Metabolic calorimeter employing respiratory gas analysis
US6468222B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 2, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 22, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 10, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/02438
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides an indirect calorimeter for measuring the metabolic rate of a subject. The calorimeter includes a respiratory calorimeter configured to be supported in contact with the subject so as to pass inhaled and exhaled gases as the subject breathes. A flow pathway is operable to receive and pass inhaled and exhaled gases. A first end of the flow pathway is in fluid communication with the respiratory connector and a second end is in fluid communication with a source and sink for respiratory gases. A flow meter generates electrical signals as a function of the instantaneous flow volume of inhaled and exhaled gases passing through the flow pathway. A component gas concentration sensor generates electrical signals as a function of the instantaneous fraction of a predetermined component gas in the exhaled gases as the gases pass through the flow pathway. A computation unit receives the electrical signals from the flow meter and the component gas concentration sensor and calculates at least one respiratory parameter for the subject as the subject breathes through the calorimeter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.