EP0383732A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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An activity sensor, particularly for heart pacemakers
Assignee: Sorin Biomedica Cardio SpA
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Filing: 1990-02-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-02-06
Abstract
Abstract The sensor (1) is intended preferably for use in conjunction with a heart pacemaker whose stimulation rate is variable in dependence on the physical activity of the wearer. The sensor includes a mass of mercury (Hg) which, in use, can assume a shape determined by the gravitational force and variable as a result of the forces applied to the mass due to movement. Detector means (4 to 6) sensitive to the variations in shape generate signals which can be used as activity monitoring signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruno Inguaggiato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 05:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/365; A61N1/36514; A61N1/36542
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
An activity sensor, particularly for a heart pacemaker, characterised in that it includes: - a mass of mercury (Hg) which, in use, can assume a given shape determined by the gravitational force (9) and variable as a result of forces applied to the mass (Hg) due to movement, and - detector means (3 to 5; 7, 8; 9, 10; 30) which are sensitive to the variations in the predetermined shape and can generate a signal (5, 6) indicative of the variations, the signal constituting an activity monitoring signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
An activity sensor, particularly for a heart pacemaker, characterised in that it includes: - a mass of mercury (Hg) which, in use, can assume a given shape determined by the gravitational force (9) and variable as a result of forces applied to the mass (Hg) due to movement, and - detector means (3 to 5; 7, 8; 9, 10; 30) which are sensitive to the variations in the predetermined shape and can generate a signal (5, 6) indicative of the variations, the signal constituting an activity monitoring signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A sensor according to Claim 1, characterised in that the detector means (3 to 6; 7, 8; 9, 10; 30) are sensitive primarily to variations in shape in a vertical direction so that the activity monitoring signal is primarily indicative of the vertical components of the forces applied to the mass of mercury (Hg).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sensor according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that the mass of mercury (Hg) is of the order of about 20-40 micrograms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sensor according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that the mass of mercury (Hg) is substantially 30 micrograms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A sensor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it includes a container (2; 12; 20, 200) for the mass of mercury (Hg), the container having at least partial rotational symmetry about at least one axis so that the behaviour of the sensor (1) is the same regardless of rotations about the said at least one axis of symmetry.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sensor according to Claim 5, characterised in that the container (2; 12) is substantially spherical.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A sensor according to Claim 5, characterised in that the container (20) is substantially hemispherical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A sensor according to Claim 5, characterised in that the container (200) is substantially cylindrical.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A sensor according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, in combination with an identical sensor, the two identical sensors being positioned with their containers (20) facing towards opposite half-spaces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
A sensor according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that it includes an electrically-conductive container (2; 20) for the mass of mercury (Hg), and in that the detector means include an at least partially electrically conductive element (3; 7; 30) which is insulated (4; 8; 31) from the container (2; 20) and faces into the container (2; 20) so that, in use, the mass of mercury (Hg) can connect the container (2; 20) and the at least one partially conductive element (3; 7; 30) electrically to an extent which is variable with variations in the predetermined shape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
A sensor according to Claim 10, characterised in that the at least partially conductive element (7) is a resistive element so that the resistance in the electrical connection established by the mass of mercury (Hg) between the electrically-conductive container (2) and the element (7) is variable continuously in dependence on variations in the area of contact between the mass of mercury (Hg) and the element (7).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
A sensor according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that it includes a container (12) of insulating material for the mass of mercury (Hg) and in that the detector means include two electrically-conductive elements (9, 10) projecting into the casing (12) so that, in use, the mass of mercury (Hg) can connect the conductive elements (9, 10) together electrically in a manner which is variable with variations in its shape.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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