US6159166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Sensor and method for sensing arterial pulse pressure
Assignee: Hypertension Diagnostics Inc
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Filing: 1998-03-20
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Granted: 2000-12-12
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Expires: 2018-03-20
Abstract
Abstract A method and a pulse pressure sensor for sensing an arterial pulse pressure waveform. In one embodiment, the pulse pressure sensor includes a housing, a diaphragm, a piezoelectric device, and a self-contained amplifier. The skin-contact diaphragm is attached across a recess or opening in the housing. The piezoelectric device has a first portion mounted in a fixed relationship to the housing and a second portion displacementally coupled to the diaphragm. The solid-state amplifier has a signal input coupled to the piezoelectric device, wherein the piezoelectric device and amplifier together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 0.1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz. In one such embodiment, the housing and the skin-contact diaphragm of the sensor are stainless steel. In one such embodiment, the diaphragm has a skin-contact surface with a skin-contact dimension of between approximately 0.4 inch and 0.6 inch. In one embodiment, the sensor includes a solid-state amplifier that includes a high-input-impedance MOSFET input stage having an input resistance high enough to provide a frequency response that extends below approximately 0.1 hertz.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles F. Chesney
- 👤 Dennis J. Morgan
- 👤 Eugene A. O'Rourke
- 👤 Michael T. Riggs
- 👤 Fred Randall Thornton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B7/00; A61B5/00; A61B5/02; A61B5/021; A61B5/02108; A61B7/02; A61B7/04; A61B7/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A body-sound sensor comprising: a housing (110); a skin-contact diaphragm (120) attached across a recess or opening in the housing, a piezoelectric device (170) having a first portion mounted in a fixed relationship to the housing and a second portion displacementally coupled to the diaphragm; and a solid-state amplifier (190) having a signal input coupled to the device, wherein the device and amplifier together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A body-sound sensor comprising: a housing (110); a skin-contact diaphragm (120) attached across a recess or opening in the housing, a piezoelectric device (170) having a first portion mounted in a fixed relationship to the housing and a second portion displacementally coupled to the diaphragm; and a solid-state amplifier (190) having a signal input coupled to the device, wherein the device and amplifier together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the housing and the skin-contact diaphragm are stainless steel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The sensor according to claim 2, wherein the diaphragm has a skin-contact surface with a skin-contact dimension of between approximately 0.4 inch and 0.6 inch, and wherein the sensor is used to acquire a signal from the radial artery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm has a skin-contact surface with a skin-contact dimension of between approximately 0.4 inch and 0.6 inch and wherein the sensor is used to acquire a signal from the radial artery.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
A body-sound sensor comprising: a housing (110) a skin-contact diaphragm (120) attached across a recess or opening in the housing, a piezoelectric device (170) having a first portion mounted in a fixed relationship to the housing and a second portion displacementally coupled to the diaphragm; and a solid-state amplifier (190) having a signal input coupled to the device, wherein the device and amplifier together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz, wherein the solid-state amplifier (190) includes a MOSFET input stage having an input resistance high enough to provide a frequency response that extends below approximately 0.1 hertz.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
A body-sound sensor comprising: a housing (110) a skin-contact diaphragm (120) attached across a recess or opening in the housing, a piezoelectric device (170) having a first portion mounted in a fixed relationship to the housing and a second portion displacementally coupled to the diaphragm; and a solid-state amplifier (190) having a signal input coupled to the device, wherein the device and amplifier together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz, wherein the solid-state amplifier (190) includes a MOSFET input stage having an input resistance high enough to provide a frequency response that extends below approximately 0.1 hertz.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
212 words
A body-sound sensor comprising: a housing (110); a skin-contact diaphragm (120) attached across a recess or opening in the housing, a piezoelectric device (170) having a first portion mounted in a fixed relationship to the housing and a second portion displacementally coupled to the diaphragm; and a solid-state amplifier (190) having a signal input coupled to the device, wherein the device and amplifier together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz, wherein the solid-state amplifier (190) comprises: an input/output signal wire; a ground signal path; a voltage divider, the voltage divider coupled between the input/output signal wire and the ground; a drain resistor coupled to the ground; a gate resistor coupled to the ground; a MOSFET input transistor having a gate coupled to receive a signal from the piezoelectric device (170), a source coupled to an intermediate point of the voltage divider, and a drain, wherein the drain resistor is coupled between the drain and the ground, and the gate resistor is coupled between the gate and the ground; and a bipolar output transistor having a collector coupled to the input/output signal wire, an emitter coupled to the ground, and a base coupled to the drain of the input transistor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
212 words
A body-sound sensor comprising: a housing (110); a skin-contact diaphragm (120) attached across a recess or opening in the housing, a piezoelectric device (170) having a first portion mounted in a fixed relationship to the housing and a second portion displacementally coupled to the diaphragm; and a solid-state amplifier (190) having a signal input coupled to the device, wherein the device and amplifier together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz, wherein the solid-state amplifier (190) comprises: an input/output signal wire; a ground signal path; a voltage divider, the voltage divider coupled between the input/output signal wire and the ground; a drain resistor coupled to the ground; a gate resistor coupled to the ground; a MOSFET input transistor having a gate coupled to receive a signal from the piezoelectric device (170), a source coupled to an intermediate point of the voltage divider, and a drain, wherein the drain resistor is coupled between the drain and the ground, and the gate resistor is coupled between the gate and the ground; and a bipolar output transistor having a collector coupled to the input/output signal wire, an emitter coupled to the ground, and a base coupled to the drain of the input transistor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The sensor according to claim 6, wherein the piezoelectric device (170) includes a piezoelectric double-plate ceramic element, wherein two thin plates are bonded together so they amplify their piezoelectric actions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
A body-sound sensor comprising: a housing (110); a skin-contact diaphragm (120) attached across a recess or opening in the housing, a piezoelectric device (170) having a first portion mounted in a fixed relationship to the housing and a second portion displacementally coupled to the diaphragm; and a solid-state amplifier (190) having a signal input coupled to the device, wherein the device and amplifier together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz, wherein the piezoelectric device (170) includes a piezoelectric double-plate ceramic element, wherein two thin plates are bonded together so they amplify their piezoelectric actions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
A body-sound sensor comprising: a housing (110); a skin-contact diaphragm (120) attached across a recess or opening in the housing, a piezoelectric device (170) having a first portion mounted in a fixed relationship to the housing and a second portion displacementally coupled to the diaphragm; and a solid-state amplifier (190) having a signal input coupled to the device, wherein the device and amplifier together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz, wherein the piezoelectric device (170) includes a piezoelectric double-plate ceramic element, wherein two thin plates are bonded together so they amplify their piezoelectric actions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a constant-current source coupled to the amplifier.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sensor according to claim 6, further comprising a constant-current source coupled to input/output wire of the amplifier.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
88 words
A piezoelectric acoustical pressure sensor including: a stainless-steel housing, the housing having a skin-contact diaphragm, the diaphragm having a skin-contact surface with a skin-contact dimension of between approximately 0.3 inch and 0.7 inch; a piezoelectric device displacementally coupled to the diaphragm; a solid-state amplifier within the housing having a signal input coupled to the device, the device and amplifier together having a frequency response of approximately 0.1 hertz to at least approximately 250 hertz and wherein the sensor is used to acquire a signal from the radial artery.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
88 words
A piezoelectric acoustical pressure sensor including: a stainless-steel housing, the housing having a skin-contact diaphragm, the diaphragm having a skin-contact surface with a skin-contact dimension of between approximately 0.3 inch and 0.7 inch; a piezoelectric device displacementally coupled to the diaphragm; a solid-state amplifier within the housing having a signal input coupled to the device, the device and amplifier together having a frequency response of approximately 0.1 hertz to at least approximately 250 hertz and wherein the sensor is used to acquire a signal from the radial artery.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
200 words
A piezoelectric acoustical pressure sensor including: a stainless-steel housing, the housing having a skin-contact diaphragm, the diaphragm having a skin-contact surface with a skin-contact dimension of between approximately 0.3 inch and 0.7 inch; a piezoelectric device displacementally coupled to the diaphragm; a solid-state amplifier having a signal input coupled to the device, the device and amplifier together having a frequency response of approximately 0.1 hertz to at least approximately 250 hertz, wherein the solid-state amplifier (190) comprises: an input/output signal wire; a ground signal path; a voltage divider, the voltage divider coupled between the input/output signal wire and the ground; a drain resistor coupled to the ground; a gate resistor coupled to the ground; a MOSFET input transistor having a gate coupled to receive a signal from the piezoelectric device (170), a source coupled to an intermediate point of the voltage divider, and a drain, wherein the drain resistor is coupled between the drain and the ground, and the gate resistor is coupled between the gate and the ground; and a bipolar output transistor having a collector coupled to the input/output signal wire, an emitter coupled to the ground, and a base coupled to the drain of the input transistor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
200 words
A piezoelectric acoustical pressure sensor including: a stainless-steel housing, the housing having a skin-contact diaphragm, the diaphragm having a skin-contact surface with a skin-contact dimension of between approximately 0.3 inch and 0.7 inch; a piezoelectric device displacementally coupled to the diaphragm; a solid-state amplifier having a signal input coupled to the device, the device and amplifier together having a frequency response of approximately 0.1 hertz to at least approximately 250 hertz, wherein the solid-state amplifier (190) comprises: an input/output signal wire; a ground signal path; a voltage divider, the voltage divider coupled between the input/output signal wire and the ground; a drain resistor coupled to the ground; a gate resistor coupled to the ground; a MOSFET input transistor having a gate coupled to receive a signal from the piezoelectric device (170), a source coupled to an intermediate point of the voltage divider, and a drain, wherein the drain resistor is coupled between the drain and the ground, and the gate resistor is coupled between the gate and the ground; and a bipolar output transistor having a collector coupled to the input/output signal wire, an emitter coupled to the ground, and a base coupled to the drain of the input transistor.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for sensing body sounds comprising the steps of: displacing a skin-contact diaphragm using changing pressure at a skin surface to create a diaphragm displacement; converting the diaphragm displacement into a piezoelectric displacement; generating an electrical signal representative of the piezoelectric displacement; and amplifying the electrical signal, wherein the steps of displacing, converting, and amplifying together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for sensing body sounds comprising the steps of: displacing a skin-contact diaphragm using changing pressure at a skin surface to create a diaphragm displacement; converting the diaphragm displacement into a piezoelectric displacement; generating an electrical signal representative of the piezoelectric displacement; and amplifying the electrical signal, wherein the steps of displacing, converting, and amplifying together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein the diaphragm is stainless steel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 14, wherein the diaphragm has a skin-contact surface with a skin-contact dimension of between approximately 0.4 inch and 0.6 inch, and is approximately 0.006 inch thick and wherein the method is used to acquire a signal from the radial artery.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein the diaphragm has a skin-contact surface with a skin-contact dimension of between approximately 0.4 inch and 0.6 inch and wherein the method is used to acquire a signal from the radial artery.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for sensing body sounds comprising the steps of: displacing a skin-contact diaphragm using changing pressure at a skin surface to create a diaphragm displacement; converting the diaphragm displacement into a piezoelectric displacement; generating an electrical signal representative of the piezoelectric displacement; and amplifying the electrical signal, wherein the steps of displacing, converting, and amplifying together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz, wherein the step of amplifying includes using a MOSFET input stage having an input resistance high enough to provide a frequency response that extends below approximately 0.1 hertz.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for sensing body sounds comprising the steps of: displacing a skin-contact diaphragm using changing pressure at a skin surface to create a diaphragm displacement; converting the diaphragm displacement into a piezoelectric displacement; generating an electrical signal representative of the piezoelectric displacement; and amplifying the electrical signal, wherein the steps of displacing, converting, and amplifying together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz, wherein the step of amplifying includes using a MOSFET input stage having an input resistance high enough to provide a frequency response that extends below approximately 0.1 hertz.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
193 words
A method for sensing body sounds comprising the steps of: displacing a skin-contact diaphragm using changing pressure at a skin surface to create a diaphragm displacement; converting the diaphragm displacement into a piezoelectric displacement; generating an electrical signal representative of the piezoelectric displacement; and amplifying the electrical signal, wherein the steps of displacing, converting, and amplifying together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz, wherein the step of amplifying comprises the steps of: providing a constant-current source and a ground signal path; coupling a voltage divider between the constant-current source and the ground; coupling the signal from the piezoelectric displacement to a gate of a MOSFET input transistor, the MOSFET transistor having a source coupled to an intermediate point of the voltage divider, and a drain, wherein a drain resistor is coupled between the drain and the ground, and a gate resistor is coupled between the gate and the ground; and coupling a signal from the MOSFET transistor to a base of a bipolar output transistor having a collector coupled to the constant-current source, and an emitter coupled to the ground.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
193 words
A method for sensing body sounds comprising the steps of: displacing a skin-contact diaphragm using changing pressure at a skin surface to create a diaphragm displacement; converting the diaphragm displacement into a piezoelectric displacement; generating an electrical signal representative of the piezoelectric displacement; and amplifying the electrical signal, wherein the steps of displacing, converting, and amplifying together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz, wherein the step of amplifying comprises the steps of: providing a constant-current source and a ground signal path; coupling a voltage divider between the constant-current source and the ground; coupling the signal from the piezoelectric displacement to a gate of a MOSFET input transistor, the MOSFET transistor having a source coupled to an intermediate point of the voltage divider, and a drain, wherein a drain resistor is coupled between the drain and the ground, and a gate resistor is coupled between the gate and the ground; and coupling a signal from the MOSFET transistor to a base of a bipolar output transistor having a collector coupled to the constant-current source, and an emitter coupled to the ground.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for sensing body sounds comprising the steps of: displacing a skin-contact diaphragm using changing pressure at a skin surface to create a diaphragm displacement; converting the diaphragm displacement into a piezoelectric displacement; generating an electrical signal representative of the piezoelectric displacement; and amplifying the electrical signal, wherein the steps of displacing, converting, and amplifying together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz, wherein the piezoelectric displacement is to a piezoelectric double-plate ceramic element, wherein two thin plates are bonded together so they amplify their piezoelectric actions.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for sensing body sounds comprising the steps of: displacing a skin-contact diaphragm using changing pressure at a skin surface to create a diaphragm displacement; converting the diaphragm displacement into a piezoelectric displacement; generating an electrical signal representative of the piezoelectric displacement; and amplifying the electrical signal, wherein the steps of displacing, converting, and amplifying together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz, wherein the piezoelectric displacement is to a piezoelectric double-plate ceramic element, wherein two thin plates are bonded together so they amplify their piezoelectric actions.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for sensing body sounds comprising the steps of: displacing a skin-contact diaphragm using changing pressure at a skin surface to create a diaphragm displacement; converting the diaphragm displacement into a piezoelectric displacement; generating an electrical signal representative of the piezoelectric displacement; and amplifying the electrical signal, wherein the steps of displacing, converting, and amplifying together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz wherein the diaphragm has a skin-contact surface with a skin-contact dimension of between approximately 0.4 inch and 0.6 inch, and is approximately 0.006 inch thick, wherein the piezoelectric displacement is to a piezoelectric double-plate ceramic element, wherein two thin plates are bonded together so they amplify their piezoelectric actions.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for sensing body sounds comprising the steps of: displacing a skin-contact diaphragm using changing pressure at a skin surface to create a diaphragm displacement; converting the diaphragm displacement into a piezoelectric displacement; generating an electrical signal representative of the piezoelectric displacement; and amplifying the electrical signal, wherein the steps of displacing, converting, and amplifying together have a frequency response at least including a range from below approximately 1 hertz to above approximately 250 hertz wherein the diaphragm has a skin-contact surface with a skin-contact dimension of between approximately 0.4 inch and 0.6 inch, and is approximately 0.006 inch thick, wherein the piezoelectric displacement is to a piezoelectric double-plate ceramic element, wherein two thin plates are bonded together so they amplify their piezoelectric actions.
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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) | 2003-12-12 | 2004-06-12 | 2004-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-12 | 2008-06-12 | 2008-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-12 | 2012-06-12 | 2012-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |