The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 01, 1988
Filed:
Mar. 27, 1987
John E Conrardy, Milwaukee, WI (US);
Bruce J Fiorani, New Berlin, WI (US);
Robert H Pedersen, Milwaukee, WI (US);
Mark P Steinert, New Berlin, WI (US);
General Electric Company, Milwaukee, WI (US);
Abstract
Apparatus for detecting and indicating the commencement of inhalation by a patient under test includes a housing through which a gas flow due to the inhalation is directed. A light source and a light receptor positioned adjacent to transparent portions of the housing define a light path between them which transversely intersects the gas flow, the receptor being adapted to provide an output signal in response to incident light from the source. A movably positioned vane mounted inside the housing and normally biased to a position substantially clear of the light path, moves to a position progressively blocking the light path upon commencement of gas flow due to inhalation. Means responsive to a change in the receptor output signal resulting from blockage of the light path provides indication of the flow due to the inhalation commencement.