US3593703A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Diagnostic cough-monitoring techniques
Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
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Filing: 1969-07-07
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1989-07-07
Abstract
Abstract The rate at which a human subject coughs may be determined by providing a microphone, a transmitter connected to the microphone, a receiver, a counter, and a conditioning circuit that enables the counter to advance in response to a cough sound.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard C Gunn
- 👤 Donald A Burns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:18
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/0002; A61B5/08; A61B5/0823; A61B7/00; A61B7/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A process for determining the rate at which a human subject coughs by using a microphone, a transmitter connected to the microphone, a receiver tuned to receive waves from the transmitter, and a counter connected to the receiver, comprising the steps of: locating the microphone adjacent the throat of the subject so that sounds uttered by the subject are converted into corresponding electrical currents; transmitting waves corresponding to said electrical currents by means of the transmitter; converting the waves transmitted by the transmitter into corresponding electrical signals in said receiver; and conditioning said electrical signals so that signals corresponding to a cough sound uttered by the subject cause the counter to advance, whereas signals corresponding to other types of sounds cause the counter to remain inactive.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A process for determining the rate at which a human subject coughs by using a microphone, a transmitter connected to the microphone, a receiver tuned to receive waves from the transmitter, and a counter connected to the receiver, comprising the steps of: locating the microphone adjacent the throat of the subject so that sounds uttered by the subject are converted into corresponding electrical currents; transmitting waves corresponding to said electrical currents by means of the transmitter; converting the waves transmitted by the transmitter into corresponding electrical signals in said receiver; and conditioning said electrical signals so that signals corresponding to a cough sound uttered by the subject cause the counter to advance, whereas signals corresponding to other types of sounds cause the counter to remain inactive.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of conditioning said electrical signals comprises the step of adjusting the gain of said receiver.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the step of conditioning said electrical signals further comprises the steps of: full-wave rectifying said electrical signals; and filtering a portion of said full-wave rectified electrical signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microphone is located in contact with the throat of the subject.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitter is a radio transmitter and the receiver is a radio receiver.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
SU124582A1
Cited
US3210747A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |