Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A portable patient vital signs monitoring system comprising, in combination: first sound sensing means to be attached to a patient's body for sensing heart and lung sounds and for generating a first electrical signal corresponding thereto; second sound sensing means to be attached to a patient's body for sensing blood flow and for generating a second electrical signal corresponding thereto; conductor means connected to said first and second sensing means for conducting said signals away from the patient's body; a remotely located monitoring unit including control means connected to said conductor means for receiving said first and second signals from said conductor means and for processing said signals; said monitoring unit including an IR transmitter having emitter means for omnidirectional transmission of said processed first and second signals; and a remote portable, IR receiver to be worn on an operator's body for receiving said processed first and second signals and for converting said received signals into audible form.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A portable patient vital signs monitoring system comprising, in combination: first sound sensing means to be attached to a patient's body for sensing heart and lung sounds and for generating a first electrical signal corresponding thereto; second sound sensing means to be attached to a patient's body for sensing blood flow and for generating a second electrical signal corresponding thereto; conductor means connected to said first and second sensing means for conducting said signals away from the patient's body; a remotely located monitoring unit including control means connected to said conductor means for receiving said first and second signals from said conductor means and for processing said signals; said monitoring unit including an IR transmitter having emitter means for omnidirectional transmission of said processed first and second signals; and a remote portable, IR receiver to be worn on an operator's body for receiving said processed first and second signals and for converting said received signals into audible form.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A monitoring system according to claim 1 wherein second sound sensing means comprises flexible housing means defining a sound chamber having a microphone therein for placement in engagement with a surface of skin of a body over a vein for sensing blood flow sounds when blood flow is restricted in said vein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A monitoring system according to claim 2 wherein said flexible housing means comprises a generally rectangular cupped housing member defining said sound chamber having an open end; and an acoustic diaphragm covering the open end of said housing for engagement with said skin for sensing blood flow sounds in said vein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A monitoring system according to claim 1 wherein said first sound sensing means comprises sound chamber means for mounting on the chest of a patient and a microphone disposed in said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A monitoring system according to claim 4 wherein said sound chamber means is defined by a housing having an open end; and an acoustic diaphragm covering said open end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A monitoring system according to claim 5 wherein said housing has a generally frusto conical shape with a height to diameter ratio of less than one.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A monitoring system according to claim 6 wherein said housing includes strap means for attachment to an arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A monitoring system according to claim 7 wherein said housing is cooperative in combination with an inflatable blood pressure cuff and is positionable under and engageable by said cuff for sensing said blood flow sounds in a vein when the vein is restricted by the inflatable blood pressure cuff.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A monitoring system according to claim 8, including a thermistor mounted along the peripheral edge of said housing for engagement with a patient's body for sensing the external temperature of a patient; and said monitoring unit including means for monitoring the temperatuare sensed by the thermistor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A monitoring system according to claim 6 wherein: said housing includes a thermistor mounted on the periphery thereof for sensing the external temperature of a patient; and said monitoring unit including means for monitoring temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A vital signs monitoring system according to claim 10 wherein: said second sound sensing means comprises a generally rectangular elastic housing means having an open side; and an acoustic diaphragm covering said open side for mounting on an arm in contact with a skin area over a brachial artery and a microphone communicating with said chamber for sensing said blood pressure sounds.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A monitoring system according to claim 11 further comprising an esophageal stethoscope having means for sensing vital signs, and said monitoring unit including display means responsive to vital signs sensed by said stethoscope for displaying visual means indicative of vital signs sensed by said stethoscope.