Plethysmograph
US6113550A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 29, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/1135
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Non invasive measurement of infant lung function during unsedated sleep is achieved by a plethysmograph which comprises of a rigid acrylic box (10) with integral water sealed spirometer (11) and a vacuum-actuated neck seal (20) allowing "head out" monitoring. The neck seal comprises particulate material entrapped in the space between two layers of rubber, which become rigid when a vacuum is applied to the space. Tidal volume, respiratory rate and changes in functional residual capacity (FRC) are able to be recorded during unsedated REM and NREM sleep whilst monitoring with conventional polysomnographic methods. The head out configuration allows additional instrumentation to be used, avoids facial stimulation and allows unimpeded access to the upper airway.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.