Patents Assigned to Rhinometrics A/S
  • Patent number: 6761693
    Abstract: A method and device for detecting opening of a passage in a bodily cavity, the device including an electric signal source; a first transducer for converting an electric signal from the electric signal source into an acoustic signal; a second transducer for reception of the acoustic signal; and where the first and the second transducer are placed on respective opposite sides of the obstruction in the cavity. In the method an acoustic signal is supplied at one side of the obstruction and received at the other side of the obstruction, when the passage is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Rhinometrics A/S
    Inventor: Steen B. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 6565517
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for determining the pressure drop over the nose of a patient during breathing and determining the opening pressure for the patients Eustachian tube. The apparatus comprises a measuring tube having a proximal end for connecting to a patients nose and a distal end leading to the surrounding atmosphere, a measuring gate, flow measuring means for measuring air flow in the measuring tube, first pressure measuring means for measuring the pressure in the tube proximal end and second pressure measuring means for measuring the pressure at the measuring gate. According to the invention the apparatus comprises means for generating a sound signal in the tube proximal end, or means for generating a sound signal at the measuring gate and means for receiving sound signals in the tube proximal end. The invention further relates to a method for measuring the above mentioned pressure drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Rhinometrics A/S
    Inventor: Steen Brabrand Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 6491641
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring cross sections in a patient's right and left nose cavity in the cavity behind the nose separation (epipharyn), and in the throat (oropharynx), and for detecting the opening of the Eustachian tube. The apparatus comprises an electro-acoustic sound emitter, a first transmission tube leading from the emitter to a first connecting piece, connecting means for connecting the first connecting piece to a patient's one nostril, a proximal microphone located adjacent the emitter and/or a first microphone built into the first connecting piece, and a computer for generating electrical signals for the emitter and for sampling and analyzing electrical signals from the microphone or microphones. According to the invention the apparatus further comprises a preferably releasable second acoustic transmission tube leading from the emitter in an opposite direction of the first acoustic transmission tube, hereby constituting an elongation of this pass the emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Rhinometrics A/S
    Inventor: Steen Brabrand Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 5823965
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reflectometric examination and measurement of human or animal cavities such as air and food passages, the device having a flexible hose which is introduced into the cavity with the distal end of the hose placed past the zone of the passage to be examined. A transducer converts an activation signal from a signal generator to an excitation signal which is sent into the interior of the hose. A response signal which depends on the local deformation of the hose in the examined zone is picked up by a transducer and subjected to analysis in relation to the excitation signal. An analysis circuit and computer give an image on screen indicating the results of the examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: RhinoMetrics A/S
    Inventor: Steen Barbrand Rasmussen