Method and apparatus for cough sound analysis
First Claim
1. An apparatus for recording and analyzing high fidelity cough sound measurements for use in diagnosing lung diseases or disorders, said apparatus comprising a mouthpiece, a tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a flexible tubing having a distal end and a proximal end, and a microphone;
- wherein the mouthpiece is attached to the proximal end of the tube, wherein the distal end of the tube is attached to the proximal end of the flexible tube, wherein the microphone is attached to the tube between its distal and proximal ends such that the microphone can record sound pressure waves within the system without distorting the sound pressure waves, and wherein the flexible tubing is sufficiently long so there are essentially no reflected sound pressure waves which interfere with the recording of the sound pressure waves at the microphone.
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Abstract
A fast, simple, and reliable method and apparatus for recording cough sounds for diagnosing pulmonary disorders and diseases is provided. This method uses signal analysis techniques to extract quantitative information from recorded cough sound pressure waves. The generated data can be used to diagnose pulmonary disorders and diseases as well as track the effectiveness of treatment regimes over time. The method can also be used to quickly and reliably screen individuals at risk of pulmonary disorders and diseases. A system according to one embodiment includes a mouthpiece connected to the proximal end of a tube. The distal end of the tube is connected to a flexible tube. A microphone is attached to the tube between the distal and proximal ends therof for recording sound pressure waves. A calculated cough sound index (CSI) can be used in diagnostic applications.
86 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus for recording and analyzing high fidelity cough sound measurements for use in diagnosing lung diseases or disorders, said apparatus comprising a mouthpiece, a tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a flexible tubing having a distal end and a proximal end, and a microphone;
- wherein the mouthpiece is attached to the proximal end of the tube, wherein the distal end of the tube is attached to the proximal end of the flexible tube, wherein the microphone is attached to the tube between its distal and proximal ends such that the microphone can record sound pressure waves within the system without distorting the sound pressure waves, and wherein the flexible tubing is sufficiently long so there are essentially no reflected sound pressure waves which interfere with the recording of the sound pressure waves at the microphone.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for analyzing a patient'"'"'s cough for diagnostic purposes, said method comprises (1) providing a system for analyzing coughs wherein the system comprises a mouthpiece, a tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a flexible tubing having a distal end and a proximal end, and a microphone;
- wherein the mouthpiece is attached to the proximal end of the tube, wherein the distal end of the tube is attached to the proximal end of the flexible tube, wherein the microphone is attached to the tube between its distal and proximal ends such that the microphone can record sound pressure waves within the system without distorting the pressure waves, and wherein the flexible tubing is sufficiently long so there are essentially no reflected sound pressure waves which interfere with the recording of the sound pressure waves at the microphone;
(2) allowing the patient to cough into the mouthpiece;
(3) recording the sound pressure waves generated by the patient'"'"'s cough with the microphone; and
(4) analyzing the recorded sound pressure waves. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
- wherein the mouthpiece is attached to the proximal end of the tube, wherein the distal end of the tube is attached to the proximal end of the flexible tube, wherein the microphone is attached to the tube between its distal and proximal ends such that the microphone can record sound pressure waves within the system without distorting the pressure waves, and wherein the flexible tubing is sufficiently long so there are essentially no reflected sound pressure waves which interfere with the recording of the sound pressure waves at the microphone;
Specification