits sanitary application of an infrared clinical thermometer without hindering reading accuracy or patient comfort.
Abstract:
An optical infrared thermometer has a sole core, refractive rod waveguide in an optical path between the infrared reception portion of the thermometer and the infrared sensor of the thermometer.
Abstract:
A blood pressure measurement instrument controlled by a microprocessor has an inflatable cuff, a pump for inflating the cuff, an acoustic sensor and amplifier for processing auscultatory sounds and supplying signals to a microcomputer, a display for displaying blood pressure, and pressure sensor for measuring air pressure in the cuff and supplying signals to the microprocessor. The invention comprises an improved air bleed rate controller for providing a linearized bleed slope reference signal which is compared to an actual cuff pressure signal from the cuff pressure transducer, to control a variable opening bleed valve. The reference signal is applied at the initiation of the bleed control phase through a logic circuit from the microcomputer and a time delay switch. Additional logic provides a bleed valve override signal for closing the valve during the pumping phase and providing dumping of cuff pressure on the completion of blood pressure measurement.
Abstract:
A laminated, sheet-like transducer is disclosed which produces an output signal in response to changing mechanical forces applied thereto. The transducer includes a top flexible plate with a matrix of uniformly spaced-apart convex members on one surface and a bottom flexible plate with a matrix of uniformly spaced-apart convex members on one surface. The convex members on the surface of one plate are aligned with the spaces between the convex members on the surface of the other plate. A synthetic resin polymer electret film is sandwiched between the convex members of each plate and becomes deformed when the convex members press against and horizontally stretch the electret film due to the changing mechanical forces applied to the transducer. Electrodes are connected to opposite surfaces of the electret film and form, at least on one surface, a uniformly spaced-apart electrically interconnected electrode configuration. The electrodes sense the electrical charges in the electret film and produce a signal proportional to the magnitude of the changing mechanical forces which induce the electrical charges.
Abstract:
A toy has a base member, a motion-detecting element mounted on the base member and detecting the presence of a motion of an object in the vicinity of the toy and the absence of a moving object in the vicinity of the toy, an action-performing element mounted on the base member for cooperating with the motion-detecting element, and electrical elements connecting the motion-detecting element and the action-performing element whereby the latter is operated in response to the detection by the motion-detecting element, wherein the motion-detecting element includes an objective arranged to transmit light to establish an image of an object in the vicinity of the toy, an image-distorting element located after the objective as considered in direction of light passage and arranged to distort the image, and a photosensing element arranged to sense the distorted image and produce a signal for operation of the action-performing element.