AUSCULTATION TRAINING DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS

• US 20130196302A1
• Filed: 01/31/2013
• Published: 08/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lecat, Paul Jacques Charles
• Original Assignee: Lecat, Paul Jacques Charles
• Inventors: Lecat, Paul Jacques Charles
• Granted Patent: US 9,064,428 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/266
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/00 Models for scientific, medical, or mathematical purposes, e.g. full-sized devices for demonstration purposes in the nature of toys A63H
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 for medicine
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/30 Anatomical models G09B23/281 - G09B23/288 take precedence

Abstract

An auscultation system may include an auscultation device, a simulation unit, a speaker and a proximity sensor that detects the proximity of the auscultation device and emits a signal in response. The auscultation system may also include a database storing multiple sound files and a controller. The controller may receive the signal, select one of the sound files and transmit the selected sound file to the speaker in response to the signal. In one embodiment, the simulation unit is attached to a live subject. In another embodiment, the simulation unit is attached to a mannequin.

Claims

1. An auscultation system comprising:

an auscultation device;

a simulation unit;

at least one speaker;

a first proximity sensor that is operable to detect the proximity of the auscultation device and emit a first signal in response to detection of the auscultation device;

a first database storing a plurality of sound files;

a first controller operable to;

(1) communicate with the first proximity sensor;

(2) receive the first signal;

(3) select one of the sound files; and

, (4) transmit the one of the sound files to the at least one speaker in response to receipt of the first signal.

2. The auscultation system of claim 1 wherein the simulation unit is attached to a live subject.

3. The auscultation system of claim 2 wherein the simulation unit is attached to an article of clothing worn by the live subject.

4. The auscultation system of claim 3 wherein the article of clothing is a vest.

5. The auscultation system of claim 2 wherein the simulation unit is attached to the live subject using an adhesive.

6. The auscultation system of claim 1 wherein the simulation unit is attached to a mannequin.

7. The auscultation system of claim 6 wherein the simulation unit is attached to an article of clothing worn by the mannequin.

8. The auscultation system of claim 6 wherein:

the at least one speaker is embedded within the mannequin; and

,

the first proximity sensor is embedded within the mannequin.

9. The auscultation system of claim 1 further comprising:

a second proximity sensor that is operable to detect the proximity of the auscultation device and emit a second signal in response to detection of the auscultation device; and

,

wherein the first controller is operable to;

(1) communicate with the second proximity sensor;

(2) receive the second signal;

(3) select another of the sound files; and

, (4) transmit the other of the sound files to the at least one speaker in response to receipt of the second signal.

10. The auscultation system of claim 1 further comprising:

a second controller operable to override the first controller.

11. A method for simulating auscultation comprising the steps of:

a) providing;

a first proximity sensor;

an auscultation device operable to ascertain when the auscultation device is in proximity to the first proximity sensor;

a simulation unit;

at least one speaker;

a first database storing a plurality of sound files;

a first controller;

b) a user bringing the auscultation device in proximity to the first proximity sensor;

c) the auscultation device ascertaining that it is in proximity to the first proximity sensor;

d) the auscultation device communicating to the first controller that the auscultation device is in proximity to the first proximity sensor;

e) the first controller selecting one of the sound files from the first database;

f) the first controller transmitting the one of the sound files to the at least one speaker.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein step a) further comprises providing a second controller;

and

wherein steps e) and f) are not performed if the second controller is activated to override the first controller and to not perform steps e) and f).

13. The method of claim 11 wherein step a) further comprises providing:

a second controller and

a second database storing a plurality of sound files;

the method further comprising steps;

g) the second controller overriding the first controller such that the first controller does not perform steps e) and f); and

h) the auscultation device communicating to the second controller that the auscultation device is in proximity to the first proximity sensor;

i) the second controller selecting one of the sound files from the second database; and

j) the second controller transmitting the one of the sound files to the at least one speaker.

14. An auscultation system comprising:

an electronic auscultation device comprising at least one speaker;

an attachable mounting structure that is selected from a group consisting of;

an adhesive sheet;

a band;

a sleeve; and

a strap;

a first proximity sensor, comprising a radio-frequency identification tag, that is operable to emit a first signal that the auscultation device can receive when the auscultation device is in proximity to the first proximity sensor;

a first database storing a plurality of sound files;

a first controller operable to;

(1) communicate with the auscultation device;

(2) select one of the sound files; and

, (3) transmit the one of the sound files to the at least one speaker in response to receipt of the first signal by the auscultation device.