Ambient noise canceling physiological acoustic monitoring system & method

• US 20070003072A1
• Filed: 06/29/2005
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Dammann, Bruce, Heide, Parry, Ward, Russell
• Granted Patent: US 8,064,610 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/71.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0204 Acoustic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0809 by impedance pneumography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/00 Instruments for auscultation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/003 Detecting lung or respiration noise

Abstract

The present invention is an ambient noise canceling physiological acoustic monitoring system and method. The system and method utilizes a plurality of microphones to collect input data including ambient noise signals, bed frame noise signals and patient respiratory and cardiac data signals. The system and method cancels the ambient noise and bed frame noise signals, and calculates a filtered audio output signal with an algorithm that utilizes ECG rhythm patterns and impedance pneumography. The set of input data and the filtered audio output signal are then displayed in real time.

Claims

1. A method of canceling noise with a physiological acoustic monitor, the method comprising:

a) collecting a set of input data from a set of input microphones;

b) canceling a frame noise signal and an ambient noise signal from the set of input data;

c) calculating a filtered audio output signal; and

d) displaying the filtered audio output signal and the set of input data in real time on a display.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of input data includes a patient data signal, further wherein the patient data signal includes:

a) a bilateral lung signal; and

b) a cardiac signal.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a) amplifying the filtered audio output signal and the set of input data; and

b) routing the filtered audio output signal and the set of input data to the display.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the calculating step further comprises:

a) collecting an ECG signal and an impedance pneumography signal to distinguish an onset and an offset; and

b) synchronizing the onset and the offset.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of input microphones include:

a) a patient microphone;

b) a frame microphone; and

c) an ambient microphone.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising stopping the real time display such that the filtered audio output signal may be viewed in a defined timeframe.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising storing the filtered audio output signal in a storage device.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising printing the filtered audio output signal.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising replaying the filtered audio output on the display.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising matching the filtered audio output signal against a set of known sound templates.

11. A physiological acoustic monitoring system for canceling noise, the system comprising:

a) a set of input microphones configured to collect a set of input data;

b) a processor configured to receive the set of input data, wherein the processor cancels a frame noise signal and an ambient noise signal from the set of input data, further wherein the processor calculates a filtered audio output signal; and

c) a display configured to receive the filtered audio output signal and the set of input data, and further configured to display the filtered audio output signal and the set of input data in real time.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the set of input data includes a patient data signal, further wherein the patient data signal includes:

a) a bilateral lung signal; and

b) a cardiac signal.

13. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:

a) amplify the filtered audio output signal;

b) route the filtered audio output signal and the set of input data to the display;

c) collect an ECG signal and an impedance pneumography signal to distinguish an onset and an offset; and

d) synchronizing the onset and the offset.

14. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the set of input microphones includes:

a) a patient microphone;

b) a frame microphone; and

c) an ambient microphone.

15. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the display is further configured to stop the real time display of the filtered audio output signal such that the filtered audio output signal may be viewed in a defined timeframe.

16. The system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a storage device configured for storing the filtered audio output signal.

17. The system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a printer configured to print the filtered audio output signal.

18. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the display is further configured to replay the filtered audio output.

19. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the display is further configured to match the filtered audio output signal against a set of known sound templates.

20. A method of physiological acoustic monitor noise cancellation, the method comprising:

a) collecting a set of input data from a set of input microphones;

b) canceling a frame noise signal and an ambient noise signal from the set of input data;

c) collecting an ECG signal and an impedance pneumography signal to distinguish an onset and an offset;

d) synchronizing the onset and the offset, thus calculating a filtered audio output signal;

e) amplifying the filtered audio output signal and the set of input data;

f) routing the filtered audio output signal and the set of input data to the display; and

g) displaying the filtered audio output signal and the set of input data in real time on the display.