Acoustic sensor array for non-invasive detection of coronary artery disease

• US 6,478,746 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2000
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MCG International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: MedAcoustics, Inc.
• Inventors: Nguyen, Hung, Chassaing, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Natnithithadha, Navin
• Application Number:
  US09/734,448
• Publication Number:
  US 20010001808A1
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 600/454, 600/455, 600/456, 600/457, 600/458, 600/481, 600/482, 600/483, 600/484, 600/485, 600/488, 600/500, 600/504, 600/437
• US Class Current: 600/504
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0204 Acoustic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/00 Instruments for auscultation

Abstract

Methodology for determining the bounds of a patient'"'"'s acoustic window is described. Medical application acoustic array designs with apertures accommodated by patient acoustic windows and merged acoustic windows are exemplified.

Claims

1. A method for the spatial distribution of acoustic window which comprises the steps of:

(i) visualizing the perimeters of an acoustic window of an individual; and

(ii) providing an acoustic sensor array having an aperture sized to accommodate said acoustic window perimeter.

2. The claim 1 method further comprising the step of:

(iii) positioning within said aperture of said array a number of sensors as determined by sensor size and by the quality of the combined signal from all sensors.

3. A method for defining a merged acoustic window which comprises the steps of:

(i) determining the perimeter of a proximate acoustic window area separately for a plurality of adjacent intercostal spaces; and

(ii) merging two or more of said proximate intercostal space window areas,

wherein a merged acoustic window is defined.

4. The claim 3 method further comprising the step of:

(iii) providing a sensor array wherein said array comprises an aperture sized to accommodate said merged acoustic window of step (ii).

5. The claim 3 method wherein said merged window areas are the fourth and fifth intercostal space window areas.

6. A method for the spatial distribution of acoustic sensors which comprises the steps of:

(i) determining the average size of the acoustic window of a plurality of patients; and

(ii) providing an acoustic array geometry which accommodates a predetermined number of sensors within said average acoustic window size as determined in step (i)

wherein said number of sensors is predetermined by sensor size and by the quality of a combined signal from all sensors in said array.

7. A template for determining appropriate locations on the chest of a patient, wherein said template includes a perimeter corresponding to the average size of the acoustic window of a plurality of individuals, and

wherein said template includes indicia to indicate an appropriate position of said template on a person'"'"'s chest.

8. A method of:

separately determining acoustic window areas proximate to a plurality of adjacent intercostal spaces, wherein each of said proximate acoustic window areas comprises an area of an intercostal space extending from the left sternal border to a point above the lung tissue.