Diagnostic sensor clasp utilizing a slot, pivot and spring hinge mechanism
AssigneeMine Safety Appliances Company
InventorMark D. Norwood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hinge clamp mechanism and sensor for performing pulse oximetry tests, as well as for performing other diagnostic procedures that can be conducted on a human body part, such as a finger. More particularly, the hinge clamp mechanism utilizes one or more slots, pins and springs to enclose the body part being tested. The hinge clamp relies on a movable pivot point connecting upper and lower portions of the device and the biasing force of one or more cantilevered leaf springs to enable the upper and lower body portions of the device to conform to the upper and lower surfaces of the body part, and to evenly distribute the gripping pressure of the device over the upper and lower surfaces of the body part.
Claims23
A hinged clamp mechanism for holding a body part during a monitoring procedure, the mechanism comprising:
- a first portion;
- a second portion;
- a guide pin attached to one of the first and second portions and movable along a guide slot provided in the other of the first and second portions;
- a separable pivotal connection between the first portion and the second portion for enabling opening of a space therebetween so as to permit the insertion of the body part between the first and second portions;
- yieldable biasing means, connected at one end to the guide pin and at the other end to the other of the first and second portions that is provided with the guide slot, for causing the guide pin to act as a pivot point and for causing the first and second portions to apply uniform pressure along a desired length of the body part upon insertion of the body part between the first and second portions;
- and
- wherein the separable pivotal connection is located between the ends of the yieldable biasing means.
A sensor for holding and testing a body part comprising:
- an upper portion;
- a lower portion;
- a movable guide pin and slot connecting the upper portion to the lower portion;
- a separable pivotal connection between the upper portion and the lower portion for enabling opening of a space therebetween so as to permit the insertion of the body part between the upper and lower portions,
- a yieldable biasing element connected to the upper portion and the lower portion for causing the movable guide pin to act as a pivot point and for causing the upper and lower portions to apply uniform pressure along a desired length of the body part upon insertion of the body part between the upper and lower portions;
- a signal emitting means positioned in the upper portion;
- and
- a signal receiving means positioned in the lower portion such that a signal from the signal emitting means passes through the body part and into the signal receiving means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.