US5501231A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Patient operated system for testing and recording a biological condition of the patient
Assignee: International Electronic Technology Corp
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Filing: 1993-06-02
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Granted: 1996-03-26
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Expires: 2013-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for testing and recording the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume (FEV. 1) and forced volume capacity (FVC) of a patient, comprises prompting the patient to cause the sensing of the expiratory flow rate, sensing the expiratory flow rate of the patient and generating a signal representative of this biological condition, processing the signal to generate biological data representative of the biological condition, generating time data representative of the time when the biological condition was sensed, storing the biological data and the time data, and retrieving the stored biological data together with the time data.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman Kaish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/08; A61B5/087
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A patient-operated device for testing and recording the respiratory status of a patient, said device comprising; a) a portable housing; b) prompter means in the housing for prompting the patient to operate the device; c) sensor means affixed to the housing for sensing an expiratory flow rate of air of the patient and for generating a first signal representative of said flow rate of air; d) processor means in the housing for processing said first signal to generate biological data representative of at least one of the values in the group consisting of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV. 1) and force vital capacity (FVC) of the patient; e) time-generating means in the housing for generating time data representative of a time when said flow rate of air was sensed; f) storage means in the housing for storing the biological data produced by said processor means and the time data produced by said time-generating means; and g) retrieval means in the housing for retrieving from said storage means the biological data together with the time data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A patient-operated device for testing and recording the respiratory status of a patient, said device comprising; a) a portable housing; b) prompter means in the housing for prompting the patient to operate the device; c) sensor means affixed to the housing for sensing an expiratory flow rate of air of the patient and for generating a first signal representative of said flow rate of air; d) processor means in the housing for processing said first signal to generate biological data representative of at least one of the values in the group consisting of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV. 1) and force vital capacity (FVC) of the patient; e) time-generating means in the housing for generating time data representative of a time when said flow rate of air was sensed; f) storage means in the housing for storing the biological data produced by said processor means and the time data produced by said time-generating means; and g) retrieval means in the housing for retrieving from said storage means the biological data together with the time data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein the prompter means comprises wake-up alarm means responsive to the time-generating means for prompting the patient to cause the sensor means to sense said flow rate of air after a preselected time interval from a previous time when said flow rate of air was sensed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device according to claim 2, wherein the prompter means comprises means for producing an audible alarm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein the prompter means comprises display means for indicating when the patient is to blow air into the device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said processor means is further operative to analyze said biological data to provide a test result and wherein said device further comprises means for indicating to the patient the test result.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device according to claim 5, wherein said indicating means indicates to the patient whether the test result is above or below a normal predicted value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device according to claim 5, wherein said indicating means include a red, a yellow and a green color and means for indicating one of said colors in response to the test result.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device according to claim 7, wherein said indicating means is operative to indicate said green color when the test result is greater than 80% of a normal predicted value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device according to claim 7, wherein said indicating means is operative to indicate said red color when the test result is less than 50% of a normal predicted value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device according to claim 7, wherein said indicating means is operative to indicate said yellow color when the test result is between 50% and 80% of a normal predicted value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device according to claim 5, wherein the means for indicating the test result comprises light emitting diodes which, when illuminated, indicate whether the test result was positive or negative.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor means comprises an air flow tube having an air flow inlet, an air flow outlet and transducer means for sensing said flow rate of air through said tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
The device according to claim 12, wherein the transducer means comprises a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the flow tube via an opening in the flow tube between said inlet and outlet and in communication with ambient pressure, said pressure transducer producing said first signal in response to the difference between the pressure at said opening in said flow tube and ambient pressure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device according to claim 13, wherein said opening in said flow tube extends substantially radially through a wall of said tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device according to claim 12, wherein said outlet in the flow tube has a smaller cross sectional area than said inlet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device according to claim 15, wherein said tube is substantially cylindrical in shape.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 12, wherein said tube is removably attached to the housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said processor means includes software means for selecting a peak value of the flow rate of air sensed by said sensor means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device according to claim 18, wherein said software means includes means for rejecting the peak value when it falls below a prescribed threshold.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device according to claim 19, wherein said software means includes means for rejecting the peak value of air flow rate when the air flow rate does not remain above said prescribed threshold for a prescribed period of time.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device according to claim 18, wherein said software means includes means for compensating the peak value in dependence upon temperature.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said retrieval means includes a transmission link for connection between said device and a host computer for downloading said biological and time data to said host computer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device according to claim 22, wherein said transmission link includes infrared transmitter means in said housing for transmitting a data signal to an infrared receiver means, separate from said housing and connected to said host computer, for receiving said data signal and forwarding the same to the host computer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least three pushbuttons on said housing, each pushbutton being connected to respective means for implementing at least one function for operating the device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 24, wherein one pushbutton and its respective implementing means are operative to switch the device on and off.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device according to claim 24, wherein the prompter means comprises display means for indicating an operating menu and wherein at least two of said pushbuttons and their respective implementing means are operative to select functions from the menu.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
70 words
The device according to claim 24, wherein said processor means includes software means for selecting between an operating mode for a patient and a programming mode for a physician, and wherein two of said pushbuttons and their respective implementing means are operative to select the programming mode when both buttons are pressed simultaneously for a prescribed period of time, thereby preventing unauthorized or inadvertent access to the physician's programming modes.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device according to claim 24, wherein said processor means includes software means for calibrating the device, said calibrating means including means for displaying a measured flow rate of a known rate of air flow, and means responsive to at least one of said pushbuttons for changing the measured flow rate to match the known flow rate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein the prompter means comprises display means for displaying at least one of the type and dosage of medication to be taken by the patient.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device according to claim 29, further comprising means, responsive to actuation by a human operator, for changing at least one of the type, dosage and time of the medication to be taken by the patient.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said prompter means further comprises wake-up alarm means responsive to the time-generating means for prompting the patient to take prescribed medication.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device according to claim 1, further comprising key entry means for manually logging into said storage means the type of medication taken by the patient, and wherein said time-generating means further enters into the storage means the time that the medication was taken.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device according to claim 1, further comprising means for clearing the data stored in said storage means, said clearing means including security means for preventing unauthorized operation.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein the processor means comprises a first amplifying means for amplifying said first signal to produce a low gain signal, second amplifying means for amplifying the low gain signal to produce a high gain signal and means for selecting between the high gain and low gain signals to generate biological data.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein the retrieval means comprises a non-volatile random access memory.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein the processor means has means for automatically turning the device off after a predetermined time interval.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said processor means is operative to process said first signal to generate biological data representative of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV. 1).
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said processor means is operative to process said first signal to generate biological data representative of forced vital capacity (FVC).
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said processor means is operative to process said first signal to generate biological data representative of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR).
Claim 41
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for testing and recording the respiratory status of a patient, said method comprising the steps of; a) prompting the patient to cause the testing of a expiratory flow rate of air; b) sensing the expiratory flow rate of air of the patient and generating at first signal representative of said flow rate of air; c) processing said first signal to generate biological data representative of at least one of the values in the group consisting of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV. 1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) of the patient; d) generating time data representative of a time when said flow rate of air was sensed; e) storing the biological data and the time data; and f) retrieving the stored biological data together with the time data.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for testing and recording the respiratory status of a patient, said method comprising the steps of; a) prompting the patient to cause the testing of a expiratory flow rate of air; b) sensing the expiratory flow rate of air of the patient and generating at first signal representative of said flow rate of air; c) processing said first signal to generate biological data representative of at least one of the values in the group consisting of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV. 1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) of the patient; d) generating time data representative of a time when said flow rate of air was sensed; e) storing the biological data and the time data; and f) retrieving the stored biological data together with the time data.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 40, wherein the step of prompting comprises prompting the patient to permit the sensing of said flow rate of air after a preselected time interval from a previous time when said flow rate of air was sensed.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 41, wherein the step of prompting comprises producing an audible alarm.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 40, wherein the step of prompting comprises displaying patient instructions on a liquid crystal display.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 40, further comprising the steps of analyzing said biological data to provide a test result and indicating to the patient the test result.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 44, wherein said indicating step includes indicating to the patient whether the test result is above or below a normal predicted value.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 44, wherein said indicating step includes the step of indicating one of a red, yellow and green color in response to the test result.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 46, wherein said indicating step includes the step of indicating said green color when the test result is greater than 80% of a normal predicted value.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 46, wherein said indicating step includes the step of indicating said red color when the test result is less than 50% of a normal predicted value.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 46, wherein said indicating step includes the step of indicating said yellow color when the test result is between 50% and 80% of a normal predicted value.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 40, wherein the processing step includes the step of processing said first signal to generate biological data representative of the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV. 1).
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 40, wherein said processing step includes the step of processing said first signal to generate biological data representative of forced vital capacity (FVC).
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 40, wherein said retrieving step includes the step of downloading the stored biological data and time data into a host computer.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 40, wherein said processing step includes the step of processing said first signal to generate biological data representative of peak expiratory flow rate.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a device for monitoring a biological condition of a patient having sensor means for sensing the biological condition of the patient and for generating a signal representative of the biological condition and processor means for processing said signal to generate biological data representative of the biological condition, the improvement wherein said processor means comprises first amplifying means for amplifying the signal to produce a low gain signal, second amplifying means for amplifying the low gain signal to produce a high gain signal and means for selecting between the high gain and low gain signals to generate the biological data.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a device for monitoring a biological condition of a patient having sensor means for sensing the biological condition of the patient and for generating a signal representative of the biological condition and processor means for processing said signal to generate biological data representative of the biological condition, the improvement wherein said processor means comprises first amplifying means for amplifying the signal to produce a low gain signal, second amplifying means for amplifying the low gain signal to produce a high gain signal and means for selecting between the high gain and low gain signals to generate the biological data.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
86 words
In a method for monitoring a biological condition of a patient, including sensing the biological condition of the patient and generating a signal representative of the biological condition and processing said signal to generate biological data representative of the biological condition, the improvement wherein the step of processing comprises first amplifying the signal to produce a low gain signal, thereafter amplifying the low gain signal to produce a high gain signal and selecting between the high gain and low gain signals to generate the biological data.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
86 words
In a method for monitoring a biological condition of a patient, including sensing the biological condition of the patient and generating a signal representative of the biological condition and processing said signal to generate biological data representative of the biological condition, the improvement wherein the step of processing comprises first amplifying the signal to produce a low gain signal, thereafter amplifying the low gain signal to produce a high gain signal and selecting between the high gain and low gain signals to generate the biological data.
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) | 1999-03-26 | 1999-09-25 | 2000-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-26 | 2003-09-25 | 2004-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-26 | 2007-09-25 | 2008-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |