With Variable Indicator Drive Patents (Class 73/233)
  • Patent number: 11300433
    Abstract: The present description includes a flexible sensor including a flexible substrate, a thermoelectric substrate formed on the flexible substrate, a first metal electrode that is formed on the flexible substrate and is connected to one end of the thermoelectric body, and a second metal electrode that is formed on the flexible substrate and is connected to another end of the thermoelectric body but spaced apart from the first metal electrode. The flexible sensor simply measures the temperature and the flow velocity with high accuracy. The change in temperature and flow velocity may be measured in real time. In addition, the flexible sensor may measure the temperature and the flow velocity of a fluid even when attached to a curved surface, and self-development is possible by the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Korea University Research and Business Foundation
    Inventors: Wonjoon Choi, Byungseok Seo
  • Patent number: 9897474
    Abstract: The apparatus for monitoring the delivery of fuel oil through a fuel oil delivery pipe including a flow meter and temperature sensor associated with the oil delivery pipe for measuring the temperature and flow rate of the fuel oil as it moves through the pipe. The digital output signals from the flow meter/temperature sensor are used to generate data signals which are a function of the measured temperature and flow rate parameters. A memory records the data signals. The actual total quantity of fuel oil delivered through the pipe is calculated based upon the data signals. A clock circuit generates a timing signal reflecting the date and time the measurements were taken. A transmission signal formed of the calculated actual total quantity of fuel oil delivered and time signal may be sent to a remote location by a WiFi transmitter or through the internet using a modem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Inventors: Greg Haber, Craig Kirsch
  • Publication number: 20040134273
    Abstract: A detector (D) for detecting the volatile signature of one or more substances, e. g. alcohol and/or cannabis, on the breath (MG) of a consumer (P), using several sensors (CT1, CT2, CT3). The sensors can comprise semi-conductors or conductive polymers. The inventive detector is equipped with a filter (F) to remove nuisance substances, e. g. water vapour, which mask the signature. The detector is advantageously portable and can be used to perform a test to evaluate (E) the consumption of a substance by the driver of a motor vehicle in relation to a reference level (N). A network of formal neurones (RN) is used to generate a database (DB) that is used to calibrate the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Jean- Luc Clement, Francoise Farnarier, Florence Marquis, Bernard Boeuf
  • Patent number: 6378366
    Abstract: The cam drive exhibits a part rotable about an axis. The part is unrotatably connected to a cam element. A swivel arm for a sensing element is pivot-mounted on the cam element. A temperature-dependent compensation element is provided which is supported on the cam element and engages in the swivel arm to determine the position thereof. The sensing element is arranged on the swivel arm such that it can be moved and engages in a recess of the cam element. The recess is adapted to the type-specific temperature dependence of the temperature-sensitive device which the cam drive forms a part of. The error curve of the temperature-dependence device can be optimized by appropriate radial and tangential adjustment of the sensing element (stroke and advance), caused by the compensation element and determined by the corresponding design of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: G. Kromschröder Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Klaus Penning
  • Patent number: 6148658
    Abstract: A system and method are set forth for photoacoustical analysis of isotope and other compounds having telltale absorption wavelengths between 1700-2500 nm. The system and method includes a Co:Mg F.sub.2, optical parametric oscillator (OPO) or diode laser tunable between 1700-2500 nm which is directed into a sample at energies sufficient to generate detectable acoustical emissions. A microphone detects the emissions for processing and analysis. The system and method is adapted to detect stable isotope compounds such as .sup.13 CO.sub.2 as well as other chemical compounds. For non-gaseous compounds, a CO.sub.2 or diode laser is used to photoablate the baseous sample containing the suspected compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Mau-Song Chou
  • Patent number: 6150177
    Abstract: A device comprising a combination of a mouthpiece (2) with a holder (1), which receives the mouthpiece (2) and has a sampling channel (4) leading to a breath alcohol-measuring device and a temperature sensor (11) arranged in the connection area between the holder (1) and the mouthpiece (2). To make it possible to determine the temperature of the mouthpiece (2) inserted into the holder (1) the mouthpiece (2) is designed for the temperature sensor (11) to be arranged in the sampling channel (4) as a wall section (10) covering the inner wall of the sampling channel (4) in the area of the temperature sensor (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Drager Sicherheitstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Burkhard Stock
  • Patent number: 6129680
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for monitoring animal exhalation, to provide an indication of the condition of an animal is disclosed. Apparatus for collection and temporary or permanent storage of animal exhalation sample is disclosed, together with apparatus for conditioning a sample prior to analysis. A method of conditioning a sample prior to analysis is also disclosed.Use may be made of the above mentioned apparatus and method in the diagnosis of the condition of an animal. Conditions of interest include metabolic conditions of animals such as dairy cattle; these can be monitored by measuring analytes in the exhaled breath, emanations from the milk or both. Use may also be made of said apparatus and method in the detection of antibodies present in samples of blood, milk and mucus particulates in exhaled breath. It is preferred that the monitoring apparatus is portable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: BTG International Limited
    Inventor: Toby Trevor Fury Mottram
  • Patent number: 6130614
    Abstract: A vehicle trunk detection and release system 10 which detects the presence of an individual within a trunk 14 and which releases the trunk 14, energizes the horn 16, and/or activates the headlights 17 upon such a detection. The system 10 further includes an illuminated touch pad 28 which opens the trunk 14 upon being touched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventors: Ronald H. Miller, Gary S. Strumolo
  • Patent number: 6099480
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for determining a relevant proportion (a) of a chosen gas, an NO-gas or NO.sub.2 -gas, present in a gas mixture (A), such as in a gas mixture deriving from the expiration air or inspiration air of a living being (1), wherein an adapted sample proportion of the breathing air is passed from an outlet (11) in the immediate vicinity of said being, via a hose (10') or the like, to measuring equipment (13') that includes a measuring chamber (14') that is placed under a subpressure and to which ozone gas is also supplied, wherewith the nitrogen oxide present reacts with the ozone-gas to form NO.sub.2 and light, and wherein the apparatus includes a light measuring unit (13') which is adapted to evaluate the light thus generated and to calculate (18) the amount of predominant gas in the breathing air on the basis of this evaluation. The volume (14b') of the measuring chamber of such apparatus is adapted to include the volume enclosed in the hose (10') used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Aerocrine AB
    Inventor: Lars Erik Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 6096558
    Abstract: A process for calibrating a breath alcohol-measuring instrument (7) with a calibrating gas generator (1) with a liquid container (2) for aqueous ethanol solution and air feed device, which allow air to bubble through the ethanol solution and for passing gas from the atmosphere above the ethanol solution to the breath alcohol-measuring instrument (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Drager Sicherheitstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Burkhard Stock
  • Patent number: 6076392
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for real time gas analysis involving determining individual concentrations of fluid constituents in a mixture of known constituents by measuring properties of the mixture and solving a set of equations, which relate the individual gas concentrations to the measured properties of the mixture, for the unknown individual gas concentrations. The individual concentrations of four gasses in a mixture are determined by: passing the mixture through a flowmeter, a capillary, an orifice, and a sonic oscillator; transducing temperature, pressure and acoustic frequency measurements taken from the sensors; determining the density, viscosity, and the specific heat of the mixture; forming three equations which respectively relate these three properties to individual gas concentrations; and solving the three equations and the constitutive equation which requires that the sum of the concentrations equal unity, for the four unknown individual gas concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: metaSENSORS, Inc.
    Inventor: Tadeusz M. Drzewiecki
  • Patent number: 6067989
    Abstract: A breath test for diagnosing the presence of Helicobacter pylori in a subject is described. The method of diagnosing Helicobacter pylori is performed as follows. First, a safe and effective amount of urea, preferably appropriately labelled, is administered to the subject. Second, a plurality of the exhaled breaths of the subject is analyzed to detect the concentration of a cleavage product or products, produced when urease cleaves the substrate. The measured concentrations are then fitted to a curve, and the derivative is then calculated, to indicate the presence or absence of Helicobacter pylori infection in the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Oridion Medical, Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel E. Katzman
  • Patent number: 6050953
    Abstract: A device and method for measuring critical portions of an individual's forced expiratory efforts. The device includes a series of preset negative pressure sensors attached to a sensor port located in a breathing tube of predetermined dimension. A patient blows through the breathing tube triggering the various sensors depending on the airflow rate. The time each of the sensors are activated is recorded. The recorded information can be used to determine various diagnostic parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Inventors: Warren J. Warwick, Leland G. Hansen
  • Patent number: 6038913
    Abstract: A device for determining the level of nitric oxide in an exhaled airstream belonging to a living organism selected to have its lung function evaluated, where an initial device is arranged to determine the current portion of nitric oxide and/or the distribution of nitric oxide over time during an exhalation phase. During the commencing period of the exhalation phase, the exhaled air is arranged to pass with no or with only a very small resistance or back-pressure to a free space, and during the remaining period, the exhaled air is arranged to pass through the initial device against the action of a suitable resistance or back-pressure. The level of nitric oxide is measured during this remaining period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Aerocrine AB
    Inventors: Lars Erik Gustafsson, Gunnar Magnus Severus Persson, Stefan Per Axel Stromberg
  • Patent number: 6033368
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for determination of the content of higher oxides of nitrogen in exhaled breath condensate which comprises a conduit having an exhalate condensing portion with an inlet and an outlet (the inlet canbe configured to fit with a mechanical respirator or, for direct use by the patient, an inlet assembly providing one-way ingress of ambient atmosphere to the device can be associated with the inlet of the conduit exhalate condensing portion); a coolant jacket coaxially surrounding said exhalate condensing portion; a gas release port; and, in enclosed fluid communication with said conduit exhalate condensing portion outlet, a sample assay assembly comprising (i) a translucent analysis chamber attached to the outlet to receive condensate fluid and having a reagent entry port, (ii) a reagent chamber in enclosed fluid communication with the reagent entry port and (iii) a pliable element connecting the outlet and the analysis chamber and forming a portion of the reagent chamber such that flexion of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: NitroMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Gaston, IV, John F. Hunt
  • Patent number: 6033367
    Abstract: A system for diagnosing or monitoring sucking/swallowing/breathing competence of an impaired neonate or post-operative infant, wherein a processor receives a sensed signal from a breath sensor, and develops an output for intraoral tactile or flow control feedback. In a feeding or monitoring embodiment, the processor applies the signal to control a liquid feeding valve which supplies nutrients through a feeding nipple. In various control regimens, the processor acts as a safety device and operates to restrict or close the valve to reduce flow when slowing or cessation of breath is detected, or acts as a training device to set or pace, or initially to develop basic competence, at an appropriate rate. In further embodiments, the processor also receives a signal from an intraoral suction transducer or muscle pressure gauge, and operates to control flow to a level appropriate to the available sucking activity, or to change the level to maintain a stable and non-slowing breath rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Children's Medical Center Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene C. Goldfield
  • Patent number: 6026674
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the concentration of alcohol present in a gaseous mixture wherein an electronic device employing a fuel cell determines the concentration of alcohol present in the gaseous mixture is disclosed. In particular, the device may be used to determine a person's sobriety by determining the alcohol concentration in a breath sample. To determine the alcohol concentration, the device must be able to accurately determine the volume of breath in the breath sample. The device controls the volume of the breath sample by measuring the pressure of the breath flow through the device and, in response to the pressure, electronically controlling a valve diverting a portion of the breath flow into the fuel cell thereby indicating and ensuring that a predefined requisite amount of breath flow has passed thru the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Smart Start Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Scott Gammenthaler
  • Patent number: 6001064
    Abstract: A measuring device for determining the concentration of such gas components from a gas mixture, which includes collision dilation of the absorption lines constituting the absorption spectral bands for measuring objects. The device comprises a non-dispersive concentration measuring sensor (20), which includes: a measuring chamber (6) containing a gas mixture to be analyzed; a radiation source (17) for emitting over a wavelength range which includes an absorption spectral band used in concentration determination; a detector (18) receiving radiation that has passed through the measuring chamber and for producing a first signal (7) therefrom; as well as an optical bandpass filter (16) positioned between the detector and the radiation source. The measuring device further comprises a second measuring sensor (4) for identifying the viscosity or some other viscosity-related feature of a gas mixture to be analyzed and for producing a second signal (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Instrumentarium Oy
    Inventor: Kurt Peter Weckstrom
  • Patent number: 5971937
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a blood alcohol content value by means of a breath alcohol concentration as well as for securing the reliability of this measured value. The apparatus comprises: sensor elements (1) for obtaining a measured alcohol concentration value from an incoming exhalation air stream; sensor elements (1) for obtaining a measured carbon dioxide concentration value from the same exhalation air stream (9); as well as first output elements (2) for producing, if necessary, a result proportional at least to a blood alcohol content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Instrumentarium Oy
    Inventor: Jan Petri Ekstrom
  • Patent number: 5964712
    Abstract: A correction curve (FIG. 19) is prepared by plotting .sup.12 CO.sub.2 concentrations and .sup.13 CO.sub.2 /.sup.12 CO.sub.2 concentration ratios which are determined on the basis of a calibration curve and .sup.13 CO.sub.2 and .sup.12 CO.sub.2 absorbances of gaseous samples having the same .sup.13 CO.sub.2 /.sup.12 CO.sub.2 concentration ratio but known different .sup.12 CO.sub.2 concentrations. A gaseous test sample containing .sup.13 CO.sub.2 and .sup.12 CO.sub.2 as component gases is introduced into a cell, and spectrometrically measured. A .sup.12 CO.sub.2 concentration of the gaseous test sample is determined by way of the spectrometric measurement. A concentration ratio correction value is obtained on the basis of the correction curve and the .sup.12 CO.sub.2 concentration of the gaseous test sample thus determined. A measured .sup.13 CO.sub.2 /.sup.12 CO.sub.2 concentration ratio is divided by the concentration ratio correction value thus obtained for correction of the .sup.13 CO.sub.2 /.sup.12 CO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kubo, Katsuhiro Morisawa, Yasushi Zasu, Eiji Ikegami, Kazunori Tsutsui, Tamotsu Hamao, Masaaki Mori, Takashi Maruyama
  • Patent number: 5962335
    Abstract: A breath test for determining the rate of metabolism of a drug is described. First, a safe and effective amount of the drug, preferably appropriately labelled and most preferably isotopically-labelled, is administered to a subject. After a suitable time period, the exhaled breath of the subject is analyzed to determine the concentration of a metabolite. The concentration of the metabolite is then used to determine the rate of metabolism of the drug. A breath test kit is also described. Such a breath test kit would include an item or items necessary for performing at least one of the methods of determining the rate of metabolism of a drug in a subject. For example, such a breath test kit could include an isotopically-labelled drug to be administered to the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Oridion Medical Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel E. Katzman
  • Patent number: 5948962
    Abstract: A codable gas detection system with at least one interchangeable gas sensor (2), which has standardized plug-type connections (5,6) between the gas sensor (2) and the measuring device (1), but is also able to prevent measured values of an unauthorized gas sensor (2) from being processed. Each gas sensor (2) contains a memory (3) with gas sensor-specific data and is connected via a line to the measuring device (1) with a first calculating and evaluating unit (7), to a downstream memory (8) and preferably to an alarm device (10). Via the second plug-type connection (5), the sensor element (4) proper is connected to a contacting unit (9) in the measuring device (1), and the contacting unit (9) is connected to the first calculating and evaluating unit (7), on the one hand, and to a downstream, second calculating and evaluating unit (11) for the measured value evaluation proper, on the other hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Dragerwerk AG
    Inventor: Hans Matthiessen
  • Patent number: 5932877
    Abstract: An side stream infrared gas analyzer for detecting the concentration of a gaseous component of a substantially gaseous flow stream such as the expired air of a patient under anesthesia. The infrared gas analyzer comprises an infrared energy detector, a sample cell, and an infrared energy source which are designed to be small and to consume relatively little electrical power. The infrared energy detector converts the received incident radiation into at least one electrical signal representative of the received incident radiation and is preferably mounted directly onto a printed circuit board containing signal processing circuitry which processes the electrical detection signals provided by the infrared energy detector. The infrared energy detector also has a first infrared transmissive window on a detection side thereof through which the incident radiation passes for detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Square One Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Braig, Daniel S. Goldberger
  • Patent number: 5929319
    Abstract: This invention consists of breath testing apparatus 10 comprising a breath tube 11, a fuel cell housing 12 incorporating a pump system 12a, a fuel cell 13, a control and computational unit 14, and a display 15. A thermistor 22 is provided to detect the temperature of the housing 12 during measurement and the unit 14 compensates the fuel cell output in accordance with the detected temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Lion Laboratories Plc
    Inventors: Paul King, Jason Aspinall
  • Patent number: 5849594
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide sensitive material including a polymer binder, a plasticiser, a lipophilic organic quaternary cation, an indicator dye anion and an aromatic alcohol in such concentration that the material changes color in accordance with the concentration of carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Sealed Air (NZ) Limited
    Inventors: Simon Neville Balderson, Robert John Whitwood, Andrew Mills, Lela Margaret Monaf
  • Patent number: 5834626
    Abstract: Colorimetric indicators for breath, air, gas, & vapor analyses that can be thrown away after a single use, are easy to use, low cost, small, and simple to manufacture for indicating at least volume passed through the colorimetric indicators and may also be used to indicate concentration of an analyte within breath, air, gas, & vapor passed through the colorimetric indicators. The present invention is directed to colorimetric indicators for breath, air, gas, & vapor analyses. The colorimetric indicators may have a housing with an entrance port, an outlet, a volume indicator, and an analyte indicating reagent. The volume indicator may be a breath volume reagent. Different analytes may be measured, the analyte indicating reagent depending upon the particular analyte being to monitored. The breath volume indicator is colorimetric, and changes color when a predetermined volume of air is passed through the colorimetric indicators for breath, air, gas, & vapor analyses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventors: Emory S. De Castro, Douglas R. Malat
  • Patent number: 5802909
    Abstract: An apparatus and an associated method for monitoring compliance with a disulfiram prescription regime. A self testing device 10 includes a gas sensor 12, a display 13, an indicating light 14, and a start button 15. An air inlet 16 is joined on the body 11 and a breath tube 12 can be located therein. A clock 20 in association with a random day generator 21 and the display 13, and light 14 determine the daily close rate and the measured sample is compared with expected sensor output by determining whether or not the user has complied with the regime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventors: George Charles Faulder, Richard Martin Faulder, Roger Neil Bloor
  • Patent number: 5770793
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a measuring method for determining the concentration of a gas in a measurement sample with the aid of a combined measuring apparatus. The measuring apparatus includes a first infrared optical gas analyzer 1 as well as a second gas analyzer 2, which contains an electrochemical measuring cell 13. The measuring result of the electrochemical measuring cell 13 functions to correct the concentration, which is determined by the infrared optical gas analyzer 1, when the infrared optical reference measurement has already been performed on a measurement sample with this measuring sample not being free of the substance to be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Dragerwerk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Burkhard Stock
  • Patent number: 5739412
    Abstract: The combination of the invention includes a mouthpiece 1 and a sample-taking system 8 for analyzing a gas sample. The mouthpiece 1 has a flow resistor 5 in the exhalation direction and a sample-taking connecting element 6 for the gas sample to be analyzed. The sample-taking system 8 has a pump and a through-flow measuring device 13. The pump pumps the sample gas flow from the sample-taking connecting element via a sample line 9 into a measuring chamber 15 of an analyzer 16. The combination is improved in such a manner that calibration is made possible with a calibrating gas flow greatly reduced compared to the flow of gas to be measured. This is achieved in that the sample-taking connecting element 6 is connected to the mouthpiece 1 forward of the flow resistor 5 viewed in the exhalation direction. The sample line 9 includes a flow throttle 11 in through-flow direction and an outlet opening 12 opening to the ambient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Dragerwerk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Burkhard Stock, Jurgen Sohege
  • Patent number: 5734090
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying an expiratory breath flow utilizes the sonic characteristics of a standardized breath as a reference. A breath sample is analyzed for the presence and absence of predetermined audio frequency components generated by the expiratory process. Breach sample validity is based upon a match between both the required and missing components. The length of time that the required components are present can further be used to validate the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Alcohol Sensors International, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ronald Koppel, Edwin Kirchmeier
  • Patent number: 5705735
    Abstract: A system for real time, breath by breath sampling of a patient receiving up to 100 percent oxygen to determine nutritional requirements of the patient through indirect calorimetry includes a pneumotach member for measuring the volume rate of flow of inspired and expired gas flow at the patient/endotracheal tube/ventilator connection. A sample line extends from the pneumotach to a gas analyzer which measures the percent concentration of constituent respiratory gases in the expired gas flow. A flowmeter is coupled to the gas analyzer for determining the volume flow rate of the expiratory gas flow through the sample line. A microprocessor control samples the analog electrical signals from the gas analyzer, the flow meter and the pneumotach in a predetermined sequence, dynamically compensating for variations in gas flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Medical Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: Russell G. Acorn
  • Patent number: 5679884
    Abstract: A resuscitator is provided with an integral carbon dioxide detector for indicating the presence of carbon dioxide in a patient. The carbon dioxide detector is a conventional pH sensitive chromogenic compound that is positioned in the breathing circuit to permit a rapid indication. Additionally, a unique plug is provided for sealing the indicator from the atmosphere while in storage to prevent contamination and degredation of the indicator compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventor: Gilbert M. Kirk
  • Patent number: 5679535
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting antigen, including an allergen exemplified by a dust-mite, dispersed in a motile fluid in a given environment that can be inserted in a section of a pipe of a standard vacuum cleaner hose. The apparatus includes a receptacle whose body is formed of nylon, typically with a pore size of from 15 to 60 .mu.m. The receptacle is coated with an antibody that retains the antigen in a contacting relationship. The apparatus is provided with a removable holder, which assists in locating the apparatus in the pipe of the vacuum cleaner. The apparatus can be used directly in an immunoassay for confirming the presence of, or quantifying, the antigen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: University Collge Dublin
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph Joyce, Edmund Bruce Mitchell, Alan Gaylard Shattock
  • Patent number: 5611348
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portable collection container (5) for a test person, and a method for measuring and analyzing the expiration gas collected into the container (5). The container (5) is made of laminate. In the method, the container when discharged by low pressure suction, is folded into its original folded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Instrumentarium Corp.
    Inventor: Pekka Merilainen
  • Patent number: 5573005
    Abstract: A syringe for collecting expiration is switched, to be connected by a three-way electromagnetic valve, between an expiration blowing part and a measuring part, so that expiration, blown from the expiration blowing part, is collected in the syringe while replacing old expiration. A switching valve is closed upon completion of exhalation so that end-tidal air is collected in the syringe. Thereafter the expiration sample is introduced into the measuring part from the syringe so that a constant amount of the expiration sample is collected by the measuring part to be introduced into a column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Kyoto Dai-ichi Kagaku Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Ueda, Mitsuo Hiromoto, Meng Gang, Yutaka Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 5533513
    Abstract: An expiration suction passage communicating with an expiration blowing part provided with a non-airtight mask is connected to a forward end surface of a syringe through a two-way on-off electromagnetic valve, while an expiration transmission passage communicating with a sample outlet is also connected to the forward end surface of the syringe. A two-way on-off electromagnetic valve is provided in the expiration transmission passage, and an O.sub.2 sensor is provided between the electromagnetic valve and the sample outlet as a standard gas sensor. The syringe has a capacity capable of collecting several breaths, and a sucking operation is driven at a speed for collecting several breaths in single suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Kyoto Dai-Ichi Kagaku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Ueda, Mitsuo Hiromoto, Meng Gang, Yutaka Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 5531096
    Abstract: A method for gas analysis includes the steps of extracting a gas sample from a gas to be analyzed with respect to one or more of its gas components, measuring the flow of the extracted gas sample, and adding a replacement gas to the gas in the same amount as the extracted sample in order to minimize the impact on the main gas flow of the extraction of the gas sample. The replacement gas can consist of the same gas components constituting the gas sample. A gas analyzer for performing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Siemens Elema AB
    Inventor: Rolf Castor
  • Patent number: 5531225
    Abstract: There is provided a measuring apparatus for alcohol contained in an exhalation, the measuring apparatus measuring concentration of alcohol with a high accuracy in a short time. An alcohol sensor is provided inside an air passage to measure concentration of alcohol contained in air passing through the air passage. The alcohol sensor has a sensing element for sensing alcohol and a heating element for heating the sensing element. A suction pump is provided to the air passage so as to suction air from an inlet of the air passage. The sensing element is situated inside an air trapping chamber so that the air flowing through the air passage does not directly hit the sensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Katsumi Nawata, Fumihiro Ushijima, Toshiyuki Taguchi, Hazime Inagaki
  • Patent number: 5517985
    Abstract: An apparatus (14) for detecting carbon dioxide in exhaled gas is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an indicating element (10) for changing color when exposed to carbon dioxide and a carbon dioxide shield (12) for absorbing a predetermined level of carbon dioxide from the exhaled gas before exposing the indicating element (10) to the exhaled gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventors: Gilbert M. Kirk, James D. Bickley
  • Patent number: 5501231
    Abstract: A method and system for testing and recording the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume (FEV. 1) and forced volume capacity (FVC) of a patient, comprises prompting the patient to cause the sensing of the expiratory flow rate, sensing the expiratory flow rate of the patient and generating a signal representative of this biological condition, processing the signal to generate biological data representative of the biological condition, generating time data representative of the time when the biological condition was sensed, storing the biological data and the time data, and retrieving the stored biological data together with the time data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Norman Kaish
  • Patent number: 5497651
    Abstract: A method and a system for analyzing gas samples employ at least two semiconductor sensor sets, used alternately. The sensor output signals are time-differentiated. As a result of these features, the time required for analysis can be reduced considerably, especially with an uninterrupted sequence of analyses to be performed in succession.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Martin Lehmann
    Inventors: Ulrich Matter, Rene Nunlist, Heinz Burtscher, Michael Mukrowsky
  • Patent number: 5495744
    Abstract: A first sample measuring passage provided between a collection port and a suction pump has a sample gas measurer for measuring expiration components, while a second sample measuring passage which is provided in parallel with the first sample measuring passage has a standard gas measurer for measuring O.sub.2 gas. Assuming that [A] represents a measured value of a target component in an expiration sample and [b.sub.1 ] represents O.sub.2 concentration in the expiration sample, correction is made on the basis of:[M]=f.sub.1 .multidot.(21-[a.sub.1 ]) [A]/(21-[b.sub.1 ])where [M] represents the corrected measured value of the target component, [a.sub.1 ] represents O.sub.2 concentration in end-tidal air which is supplied as a constant such as 15.3, for example, and f.sub.1 represents an experimentally prescribed coefficient such as 1.67, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Kyoto Dai-Ichi Kagaku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Ueda, Mitsuo Hiromoto, Meng Gang, Yutaka Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 5479815
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for efficiently measuring and analyzing volatile and relatively non-volatile flavor components released during oral processing of food or other products. The subject exhales a breath sample into one or more temperature-controlled collection chambers, preferably at predetermined time intervals during the oral processing of the product. Each breath sample is then purged from its collection chamber with a non-reactive gas flow into an adsorbent, absorbent or other trap containing an interface that separates and collects the volatile and relatively non-volatile components from the breath sample. The trap is then transferred to a thermal desorber to release the volatile and relatively non-volatile flavor components from the interface surface into a measuring and analysis apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. White, William R. Croasmun, Jane V. Leland
  • Patent number: 5458853
    Abstract: A dual breath analysis device having a passive first mode of testing and analysing an exhaled breath sample without the use of a mouthpiece, and a second mode of testing and analysing a second breath sample through a mouthpiece apparatus when the first mode of testing indicates a substantially high level of alcohol in the first breath sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Lion Analytics Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony Porter, Robert Breakspere
  • Patent number: 5454375
    Abstract: A pneumotachograph mask or mouthpiece coupling element may reduce the distortion and muffling of the voice otherwise caused by a mask or mouthpiece when measuring the low-frequency components of a volume-velocity of oral or nasal airflow during speech or singing. This improved performance is accomplished by separating the low-frequency components to be measured from the higher frequency or acoustic components by an acoustic filter. The filter passes much of the acoustic energy through the walls of the mask or mouthpiece at a location or locations close to the face. The lower frequency airflow components are funneled by the mask or mouthpiece coupling element through an airflow-measurement transducer. The acoustic filtering can be implemented by a membrane, or array of membranes, in the wall of a chamber located close to, or formed as part of, the mask or mouthpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Glottal Enterprises
    Inventor: Martin Rothenberg
  • Patent number: 5443794
    Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for measuring the concentration of a volatile component in a gas and in particular, but not exclusively, to breath alcohol testing apparatus.In such apparatus 10, a pressure transducer 15 is provided to detect the ambient pressure during test. This pressure is used to modify the output of a fuel cell 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Lion Technology Limited
    Inventor: Paul M. Williams
  • Patent number: 5425374
    Abstract: A portable type clinical examination device using expiratory air of a patient as a sample and measuring with high accuracy and rapidity concentration of trace amounts of aimed gas components contained in the expiratory air. The clinical examination device feeds an expiratory air sample provided by a patient, fed through an expiratory air sucking portion and separated in a column to a detector which detects trace amounts of aimed gas components contained in the expiratory air sample by ionizing the aimed gas components through application of ultraviolet or radiation, so that output signals from the detector are processed and concentration of the aimed gas components is computed by use of a previously memorized working curve to provide a clinical examination data which is output on a recording device or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignees: Hideo UEDA, Kabushiki Kaisha Kyoto Daiichi Kagaku
    Inventors: Hideo Ueda, Mitsuo Hiromoto
  • Patent number: 5404885
    Abstract: A noninvasive device and methods for measuring the end-tidal carbon monoxide concentration in a patient's breath, particularly newborn and premature infants. The patient's breath is monitored. An average carbon monoxide concentration is determined based on an average of discrete samples in a given time period. The ratio of the end-tidal portion of the breath flow sample is separately determined, preferably based on monitoring the level of carbon dioxide in the gas sample and identifying the carbon dioxide concentration levels corresponding to the end-tidal portion of the breath sample. The sensed carbon monoxide level is converted to the end-tidal carbon monoxide level by subtracting the ambient carbon monoxide level and dividing the remainder by the ratio of end-tidal breath to breath in the breath sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Natus Medical, Incorporated
    Inventors: Neil J. Sheehan, Scott R. Rouw, Robert T. Stone
  • Patent number: 5402796
    Abstract: The arterial CO.sub.2 monitor and closed loop controller for use with a ventilator monitors a patient's breath and determines PaCO.sub.2 based upon a determination of a deadspace ratio, which is the ratio of the alveolar deadspace to alveolar tidal volume. The method generally comprises the steps of continuously monitoring measurable parameters of a patient's breath; obtaining an input value of PaCO.sub.2 from a blood sample of the patient and using the patients breath parameters and the input value to calculate the deadspace ratio; and continuously determining PaCO.sub.2 based on the assumption that the deadspace ratio subsequently remains constant. Decision rules obtained from other measurable data are preferably also used to identify the onset of changes in the deadspace ratio, and a new deadspace ratio is then determined from the patient's breath parameters and further input value of PaCO.sub.2 from the patient's blood sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: University of Melbourne
    Inventors: John S. Packer, John F. Cade, Eng-Boon L. Law
  • Patent number: 5400637
    Abstract: A system and method for checking the calibration of a breath alcohol measuring instrument by the use of alcohol standards all containing substantially identical concentrations of alcohol and the use of a calculator which generates an expected measured value for the standard based on the known alcohol concentration and current atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Intoximeters, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn C. Forrester