US4350166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apnea detector
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems LLC
•
Filing: 1980-12-12
•
Granted: 1982-09-21
•
Expires: 2000-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A non-contacting apnea detector includes a long wave infrared detecting device which is arranged with a focusing means to define a predetermined field of view. This detector is positioned to include the infant or at least the head and shoulder portion of the infant in that field of view. The exhalations of the infant include large quantities of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is absorbent to the long wave infrared radiation. The detector detects the difference in the infrared radiation due to the absorption incident to the exhalations of the infant. The resulting signal is applied to a suitable alarm circuit to indicate an interruption of the exhalation exceeding a predetermined time interval.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Mobarry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/113; A61B2503/00; A61B2503/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
An apnea detector for monitoring the respiration of a monitored subject, said apnea detector comprising: an infrared radiation detector means; means for defining a field of view for said radiation detector means, said field of view defining means being arranged to include an area of said monitored subject in said field of view containing exhalation products from said monitored subject; mounting means positioning said radiation detector means spaced from said monitored subject in a non-contacting relationship to be responsive to modulations of ambient infrared radiation produced by exhalation products from said monitored subject to produce a corresponding modulation signal; and alarm means responsive to a prolonged interruption of said modulation signal produced by an interruption of the respiration of said monitored subject to effect an alarm signal indicative of apnea.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
An apnea detector for monitoring the respiration of a monitored subject, said apnea detector comprising: an infrared radiation detector means; means for defining a field of view for said radiation detector means, said field of view defining means being arranged to include an area of said monitored subject in said field of view containing exhalation products from said monitored subject; mounting means positioning said radiation detector means spaced from said monitored subject in a non-contacting relationship to be responsive to modulations of ambient infrared radiation produced by exhalation products from said monitored subject to produce a corresponding modulation signal; and alarm means responsive to a prolonged interruption of said modulation signal produced by an interruption of the respiration of said monitored subject to effect an alarm signal indicative of apnea.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apnea detector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said exhalation products contain carbon dioxide which produces an absorption of said ambient infrared radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apnea detector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said infrared radiation detector means comprises a unitary detector cell, and means connecting said cell to said alarm means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apnea detector as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means connecting said cell to said alarm means includes an amplifier means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apnea detector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said infrared radiation detector means comprises a plurality of individual detector cells, and means connecting each of said cells individually to said alarm means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apnea detector as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means connecting each of said cells to said alarm means comprises amplifier means and gating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apnea detector as set forth in claim 6 wherein said gating means comprises OR-gates to individually connect those cells producing a modulation signal to said alarm means whereby to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of said apnea detector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apnea detector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes a mounting bracket having an adjustable support arm for adjustably positioning said detector means relative to said monitored subject.
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) | 1985-09-20 | 1986-03-22 | 1986-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-09-20 | 1990-03-22 | 1990-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-09-20 | 1994-03-22 | 1994-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |