US4679566A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for measuring pulse rate, vital capacity and pulmonary peak flow
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-03-24
•
Granted: 1987-07-14
•
Expires: 2006-03-24
Abstract
Abstract A portable instrument which enables a person to measure his pulse rate, vital capacity and/or pulmonary peak flow during exercise comprising a single small, portable case containing all the elements necessary for taking such measurements, i.e., a mouthpiece into which the user exhales, a channel through which the expired air passes, a turbine and a pulse sensor within the channel for detecting respiratory functions and pulse rate respectively, electronic circuitry for converting the measurements into displayable values, an electro-optical display, and batteries.
Inventors
- 👤 Ulf S. Tamm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/02; A61B5/024; A61B5/02438; A61B2560/00; A61B2560/04; A61B2560/0462; A61B2560/0468
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A portable apparatus for measuring pulse rate and pulmonary peak flow of a person comprising: a case having means formed therein for transmitting expired air therethrough and for receiving a portion of a person's body to measure pulse rate; means for measuring pulmonary peak flow disposed within said means for transmitting expired air and for receiving a portion of a person's body; means for measuring pulse rate disposed within said means for transmitting expired air and for recieing a portion of a person's body; and a source of electrical power disposed within said case and connected to said means for measuring pulmonary peak flow and said means for measuring pulse rate for operating said means for measuring pulmonary peak flow and for operating said means for measuring pulse rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A portable apparatus for measuring pulse rate and pulmonary peak flow of a person comprising: a case having means formed therein for transmitting expired air therethrough and for receiving a portion of a person's body to measure pulse rate; means for measuring pulmonary peak flow disposed within said means for transmitting expired air and for receiving a portion of a person's body; means for measuring pulse rate disposed within said means for transmitting expired air and for recieing a portion of a person's body; and a source of electrical power disposed within said case and connected to said means for measuring pulmonary peak flow and said means for measuring pulse rate for operating said means for measuring pulmonary peak flow and for operating said means for measuring pulse rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for measuring pulmonary peak flow comprises a turbine disposed in said transmitting means such that said tubine is driven into rotation by the expired air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said means for measuring pulmonary peak flow further comprises means for sensing the rotation of said turbine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said means for measuring pulmonary pak flow further comprises means for counting the revolutions of said turbine during at least one complete expiration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for measuring pulmonary peak flow further comprises means for detecting the maximum rate of rotation of said turbine and for converting said maximum rate into a value representing pulmonary peak flow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising means for converting the number of revolutions of said turbine into a value representing vital capacity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said turbine comprises at least one blade, and wherein said means for sensing the rotation of said turbine comprises optical means for detecting passage of said blade past said optical means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said optical means comprises a light-emitting diode and a light-sensitive detector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising display means disposed within said case for displaying pulse rate and for displaying pulmonary peak flow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising means for converting the number of revolutions of said turbine into a value representing vital capacity and wherein said display means is capable of displaying said value representing vital capacity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising switch means connected to said display means for selecting a display of either pulse rate, pulmonary peak flow or vital capacity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising switch means connected to said display means for selecting a display of either pulse rate or pulmonary peak flow.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said display means comprises electro-optical display means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said display means comprises a single display means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for measuring pulse rate comprises means for sensing the periodic variation of blood volume in a finger, means for counting said periodic variations, whereby a pulse count is obtained, and means for converting said pulse count into a pulse rate and displaying said pulse rate on said display means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising means disposed within said receiving means for holding a finger in contact with said means for sensing the variation of blood volume in said finger.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said means for holding a finger comprises spring means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said means for sensing the variation of blood volume comprises an infrared lightemitting diode and an infrared-sensitive receiver.
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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) | 1990-07-13 | 1991-01-12 | 1991-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-13 | 1995-01-12 | 1995-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-13 | 1999-01-12 | 1999-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |