US5647370A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ultrasonic spirometer
Assignee: NDD Medizintechnik AG
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Filing: 1995-06-07
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Granted: 1997-07-15
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Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to an ultrasonic spirometer with a graduated tube where a transmitter/receiver cell pair is positioned in a graduated portion diagonally or perpendicularly to the graduated tube axis, with an easily replaceable breathing tube being insertable into the graduated tube. The breathing tube is at least partially made from essentially one material which is permeable for ultrasonic waves, but wholly or at least largely impermeable to germs and contaminants. In accordance with the invention, the material permeable for the ultrasonic waves and wholly or at least largely impermeable to the germs and contaminants is positioned at least in the area in which the graduated portion intersects the graduated tube over the whole circumference of the breathing tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl Harnoncourt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/08; A61B5/087; G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/66; G01F1/662
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
An ultrasonic spirometer comprising: a graduated tube extending along a graduated tube axis, a transmitter/receiver cell pair positioned in a graduated portion of said graduated tube disposed at an angle to the graduated tube axis, an easily replaceable breathing tube insertable into the graduated tube, the breathing tube including one material which is permeable for ultrasonic waves but substantially impermeable to germs and contaminants, the material being positioned in an area in which the graduated portion of said graduated tube intersects the graduated tube and over an entire circumference of the breathing tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
An ultrasonic spirometer comprising: a graduated tube extending along a graduated tube axis, a transmitter/receiver cell pair positioned in a graduated portion of said graduated tube disposed at an angle to the graduated tube axis, an easily replaceable breathing tube insertable into the graduated tube, the breathing tube including one material which is permeable for ultrasonic waves but substantially impermeable to germs and contaminants, the material being positioned in an area in which the graduated portion of said graduated tube intersects the graduated tube and over an entire circumference of the breathing tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
An ultrasonic spirometer according to claim 1, wherein the breathing tube comprises a mouthpiece and a front tube portion connected to said mouthpiece, a rear tube portion and a middle tube portion positioned between the front tube portion and the rear tube portion, the material being positioned over the entire circumference in said middle tube portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ultrasonic spirometer according to claim 2, and further comprising a support element extending between the front tube portion and the rear tube portion on which the material lies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ultrasonic spirometer according to claim 2, and further comprising a support element connected to the front tube portion on which the material lies.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An ultrasonic spirometer according to claim 3, wherein the support element consists of parallel struts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ultrasonic spirometer according to claim 3, wherein the support element consists of a grid-like mesh.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ultrasonic spirometer according to claim 3, wherein the support element consists of a spiral covering the circumference in said middle tube portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ultrasonic spirometer according to claim 2, wherein the front tube portion and the rear tube portion of the breathing tube are sealed in a gas-impermeable manner together with the graduated tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
An ultrasonic spirometer according to claim 1, wherein the breathing tube includes a mouthpiece and a tube portion connected to said mouthpiece, and said material has a sock shape and is connected to the breathing tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An ultrasonic spirometer according to claim 1, wherein the material consists of a hydrophobic filter material made from any of glass fibres, polypropylene fibres and polycarbonate fibres.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ultrasonic spirometer according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the breathing tube consists of said material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ultrasonic spirometer according to claim 1, wherein the breathing tube protrudes past an end of the graduated tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
An ultrasonic spirometer according to claim 1, wherein the material is additionally impermeable to gas.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ultrasonic spirometer according to claim 1, wherein a rear portion of the breathing tube is formed so that a gas hose can be connected to it in a gas impermeable manner.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
An ultrasonic spirometer according to claim 1, and further comprising a mouthpiece defined by a front portion of the breathing tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE4222286C1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-07-14 | 2001-01-13 | 2001-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-14 | 2005-01-13 | 2005-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-14 | 2009-01-13 | 2009-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |