ADHESIVE PATCH FOR MONITORING ACOUSTIC SIGNALS

• US 20110034831A1
• Filed: 12/16/2008
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acarix A/S (Acarix AB)
• Original Assignee: Acarix A/S (Acarix AB)
• Inventors: Rong, Weimin, Christensen, Claus Bo Voge
• Granted Patent: US 8,911,383 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/586
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0204 Acoustic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/006 Detecting skeletal, cartilage or muscle noise A61B7/003 and A61B7/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/04 Electric stethoscopes microphones, acoustic transducers therefor H04R

Abstract

An adhesive patch for monitoring acoustic signals from a human or animal body, comprising a skin contact surface, converting means for recording the acoustic signals and converting it to a first electric output signal, and an adhesive element for attaching the converting means to the skin surface, the patch further comprises transmitting means for transmitting the output signal to a peripheral device.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. An adhesive patch for monitoring acoustic signals from a human or animal body, comprising a skin contact surface;

converting means for recording the acoustic signals and converting them to a first electric output signal;

an adhesive element for attaching the adhesive patch to the skin surface;

transmitting means for transmitting the output signal to a peripheral device; and

a compression structure at the skin contacting surface.

22. An adhesive patch according to claim 21, wherein the patch further comprises processing means for processing the first electric output signal and converting it to at least a second electric output signal.

23. An adhesive patch according to claim 21 wherein the patch further comprises analysing means for processing the first or the second electric output signal and converting it to a third electric out put signal.

24. An adhesive patch according to claim 21, wherein the patch further comprises storing means for storing at least one of the first, second or third electric output signals.

25. An adhesive patch according to claim 21, wherein the compression structure is constructed to increase surface tension of the skin of the user.

26. An adhesive patch according to claim 21, wherein the compression structure is constructed for maintaining the pressure between the skin surface and the converting means stable.

27. An adhesive patch according to claim 21, wherein the compression structure is in the form of one or more protrusions that project out from the skin contacting surface.

28. An adhesive patch according to claim 25, wherein the protrusions are in the form of a circle, an ellipse or any suitable shape in a closed line.

29. An adhesive patch according to claim 25, wherein the protrusions are positioned close to and/or around the converting means.

30. An adhesive patch according to claim 21, wherein the converting means includes at least one microphone.

31. An adhesive patch according to claim 30, wherein the at least one microphone is a silicon microphone or a pressure sensitive contact microphone.

32. An adhesive patch according to claim 21, wherein the adhesive patch further comprises sound focusing means.

33. An adhesive patch according to claim 32, wherein the sound focusing means includes a bell shaped compartment.

34. An adhesive patch according to claim 32, wherein the sound focusing means includes a diaphragm.

35. An adhesive patch according to claim 21, wherein the adhesive patch includes an acoustic absorbing layer.

36. An adhesive patch according to claim 35, wherein the acoustic absorbing layer comprises a high-density material, such as a hydrocolloid material.

37. An adhesive patch according to claim 21, wherein the adhesive patch comprises an acoustic conducting layer.

38. An adhesive patch according to claim 37, wherein the acoustic conducting layer is formed of an acoustic conducting gel.

39. An adhesive patch according to claim 21, wherein the acoustic conducting layer is formed of an acoustic conducting material that is provided as a coating that envelopes at least a part of an external surface of the converting means.

40. An adhesive patch according to claim 21, wherein the adhesive patch further comprises visual means for indicating placement of the adhesive patch according to anatomic landmarks on the human or animal body.

41. An adhesive patch kit for monitoring acoustic signals from a human or animal body comprising an adhesive part comprising a skin contact surface, an adhesive element for attaching the adhesive part to a skin surface, and a converting part comprising converting means for recording the acoustic signals and converting it to a first electric output signal and transmitting means for transmitting the output signal to a peripheral device, wherein the adhesive part is a disposable part and the converting part is a reusable part, and wherein the adhesive part is provided with a compression structure at the skin contacting surface.

42. A method for monitoring acoustic signals from the human body using an adhesive patch comprising a skin contact surface;

converting means for recording the acoustic signals and converting it to a first electric output signal;

an adhesive element for attaching the converting means to the skin surface;

transmitting means for transmitting the output signal to a peripheral device; and

a compression structure at the skin contacting surface.