US Patent 7794412 Device for applying and gauging cricoid pressure

The invention is a device for objectively applying cricoid pressure. A healthcare provider, using a locator on the face of the device, aligns the yoke with the patient's cricoid cartilage. While the healthcare provider applies force to the cricoid cartilage, a stem portion affixed to the yoke and projecting from the first end is coupled to a force sensor in the housing. The electrical signal from the force sensor is translated to a digital value by an analog-to-digital converter. The digital signal is then compared by a microprocessor to pre-established threshold values, which is reflected in a visual, auditory, or tactile signal to gauge the force being applied to the patient's cricoid cartilage.