Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Respiratory
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-25
2001-05-29
Lacyk, John P. (Department: 3736)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Respiratory
C600S538000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238353
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to respiratory therapy devices and, in particular, to an improved incentive spirometer including a goal recording counter (GRC) which monitors the number of times a patient has completed a particular usage of the spirometer.
More specifically, but without restriction to the particular embodiment and/or use which is shown and described herein for purposes of illustration, this invention relates to an incentive spirometer having a detachable GRC which when applied to the spirometer records the number of times a user has successfully completed a particular breathing exercise. The spirometer also includes an oxygen inlet to facilitate the introduction of oxygen into the device without the oxygen effecting the monitoring of a patient's use of the device, and an integral information display receptacle to enable written information to be displayed while the spirometer is in use.
2. Description of Related Art
The use of incentive spirometers for respiratory care and treatment is well known. However, one of the desirable features for inclusion with such spirometers would be the incorporation of a counter to monitor the number of times that a user or patient has successfully completed a particular breathing exercise that has been prescribed for the patient's therapy or treatment. While certain spirometers have been designed to monitor functional operations, such equipment incorporates the monitoring function as an integral component of the spirometer or device with which the counter is used, or are actuable by the action of the user or patient when using the spirometer, thereby effecting the accuracy of the manner in which a patient is using the device. Accordingly, it would be desirable that such a monitor or counter be capable of accurately recording the number of times a patient or user has completed a particular exercise, but not interfere with or utilize the air stream between the patient and the breathing device. Incentive spirometers are utilized to monitor a patient's breathing, and to provide a controlled exercise for a patient's lungs and associated breathing apparatus. While the use of a counting device to record the number of times a patient has successfully completed a prescribed exercise is very advantageous when using an incentive spirometers, the interference with the air stream between the patient and the device can effect the calibration of the incentive spirometer, and gives the patient false feedback readings by which a patient monitors their proper use of the device. The present invention includes a removable Goal Recording Counter which is not an integral part of the spirometer and does not interfere with the calibration of the device or the patient's use of the spirometer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to improve incentive spirometers.
Another object of this invention is to provide a spirometer which includes a GRC for monitoring or recording the number of times a patient has successfully completed a prescribed breathing exercise without interfering with the normal operation of the spirometer.
A further object of this invention is to provide a spirometer which includes a GRC for monitoring or recording the number of times a patient has successfully completed a prescribed breathing exercise without interfering with the calibration of the spirometer.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a spirometer which includes a GRC for monitoring or recording the number of times a patient has successfully completed a prescribed breathing exercise which is not an integral component of the spirometer, but can be removed therefrom for use with a separate device.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a spirometer which includes a GRC for monitoring or recording the number of times a patient has successfully completed a prescribed breathing exercise and informing a patient that the exercise has been properly performed.
These and other objects are attained in accordance with the present invention wherein there is provided an improved incentive spirometer including a selectively removable Goal Recording Counter adapted to be positioned on the spirometer without interfering with the fluid communication between a patient and the spirometer to record the number of occurrences of a proper breathing exercise performed by a patient and to inform the patient when a predetermined exercise has been properly performed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 436665 (1890-09-01), Krell
patent: 3063183 (1962-11-01), Long
patent: 3518783 (1970-07-01), Foley
patent: 3555712 (1971-01-01), Yargeau
patent: 3925901 (1975-12-01), McCormick
patent: 4086918 (1978-05-01), Russo
patent: 4096855 (1978-06-01), Fleury, Jr.
patent: 4114608 (1978-09-01), Russo
patent: 4171804 (1979-10-01), Thead, Jr.
patent: 4182347 (1980-01-01), Russo
patent: 4232683 (1980-11-01), Bartholomew et al.
patent: 4284083 (1981-08-01), Lester
patent: 4301608 (1981-11-01), Taylor, Jr.
patent: 4350167 (1982-09-01), Heimlich
patent: 4391283 (1983-07-01), Sharpless et al.
patent: 4425923 (1984-01-01), Gordon et al.
patent: 4499905 (1985-02-01), Greenberg et al.
patent: 4693256 (1987-09-01), Talonn
patent: 4897945 (1990-02-01), Webb
patent: 4932521 (1990-06-01), Au
patent: 5022170 (1991-06-01), House
patent: 5113612 (1992-05-01), Machen
patent: 5276986 (1994-01-01), Thomas
patent: 5431154 (1995-07-01), Seigel et al.
patent: 5984873 (1999-11-01), Crumb et al.
Forbes Brian
Keating Michael J.
Richards Frederick M.
Weinstein Lawrence A.
Wickstead James C.
DHD Healthcare Corporation
Hancock & Estabrook, LLP
Lacyk John P.
Natnithithadha Navin
Roehrig, Jr. August E.
LandOfFree
Incentive spirometer does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Incentive spirometer, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Incentive spirometer will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2502795