EP0158336A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for locating and detecting pain
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1985-04-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-04-10
Abstract
Abstract A selective tissue conductance meter is described which can be used to assess pain, abnormal sensation or sympathetic dysfunction in a human being or animal. Two concentric electrodes are mounted in fixed relative relationship on a housing which is capable of being held in one hand of the user. Contained in the housing is an electric circuit connected to the two electrodes, which circuit produces an electrical signal having a pulse frequency that varies according to the measured conductance. A battery capable of providing low voltage power is connected to the circuit. Several devices are disclosed for monitoring or measuring the electrical signal to permit the user to detect the pulse frequency of the signal. One such device comprises an audio circuit capable of producing an audible sound or click for each pulse of the electrical signal. A liquid crystal display can provide a digital readout of the number of pulses covered over a short time span.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Woodley
- 👤 David R. Longmire
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/48; A61B5/4824; A61B5/05; A61B5/053; A61B5/0531; A61B5/41; A61B5/411; A61B5/74; A61B5/7405; A61B5/7415
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A diagnostic device for assessing pain, abnormal sensation or sympathetic disfunction in a human being or animal comprising: two electrodes for measuring conductance of human or animal tissue over a short distance, means for holding said electrodes said short distance apart from one another, 1 electric circuit means connected to said electrode means for producing an electrical signal having a pulse frequency that varies according to said measured conductance, a source of low voltage power connected to said circuit means, and means for monitoring or measuring said electrical signal to permit the user of said device to detect the pulse frequency of said signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A diagnostic device for assessing pain, abnormal sensation or sympathetic disfunction in a human being or animal comprising: two electrodes for measuring conductance of human or animal tissue over a short distance, means for holding said electrodes said short distance apart from one another, 1 electric circuit means connected to said electrode means for producing an electrical signal having a pulse frequency that varies according to said measured conductance, a source of low voltage power connected to said circuit means, and means for monitoring or measuring said electrical signal to permit the user of said device to detect the pulse frequency of said signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A diagnostic device according to claim 1 wherein said electrode means comprise two spaced-apart, concentric electrodes and means for rigidly supporting said electrodes in said spaced-apart concentric relationship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A diagnostic device according to claim 2 wherein said electric circuit means includes a voltage controlled oscillator electrically connected to said two electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A diagnostic device according to claim 3 wherein said means for monitoring or measuring said electrical signal comprises an audio circuit that in operation produces an audible sound or click sound for each pulse of said electrical signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A diagnostic device according to claim 2 wherein said electrodes are made of chrome plated brass and said electrode supporting means is made of non-conducting rubber and epoxy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A diagnostic device according to claim 2 wherein said device is small enough to be held in one hand by the user and said source of power is a battery.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A diagnostic device according to claim 3 wherein said electric circuit further includes means for dividing the frequency of the pulses of said electrical signal, a voltage regulator and a switch for connecting or disconnecting said source of power.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A diagnostic device according to claim 3 wherein said monitoring or measuring means comprises means for providing a digital display of the frequency of the pulses of said electrical signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A diagnostic device according to claim 8 wherein said display providing means comprises a pulse counter and display driver, a timer to permit the pulse counter to count up over a selected time interval, and a digital display unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
A diagnostic device according to claim 9 wherein said display providing means includes means for selecting between an automatic mode of operation and a manual mode of operation and wherein, in said automatic mode, said display providing means generates a new or updated digital readout automatically after a set period of time has elapsed and in said manual mode, the user of the device is required to operate a switch in order to have a digital readout generated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
121 words
A diagnostic device capable of measuring the conductance of human or animal tissue comprising: a housing capable of being held in one hand by the user of said device, concentric electrode means mounted on the exterior of said housing, electric circuit means located in said housing and connected to said electrode means for producing an. electrical signal having a pulse frequency that varies according to.the conductance of human or animal tissue placed in contact with said electrode means, a source of low voltage power connected to said circuit means, and means for monitoring or measuring said electrical signal to permit the user of said device to detect the pulse frequency of said signal, said latter means being arranged in said housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
121 words
A diagnostic device capable of measuring the conductance of human or animal tissue comprising: a housing capable of being held in one hand by the user of said device, concentric electrode means mounted on the exterior of said housing, electric circuit means located in said housing and connected to said electrode means for producing an. electrical signal having a pulse frequency that varies according to.the conductance of human or animal tissue placed in contact with said electrode means, a source of low voltage power connected to said circuit means, and means for monitoring or measuring said electrical signal to permit the user of said device to detect the pulse frequency of said signal, said latter means being arranged in said housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A diagnostic device according to claim 11 wherein said power source is a battery located in said housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A diagnostic device according to claim 11 wherein said electrode means comprises two electrodes separated by and held in concentric relationship by an electrically insulating, solid material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A diagnostic device according to claim 11 wherein said electric circuit means comprises a voltage controlled oscillator electrically connected to said electrode means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A diagnostic device according to claim 11 wherein said means for monitoring or measuring said electric signal comprises an audio circuit that in operation produces an audible sound or tone for each pulse of said electrical signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A diagnostic device according to claim 15 wherein said audio circuit includes a small speaker mounted in said housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
A diagnostic device according to claim 16 wherein said audio circuit has means for connecting an earphone to said circuit and wherein connection of said earphone to said audio circuit stops operation of said speaker.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A diagnostic device according to claim 13 wherein said means for monitoring or measuring said electrical signal comprises means for providing a digital display of the frequency of the pulses.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A diagnostic device according to claim 11 wherein the pulse frequency of said electric signal varies logarithmically according to the conductance measured by said electrode means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A diagnostic device according to claim 14 wherein the pulse frequency of said electric signal varies logarithmically according to the conductance measured by said electrode means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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