Disposable in-the-ear monitoring instrument using a flexible earmold and casing, and method of manufacture
US6253871A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 8, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 8, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2225/023
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A disposable in-the-ear monitoring instrument includes a monitoring assembly for monitoring one or more vital health signs of a user, a transmitter assembly for transmitting the monitored vital health signs to a remote receiving unit, and a battery which is sealed within the monitoring instrument for energizing the assemblies. The assemblies and battery are mounted on a flexible printed circuit which is disposed in a flexible, cylindrical casing. And the casing itself is mounted in an earmold made of soft and compliant material, with conical fins extending from an outer surface of the earmold so that the earmold and monitoring circuitry may be easily deformed to comfortably fit a user. The disposable in-the-ear monitoring instrument is of a design having minimal components, and thus is easy to assemble on an automated basis. The automated assembly of the in-the-ear monitoring instrument and its minimal design reduces cost and allows for the disposability of the monitoring instrument.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.