Patent ID: 7383736
Filing Date: 2008-06-10
Classification: A61M,G01L

Abstract:
1. A device that indicates internal pressure of an inflatable medical cuff including: a hollow housing having a first opening at a first end thereof to which a cuff inflation tube can be coupled and a second opening at a second end of the hollow housing to which a syringe can be coupled, the hollow housing including a generally cylindrical body which is made from transparent material and an integral end formation which includes the second opening; a valve in the second opening having a valve element which can be unseated from sealing engagement with a valve seat on coupling of the syringe to the second opening for permitting inflating air from the syringe to pass into or from the hollow housing; and a bellows having an open end and a closed end, the open end of the bellows coupled to the hollow housing at said first end to form an inner chamber within the bellows and an outer chamber between the bellows and the hollow housing, and wherein the closed end of the bellows is disposed towards the second end of the hollow housing, the hollow housing including at least one vent which vents the inner chamber to atmosphere, and wherein the hollow housing includes at least one fluid communication passage from the first opening to the outer chamber and an end body which is coupled to the cylindrical body and includes the first opening, the at least one communication passage and the at least one vent and wherein the open end of the bellows is connected to the end body, whereby in use the outer chamber is at the same pressure as the internal pressure of the cuff, whereby changes in the internal pressure of the cuff cause expansion and retraction of the bellows such that the position of the closed end of the bellows indicates the internal pressure of the cuff.