Steven T Walker

US Patent:

62565249, Jul 3, 2001

Filed:

Sep 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/389355

Inventors:

Steven C. Walker - Olmos Park TX
John M. Shepherd - Fort San Antonio TX
John G. Alexander - Plano TX

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army - Washington DC

International Classification:

A61B 500
A61M 1600

US Classification:

600340

Abstract:

A combined oropharyngeal airway/bite block is disclosed having pulse oximeter sensor elements capable of monitoring the posterior pharynx, the soft palate, the hard palate, and the buccal surface. The oropharyngeal airway portion has a thickened wall to house the pulse oximeter sensor elements and provide sufficient material to form grooves in the distal end. The grooves are utilized when the invention is turned on its side to act as a bite block with the grooves engaging the teeth of the patient. The pulse oximeter sensor elements include a light source, which emits light at wavelengths of about 660 nm and about 940 nm, and a light detector. The pulse oximeter sensor elements are in communication with a spectrophotometer for analysis.

US Patent:

62530984, Jun 26, 2001

Filed:

Sep 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/389353

Inventors:

Steven C. Walker - Olmos Park TX
John M. Shepherd - Fort San Antonio TX

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army - Washington DC

International Classification:

A61B 500

US Classification:

600344

Abstract:

This invention is a protective covering to protect off-the-shelf disposable pulse oximeter sensors from bodily or surgical fluids. The protective covering will envelop and encase the inserted pulse oximeter sensor up to a point on the connection cable extending from the pulse oximeter sensor. The protective covering is a polypropylene, rubber, or similar material, which preferably is tapered from the large width at the entrance to the narrower width at the blind end. The protective covering is bilaminar in nature to contain a substantially rectangular pulse oximeter.

US Patent:

6263223, Jul 17, 2001

Filed:

Sep 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/389352

Inventors:

John M. Shepherd - San Antonio TX
Steven C. Walker - San Antonio TX

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army - Washington DC

International Classification:

A61B 500

US Classification:

600340

Abstract:

A method for taking reflectance oximeter readings within the nasal cavity and oral cavity and down through the posterior pharynx. The method utilizes a reflectance pulse oximeter sensor that preferably is resistant to bodily fluids to contact one of these capillary beds for the taking of readings and then forwarding of these readings to an oximeter for display. The method includes inserting a reflectance pulse oximeter sensor into a cavity within a subject's skull and contacting a capillary bed disposed in the cavity with the reflectance pulse oximeter sensor.

US Patent:

62665472, Jul 24, 2001

Filed:

Sep 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/389354

Inventors:

Steven C. Walker - Olmos Park TX
John M. Shepherd - Fort San Antonio TX
John G. Alexander - Plano TX

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army - Washington DC

International Classification:

A61B 500

US Classification:

600344

Abstract:

A combined nasopharyngeal airway and pulse oximeter sensor capable of monitoring the posterior pharynx, posterior soft palate or nasal mucosa is disclosed. The nasopharyngeal airway includes a thickened wall section over approximately one-third of its circumference. Pulse oximeter sensor elements may be embedded in the airway. The pulse oximeter sensor elements may include a light source, which preferably emits light at wavelengths around 660 nm (red) and around 940 nm (near infrared), and a light detector. The pulse oximeter sensor elements may be connected to a pulse oximeter monitor (spectrophotometer) or other external device for analysis.