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. 17, 1998
Filed:
Jul. 11, 1996
Gregory S Beck, Anaheim, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A respiration monitor includes a sensing element having a pressure chamber filled with gas. The sensing element is adapted to be placed in contact with a breathing subject, with the pressure in the chamber increasing as the subject inhales and decreasing as the subject exhales. A pressure switch in communication with the pressure chamber opens as the subject exhales and closes as the subject inhales to control the operation of a timing circuit. The timing circuit includes an audio alarm mechanism activated when the switch is not closed within a predetermined threshold period. The chamber has at least one gas port which places the chamber in communication with ambient air pressure, so that within a pressure equalization time interval the pressure within the chamber equalizes to that of ambient air pressure and the switch is opened. This port is sized so that the pressure equalization time interval is longer than the normal cycle of inhalation and exhalation of the subject but shorter than the predetermined threshold period. The size, or number openings, comprising the port is sufficiently restrictive so that changes in pressure within the gas chamber are detected, causing the switch to operate to open or close as required.