Transducer for sensing body sounds

• US 7,940,937 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2003
• Issued: 05/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thinklabs Medical LLC
• Original Assignee: Thinklabs Medical LLC
• Inventors: Smith, Clive
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin; Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): MONIKANG, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US10/747,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20040228494A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,695 Days
• Field of Search: 381/67, 600528-529
• US Class Current: 381/67
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0204 Acoustic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/04 Electric stethoscopes microphones, acoustic transducers therefor H04R

Abstract

An acoustic-to-electrical transducer for sensing body sounds is disclosed. The transducer comprises a diaphragm that can be placed in direct contact with a body, whereby the diaphragm motion directly affects an electromagnetic sensing signal, which is then converted to an electrical signal representation of the diaphragm motion. Such sensing means allows the diaphragm to move freely without mechanical coupling to a secondary transducer, while providing a direct and efficient acoustic to electrical conversion means. The transducer further provides a means for using static diaphragm pressure to control gain and frequency characteristics of the electrical signal. The transducer provides methods for ambient noise reduction or cancellation, as well as means for simulating sound detection for applications such as medical education and testing. The sensor, circuitry, manufacturing methods and improvements are disclosed.

Claims

1. A stethoscope with acoustic-to-electrical transducer for detecting body sounds, the transducer comprising:

a diaphragm mounted in a housing such that the diaphragm can make contact with a body and vibrate in response to body sounds;

a diaphragm displacement-to-electrical conversion means to convert diaphragm displacement due to body sound vibrations to electrical signals; and

the transducer housing having one or more apertures or openings to provide a low-impedance acoustic path for ambient sound to enter the space within the housing including the space behind diaphragm.

2. The transducer according to claim 1, wherein the apertures can be opened or closed by a user.

3. The transducer according to claim 1, further comprising a moisture barrier with low acoustic impedance placed between the apertures and the internal housing cavity, such that a low impedance acoustic path for ambient sound to enter the housing cavity is maintained, while moisture and humidity are prevented from entering the cavity.