Electronically augmented stethoscope with timing sound
First Claim
1. A stethoscope comprisinga first pickup for generating first acoustic signals representative of biological activity in a frequency range that includes frequencies of relatively high audibility,a second pickup for generating electrical signals representative of biological activity in a frequency range that includes frequencies of relatively low audibility,an electrical-to-acoustic converter for producing second acoustic signals of enhanced audibility corresponding to said frequencies of relatively low audibility and resembling the sounds of said biological activity in said frequency range of relatively low audibility, anda transmitter for transmitting to a listener the combination of said first and second acoustic signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A stethoscope, operable in an acoustic or electronically augmented mode, is disclosed. In one electronically augmented mode of operation, the stethoscope simultaneously provides the listener with combined unmodified, familiar audible sounds and sounds which have been electronically augmented to bring them within the human auditory range. Additionally, a timing sound may be provided along with the unmodified, familiar audible sounds and electronically augmented sounds to assist the listener in determining when sounds occur in the heart cycle. The timing sound may be enabled in the acoustic mode of stethoscope operation so that the listener can place familiar audible sounds within the heart cycle.
114 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A stethoscope comprising
a first pickup for generating first acoustic signals representative of biological activity in a frequency range that includes frequencies of relatively high audibility, a second pickup for generating electrical signals representative of biological activity in a frequency range that includes frequencies of relatively low audibility, an electrical-to-acoustic converter for producing second acoustic signals of enhanced audibility corresponding to said frequencies of relatively low audibility and resembling the sounds of said biological activity in said frequency range of relatively low audibility, and a transmitter for transmitting to a listener the combination of said first and second acoustic signals.
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24. A stethoscope comprising
a pickup for generating first acoustic signals representative of biological activity, a second pickup for generating electrical signals representative of heart activity during a heart cycle, an electrical-to-acoustic converter for producing a second acoustic signal in response to said electrical signals representative of heart activity to provide an indication of timing of said heart cycle, and a transmitter for transmitting to a listener the combination of said first acoustic signals and said second acoustic signal to assist the listener in determining when during said heart cycle said first acoustic signals occur.
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28. A stethoscope comprising
a first pickup for generating first acoustic signals representative of biological activity in a frequency range that includes frequencies of relatively high audibility, said first pickup comprising a diaphragm, a second pickup, attached to said diaphragm, for generating electrical signals representative of biological activity in a frequency range that includes frequencies of relatively low audibility, a third pickup comprising three equally spaced metal deposits attached to said diaphragm for generating electrical signals representative of heart activity, an electrical-to-acoustic converter for producing second acoustic signals of enhanced audibility corresponding to said frequencies of relatively low audibility, and a transmitter for transmitting to a listener the combination of said first and second acoustic signals.
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30. A stethoscope comprising
a pickup for generating first acoustic signals representative of biological activity, said pickup comprising a diaphragm, a second pickup for generating electrical signals representative of heart activity, said second pickup including three equally spaced metal deposits attached to said diaphragm, an electrical-to-acoustic converter for producing a second acoustic signal in response to said electrical signals representative of heart activity, and a transmitter for transmitting to a listener the combination of said first acoustic signals and said second acoustic signal.
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31. A method for listening to biological activity using a stethoscope, comprising
generating first acoustic signals representative of biological activity in a frequency range that includes frequencies of relatively high audibility with a first pickup of the stethoscope, generating electrical signals representative of biological activity in a frequency range that includes frequencies of relatively low audibility with a second pickup of the stethoscope, electrically-to-acoustically converting said electrical signals to second acoustic signals of enhanced audibility that correspond to said frequencies of relatively low audibility and resemble the sounds of said biological activity in said frequency range of relatively low audibility, and transmitting to a listener the combination of said first and second acoustic signals.
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32. A method for listening to biological activity using a stethoscope, comprising
generating first acoustic signals representative of biological activity with a pickup of said stethoscope, generating electrical signals representative of heart activity during a heart cycle with a second pickup of said stethoscope, electrically-to-acoustically converting said electrical signals representative of heart activity to a second acoustic signal to provide an indication of timing of said heart cycle, and transmitting to a listener the combination of said first acoustic signals and said second acoustic signal to assist the listener in determining when during said heart cycle said first acoustic signals occur.
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33. A stethoscope comprising
a first pickup for generating first acoustic signals representative of biological activity in a frequency range that includes frequencies of relatively high audibility, a second pickup for generating electrical signals representative of biological activity in a frequency range that includes frequencies of relatively low audibility, a third pickup for generating electrical signals representative of heart activity, an electrical-to-acoustic converter for producing second acoustic signals of enhanced audibility corresponding to said frequencies of relatively low audibility and a third acoustic signal in response to said electrical signals representative of heart activity, and a transmitter for transmitting to a listener the combination of said first, second, and third acoustic signals.
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34. A stethoscope comprising
a pair of acoustic pickups each for generating first acoustic signals representative of biological activity in a frequency range that includes frequencies of relatively high audibility, said acoustical pickups being positioned on said stethoscope so that a user can selectively place either of said acoustic pickups adjacent to the body, an electrical pickup disposed near a first one of said acoustic pickups for generating electrical signals representative of biological activity in a frequency range that includes frequencies of relatively low audibility when placed with said first acoustical pickup adjacent to the body, an electrical-to-acoustic converter for producing second acoustic signals of enhanced audibility corresponding to said frequencies of relatively low audibility, and a transmitter for transmitting to the user the combination of said first and second acoustic signals when said first acoustical pickup and said electrical pickup are placed adjacent to the body, and for transmitting only the first acoustic signals to the user when a second one of said pair of acoustical pickups is placed adjacent to the body.
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36. A method for listening to biological activity comprising
providing a stethoscope comprising: -
A. a pair of acoustic pickups each for generating first acoustic signals representative of biological activity in a frequency range that includes frequencies of relatively high audibility, B. an electrical pickup disposed near a first one of said acoustic pickups for generating electrical signals representative of biological activity in a frequency range that includes frequencies of relatively low audibility, C. an electrical-to-acoustic converter for producing second acoustic signals of enhanced audibility corresponding to said frequencies of relatively low audibility, and D. a transmitter for transmitting said acoustic signals to the listener, and selectively positioning;
said first acoustic pickup and said electrical pickup adjacent to the body to cause said first acoustic signals and said second acoustic signals to be transmitted together to the listener;
or said second acoustical pickup adjacent to the body to cause only said first acoustic signals to be transmitted to the listener. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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Specification