Reuseable snore/air flow sensor

Abstract

A sensor for use with a polysomnograph in a sleep lab setting is made reusable by laminating a PVDF film and associated lead contacts within a flexible, moisture-impervious plastic envelope that is hermetically sealed about its periphery. Lead terminals within the envelope are adhered to the metalized surfaces of the PVDP film using a conductive adhesive which inhibits dislodgement of the leads from the sensor even with rough handling and cleaning.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A method of making a reusable snore/air flow sensor comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a film of material exhibiting pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties;   (b) metalizing opposed major surfaces of said film;   (c) cutting the metalized film of step (b) to a desired, predetermined shape configuration;   (d) providing a pair of lead wires, each having a metal tab conductively secured to one end of said wires;   (e) affixing the metal tabs individually to opposite sides of the metalized film with a conductive adhesive;   (f) overlaying the assembly of step (e) on said opposite sides with a double-sided adhesive tape;   (g) adhering a layer of moisture impervious, flexible plastic to the double-sided adhesive tape on each of the opposite sides of the assembly of step (f) where the layers of plastic have the same shape configuration as the metalized film; and   (h) bonding perimeter portions of the layers of flexible plastic one another to create a moisture impervious seal.   
     
     
         8 . The method as in  claim 7  wherein the perimeter portions are bonded in a thermal process. 
     
     
         9 . The method as in  claim 7  wherein the perimeter portions are bonded in a chemical process. 
     
     
         10 . The method as in  claim 7  wherein the film is PVDF. 
     
     
         11 . The method as in  claim 10  wherein the predetermined shape configuration is generally Y-shaped. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the predetermined shape configuration is generally rectangular, but with one rounded end.