Patent US5247940A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5247940A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for detecting phlebitis
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-10-20
•
Granted: 1993-09-28
•
Expires: 2012-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A device for detecting phlebitis comprises a housing and a plurality of temperature sensors mounted to the housing in spaced relation to one another so that the sensors are disposable in juxtaposition with a skin surface. A comparator mounted to the housing is operatively connected to the sensors for comparing temperatures simultaneously detected by the sensors upon juxtaposition thereof with the skin surface. The comparator includes a circuit or other component for generating a signal upon the detecting by the comparator of a temperature difference greater than a predetermined threshold. An indicator is mounted to the housing and operatively connected to the comparator for providing a sensible indication to an operator in response to the signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter J. Wilk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/01; G; G01; G01K; G01K3/00; G01K3/08; G01K3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for caring for a patient, comprising the steps of: automatically sensing temperature at a plurality of spaced points on a skin surface of a patent simultaneously, said points being located generally over an inserted portion of an intravenous catheter traversing said skin surface; automatically comparing temperatures sensed at said spaced points; automatically generating a signal upon detecting a temperature difference greater than a predetermined threshold; automatically providing a sensible indication to an operator in response to said signal; and in response to said sensible indication, removing said intravenous catheter from the patient.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for caring for a patient, comprising the steps of: automatically sensing temperature at a plurality of spaced points on a skin surface of a patent simultaneously, said points being located generally over an inserted portion of an intravenous catheter traversing said skin surface; automatically comparing temperatures sensed at said spaced points; automatically generating a signal upon detecting a temperature difference greater than a predetermined threshold; automatically providing a sensible indication to an operator in response to said signal; and in response to said sensible indication, removing said intravenous catheter from the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said points are greater in number than three and are disposed in a substantially planar array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said step of sensing temperature includes the step of detecting infrared radiation from said points.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said indication is a visual alert signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said indication is an audible alert signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of sterilizing said skin surface at and about a point of insertion of said catheter into the patient, said step of sterilizing being executed subsequently to said step of removing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of introducing a new catheter into the patient in response to said sensible indication.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3750471A
Cited
US4633885A
Cited
US4981139A
Cited
US4665927A
Cited
US4813790A
Cited
US5017019A
Cited
US5060657A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-09-27 | 1997-03-29 | 1997-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-09-27 | 2001-03-29 | 2001-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-09-27 | 2005-03-29 | 2005-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |