US4987898A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for the non-invasive measurement of pressure
Assignee: Noninvasive Medical Inc
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Filing: 1989-01-17
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Granted: 1991-01-29
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Expires: 2009-01-17
Abstract
Abstract An improved, non-invasive pressure sensing method and device is provided which allows for the measurement of pressure in a vessel having flexible walls or otherwise provided with an external elastic membrane. The disclosed method and device provides for the application of a coplanar array of pressure sensors or transducers against the elastic vessel wall, the internal pressure of the vessel being measured at a point at which at least three of the transducers, arranged in a triangular configuration, measure the same pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 William Sones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/16; A61B5/00; A61B5/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of non-invasive detection of pressure within a vessel having an elastic wall portion, comprising the steps of: (a) placing a coplanar triangular array of three pressure transducers into contact with the elastic wall portion; (b) monitoring the pressure detected by said transducers; (c) advancing said array against said elastic wall portion until the pressure sensed by three monitored transducers is equal; and (d) generating a first signal indicating the pressure measured by said transducers when the pressure sensed by said three monitoring transducers is equal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of non-invasive detection of pressure within a vessel having an elastic wall portion, comprising the steps of: (a) placing a coplanar triangular array of three pressure transducers into contact with the elastic wall portion; (b) monitoring the pressure detected by said transducers; (c) advancing said array against said elastic wall portion until the pressure sensed by three monitored transducers is equal; and (d) generating a first signal indicating the pressure measured by said transducers when the pressure sensed by said three monitoring transducers is equal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of zeroing said pressure transducers prior to said advancing step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of monitoring the pressure of a fourth transducer centrally located within a triangle whose vertices are defined by said three monitored transducers and generating a second signal indicating the pressure within the vessel measured by said fourth transducer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of further monitoring said pressure detected by said coplanar sensor array following said generating step and adjusting the position of said pressure sensor array against the elastic wall to maintain said equality of pressure signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of affixing said coplanar array to the elastic wall portion.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
103 words
A device for non-invasive measurement of pressure within a vessel having an elastic wall portion, comprising: (a) three pressure transducers arranged in a coplanar triangular array; (b) means for bringing said array into contact with the elastic wall portion; (c) output means for generating a pressure signal corresponding to the pressure measured by each said pressure transducer; (d) comparison means whereby the signals transmitted from the three pressure transducers are compared; (e) a signal generating means whereby an indication of signal equality from said three pressure transducers can be displayed or transmitted; (f) display means for indicating the pressure measured by said transducers.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
103 words
A device for non-invasive measurement of pressure within a vessel having an elastic wall portion, comprising: (a) three pressure transducers arranged in a coplanar triangular array; (b) means for bringing said array into contact with the elastic wall portion; (c) output means for generating a pressure signal corresponding to the pressure measured by each said pressure transducer; (d) comparison means whereby the signals transmitted from the three pressure transducers are compared; (e) a signal generating means whereby an indication of signal equality from said three pressure transducers can be displayed or transmitted; (f) display means for indicating the pressure measured by said transducers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 6, further comprising fixture means for carrying said coplanar array in a predetermined position relative to the vessel.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
127 words
A device for non-invasive measurement of pressure within a vessel having an elastic wall, comprising: (a) three pressure transducers arranged in a coplanar triangular array; (b) a fourth pressure transducer disposed within said triangular coplanar array; (c) means for bringing said array into contact with the elastic wall portion; (d) output means for generating a pressure signal corresponding to the pressure measured by each of four said pressure transducers; (e) comparison means for determining a condition of equality of said pressure signals from said four pressure transducers; (f) signal generating means for indicating the pressure measured by said transducers when the pressure sensed by said four of said monitoring transducers is equal; and (g) display means for indicating the pressure measured by the said fourth pressure transducer.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
127 words
A device for non-invasive measurement of pressure within a vessel having an elastic wall, comprising: (a) three pressure transducers arranged in a coplanar triangular array; (b) a fourth pressure transducer disposed within said triangular coplanar array; (c) means for bringing said array into contact with the elastic wall portion; (d) output means for generating a pressure signal corresponding to the pressure measured by each of four said pressure transducers; (e) comparison means for determining a condition of equality of said pressure signals from said four pressure transducers; (f) signal generating means for indicating the pressure measured by said transducers when the pressure sensed by said four of said monitoring transducers is equal; and (g) display means for indicating the pressure measured by the said fourth pressure transducer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising signal generating means for generating an equality signal in response to said determination of equality of said pressure
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said coplanar array is carried on a planar surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said pressure transducers are arranged at the vertices of a triangle on said planar surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a probe carrying said coplanar array.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising means for adjusting the position of said planar surface in response to said comparison means to maintain said condition of equality of said pressure signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising means for monitoring said pressure signals from said coplanar transducer array.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising recording means for recording the pressure within the vessel as indicated by said pressure signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a fourth transducer disposed centrally to a triangle whose vertices are defined by said three pressure transducers.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
146 words
A device for non-invasively measuring pressure within a vessel having an elastic wall portion, comprising: a rigid flat plate; three pressure transducers, disposed in a triangular array carried on and coplanar with the surface of said plate; means for advancing said array against the surface of said elastic wall portion in a controlled manner; output means for generating a pressure signal corresponding to the pressure measured by each said pressure transducer; comparison means whereby the signals transmitted from said three pressure transducers are compared; control means for repositioning said coplanar array to maintain said condition of equality of said pressure signals; means responsive to said control means for repositioning said coplanar array; means for displaying and recording the value of any said pressure signal; and fixture means for carrying said plate, including housing means for holding said plate in a predetermined position relative to the vessel.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
146 words
A device for non-invasively measuring pressure within a vessel having an elastic wall portion, comprising: a rigid flat plate; three pressure transducers, disposed in a triangular array carried on and coplanar with the surface of said plate; means for advancing said array against the surface of said elastic wall portion in a controlled manner; output means for generating a pressure signal corresponding to the pressure measured by each said pressure transducer; comparison means whereby the signals transmitted from said three pressure transducers are compared; control means for repositioning said coplanar array to maintain said condition of equality of said pressure signals; means responsive to said control means for repositioning said coplanar array; means for displaying and recording the value of any said pressure signal; and fixture means for carrying said plate, including housing means for holding said plate in a predetermined position relative to the vessel.
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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) | 1994-01-28 | 1994-07-30 | 1995-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-28 | 1998-07-30 | 1999-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-28 | 2002-07-30 | 2003-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |