Method and apparatus for measuring respiratory flow

Patent 4960118 Issued on October 2, 1990. Estimated Expiration Date:

May 1, 2009. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3483861

3782368

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Inventor

Pennock, Bernard E.

Application

No. 345568 filed on 05/01/1989

US Classes:

128/200.24, RESPIRATORY METHOD OR DEVICE600/534Detecting body movement attending breathing

Examiners

Primary: Eickholt, Eugene H.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Webb, Burden, Ziesenheim & Webb

Foreign Patent References

2181555 GB 04/21/1987
2194343 GB 07/21/1987

International Class

A61M 016/00

Abstract

A method and apparatus for accurately measuring respiratory flow, while the subject breathes, without using a mouthpiece, face mask or any device about the head. The rate of change of the circumference of the rib cage (chest) and the rate of change of the circumference of the abdomen are measured using an extensible belt with series strips of piezoelectric film. The stress on the film produces an electric output proportional to the rate of application of stress when connected to a proper electronic amplifier. Calibration is performed by measuring the circumference changes while the subject performs an isovolume maneuver for several breaths or while the subject breathes through a pneumotachometer and mouthpiece at a variable rate for several breaths.