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US5680871A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Whole-body plethysmograph
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1995-10-30
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Granted: 1997-10-28
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Expires: 2015-10-30
Abstract
Abstract Whole body plethysmograph for medical lung examinations having a pressure gauge (8) that responds to the interior pressure of cubicle (1), a pneumo-tachometer (5) which is disposed in cubicle (1) and is provided with a mouthpiece (4), a signal transmitter for the temperature difference between the inspired and the expired air, an output device (28) and an evaluation unit (7) with signal inputs (10, 18, 20, 25), to which are connected signal lines (6) from pressure gauge (8), from pneumo-tachometer (5) and from the signal transmitter for the temperature difference, having a signal output (11 ) for the respiratory flow rate measured by pneumo-tachometer (5) and a signal output (27) for the interior pressure measured by pressure gauge (8), which is at least partially corrected for temperature-caused pressure fluctuations by evaluation unit (7), whereby the two signal outputs (11, 27) are connected to output device (28) via signal lines (6), whereby the signal transmitter for the temperature difference is an ultrasound source and an ultrasonic sensor, which is affixed to or in mouthpiece (4) of pneumo-tachometer (5).
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Ganshorn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/68; A61B5/6887; A61B5/6888; A61B5/08; A61B5/085; G; G01; G01K; G01K11/00; G01K11/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A whole-body plethysmograph, comprising: an air tight, lockable cubicle for reception of a person to be examined; a cubicle-pressure gauge located within said cubicle which responds to an interior pressure of said lockable cubicle; a pneumo-tachometer with a mouthpiece for the person to be examined, said pneumo-tachometer including an ultrasound source and an ultrasonic sensor connected to said mouthpiece for measuring a temperature difference between air inhaled and air exhaled by the person to be examined, said pneumo-tachometer being disposed within said lockable cubicle; an evaluation unit being connected to said cubicle-pressure gauge and said pneumo-tachometer for evaluating a corrected pressure based upon a measured pressure value taking into account a pressure fluctuation caused by the temperature difference between the air inhaled and the air exhaled by the person to be examined; and, an output device connected to said evaluation unit for calculating and displaying breathing resistance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A whole-body plethysmograph, comprising: an air tight, lockable cubicle for reception of a person to be examined; a cubicle-pressure gauge located within said cubicle which responds to an interior pressure of said lockable cubicle; a pneumo-tachometer with a mouthpiece for the person to be examined, said pneumo-tachometer including an ultrasound source and an ultrasonic sensor connected to said mouthpiece for measuring a temperature difference between air inhaled and air exhaled by the person to be examined, said pneumo-tachometer being disposed within said lockable cubicle; an evaluation unit being connected to said cubicle-pressure gauge and said pneumo-tachometer for evaluating a corrected pressure based upon a measured pressure value taking into account a pressure fluctuation caused by the temperature difference between the air inhaled and the air exhaled by the person to be examined; and, an output device connected to said evaluation unit for calculating and displaying breathing resistance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The whole-body plethysmograph according to claim 1, wherein said evaluation unit is a computer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
91 words
The whole-body plethysmograph according to claim 1, wherein said pneumo-tachometer further comprises a signal transmitter for measuring relative humidity of ambient air within said lockable cubicle for determining a relative air humidity difference between the air inhaled and the air exhaled by the person to be examined, and said evaluation unit evaluates the corrected pressure based upon a measured pressure value taking into account pressure fluctuation caused by the temperature difference and the relative air humidity difference between the air inhaled and the air exhaled by the person to be examined.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The whole-body plethysmograph according to claim 3, wherein said signal transmitter for the relative air humidity is an adjustable controller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The whole-body plethysmograph according to claim 3, wherein said signal transmitter for the relative air humidity is a hygrometer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The whole-body plethysmograph according to claim 1, wherein said lockable cubicle is connected to said evaluation unit via a first signal line and said evaluation unit is connected to said output device via a second signal line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The whole-body plethysmograph according to claim 6, wherein said first signal line and said second signal line include an electrical signal transmission.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The whole-body plethysmograph according to claim 6, wherein said first signal line and said second signal line include an optical signal transmission.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The whole-body plethysmograph according to claim 1, wherein said output device is a recording instrument.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The whole-body plethysmograph according to claim 1, wherein said output device is an oscilloscope.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The whole-body plethysmograph according to claim 1, wherein said output device is a monitor with alphanumeric or graphical display.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The whole-body plethysmograph according to claim 1, wherein said pneumo-tachometer includes a housing and said ultrasound source and ultrasonic sensor are located in said housing.
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) | 2000-10-27 | 2001-04-28 | 2001-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-27 | 2005-04-28 | 2005-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-27 | 2009-04-28 | 2009-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |