Patent US4493564A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4493564A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Clinical instrument for measuring pulse rate and body temperature
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1982-09-27
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Granted: 1985-01-15
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Expires: 2002-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A clinical instrument using a thermocouple probe for the measurement of pulse rate and body temperature using a single sensor. The variation in temperature due to heart beat found at the base of the tongue is detected with a fine wire thermocouple and timed. Pulse rate is calculated and displayed based on the time between beats. The DC component of the thermocouple output is digitized and displayed as body temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 Saul Epstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/02; A61B5/024; G; G01; G01K; G01K13/00; G01K13/20; G01K7/00; G01K7/02; G01K7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A clinical instrument for measuring the pulse rate and body temperature of a patient which comprises: (a) a sensor for sensing the temperature of tissue said sensor having an electrical output with a DC component responsive to the average temperature of said tissue and an AC component responsive to pulses of blood; (b) means responsive to the DC component of the output of said sensor for providing an output representative of the temperature being sensed; and (c) means responsive to the AC component of the output of said sensor for providing an output representative of the pulse rate of said patient.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A clinical instrument for measuring the pulse rate and body temperature of a patient which comprises: (a) a sensor for sensing the temperature of tissue said sensor having an electrical output with a DC component responsive to the average temperature of said tissue and an AC component responsive to pulses of blood; (b) means responsive to the DC component of the output of said sensor for providing an output representative of the temperature being sensed; and (c) means responsive to the AC component of the output of said sensor for providing an output representative of the pulse rate of said patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A clinical instrument as recited in claim 1 where said sensor is a thermocouple probe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A clinical instrument as recited in claims 1 or 2 where said outputs are visual representations of temperature and pulse rate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
A clinical instrument for measuring the pulse rate of patient which comprises: (a) a temperature sensor for sensing the tissue temperature of said patient; (b) means responsive to said temperature sensor for providing electircal pulses coresponding to the heart beat of said patient; (c) a clock pulse generator; (d) means for counting the number of clock pulses between two or more of said electrical pulses; and (e) means responsive to the number of clock pulses between two or more of said electrical pulses for providing an output representative of the pulse rate of said patient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
A clinical instrument for measuring the pulse rate of patient which comprises: (a) a temperature sensor for sensing the tissue temperature of said patient; (b) means responsive to said temperature sensor for providing electircal pulses coresponding to the heart beat of said patient; (c) a clock pulse generator; (d) means for counting the number of clock pulses between two or more of said electrical pulses; and (e) means responsive to the number of clock pulses between two or more of said electrical pulses for providing an output representative of the pulse rate of said patient.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A clinical instrument as recited in claim 4 where said temperature sensor is a thermocouple.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A clinical instrument as recited in claims 4 or 5 where said output is a visual representation of pulse rate.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of measuring pulse rate of a patient which comprises the steps of: (a) placing a temperature sensor at the base of the tongue of a patient to the side of the frenum whereby said sensor has an electrical output comprised of a DC and an AC component; (b) separating the AC component of the output of said sensor from the DC component; and (c) calculating the pulse rate of the patient as a function of the elapsed time between two or more maxima of sensor temperature.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of measuring pulse rate of a patient which comprises the steps of: (a) placing a temperature sensor at the base of the tongue of a patient to the side of the frenum whereby said sensor has an electrical output comprised of a DC and an AC component; (b) separating the AC component of the output of said sensor from the DC component; and (c) calculating the pulse rate of the patient as a function of the elapsed time between two or more maxima of sensor temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of measuring pulse rate as recited in claim 7 where said sensor is a thermocouple.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
28 words
A method of measuring pulse rate as recited in claims 7 or 8 and further including the step of displaying the calculated pulse rate on a digital display.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-15 | 1988-07-16 | 1989-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-15 | 1992-07-16 | 1993-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-15 | 1996-07-16 | 1997-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |