MICROPHONE ARRAYS FOR LISTENING TO INTERNAL ORGANS OF THE BODY
First Claim
1. An electronic device for receiving sounds in a body, comprising:
- a plurality of microphones,a plurality of buffer structures,a patch structure, the patch structure including at least a patient side surface and an opposed side surface, the patch including a plurality of cavities, the cavities being adapted to receive the buffer structures and to maintain the buffer structures adjacent the plurality of microphones, at least two of the plurality of microphones being spaced at least 2 centimeters apart, anddevice electronics, the device electronics including;
signal processing circuitry to analyze the sounds in the body, andwireless transmission circuitry for sending information relating to the sounds in the body.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic device is provided for receiving sounds from a body. A microphone array receives the sounds. An analysis system optionally provides for directional control, such as by providing virtual focusing and beam steering. Body sounds are preferably de-convolved. In certain embodiments, a plurality of buffer structures are located in cavities in a patch adjacent the microphones to provide for improved sound pick-up. In certain embodiments, at least two of microphones are spaced at least 2 centimeters apart. Preferably, wireless transmission circuitry sends information relating to the sounds in the body, and optionally receives information, such as control or status information. Target selection and acquisition systems provide for the effective capture of multiple sounds from the body, even when the device is adhered to the body by the user, that is, not a skilled physician.
53 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic device for receiving sounds in a body, comprising:
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a plurality of microphones, a plurality of buffer structures, a patch structure, the patch structure including at least a patient side surface and an opposed side surface, the patch including a plurality of cavities, the cavities being adapted to receive the buffer structures and to maintain the buffer structures adjacent the plurality of microphones, at least two of the plurality of microphones being spaced at least 2 centimeters apart, and device electronics, the device electronics including; signal processing circuitry to analyze the sounds in the body, and wireless transmission circuitry for sending information relating to the sounds in the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An electronic scope for receiving sounds in a body, comprising:
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a microphone array structure, the structure including at least; a first microphone, the first microphone including an electrical output corresponding to sounds in the body, a second microphone, the second microphone including an electrical output corresponding to sounds in the body, and a support, the support being connected to at least the first and second microphones to hold them in an array configuration, an analysis system, the analysis system including at least; a directional processing system coupled to receive the output from the microphone array system, and signal processing circuitry to analyze the sounds in the body, and wireless transmission circuitry for sending information relating to the sounds in the body. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An electronic scope for receiving sounds in a body, comprising:
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a microphone array structure, the array including at least; a first microphone, the first microphone including an electrical output corresponding to sounds in the body, a second microphone, the second microphone including an electrical output corresponding to sounds in the body, and a support, the support being connected to at least the first and second microphones to hold them in an array configuration, an analysis system, the system including at least; inputs adapted to receive the at least first and second signals corresponding to body sounds, and digital processing circuitry to filter, amplify and combine the signals to provide for electronic spatial scanning of the body. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification