Joseph Allen Baker

US Patent:

42942616, Oct 13, 1981

Filed:

Jun 1, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/691647

Inventors:

Joseph T. Baker - League City TX
George W. Hoffler - Seabrook TX
William N. Hursta - League City TX

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

A61B 502

US Classification:

128691

Abstract:

The occlusive cuff system of this invention comprises a pressure cuff and a source of regulated compressed gas feeding the cuff through an electrically-operated fill valve. An electrically-operated vent valve vents the cuff to the ambient pressure. The fill valve is normally closed and the vent valve is normally open. In response to an external start signal, a logic network opens the fill valve and closes the vent valve, thereby starting the pressurization cycle and a timer. A pressure transducer continuously monitors the pressure in the cuff. When the transducer's output equals a selected reference voltage, a comparator causes the logic network to close the fill valve. The timer, after a selected time delay, opens the vent valve to the ambient pressure, thereby ending the pressurization cycle.