US4945916A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical device for the simultaneous detection of heart and respiratory movements
Assignee: Thales SA
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Filing: 1987-10-14
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Granted: 1990-08-07
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Expires: 2007-10-14
Abstract
Abstract The device comprises a sensor with a mirror coupled to a diaphragm used to shift the mirror according to the patient's heart and thorax movements. A light generator illuminates the mirror. An electro-optical detector converts the intensity of the light rays reflected by the mirror into an electrical signal and a processing circuit generates output signals indicative of heart and respiratory movements.
Inventors
- 👤 Sylvain Kretschmer
- 👤 Jean-Paul Do-huu
- 👤 Francois Micheron
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/54; A61B6/541; A61B7/00; A61B7/02; A61B7/04; H; H04; H04R; H04R23/00; H04R23/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
An optical device for the simultaneous detection of heart and respiratory movements, comprising a sensor comprising a movable mirror coupled to means used to move the mirror according to heart and respiratory movements, a light generator coupled to light guide means, to illuminate the mirror, and electro-optical means also coupled to the light guide means, to convert intensity of a light beam reflected by the mirror into an electrical signal, and processing means for receiving the electrical signal and converting this signal into output signals respectively indicative of heart and respiratory movements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
An optical device for the simultaneous detection of heart and respiratory movements, comprising a sensor comprising a movable mirror coupled to means used to move the mirror according to heart and respiratory movements, a light generator coupled to light guide means, to illuminate the mirror, and electro-optical means also coupled to the light guide means, to convert intensity of a light beam reflected by the mirror into an electrical signal, and processing means for receiving the electrical signal and converting this signal into output signals respectively indicative of heart and respiratory movements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the means used to move the mirror comprise a first diaphragm supporting the mirror and a supporting frame in which a cavity is formed; the first diaphragm being fixed to the supporting frame and closing the cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 2, comprising a second diaphragm fixed to the supporting frame and parallel to the first diaphragm so defining a space between said first and second diaphragms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Device according to the claim 1 wherein the supporting frame is made of a pliant material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
Device according to the claim 4 wherein the first diaphragm blocks the cavity and is drilled with a hole so that the space between the two diaphragms can communicate with the cavity and so as to establish a high-pass acoustic filter with the cavity and the second diaphragm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein said light guide means is an optic fiber having a Y-shaped first end forming two first end faces respectively coupled to the light generator and to the electro-optical converting means, and having a second end engaged in the supporting frame with an end face in front of the mirror.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the processing means comprise a first channel comprising the following elements series-connected in the order given: an amplifier with gain adjustment according to sensitivity of the sensor, a low pass filter for attenuating, in said electrical signal, signals generated by heart movements, and thus selecting signals generated by respiratory movements, a pole-changing switch to choose the synchronizing instant at breathing-in or breathing-out stages, a peak voltage detector and a shaping circuit for delivering an output signal indicative of a precise and reproducible instant in respiratory cycles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein said first channel further comprises a second amplifier coupled to the output of said low pass filter for delivering an output analog signal indicative of the respiratory rhythm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein the processing means comprise a second channel comprising the following elements series-connected in the order given: a gain-adjusting amplifier, a pass band filter for eliminating, in said electrical signal, signals generated by respiratory movements and unwanted signals and/or ambient noises above the highest heartbeat frequencies, a second order analog shunt circuit, a rectifier circuit and a shaping logic circuit for delivering two output pulse signals indicative of electrocardiography R and T waves.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein the shaping logic circuit has a further output for delivering an inhibiting signal when detected movements have amplitudes which are not indicative of heart or respiratory movements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3517999A
Cited
FR1570640A
Cited
US4803992A
Cited
SU1219047A1
Cited
US4664129A
Cited
US4694837A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-06 | 1994-02-05 | 1994-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-06 | 1998-02-05 | 1998-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-06 | 2002-02-05 | 2002-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |