US4576184A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Drug abuse detection
Assignee: National Patent Analytical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1984-04-23
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Granted: 1986-03-18
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Expires: 2004-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A non-invasive method and an apparatus for detecting drug ingestion based upon the effects of drugs on corneo-retinal potential and/or brainwaves. The method comprises the steps of (a) determining a plurality of reference waveforms, each including corneo-retinal potential (CRP) and/or brainwave waveforms corresponding respectively to a plurality of drugs, (b) recording a subject's waveform while the subject is subjected to a static positional test, and (c) comparing the subject's measured waveforms with the reference waveforms to determine which drug or combination of drugs was ingested by the subject. The apparatus includes an improved electronystagmograph (ENG) machine modified to include longer leads and increased gain (amplification) than typically used for conventional applications.
Inventors
- 👤 S. Thomas Westerman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/48; A61B5/4863; A61B5/40; A61B5/4005; A61B5/4023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A non-invasive method of detecting drug ingestion by a subject comprising the steps of: (a) non-invasively establishing a plurality of reference waveforms by separately recording time-varying fluctuations in cornea-retinal potential (CRP) and/or brainwaves for each of a series of selected drugs administered to an individual who has been pre-examined for freedom from drugs, said recordings for each drug in the series being made in a standardized set of at-rest conditions; (b) non-invasively measuring the subject's waveform, by recording time-varying fluctuations in cornea-retinal potential (CPR) and/or brainwaves, for each of the at-rest conditions of said standardized set; and (c) comparing the subject's measured waveforms with said plurality of reference waveforms to ascertain the existence vel non of any correlation therebetween, thereby determining the presence or absence in said subject of any of said selected drugs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A non-invasive method of detecting drug ingestion by a subject comprising the steps of: (a) non-invasively establishing a plurality of reference waveforms by separately recording time-varying fluctuations in cornea-retinal potential (CRP) and/or brainwaves for each of a series of selected drugs administered to an individual who has been pre-examined for freedom from drugs, said recordings for each drug in the series being made in a standardized set of at-rest conditions; (b) non-invasively measuring the subject's waveform, by recording time-varying fluctuations in cornea-retinal potential (CPR) and/or brainwaves, for each of the at-rest conditions of said standardized set; and (c) comparing the subject's measured waveforms with said plurality of reference waveforms to ascertain the existence vel non of any correlation therebetween, thereby determining the presence or absence in said subject of any of said selected drugs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein both said recording step (a) and said measuring step (b) comprise the steps of: applying the electrodes of an ENG apparatus to the eye area of said individual and of said subject respectively; and amplifying the involved CRP signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein a selected one of the drugs of step (a) is an opiate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein a selected one of the drugs of step (a) is a barbiturate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein a selected one of the drugs of step (a) is cocaine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein a selected one of the drugs of step (a) is diazepam, a tranquilizer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein a selected one of the drugs of step (a) is marijuana.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein a selected one of the drugs of step (a) is ketamine hydrochloride, a hallucinogen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1, in which said standardized set of at-rest conditions includes gaze-right and gaze-left, as well as gaze-down for a supine position in which the head is inclined to one and then to the other side.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 9, in which the gaze-right and gaze-left conditions are for static positional seating, both for the individual of step (a) recordings and for the subject of step (b) measurements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, in which eyes are closed and opened for each of the recordings of step (a) and for the measurements of step (b).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3000271A
Cited
US3774593A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-17 | 1989-09-16 | 1990-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-17 | 1993-09-16 | 1994-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-17 | 1997-09-16 | 1998-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |