US4934386A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for assessing responses of humans to stimulants
Assignee: Florida State University Research Foundation Inc
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Filing: 1987-10-13
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Granted: 1990-06-19
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Expires: 2007-10-13
Abstract
Abstract Two olfactometers can simultaneously but independently provide stimulation to the eyes and nose of a human subject. Thus, a sample of air containing an odorant is delivered to the eyes only, nose only, or both eyes and nose of the subject. Physiological responses such as eye blink rate and breathing rate are observed and automatically recorded. Psychophysical responses such as ratings of ocular or nasal irritation also are recorded. The apparatus is useful in collecting data regarding fragrances and environmental air quality.
Inventors
- 👤 James C. Walker
- 👤 Daniel B. Kurtz
- 👤 Ford M. Shore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/08; A61B5/087; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1103; A61B5/40; A61B5/4005; A61B5/4011; A61B5/4017; G; G09; G09B; G09B19/00; A61B5/68; A61B5/6801; A61B5/6813; A61B5/6814; A61B5/6819; A61B5/6821
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
An apparatus for (i) stimulating the nose of a human subject in a controlled manner, and (ii) collecting data regarding the stimulation provided to the subject, the apparatus comprising: (a) source of stimulant; (b) means for transferring controlled amounts of the stimulant within a gaseous medium to the nose of the subject; (c) computer means for recording at least one psychophysical response of the subject to the stimulant; and (d) means for recording at least one physiological response of the subject to the stimulant.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
An apparatus for (i) stimulating the nose of a human subject in a controlled manner, and (ii) collecting data regarding the stimulation provided to the subject, the apparatus comprising: (a) source of stimulant; (b) means for transferring controlled amounts of the stimulant within a gaseous medium to the nose of the subject; (c) computer means for recording at least one psychophysical response of the subject to the stimulant; and (d) means for recording at least one physiological response of the subject to the stimulant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for altering the identity and amount of stimulant within the gaseous medium which is transferred to the nose of the subject.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein the controlled amount of stimulant within the gaseous medium can range from the absence of the stimulant to gaseous medium saturated with the stimulant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising computer means for controlling the amount of stimulant within the gaseous medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 further comprising means for monitoring the instantaneous stimulant concentration within the gaseous medium.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus for (i) stimulating the eyes of a human subject in a controlled manner, and (ii) collecting data regarding the stimulation provided to the subject, the apparatus comprising: (a) source of stimulant; (b) means for transferring controlled amounts of the stimulant within a gaseous medium to the eyes of the subject; (c) means for recording at least one psychophysical response of the subject to the stimulant; and (d) means for recording at least one physiological response of the subject to the stimulant.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus for (i) stimulating the eyes of a human subject in a controlled manner, and (ii) collecting data regarding the stimulation provided to the subject, the apparatus comprising: (a) source of stimulant; (b) means for transferring controlled amounts of the stimulant within a gaseous medium to the eyes of the subject; (c) means for recording at least one psychophysical response of the subject to the stimulant; and (d) means for recording at least one physiological response of the subject to the stimulant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising means for altering the identity and amount of stimulant within the gaseous medium which is transferred to the eyes of the subject.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 6 or 7 wherein the psychophysical responses of the subject are recorded by computer means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 6 or 7 wherein the controlled amount of stimulant within the gaseous medium can range from the absence of the stimulant to gaseous medium saturated with the stimulant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising computer means for controlling the amount of stimulant within the gaseous medium and for recording psychophysical responses of the subject.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 6 or 7 further comprising means for monitoring the instantaneous stimulant concentration within the gaseous medium.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
72 words
An apparatus for (i) simultaneously stimulating the eyes and nose of a human subject independently and in a controlled manner, and (ii) collecting data regarding the stimulation provided to the subject, the apparatus comprising: (a) source of stimulant; (b) means for transferring controlled amounts of the stimulant within a gaseous medium to the eyes and/or nose of the subject; and (c) means for recording physiological responses of the subject to the stimulant.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
72 words
An apparatus for (i) simultaneously stimulating the eyes and nose of a human subject independently and in a controlled manner, and (ii) collecting data regarding the stimulation provided to the subject, the apparatus comprising: (a) source of stimulant; (b) means for transferring controlled amounts of the stimulant within a gaseous medium to the eyes and/or nose of the subject; and (c) means for recording physiological responses of the subject to the stimulant.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 12 including means for recording the breathing pattern of the subject.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 12 including means for recording physiological eye responses of the subject.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the stimulant is transferred to the eyes and nose of the subject within a flow of air of controlled flow rate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising means for altering the identity and amount of stimulant within the gaseous medium which is transferred to the eyes and/or nose of the subject.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 12 comprising separate sources of stimulant for the simultaneous and independent stimulation of the eyes and nose of the subject.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 12, 16 or 17 comprising a mask fitted for the face of the subject such that gaseous medium can be independently transferred to the eyes and nose of the subject.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 12, 16 or 17 wherein the controlled amount of stimulant within the gaseous medium can range from the absence of the stimulant to gaseous medium saturated with the stimulant.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for (i) simultaneously stimulating the eyes and nose of a human subject independently in a controlled manner, and (ii) collecting data regarding the stimulation provided to the subject, the apparatus comprising: (a) source of stimulant; (b) means for transferring controlled amounts of the stimulant within a gaseous medium to the eyes and/or nose of the subject; and (c) means for recording psychophysical responses of the subject to the stimulant.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for (i) simultaneously stimulating the eyes and nose of a human subject independently in a controlled manner, and (ii) collecting data regarding the stimulation provided to the subject, the apparatus comprising: (a) source of stimulant; (b) means for transferring controlled amounts of the stimulant within a gaseous medium to the eyes and/or nose of the subject; and (c) means for recording psychophysical responses of the subject to the stimulant.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the stimulant is transferred to the eyes and nose of the subject within a flow of air of controlled flow rate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising means for altering the identity and amount of stimulant within the gaseous medium which is transferred to the eyes and/or nose of the subject.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the psychophysical responses of the subject are recorded by computer means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 20 comprising separate sources of stimulant for the simultaneous and independent stimulation of the eyes and nose of the subject.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 20, 22 or 24 comprising a mask fitted for the face of the subject such that gaseous medium can be independently transferred to the eyes and nose of the subject.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 20, 22 or 24 wherein the controlled amount of stimulant within the gaseous medium can range from the absence of the stimulant to gaseous medium saturated with the stimulant.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising computer means for controlling the amount of stimulant within the gaseous medium and for recording psychophysical responses of the subject.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
84 words
An apparatus for (i) simultaneously stimulating the eyes and nose of a human subject independently and in a controlled manner, and (ii) collecting data regarding the stimulation provided to the subject, the apparatus comprising: (a) source of stimulant; (b) means for transferring controlled amounts of the stimulant within a gaseous medium to the eyes and/or nose of the subject; (c) means for recording psychophysical responses of the subject to the stimulant; and (d) means for recording physiological responses of the subject to the stimulant.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
84 words
An apparatus for (i) simultaneously stimulating the eyes and nose of a human subject independently and in a controlled manner, and (ii) collecting data regarding the stimulation provided to the subject, the apparatus comprising: (a) source of stimulant; (b) means for transferring controlled amounts of the stimulant within a gaseous medium to the eyes and/or nose of the subject; (c) means for recording psychophysical responses of the subject to the stimulant; and (d) means for recording physiological responses of the subject to the stimulant.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 28 further comprising means for altering the identity and amount of stimulant within the gaseous medium which is transferred to the eyes and/or nose of the subject.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 28 or 29 including means for recording the breathing pattern of the subject.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 28 or 29 including means for recording physiological eye responses of the subject.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 28 or 29 wherein the stimulant is transferred to the eyes and nose of the subject within a flow of air of controlled flow rate.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 28 or 29 wherein the psychophysical responses of the subject are recorded by computer means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 28 comprising separate sources of stimulant for the simultaneous and independent stimulation of the eyes and nose of the subject.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 28 or 29 comprising a mask fitted for the face of the subject such that gaseous medium can be independently transferred to the eyes and nose of the subject.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 28 or 29 wherein the controlled amount of stimulant within the gaseous medium can range from the absence of the stimulant to gaseous medium saturated with the stimulant.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 28 or 29 further comprising computer means for controlling the amount of stimulant within the gaseous medium and for recording psychophysical responses of the 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) | 1993-06-18 | 1993-12-18 | 1994-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-18 | 1997-12-18 | 1998-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-18 | 2001-12-18 | 2002-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |