US 4,940,056 A · Electrogustograph

Abstract

The invention discloses an electrogustograph for detecting the physiological responses of the tongue to various tastants applied thereto through a small vacuum sensor. The small sensor has a peripheral annual vacuum port by which the sensor is attached to the top surface of the tongue. The annular vacuum port surrounds a cavity which has one port for insertion of the tastant which flows across the surface of a portion of the tongue to a second port which serves as an outlet for the tastant. Electrodes are present in the sensor and on the cheek of the person being tested so as to measure the difference in the flow of electricity across the top surface of the tongue when various tastants are applied to the tongue. The electrogustograph is supported by suitable electronics and fluid flow pumps and valves all under the control of a microcontroller to provide a flexible and relatively easy to use electrogustographic system.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A sensor for measuring a physiological response by attachment to the flexible surface of a living animal comprising:

a housing having an outer wall with a first side for attachment to said flexible surface;
an outer ring on said first side;
an inner ring on said first side concentric with said outer ring and defining an annular recessed space between said rings;
a fluid receiving recess on said first side within the boundary of said inner ring;
a fluid inlet on said housing having a passageway connecting said inlet to said fluid receiving recess for receiving a fluid;
a fluid outlet on said housing having a passageway connecting said outlet to said fluid receiving recess;
and
a vacuum inlet on said housing connected to said recessed annular space.

5 more elements

A system for measuring a physiological response by attachment to the flexible surface of a living animal comprising:

a sensor housing having an outer wall with a first side for attachment to said flexible surface;
said sensor housing having an outer ring on said first side;
said sensor housing having an inner ring on said first side concentric with said outer ring and defining an annular recessed space between said rings;
said sensor housing having a fluid receiving recess on said first side within the boundary of said inner ring;
a fluid inlet on said sensor housing having a passageway connecting said inlet to said fluid receiving recess for receiving a fluid;
a fluid outlet on said sensor housing having a passageway connecting said outlet to said fluid receiving recess;
and
a vacuum inlet on said sensor housing connected to said recessed annular space;
a reservoir for a stimulus fluid connected to said fluid inlet on said sensor housing;
and
a means for circulating a stimulus fluid from said reservoir to said fluid inlet at a predetermined rate.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electrogustograph

Life of this patent

Electrogustograph

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15