Patient-to-transducer interface device

• US 5,578,799 A
• Filed: 06/02/1995
• Issued: 11/26/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: University Research Engineers & Associates Incorporated
• Original Assignee: University Research Engineers & Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Callahan, Thomas F., Callahan, Matthew G., Bell, Ann F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang, Khanh
• Application Number:
  US08/458,125
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 181/131, 181/137, 381/67, 128/715
• US Class Current: 181/137
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/02 Stethoscopes acoustic details thereof G10K11/00

Abstract

A disposable patient-to-transducer interface device for use in securely holding a transducer such as a stethoscope head positioned against the skin surface of a patient. The interface device may be adhered to the patient'"'"'s skin surface and the stethoscope head securely received in an opening provided in the device. When in use, the interface device substantially surrounds the stethoscope head thereby providing a passive barrier to ambient noise. The interface device also develops a relatively good air seal around the stethoscope head and thus provides an additional barrier to ambient noise. Furthermore, the interface device prevents substantial movement of the transducer head and, thereby, minimizes the amount of surface motion noise generated and detected by the transducer head. In addition, when the interface device is attached to the skin surface of the patient, it establishes a good reference point whereby continual or periodic monitoring of a particular location on the patient may be accomplished.

Claims

1. A patient-to-transducer interface device for use in holding a transducer against the surface of a body, said interface device comprising:

a flange having first and second sides, a through hole passing through said flange from said first side to said second side, and a channel positioned outward from said through hole, said channel having an opening on said second side of said flange;

a pliable pack positioned in said channel, wherein said pliable pack is softer than said flange; and

adhesive material applied to said second side of said flange outward from said channel.

2. A patient-to-transducer interface device according to claim 1, wherein said flange has a generally bell torus shape with a substantially flat outer section and inner raised section.

3. A patient-to-transducer interface device according to claim 2, wherein said through hole of said flange is located in said inner raised section of said flange such that said inner raised section substantially encircles said through hole.

4. A patient-to-transducer interface device according to claim 3, wherein said channel substantially encircles said through hole and said pliable pack partially protrudes from said opening of said channel.

5. A patient-to-transducer interface device according to claim 1, further comprising a seal positioned within said through hole.

6. A patient-to-transducer interface device according to claim 5 wherein said seal is harder than said flange.

7. A patient-to-transducer interface device according to claim 5, wherein said seal is substantially in the shape of a collar with an uneven inner surface.

8. A patient-to-transducer interface device according to claim 7, wherein said uneven inner surface of said seal has a substantially sawtooth configuration.

9. A patient-to-transducer interface device according to claim 1, wherein said pliable pack comprises a silicone gel material.

10. A patient-to-transducer interface device according to claim 1, wherein said pliable pack comprises a soft sponge material.

11. A patient-to-transducer interface device according to claim 1, wherein said pliable pack comprises a soft foam material.

12. A patient-to-transducer interface device according to claim 1, wherein said pliable pack partially protrudes from said opening of said channel.

13. A patient-to-transducer interface device according to claim 1, wherein said flange comprise an elastomer material.

14. A patient-to-transducer interface device according to claim 1, wherein said flange has an inner surface that defines said through hole and said inner surface has an uneven contour.

15. A patient-to-transducer interface device for use in holding a transducer against the surface of a body, said interface device comprising:

a flange having a substantially bell torus shape with an outer flat section, an inner raised section, and a through hole that is substantially surrounded by said inner raised section, said flange further having a channel positioned outward from said through hole in said inner raised section, said channel having an opening on one side of said flange;

a soft pliable pack received in said channel and partially protruding from said opening of said channel, wherein said pliable pack is softer than said flange;

a seal having a through hole positioned in said through hole of said flange; and

adhesive material applied to said one side of said flange outward from said channel.

16. A patient-to-transducer interface device according to claim 15, wherein said channel extends around said through hole of said flange.

17. A patient-to-transducer interface device according to claim 15, wherein said seal is substantially in the shape of a collar with an uneven inner surface.

18. A patient-to-transducer interface device according to claim 17, wherein said uneven inner surface of said seal has a substantially sawtooth configuration.

19. A patient-to-transducer interface device according to claim 15, wherein said soft flexible pack comprises a silicone gel material.