Patent US2468713A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3666955A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic control system for radioactive regional ventilation studies
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-07-08
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1990-07-08
Abstract
Abstract A system for obtaining a permanent visual record of the air passages of the lungs by the introduction of a measured quantity of air mixed with a radioactive gas such as Xenon (Xe133) into the lungs of the subject. A conventional scintillation camera or other radioactive recording device is operated to produce a permanent visual record. A separate air reservoir provides nontagged air to fill the breathing passages and confine the radioactive tagged air to the lungs. The apparatus operates in sequence to supply the desired quantity of radioactive tagged air from a reservoir, followed by the measured quantity of ordinary air from a second reservoir, and then prevents exhalation during the time period necessary for the radioactive recording device to operate. The supply of premeasured quantities of tagged air and additional air insure that the subject will take only a normal size breath. Ganged stepping switches and a timing device provide automatic sequencing. A modified form of the apparatus utilizes a flexible wall radioactive gas reservoir and an associated pivoted lever which drops down to actuate a microswitch and open the valve to the additional air when the radioactive gas reservoir is depleted. A method is described in which measured quantities of tagged air and additional air are sequentially applied to the subject, exhalation is prevented during the period in which the radioactive recording is made, and exhalation is thereafter permitted.
Inventors
- 👤 Edgar L Suprenant
- 👤 Harold F Rieth
- 👤 Clayton H Douglas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/08; A61B5/0813
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
An automatic control system for radioactive regional ventilation studies, comprising a breathing device adapted for sealed communication with the breathing passages of a living subject, a control valve means for said breathing device having inlet and outlet passages and being responsive to the breathing of the subject to permit inhalation by the subject only from said inlet passage and exhalation only through said outlet passage, a radioactive gas reservoir capable of holding a measured volume of gas at ambient pressure, a gas supply valve connecting said inlet passage of said control valve means to said radioactive gas reservoir, an air supply reservoir capable of holding a measured volume of air at ambient pressure, an air supply valve connecting said inlet passage of said control valve means to said air supply reservoir, an ambient air supply valve connecting said inlet passage of said control valve means to ambient air, an exhaust conduit, an exhaust valve connecting said outlet passage of said control valve means to said exhaust conduit, and actuating means operatively connected to said valves and formed for opening and closing said valves in a desired sequence.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
An automatic control system for radioactive regional ventilation studies, comprising a breathing device adapted for sealed communication with the breathing passages of a living subject, a control valve means for said breathing device having inlet and outlet passages and being responsive to the breathing of the subject to permit inhalation by the subject only from said inlet passage and exhalation only through said outlet passage, a radioactive gas reservoir capable of holding a measured volume of gas at ambient pressure, a gas supply valve connecting said inlet passage of said control valve means to said radioactive gas reservoir, an air supply reservoir capable of holding a measured volume of air at ambient pressure, an air supply valve connecting said inlet passage of said control valve means to said air supply reservoir, an ambient air supply valve connecting said inlet passage of said control valve means to ambient air, an exhaust conduit, an exhaust valve connecting said outlet passage of said control valve means to said exhaust conduit, and actuating means operatively connected to said valves and formed for opening and closing said valves in a desired sequence.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
An automatic control system as described in claim 1, and wherein said actuating means further comprises an actuating mechanism for a radioactive recording device, with said actuating mechanism being operated at desired places in said sequence.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An automatic control system as described in claim 1, and wherein said actuating means is formed to cycle automatically through said sequence.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
An automatic control system as described in claim 1, and wherein said actuating means further comprises solenoid actuators for each of said valves, and switch means formed to provide electrical current to said solenoid actuators in said desired sequence.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An automatic control system as described in claim 4, and wherein said switch means includes a stepping switch, and a timing device for cycling said stepping switch through said desired sequence in desired increments of time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An automatic control system as described in claim 1, and wherein said air supply valve is responsive to depletion of said radioactive gas reservoir.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
An automatic control system as described in claim 6, and wherein said radioactive gas reservoir comprises a flexible wall bag, a pivoted arm rests on said bag and is formed to drop through an arc as radioactive gas is removed from said bag, said air supply valve is electrically operated, and a switch device is positioned to intercept said arm and supply electrical current to said air supply valve so as to open the latter when said arm drops a desired distance.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of conducting radioactive regional ventilation studies, comprising the steps of excluding ambient air from the breathing passages of a subject, supplying a measured quantity of radioactive tagged air equivalent to the increase in normal volumetric capacity of the subject''s lungs during normal breath of the subject, said radioactive tagged air being delivered at ambient air pressure to the breathing passages of the subject for inhalation into the lungs, supplying an measured quantity of additional air to said breathing passages equivalent to the tidal volume thereof so as to concentrate said radioactive tagged air in the lungs, preventing exhalation of said measured quantities of radioactive tagged air and additional air for a period of timed duration, making a visual record of the lungs by radioactive recording during said period of timed duration, and permitting exhalation of said measured quantities of radioactive tagged air and additional air at the end of said period.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of conducting radioactive regional ventilation studies, comprising the steps of excluding ambient air from the breathing passages of a subject, supplying a measured quantity of radioactive tagged air equivalent to the increase in normal volumetric capacity of the subject''s lungs during normal breath of the subject, said radioactive tagged air being delivered at ambient air pressure to the breathing passages of the subject for inhalation into the lungs, supplying an measured quantity of additional air to said breathing passages equivalent to the tidal volume thereof so as to concentrate said radioactive tagged air in the lungs, preventing exhalation of said measured quantities of radioactive tagged air and additional air for a period of timed duration, making a visual record of the lungs by radioactive recording during said period of timed duration, and permitting exhalation of said measured quantities of radioactive tagged air and additional air at the end of said period.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of conducting radioactive regional ventilation studies as described in claim 8, and which comprises the additional steps of venting the exhaled radioactive tagged air to the outside.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3221731A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |