WO2010032206A1

WO2010032206A1 - Medical diagnostics system

Info

Publication number: WO2010032206A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/054073
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Hutchinson
Original assignee: Freeplay Energy India Limited
Priority date: 2008-09-18
Filing date: 2009-09-17
Publication date: 2010-03-25

Abstract

A medical diagnostics system is disclosed which comprises, in combination, a transducer for producing an electronic signal representative of a physical parameter of the human body and a monitor (10) to which the transducer is connected by a signal transmission cord. The monitor including rechargeable batteries (104), a winding handle (20), an alternator (86) activated by the handle (20) to provide power for recharging said batteries, and displays (18, 116) powered by the batteries for presenting a representation of said physical parameter in a form suitable for diagnostic purposes.

Description

MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a medical diagnostics device.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In remote areas medical facilities are often rudimentary. The absence of electrical power prevents the use of many of the diagnostic devices which are to be found in hospitals in cities and less isolated areas.

The present invention seeks to provide a medical diagnostic device which does not require an external power source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a medical diagnostics system comprising, in combination, a transducer for producing an electronic signal representative of a physical parameter of the human body, and a monitor to which the transducer is connected by a signal transmission cord, the monitor including rechargeable batteries, a winding handle, an alternator activated by said handle to provide power for recharging said batteries, and means powered by said batteries for presenting a representation of said physical parameter in a form suitable for diagnostic purposes.

Said transducer can be a foetal heartbeat transducer or a transducer which detects pulse rate and oxygen saturation level.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a foetal heartbeat monitor comprising a casing, an area of the casing being adapted for the transmission of sound therethrough, a speaker behind said area, a connector for receiving the data transmission cord of a foetal heartbeat transducer, and means for processing the data signal received and feeding it to said speaker.

The foetal heartbeat monitor can include rechargeable batteries for powering the processing means, a winding handle and an alternator activated by said winding handle to provide power for recharging said batteries.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a foetal heartbeat monitor comprising a casing, an opening in the casing, a transparent lens fitted in said opening, a visual display device behind said lens, a connector for receiving the data transmission cord of a foetal heartbeat transducer and means for processing the data signal received and feeding it to said visual display device.

The foetal heartbeat monitor can include rechargeable batteries for powering the processing means, a winding handle and a generator activated by said winding handle to provide power for recharging said batteries.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a foetal heartbeat monitor comprising a casing, an area of the casing being adapted for the transmission of sound therethrough, a speaker behind said area, a connector for receiving the data transmission cord of a foetal heartbeat transducer, means for processing the data signal received and feeding it to said speaker, an opening in the casing, a transparent lens fitted in said opening, a visual display device behind said lens, and means for processing the data signal received and feeding it to said display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a top plan view of a monitor in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the monitor being in the form of a foetal heartbeat monitor;

Figure 2 is an underneath plan view of the monitor of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 and 4 are side elevations of the monitor of Figure 1 from opposite sides;

Figure 5 and 6 are end views of the monitor of Figure 1 from opposite ends;

Figures 7 and 8 are pictorial views of the monitor of Figure 1 ; Figure 9 is a longitudinal section through the monitor of Figure 1 ,

Figure 10 to 16 are transverse sections through the monitor, the sections being on the lines X-X to XVI-XVI of Figure 18;

Figure 17 illustrates the monitor of Figure 1 in exploded form; Figure 18 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 and showing section lines X- X to XVI-XVI;

Figure 19 is an underneath plan view of a monitor in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the monitor being in the form of a pulse rate and oxygen saturation level monitor;

Figure 20 and 21 are side elevations of the device of Figure 19 from opposite sides;

Figure 22 is an end view of the device of Figure 19; and Figure 23 is a pictorial view of the device of Figure 19. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to Figures 1 to 18 of the drawings and in particular to Figures 9 and 17, reference numeral 10 generally designates a monitor in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The monitor illustrated comprises a casing which includes a base plate 12 and a cover 14. The base plate 12 has an area 16 at the centre thereof which has a multitude of holes 18 in it. A handle 20 is rotatably mounted on the cover 14.

The handle 20 (see Figures 9 and 17) comprises a crank arm 22 from which a mounting spigot 24 protrudes. The spigot 24 has an axial, blind bore 26 in the free end thereof. A knob 28 is rotatably secured to the spigot 24 by a screw 30 which passes through a hole 32 in the knob 28 and is screwed into the blind bore 26 in the spigot 24.

At the end of the crank arm 22 remote from the spigot 24 the crank arm 22 is forked. Adjacent the free end of each tine 34 there is a through bore 36. The bores 36 receive an axle 38 about which the crank arm 22 can pivot.

A hub 40 has a central blind bore 42 which receives one end of an axle

44. The other end of the axle 44 turns in a bearing sleeve 46 which is in a recess 48 in a plate 50. A bearing bush 52 consisting of a sleeve 54 and a flange 56 fits in an opening 58 of the cover 14 and the hub 40 fits in the bush 52 as best seen in Figure 9.

Hollow internally threaded protrusions 60 on the face of the flange 56 enter bores 62 of the cover 14 to prevent the bush 52 from rotating. The bush 52 is secured to the cover

14 by screws 62A which pass through the bores 62 and into the protrusions 60.

The hub 40 has a transverse bore 66 (see Figure 9) through which the axle 38 passes thereby mounting the crank arm 22 on the hub 40.

An input gear 68 is secured to the hub 40 by screws 64 which pass through the gear into the hub. The axle 44 passes through a central passage 74 of the gear 68.

An intermediate gear 76 is rotatable on an axle 78 which spans between sockets of the cover 14 and the plate 50. The gear 76 is a composite gear comprising a pinion 80 in mesh with the gear 68 and a gear 82 (Figure 9) which is in mesh with a pinion 84 forming the input gear of an alternator 86. The alternator 86 comprises a rotor 88, to which the pinion 84 is secured, and a stator 90.

There is a socket 98 for enabling an external source of power, if available, to be connected for charging purposes. A printed circuit board 100 is mounted on posts 102 protruding from the surface of the plate 50 and a number of rechargeable batteries 104 are located in a space between the base plate 12 and the plate 50.

The base plate 12 has two openings 106 and 108 in it. The opening 106 has a transparent lens 110 fitted in it and the opening 108 mounts a frame 112 which carries a flexible boot 114. Behind the lens 110 there is a visual display unit 116 mounted on the printed circuit board 100. An on-off switch 120 of the device is mounted on a printed circuit board 122, and is located behind the boot 114.

Behind the holes 18 there is a speaker 124 of the paper cone type.

The socket 98 connects to a charging circuit and a rectifier pack J 28 and this enables a source of ac. power, when available, to be connected to the device to recharge the batteries 104.

A socket 130 is provided which enables a foetal heartbeat transducer of any commercially available type to be plugged into the device. However, it is preferred that the communication cord of the foetal heartbeat transducer enter the casing 10 and be connected directly to the printed circuit board which carries the electronics that process the signal from the foetal heartbeat transducer. The monitor and the transducer constitute a medical diagnostics system.

When a foetal heartbeat transducer is applied to the stomach of a pregnant woman, the heartbeats of the foetus are picked up. After processing, the signal is fed to the display unit 116 and the processed signal is displayed visually, and simultaneously supplied to the speaker 124 so that the sound of the heart beat can be heard through the holes 18.

Pulse rate and oxygen saturation level transducers are known. One embodiment comprise a clamp which has two limbs that are biassed towards one another so that the transducer can be clamped onto a finger or another extremity of the human body. One limb carries a light emitting diode and the other limb carries a receiver for detecting light which has passed through the finger.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention the electronic circuitry which processes the signal from the pulse rate transducer is within the casing 10 disclosed herein and replaces the electronic circuitry which, in the embodiment described above, processes the signal from the foetal heart transducer.

Referring now to Figures 19 to 23 of the drawings, reference numeral 10.1 generally shows a monitor 10.1 in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. The monitor has components in common with the medical diagnostic device of Figure 1. Like parts have been designated with like numerals to which the suffix ".1" has been added.

The socket 130 is replaced by a socket 132 compatible with the jack of the pulse rate transducer. Alternatively, the communication cord from the pulse rate transducer can enter the casing 10 and be wired to the circuit board which carries the electronic circuitry which processes the signal from the pulse rate transducer.

Reference numeral 134 designates a flexible membrane behind which are switches. The face of the membrane carries inscriptions (not shown) which indicate where the membrane should be depressed to activate different functions.

A transparent panel 136 is provided behind which there is a display unit on which a visual representation of the information being received from the transducer can be displayed.

Claims

1. A medical diagnostics system comprising in combination a transducer for producing an electronic signal representative of a physical parameter of the human body, and a monitor to which the transducer is connected by a signal transmission cord, the monitor including rechargeable batteries, a winding handle, an alternator activated by said handle to provide power for recharging said batteries, and means powered by said batteries for presenting a representation of said physical parameter in a form suitable for diagnostic purposes.

2. A medical diagnostics system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said transducer is a foetal heartbeat transducer.

3. A medical diagnostics system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said transducer detects pulse rate and oxygen saturation level.

4. A foetal heartbeat monitor comprising a casing, an area of the casing being adapted for the transmission of sound therethrough, a speaker behind said area, a connector for receiving the data transmission cord of a foetal heartbeat transducer, and means for processing the data signal received and feeding it to said speaker.

5. A foetal heartbeat monitor comprising a casing, an opening in the casing, a transparent lens fitted in said opening, a visual display device behind said lens, a connector for receiving the data transmission cord of a foetal heartbeat transducer and means for processing the data signal received and feeding it to said visual display device.

6. A foetal heartbeat monitor comprising a casing, an area of the casing being adapted for the transmission of sound there through, a speak behind said area, a connector for receiving the data transmission cord of a foetal heartbeat transducer, means for processing the data signal received and feeding it to said speaker, an opening in the casing, a transparent lens fitted in said opening, a visual display device behind said lens, and means for processing the data signal received and feeding it to said display device.

7. A foetal heartbeat monitor as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6 and including rechargeable batteries for powering the processing means, a winding handle and an alternator activated by said winding handle to provide power for recharging said batteries.