Electronic stethoscope having binaural earpiece

• US 5,347,583 A
• Filed: 12/16/1992
• Issued: 09/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Inventors: Kirschhoffer, Jon A., Dieken, Alan P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Isen, Forester W.
• Application Number:
  US07/991,840
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 381/67, 381/154
• US Class Current: 381/67
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/04 Electric stethoscopes microphones, acoustic transducers therefor H04R

Abstract

A binaural electronic stethoscope adapted to receive auscultatory sounds from a body and adapted to transmit the auscultatory sounds to a user. A chestpiece is adapted to be utilized in cooperation with the body. An acoustical transducer cooperates with the chestpiece and receives auscultatory sounds and transforms the auscultatory sounds into an electrical input signal. A signal processor processes the electrical input signal to produce an electrical output signal. A first tubular member couples the chestpiece to a housing. A speaker is mounted within the housing and converts the electrical output signal into an acoustical output signal. Second and third tubular members are coupled to the housing and are acoustically coupled to the speaker. First and second earpieces are coupled to the second and third tubular members, respectively, and receive the acoustical output signal and provide the acoustical output signal to the user. The first tubular member has an acoustical cavity acoustically coupled to the speaker in the housing. In this way, the acoustical cavity of the first tubular member and the second and third tubular members form a sound chamber both in front of and behind the speaker providing balanced acoustical response.

Claims

1. A binaural electronic stethoscope adapted to receive auscultatory sounds from a body and adapted to transmit said auscultatory sounds to a user, comprising:

a chestpiece adapted to utilized in cooperation with said body;

an acoustical transducer cooperating with said chestpiece for receiving said auscultatory sounds and transforming said auscultatory sounds into an electrical input signal;

signal processing means being operatively coupled to said acoustical transducer for processing said electrical input signal to produce an electrical output signal;

a housing;

first tubular means coupling said chestpiece to said housing;

speaker means mounted within said housing for converting said electrical output signal into an acoustical output signal;

electrical connection means for coupling said electrical output signal to said speaker;

second and third tubular means coupled to said housing and acoustically coupled to said speaker for acoustically transmitting said acoustical output signal;

first and second earpieces coupled to said second and third tubular means, respectively, for receiving said acoustical output signal and providing said acoustical output signal to said user;

said first tubular means having an acoustical cavity which is acoustically coupled to said speaker in said housing, said first tubular means forming an acoustic cavity which enhances the frequency response of said speaker;

whereby said acoustical cavity of said first tubular means and said second and third tubular means form sound channels both in front of and behind said speaker providing balanced acoustical response.

7. A binaural electronic stethoscope as in claim 1 wherein said speaker has an axis extending along a direction of projection of sound from said speaker and wherein said speaker is mounted within said housing with said axis of said speaker being substantially parallel with the axis of said first tubular member.

8. A binaural electronic stethoscope as in claim 7 wherein said second and third tubular members have axis substantially orthogonal with said axis of said first tubular member.

9. A binaural electronic stethoscope as in claim 8 wherein said second and third tubular members are substantially identical in size and shape.

2. A binaural electronic stethoscope as in claim I wherein said acoustical cavity of said first tubular member is formed substantially over the entire length of said first tubular member.

3. A binaural electronic stethoscope as in claim 2 wherein said acoustical cavity of said first tubular member is sealed from said chestpiece.

4. A binaural electronic stethoscope as in claim 3 wherein said stethoscope operates in an environment and wherein said acoustical cavity of said first tubular member is open to the environment.

5. A binaural electronic stethoscope as in claim 3 wherein said stethoscope operates in an environment and wherein said acoustical cavity of said first tubular member is sealed from the environment.

6. A binaural electronic stethoscope as in claim 2 wherein said speaker has direct acoustic coupling to said second and third tubular means.

10. A binaural electronic stethoscope as in claim I further comprising a low density acoustical material substantially filling said acoustical cavity of said first tubular member.