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Publication Number
US-7402137-B2
Publication Date
2008-07-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
A plethysmograph is constructed with a base including parallel, horizontal guide rails; an open-ended, moveable enclosure section having a horizontal central axis slidable on the guide rails between open and closed positions; a fixed enclosure section mounted on the base transverse to the horizontal pathway, the fixed enclosure section including an inner face toward the open end of the enclosure section adapted for sealing engagement with the open end of the moveable enclosure section when the moveable enclosure section is in its closed position; and a support table attached to the fixed section, the table projecting into the moveable enclosure section when the moveable enclosure section is in the closed position, the table being vertically adjustable and having an angularly adjustable longitudinal axis.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an adjustable table small-animal plethysmograph enclosure that enables accurate alignment of a tracheal cannula with an internal support table while sealing and joining enclosure sections. The plethysmograph enclosure includes a base having parallel, horizontal guide rails and a slidable moveable enclosure section with a closed outer end and an open inner end perpendicular to a central axis. The moveable enclosure section is slidable between open and closed positions, and in the closed position its open inner end is adapted to sealing engagement.
A fixed enclosure section is mounted on the platform transverse to the horizontal pathway and includes an inner face toward the open end of the moveable enclosure section. The fixed enclosure section includes a tracheal port having an inner conduit that is rotatable above or below horizontal, and the inner face is adapted for sealing engagement with the open end of the moveable enclosure section when the moveable enclosure section is in its closed position. The support table is attached to the fixed section and projects into the moveable enclosure section when the moveable enclosure section is in the closed position.
The support table is vertically adjustable relative to the tracheal port and has a longitudinal axis angularly adjustable relative to horizontal and to the tracheal port conduit. In one configuration, an adjustable tracheal port extends through the fixed enclosure section, where the inner conduit is moveable between a raised position and a lowered position and is alignable with the support table when the table is adjusted to different vertical positions. In another configuration, the inner conduit is rotatable up to about 15° above or below horizontal to align with the support table as the table is adjusted, and the device is structured so conduit alignment is maintained across different table vertical positions.
Claims Coverage
The patent excerpt provides four independent claims. Across these claims, the core inventive coverage centers on a sealable, slidable enclosure section cooperating with a fixed enclosure section and tracheal port, a support table that is vertically adjustable and angularly adjustable relative to the tracheal port conduit in at least one claim, and an adjustable tracheal port with an inner conduit that is moveable and rotatable or alignable to match the support table at different vertical positions.
Sealable slidable enclosure with fixed tracheal port and sealing inner face
A plethysmograph enclosure comprising a base including parallel, horizontal guide rails; a moveable enclosure section with a horizontal central axis parallel to the guide rails, having a closed outer end and an open inner end, slidable between open and closed positions; and a fixed enclosure section transverse to the pathway including an inner face toward the open end and a tracheal port with an inner conduit rotatable above or below horizontal, where the inner face is adapted for sealing engagement with the open end of the moveable enclosure section when the moveable enclosure section is in its closed position.
Vertically and angularly adjustable support table relative to tracheal port conduit
A support table attached to the fixed section projecting into the moveable enclosure section when the moveable enclosure section is in its closed position, where the table is vertically adjustable relative to the tracheal port and has a longitudinal axis angularly adjustable relative to horizontal and to the tracheal port conduit.
Adjustable tracheal port with ball socket for alignment with vertically adjustable support table
A plethysmograph enclosure comprising a moveable enclosure section with an open end and a fixed enclosure section having an inner face adapted for sealing engagement with the open end; a support table attached to the fixed section projecting into the moveable enclosure section when closed and vertically adjustable; and an adjustable tracheal port extending through the fixed enclosure section having an inner conduit moveable between a raised position and a lowered position, a ball socket, and an outer conduit extending into the socket, whereby the inner conduit is alignable with the support table when the table is adjusted to different vertical positions.
Tracheal conduit movable and rotatable above or below horizontal to align with vertically adjustable table
A plethysmograph enclosure including a moveable enclosure section with an open end sealing to a fixed enclosure section having an inner face; a vertically adjustable support table projecting into the moveable enclosure section when closed; and an adjustable tracheal port through the fixed enclosure section with an inner conduit moveable between a raised position and a lowered position and rotatable above or below horizontal, whereby the conduit is alignable with the support table when the table is adjusted to different vertical positions.
Tracheal port with inner conduit rotatable up to about 15° above or below horizontal
A plethysmograph enclosure including a moveable enclosure section sealing with a fixed enclosure section and a support table attached to the fixed section projecting into the moveable enclosure section when closed, the table being vertically adjustable; and an adjustable tracheal port extending through the fixed enclosure section having an inner conduit moveable between a raised position and a lowered position and rotatable up to about 15° above or below horizontal, whereby the conduit is alignable with the support table when the table is adjusted to different vertical positions.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage is directed to a plethysmograph enclosure having a sealing, slidable moveable enclosure section and a fixed enclosure section with a tracheal port, combined with a support table that projects into the enclosure when closed and is vertically adjustable, and in one claim set angularly adjustable. The adjustable tracheal port provides an inner conduit that is moveable between raised and lowered positions and rotatable or configured for alignment with the support table across different vertical table positions, including a configuration where rotation is up to about 15° above or below horizontal.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
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