Artery locating device

The present invention relates to an artery locating device (10) which comprises a housing (18) comprising a housing power means access (18A), a housing bottom (18B), a housing front (18F), and a housing rear (18R). The artery locating device (10) further comprises a microchip (22) contained within the housing (18). The artery locating device (10) further comprises a power means (24) electronically connected to the microchip (22). The artery locating device (10) further comprises a heart rate monitor (12) is contained within the housing (18). The heart rate monitor (12) comprises a heart rate monitor LCD display (12B) which is electronically connected to the microchip (22). The heart rate monitor (12) further comprises a heart rate monitor visual display (12C) having a heart rate monitor visual display indicator light (12CA) which is electronically connected to the microchip (22). The artery locating device (10) further comprises a pulse intensity monitor (14) contained within the housing (18). The pulse intensity monitor (14) comprises a pulse intensity monitor LCD display (14B) which is electronically connected to the microchip (22). The pulse intensity monitor (14) further comprises a pulse intensity monitor visual display (14C) having a pulse intensity monitor visual display indicator light (14CA) which is electronically connected to the microchip (22). The artery locating device (10) further comprises an artery monitor (16) contained within the housing (18). The artery monitor (16) comprises an artery monitor visual display (16A) which is electronically connected to the microchip (22). The artery monitor (16) further comprises an artery monitor visual display indicator light (16AA) which is electronically connected to the microchip (22). The artery locating device (10) further comprises an artery sensor (20) contained within the housing (18) positioned at the housing bottom (18B). The artery sensor (20) is electronically connected to the microchip (22).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to an artery locating device. More 
particularly, the present invention relates to an artery locating device 
which is portable and comprises a heart rate monitor, a pulse intensity 
monitor and a artery monitor contained in one housing. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Certain medical procedures require venipuncture and therefore exact 
location of veins and arteries beneath the skin of a living body. The 
current most frequently utilized technology utilizes a visual scan of a 
medical person to locate and puncture the vein or artery. However, this 
technique is extremely inaccurate when the veins or arteries are deep 
underneath the skin making visualization impossible. Missing the vein or 
artery when inserting a needle causes sub-cutaneous hemorrhaging having 
disastrous or fatal medical effects. 
Numerous innovations for artery locating device have been provided in the 
prior art that are described as follows. Even though these innovations may 
be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, 
they differ from the present invention as hereinafter contrasted. 
In Patent number, titled Time Calculating Device, invented by Fusao Suga, a 
time calculating device calculates a time which a user of the device 
requires to run a distance such as a whole distance of a marathon race. 
The time calculating device is provided with a pulse frequency memory 
which measures pulse frequencies of the user when the user runs a given 
distance at least twice at predetermined different paces, and which stores 
the measured pulse frequencies. The time calculating device is further 
provided with an age input key for inputting age data of the user, and a 
distance input key for inputting a distance. A running speed at which the 
user of an age can keep running continuously is calculated from the pulse 
frequencies stored in the pulse frequency memory and age data input by the 
age input key. Further, a time is calculated which the user requires to 
run the distance inputted by the distance input key at the calculated 
running speed. The calculated time is displayed on a display unit of the 
time calculating device. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,046, titled Method of Determining Optimum Artery 
Applanation, invented by Robert D. Butterfield and Stephen A. Martin, a 
method, for use in a non-invasive blood pressure monitoring system, of 
determining optimum artery applanation. The system uses a stress sensor 
including a stress sensitive element for detecting stress of tissue 
overlying an artery of interest. The tissue stress sensor is placed in 
communication with tissue overlying the artery of interest and at least 
one electrical signal is obtained therefrom representing stress data 
across the length of the stress sensitive element. The data represents 
stress datum communicated to a preselected portion of the stress sensitive 
element. From the stress datum, various algorithms are used, singly or in 
combination, to provide the best measure of optimum applanation state. 
Intra-arterial blood pressure is then calculated using datum collected at 
the optimum applanation state. In addition, to the optimum applanation 
methods, a method is disclosed for determining which portion of the stress 
sensitive element is best suited for estimating intra-arterial blood 
pressure. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,170, Titled Measuring Apparatus for Blood Pressure, 
invented by Masakatsu Takahashi, a measuring apparatus for blood pressure 
comprises a blood pressure measuring portion and a holder pipe. The blood 
pressure measuring portion comprises a device for searching a location of 
an artery appropriate for blood pressure measurement and for detecting a 
pulse by being pressed on a skin surface above or near the artery. A 
device is provided for detecting blood pressure, a device for block blood 
stream, a portion for indicating a measured value of blood pressure and a 
portion for indicating a detected pulse of the artery appropriate for 
measurement are also provided. The blood pressure measuring portion is 
inserted slidably in the holder pipe. The holder pipe is equipped 
removably with a strap for fixing the holder pipe. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,921, titled Apparatus for Checking Pulse and Heart 
Rates, invented by Iwao Fujisaki, Shuichi Kosuge, Syuu Ogawa, Kimihiko 
Sato and Toshini Soeda, a small portable-type apparatus for checking pulse 
or heart rate of a person engaged in exercise. Therefore, the apparatus 
according to the present invention can be used as a pulsimeter or a 
cardiometer according to the state of a person in motion. The apparatus is 
provided with a heart sensor having a plurality of cone-shaped conductive 
rubber electrodes to differentially detect an electrocardiowave voltage 
signal generated from three different places near the heart and a pulse 
sensor having a matching infrared-ray emitting diode and infrared-ray 
receiving photo transistor to detect the light reflected from the blood 
flowing through capillary vessels under the finger pad. The apparatus 
additionally functions as a stopwatch or a timer as selected by a 
mode-selector switch. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,163,447, Titled Heartbeat Rate Monitor, invented by 
Thomas Orr, a heartbeat rate monitor has a light source, powered by a 
rechargeable battery, for transilluminating skin tissue. A semiconductor 
which produces an output signal in dependence on light originating from 
the light source and reflected from the skin tissue, and hence on changes 
in arterial blood flow, is additionally used, on exposure to ambient 
light, to produce a current for recharging the battery. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,745,989, titled Device for Locating Veins in Living 
Bodies, invented by Sanford Pinna, a casing is provided with an elongated 
sensor rod and a marking rod mounted for axial reciprocation by a motor 
driven cam through compression springs so that the sensor is moved 
outwardly of the casing by a constant force with the end of the sensor 
engaging a living body so that the distance of outward movement depends on 
the resistance of the body, a latch release lug extends on the resistance 
of the body, a latch release lug extends from the sensor to release a 
spring urged marking rod for outward movement to mark the surface of the 
body in response to movement of the sensor rod beyond a given position in 
response to lessened resistance to outward movement of the sensor 
occasioned by a vein positioned beneath the sensor. 
The present invention differs from the above described patented inventions 
because they lack one or more of the following features: a heart rate 
monitor, a pulse intensity monitor, an artery monitor, an artery sensor, 
and a digital finger clip. 
Numerous innovations for artery locating device have been provided in the 
prior art that are adapted to be used. Even though these innovations may 
be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, 
they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as 
heretofore described. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an artery locating device. More 
particularly, the present invention relates to an artery locating device 
which is portable and comprises a heart rate monitor, a pulse intensity 
monitor and a artery monitor contained in one housing. 
The types of problems encountered in the prior art are visualization of 
veins or arteries is imprecise and dangerous. 
In the prior art, unsucessful attempts to solve this problem were attempted 
namely: probing type vein or artery locators. However, the problem was 
solved by the present invention because the location of the vein or artery 
is accomplished by a artery sensor in conjunction with a microchip. 
Innovations within the prior art are rapidly being exploited in the field 
of medical research and medical equipment. 
The present invention went contrary to the teaching of the art which 
describes and claims probing type artery sensing devices as well as pulse 
and heart rate detecting devices. 
The present invention solved a long felt need for a single compact device 
to perform all required medical procedures such as heart rate, pulse 
intensity and artery location in one piece of equipment. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an artery 
locating device which comprises a heart rate monitor, a pulse intensity 
monitor, an artery monitor, an artery sensor, a microchip, a power means, 
and a digital finger clip all enclosed within a single housing. 
More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide the 
heart rate monitor which comprises heart rate monitor indicia, heart rate 
monitor LCD display, heart rate monitor visual display, and heart rate 
monitor visual display indicator light. 
In keeping with these objects, and with others which will become apparent 
hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, 
in the pulse intensity monitor comprising pulse intensity monitor indicia, 
a pulse intensity monitor LCD display, a pulse intensity monitor visual 
display, and a pulse intensity monitor visual display indicator light. 
When the artery monitor is designed in accordance with the present 
invention, it comprises an artery monitor visual display and an artery 
monitor visual display indicator light. 
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the digital 
finger clip comprises a digital finger clip cylinder, a digital finger 
clip connector, and a digital finger clip pivot pin. 
Another feature of the present invention is that the housing comprises a 
housing power means access, a housing bottom, a housing front, and a 
housing rear. 
The novel features which are considered characteristic for the invention 
are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, both 
as to its construction and its method of operation, together with 
additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from 
the following description of the specific embodiments when read and 
understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
BRIEF LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING 
10--artery locating device (10) 
12--heart rate monitor (12) 
12A--heart rate monitor indicia (12A) 
12B--heart rate monitor LCD display (12B) 
12C--heart rate monitor visual display (12C) 
12CA--heart rate monitor visual display indicator light (12CA) 
14--pulse intensity monitor (14) 
14A--pulse intensity monitor indicia (14A) 
14B--pulse intensity monitor LCD display (14B) 
14C--pulse intensity monitor visual display (14C) 
14CA--pulse intensity monitor visual display indicator light (14CA) 
16--artery monitor (16) 
16A--artery monitor visual display (16A) 
16AA--artery monitor visual display indicator light (16AA) 
18--housing (18) 
18A--housing power means access (18A) 
18B--housing bottom (18B) 
18F--housing front (18F) 
18R--housing rear (18R) 
20--artery sensor (20) 
22--microchip (22) 
24--power means (24) 
26--patient's arm (26) 
26A--patient's arm epidermis (26A) 
26B--patient's arm radial artery (26B) 
26C--patient's arm muscle (26C) 
26D--patient's arm bone (26D) 
28--digital finger clip (28) 
28A--digital finger clip cylinder (28A) 
28B--digital finger clip connector (28B) 
28C--digital finger clip pivot pin (28C) 
METHOD (110) OF UTILIZING AN ARTERY LOCATING DEVICE (10) 
112--placing (112) a housing bottom (18B) of an artery locating device (10) 
on a patient's arm epidermis (26A) 
114--first moving (114) the artery locating device (10) laterally until a 
patient's arm radial artery (26B) is detected by an artery sensor (20) 
activating an artery monitor (16) 
116--second moving (116) the artery locating device (10) laterally until a 
patient's arm radial artery (26B) is centered by indication of an artery 
monitor visual display indicator light (16AA) of an artery monitor visual 
display (16A)

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Firstly, referring to FIG. 1 which is a front view of an artery locating 
device (10) which comprises a housing (18) comprising a housing power 
means access (18A), a housing bottom (18B), a housing front (18F), and a 
housing rear (18R). The artery locating device (10) further comprises a 
microchip (22) contained within the housing (18). The housing (18) is 
constructed from a material selected from a group consisting of metal. 
Metal alloy, plastic, plastic composite, rubber, rubber composite, 
fiberglass, epoxy, and carbon-graphite. 
The artery locating device (10) further comprises a power means (24) 
electronically connected to the microchip (22). The power means (24) is 
contained within the housing (18) having the housing power means access 
(18A) removably positioned there over. 
The artery locating device (10) further comprises a heart rate monitor (12) 
is contained within the housing (18). The heart rate monitor (12) 
comprises a heart rate monitor LCD display (12B) which is electronically 
connected to the microchip (22). The heart rate monitor (12) further 
comprises a heart rate monitor visual display (12C) having a heart rate 
monitor visual display indicator light (12CA) which is electronically 
connected to the microchip (22). The heart rate monitor (12) further 
comprises heart rate monitor indicia (12A) printed thereon. The heart rate 
monitor (12) is preferably positioned on the housing front (18F). 
The artery locating device (10) further comprises a pulse intensity monitor 
(14) contained within the housing (18). The pulse intensity monitor (14) 
comprises a pulse intensity monitor LCD display (14B) which is 
electronically connected to the microchip (22). The pulse intensity 
monitor (14) further comprises a pulse intensity monitor visual display 
(14C) having a pulse intensity monitor visual display indicator light 
(14CA) which is electronically connected to the microchip (22). The pulse 
intensity monitor (14) further comprises pulse intensity monitor indicia 
(14A) printed thereon. The pulse intensity monitor (14) is preferably 
positioned on the housing front (18F). 
The artery locating device (10) further comprises an artery monitor (16) 
contained within the housing (18). The artery monitor (16) comprises an 
artery monitor visual display (16A) which is electronically connected to 
the microchip (22). The artery monitor (16) further comprises an artery 
monitor visual display indicator light (16AA) which is electronically 
connected to the microchip (22). The artery monitor (16) is preferably 
positioned on the housing front (18F). 
The artery locating device (10) further comprises an artery sensor (20) 
contained within the housing (18) positioned at the housing bottom (18B). 
The artery sensor (20) is electronically connected to the microchip (22). 
Referring to FIG. 1A which is a rear view of an artery locating device 
(10). The power means (24) is preferably positioned on within the housing 
rear (18R) having the housing power means access (18A) positioned there 
over. The artery locating device (10) as described in claim 1 further 
comprises a digital finger clip (28) which is attached to the housing 
(18), the digital finger clip (28) is electrically connected to the 
microchip (22), when the patient inserts a finger into the digital finger 
clip (28) an electronic signal is sent to the microchip (22) which in turn 
sends an electronic signal to the artery monitor visual display indicator 
light (16AA) of the artery monitor visual display (16A) which functions to 
illuminate the artery monitor visual display indicator light (16AA), 
simultaneously, the microchip (22) sends an electronic signal to heart 
rate monitor visual display indicator light (12CA) which functions to 
illuminate the heart rate monitor visual display indicator light (12CA), 
simultaneously, the microchip (22) sends an electronic signal to the heart 
rate monitor LCD display (12B) which displays a patient's heart rate, 
simultaneously, the microchip (22) sends an electronic signal to the pulse 
intensity monitor visual display indicator light (14CA) which functions to 
illuminate the pulse intensity monitor visual display indicator light 
(14CA). Simultaneously, the microchip (22) sends an electronic signal to 
the pulse intensity monitor LCD display (14B) which displays the patient's 
pulse intensity. The digital finger clip (28) comprises a digital finger 
clip cylinder (28A) securely connected to an upper distal end of a digital 
finger clip connector (28B). A lower distal end of the digital finger clip 
connector (28B) is movably connected to the housing (18) by a digital 
finger clip pivot pin (28C). 
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 2A which are a side view and a top view of an 
artery locating device (10) positioned on a patient's arm epidermis (26A) 
on top of a patient's arm radial artery (26B). The cross sectional view of 
the patient's arm (26) exhibits a patient's arm bone (26D) having 
patient's arm muscles (26C) circumferentially positioned there around. The 
housing bottom (18B) has a concave curvature complimentary to a convex 
curvature of a patient's arm (26). When an user positions the artery 
locating device (10) on a patient's arm epidermis (26A) of a patient's arm 
(26) moving laterally until the artery sensor (20) is positioned directly 
over a patient's arm radial artery (26B) which sends an electronic signal 
to the microchip (22) which in turn sends an electronic signal to the 
artery monitor visual display indicator light (16AA) of the artery monitor 
visual display (16A) which functions to illuminate the artery monitor 
visual display indicator light (16AA). Simultaneously, the microchip (22) 
sends an electronic signal to heart rate monitor visual display indicator 
light (12CA) which functions to illuminate the heart rate monitor visual 
display indicator light (12CA). Simultaneously, the microchip (22) sends 
an electronic signal to the heart rate monitor LCD display (12B) which 
displays a patient's heart rate. Simultaneously, the microchip (22) sends 
an electronic signal to the pulse intensity monitor visual display 
indicator light (14CA) which functions to illuminate the pulse intensity 
monitor visual display indicator light (14CA). Simultaneously, the 
microchip (22) sends an electronic signal to the pulse intensity monitor 
LCD display (14B) which displays the patient's pulse intensity. 
Lastly, referring to FIG. 3 which is a diagrammatic representation of a 
method (1 10) of utilizing an artery locating device (10) consisting of 
the following steps: 
A) placing (112) a housing bottom (18B) of an artery locating device (10) 
on a patient's arm epidermis (26A); 
B) first moving (114) the artery locating device (10) laterally until a 
patient's arm radial artery (26B) is detected by an artery sensor (20) 
activating an artery monitor (16); and 
C) second moving (116) the artery locating device (10) laterally until a 
patient's arm radial artery (26B) is centered by indication of an artery 
monitor visual display indicator light (16AA) of an artery monitor visual 
display (16A). 
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or 
more together, may also find a useful application in other types of 
constructions differing from the type described above. 
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an 
artery locating device, it is not intended to be limited to the details 
shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, 
substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device 
illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art 
without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of 
the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, 
readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, 
from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential 
characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.