Patent US4002161A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4002161A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic means for tympanometric testing
Assignee: AMERICAN ELECTROMEDICS CORP
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Filing: 1975-12-02
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Granted: 1977-01-11
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Expires: 1995-12-02
Abstract
Abstract An instrument is described which automatically performs a tympanometric hearing test and which gives the test results in graphic form. The test instrument includes a probe which is placed in the subject's ear and which applies controlled air pressure and audio test signals to a sealed ear canal in a manner programmed by the instrument so that a plot of the ear compliance versus the ear pressure is produced on the chart. The plot is made using a coordinated chart drive and ear probe air pressure control and an audio signal generator and a compliance signal level recorder. The system automatically runs through the necessary coordinated chart advance, air pressure control, and compliance signal recordings on the chart to complete one tympanometric test after the start button is operated.
Inventors
- 👤 Irwin Klar
- 👤 Erwin H. Rock
- 👤 Arthur W. Rochussen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
An improved automatic means for tympanometric ear testing including an ear probe having means for transmitting and for receiving audio test signals and having an ear canal seal and an air transmission tube for controlling the sealed ear canal pressure in combination with a recorder including a recording chart with a drive means therefor, means for varying the air pressure in the sealed ear canal through said probe air transmission tube, means for synchronizing the variations of the air pressure with the movement of the driven recording chart, means for generating an audio frequency probe tone signal for said transmitting means, and means for coupling said probe signal receiving means to said recorder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
An improved automatic means for tympanometric ear testing including an ear probe having means for transmitting and for receiving audio test signals and having an ear canal seal and an air transmission tube for controlling the sealed ear canal pressure in combination with a recorder including a recording chart with a drive means therefor, means for varying the air pressure in the sealed ear canal through said probe air transmission tube, means for synchronizing the variations of the air pressure with the movement of the driven recording chart, means for generating an audio frequency probe tone signal for said transmitting means, and means for coupling said probe signal receiving means to said recorder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The means as claimed in claim 1 in which said chart drive comprises an electric drive motor, and said means for varying said pressure comprises an air pump coupled to said drive motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The means as claimed in claim 2 in which said synchronizing means comprises a cam actuated drive in the coupling between said motor and said pump.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The means as claimed in claim 2 which further comprises a clutch in said coupling between said motor and said air pump.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The means as claimed in claim 4 which further comprises photoelectric control means activated by indicia on the recording chart and coupled to said clutch for engaging and disengaging the clutch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The means as claimed in claim 4 which further comprises a clutch in the coupling between said motor and said cam actuated drive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The means as claimed in claim 2 in which said pump comprises a bellows.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The means as claimed in claim 7 which further comprises a second bellows coupled in said pressure varying means for enlarging the volume of the air pressure means to reduce the effect of minor volume variations in the sealed ear.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The means as claimed in claim 8 which further comprises means for adjusting the volume of said second bellows to adjust the air pressure means for ambient air pressure changes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The means as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises a pressure indicator coupled to said air pressure varying means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The means as claimed in claim 2 which further comprises a manually operated ear canal pressure adjusting means operated independently of said drive motor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The means as claimed in claim 3 which further comprises means for bleeding said sealed ear canal coupled to said cam actuated drive.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The means as claimed in claim 1 in which said probe tone signal generator includes an automatic gain control.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The means as claimed in claim 13 which further comprises a timer for controlling the period of operation of said automatic gain control.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
129 words
An improved automatic means for tympanometric ear testing including an ear probe having means for transmitting and for receiving audio test signals and having an ear canal seal and an air transmission tube for controlling the sealed ear canal pressure in combination with a recorder including a recording chart with a drive means therefor, a pump for varying the air pressure in the sealed ear canal through said probe air transmission tube, means for synchronizing the pump with the movement of the driven recording chart, said synchronizing means including a cam operated pump drive coupling the pump to a drive motor through a clutch, means for generating an audio frequency probe tone signal for said transmitting means, and means for coupling said probe signal receiving means to said recorder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
129 words
An improved automatic means for tympanometric ear testing including an ear probe having means for transmitting and for receiving audio test signals and having an ear canal seal and an air transmission tube for controlling the sealed ear canal pressure in combination with a recorder including a recording chart with a drive means therefor, a pump for varying the air pressure in the sealed ear canal through said probe air transmission tube, means for synchronizing the pump with the movement of the driven recording chart, said synchronizing means including a cam operated pump drive coupling the pump to a drive motor through a clutch, means for generating an audio frequency probe tone signal for said transmitting means, and means for coupling said probe signal receiving means to said recorder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The means as claimed in claim 4 which further comprises photoelectric control means activated by indicia on the recording chart and coupled to said clutch for engaging and disengaging the clutch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The means as claimed in claim 15 in which said pump comprises a bellows.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The means as claimed in claim 17 which further comprises a second bellows coupled in said pressure varying means for enlarging the volume of the air pressure means to reduce the effect of minor volume variations in the sealed ear.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The means as claimed in claim 18 which further comprises means for adjusting the volume of said second bellows to adjust the air pressure means for ambient air pressure changes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The means as claimed in claim 15 in which said probe tone signal generator includes an automatic gain control.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The means as claimed in claim 20 which further comprises a timer for controlling the period of operation of said automatic gain control.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-11 | 1980-07-12 | 1981-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-11 | 1984-07-12 | 1985-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-11 | 1988-07-12 | 1989-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |