US4106503A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metering system for stimulating bronchial spasm
Assignee: LABORATORY FOR APPLIED IMMUNOLOGY Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1977-03-11
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Granted: 1978-08-15
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Expires: 1997-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A system for administering a metered dose of nebulized antigen tests a patient's pulmonary response. The system includes a thermistor detector for sensing initiation of patient inhalation. A variable electronic timer meters the amount of nebulized antigen introduced to the patient. Safety switching means is provided for insuring against erroneous administration of more than a single dose at a time. Separate measuring equipment is used to measure pulmonary airflow resistance which will increase in response to bronchial spasm.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard R. Rosenthal
- 👤 Joseph French
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M15/00; A61M15/0065; A61M15/0066; A61M15/0068; A61M15/0083; A61M11/00; A61M11/06; A61M16/00; A61M16/0003; A61M2016/0015; A61M2016/0018; A61M2016/0021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A system for metering an aerosol provocative substance for patient inhalation comprising: nebulizing means for normally containing the provocative substance in a liquid medium, the nebulizing means having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet delivering nebulized provocative substance to a patient; means mounted to the nebulizing means for detecting the initiation of inhalation by the patient and generating a detection signal in response thereto; timing means having its input connected in circuit with the detecting means and responsive thereto for generating a timing signal of preselected duration; a source of compressed gas; valving means responsive to said timing signal and driven open during the timing signal and connected between the gas source and said inlet of the nebulizer for nebulizing a metered dose of the nebulized provocative substance, depending upon the timing signal duration; means connected in circuit between the detecting means and the timing means for triggering the timing means; gating means connected in circuit between the output of the triggering means and the input of the timing means for permitting the passage of a triggering signal to the timing means; means responsive to the end of the timing signal for blocking the gating means from passage of an erroneous trigger signal; and means for selectively resetting the blocking means thereby enabling a subsequent passage of a triggering signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
221 words
A system for metering an aerosol provocative substance for patient inhalation comprising: nebulizing means for normally containing the provocative substance in a liquid medium, the nebulizing means having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet delivering nebulized provocative substance to a patient; means mounted to the nebulizing means for detecting the initiation of inhalation by the patient and generating a detection signal in response thereto; timing means having its input connected in circuit with the detecting means and responsive thereto for generating a timing signal of preselected duration; a source of compressed gas; valving means responsive to said timing signal and driven open during the timing signal and connected between the gas source and said inlet of the nebulizer for nebulizing a metered dose of the nebulized provocative substance, depending upon the timing signal duration; means connected in circuit between the detecting means and the timing means for triggering the timing means; gating means connected in circuit between the output of the triggering means and the input of the timing means for permitting the passage of a triggering signal to the timing means; means responsive to the end of the timing signal for blocking the gating means from passage of an erroneous trigger signal; and means for selectively resetting the blocking means thereby enabling a subsequent passage of a triggering signal.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
269 words
A system for metering an aerosol provocative substance for patient inhalation comprising: nebulizing means for normally containing the provocative substance in a liquid medium, the nebulizing means having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet delivering nebulized provocative substance to a patient; means mounted to the nebulizing means for detecting the initiation of inhalation by the patient and generating a detection signal in response thereto; timing means having its input connected in circuit with the detecting means and responsive thereto for generating a timing signal of preselected duration; a source of compressed gas; valving means responsive to said timing signal and driven open during the timing signal and connected between the gas source and said inlet of the nebulizer for nebulizing a metered dose of the nebulized provocative substance, depending upon the timing signal duration; means connected in circuit between the detecting means and the timing means for triggering the timing means; the detecting means being a thermistor having a surface which changes its temperature as air flows across it during inhalation initiation; a relay having an input thereof connected to the timing means output, the relay being connected at its output to the valving means for the control thereof; gating means connected in circuit between the output of the triggering means and the input of the timing means for permitting the passage of a triggering signal to the timing means; means responsive to the end of the timing signal for blocking the gating means from passage of an erroneous trigger signal; and means for selectively resetting the blocking means thereby enabling a subsequent passage of a triggering signal.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
269 words
A system for metering an aerosol provocative substance for patient inhalation comprising: nebulizing means for normally containing the provocative substance in a liquid medium, the nebulizing means having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet delivering nebulized provocative substance to a patient; means mounted to the nebulizing means for detecting the initiation of inhalation by the patient and generating a detection signal in response thereto; timing means having its input connected in circuit with the detecting means and responsive thereto for generating a timing signal of preselected duration; a source of compressed gas; valving means responsive to said timing signal and driven open during the timing signal and connected between the gas source and said inlet of the nebulizer for nebulizing a metered dose of the nebulized provocative substance, depending upon the timing signal duration; means connected in circuit between the detecting means and the timing means for triggering the timing means; the detecting means being a thermistor having a surface which changes its temperature as air flows across it during inhalation initiation; a relay having an input thereof connected to the timing means output, the relay being connected at its output to the valving means for the control thereof; gating means connected in circuit between the output of the triggering means and the input of the timing means for permitting the passage of a triggering signal to the timing means; means responsive to the end of the timing signal for blocking the gating means from passage of an erroneous trigger signal; and means for selectively resetting the blocking means thereby enabling a subsequent passage of a triggering signal.
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) | 1981-08-14 | 1982-02-13 | 1982-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-14 | 1986-02-13 | 1986-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-14 | 1990-02-13 | 1990-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |