US4997770A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and means for detecting blood alcohol in humans by testing vapor above the eye
Assignee: Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Research Foundation
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Filing: 1988-02-01
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Granted: 1991-03-05
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Expires: 2008-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A method of detecting ethanol in lachrymal fluid is provided in which an open eye of a subject is enclosed in a chamber to define a space above the eye, an ethanol vapor sensor is introduced into the space of the chamber in a spaced relation to the eye; the sensor is calibrated; and the ethanol vapor concentration in the said lachrymal fluid exuded by the eye is measured.
Inventors
- 👤 Howel G. Giles
- 👤 Yedy Israel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S436/00; Y10S436/90; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/20; Y10T436/203332; Y10T436/204165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of detecting ethanol in lachrymal fluid which comprises enclosing an open eye of a subject in a chamber to define a space above the eye, providing an ethanol vapor sensor into the space of the chamber in a spaced relation to the eye; calibrating said sensor; and measuring the ethanol concentration in space above said lachrymal fluid exuded by the eye.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of detecting ethanol in lachrymal fluid which comprises enclosing an open eye of a subject in a chamber to define a space above the eye, providing an ethanol vapor sensor into the space of the chamber in a spaced relation to the eye; calibrating said sensor; and measuring the ethanol concentration in space above said lachrymal fluid exuded by the eye.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said measuring step follows said enclosing step by a time sufficient for the concentration of alcohol in the vapors within said chamber to relate to the concentration of alcohol in the liquid lachrymal fluid of said eye in accordance with Henry'law.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the initial step of restraining said eye in an open state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said enclosing step includes the step of sealing an eyepiece against the face of said subject.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
41 words
An apparatus for detecting alcohol levels in humans comprising: an eyepiece contoured to form a vapor confining chamber over the eye of a human subject; and an ethanol detecting sensor connected to said eyepiece to sample vapor from within said chamber.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
41 words
An apparatus for detecting alcohol levels in humans comprising: an eyepiece contoured to form a vapor confining chamber over the eye of a human subject; and an ethanol detecting sensor connected to said eyepiece to sample vapor from within said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising: means connected to said sensor for comparing said measured ethanol content with a reference to determine the blood alcohol level of said human subject.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said eyepiece has a substantially vapor impervious wall defining a chamber with lower and upper open ends, said lower open end having an edge conformable with the face contour of the subject, said upper open end being shaped to receive in use the ethanol detecting sensor, in substantially sealed spaced relation with the eye of the subject.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said wall defines a frusto-conical chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said lower end of said wall has a cushion mounted therearound.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
38 words
A method of determining the blood alcohol level of a person comprising the steps of: sampling vapors of lachrymal fluid from an eye of said person; and measuring the ethanol vapor content of said sampled lachrymal fluid vapor.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
38 words
A method of determining the blood alcohol level of a person comprising the steps of: sampling vapors of lachrymal fluid from an eye of said person; and measuring the ethanol vapor content of said sampled lachrymal fluid vapor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of: comparing said measured ethanol content with a reference to determine the blood alcohol level of said person.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of: enclosing a chamber about said eye of said person to define a confined space adjacent said eye, said sampling step including the step of sampling said vapors from a gas within said confined space.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said eye is open.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the initial step of restraining said eye in an open state.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said measuring step follows said enclosing step by a time sufficient for the concentration of alcohol of the vapors within said chamber to relate to the concentration in alcohol in the liquid lachrymal fluid of said eye in accordance with Henry's law.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said time is at least approximately fifteen seconds.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said eye is open.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said chamber is enclosed with an eyepiece having an open end, and with a portion of the face of said person which includes said eye of said person closing said open end.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said eye is open.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said eyepiece is a tube having a second open end and said chamber is further formed by closing said second open end with structure which includes an ethanol detecting sensor, said measuring step being performed with said sensor.
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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) | 1994-03-04 | 1994-09-03 | 1995-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-04 | 1998-09-03 | 1999-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-04 | 2002-09-03 | 2003-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |