Medical device with communication, measurement and data functions

• US 8,243,940 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2008
• Issued: 08/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Clive Leonard Smith
• Original Assignee: Clive Leonard Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Clive Leonard
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Con P
• Application Number:
  US12/075,965
• Publication Number:
  US 20080298603A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,614 Days
• Field of Search: 381/67, D24/165, D24/134, 600/528, 181/131, 181/135
• US Class Current: 381/67
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0295 adapted for recording user messages or annotations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0406 specially shaped apparatus housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0462 Apparatus with built-in sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0468 Built-in electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7232 involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/026 comprising more than one sound collector
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/04 Electric stethoscopes microphones, acoustic transducers therefor H04R
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A medical diagnostic and communications apparatus with audio output comprises an electronic processor for processing stethoscope signals and secondary audio signals. An electronic stethoscope sensor is contained within a housing for transducing body sounds to electronic signals, and is operatively connected to the electronic processor. One or more secondary audio signal sources operatively connects to the electronic processor. A common audio output is connected to electronic processor to convert electronic stethoscope signals or secondary audio signals to acoustic output. These sounds may be produced separately or mixed.

Claims

1. A medical diagnostic and communications device for combined auscultation, voice and remote communications comprising:

a portable device housing further elements to be used for auscultation and voice communications comprising;

audio sensor means for converting auscultation sounds and surrounding voice sounds to electronic signals to facilitate both auscultation and voice communications, said audio sensor comprising of either a single transducer mounted in the device to facilitate detection of both auscultation sounds and surrounding voice sounds, or a pair of sensors with a first sensor mounted to primarily detect auscultation sounds and a second sensor mounted to primarily detect surrounding voice sounds;

audio output means selected from the group consisting of loudspeaker, headphones and headphone connection;

local control means;

digital communications means to provide transmission or reception of remote digital audio signals and remote control messages;

electronic processing means operationally connected to said audio sensor means and said digital communications means and said local control means, said electronic processing means adapted to perform functions comprising audio signal mixing, multiplexing, signal processing, and sending or receiving and executing remote control messages;

wherein said local control means or said remote control messages direct said electronic processing means to mix, multiplex or process electronic signals from said audio sensor means or said remote digital audio signals such that auscultation sounds, surrounding voice sounds, or remote digital audio signals can be selectively output to at least one of said audio output means or said digital communications means such that said portable device can be used for auscultation and voice communications.

3. A medical diagnostic and communications device as in claim 1 or 2, wherein a first medical diagnostic and communications device at a first location is operatively connected to the internet via digital communications means;

a second, identical medical and diagnostic and communications device as in claim 1 or 2 at a second location is operatively connected to the internet via digital communications means,

such that auscultation audio signals, voice audio signals and remote control messages can be exchanged between said first and second medical diagnostic and communications devices.

4. A medical diagnostic and communications device as in claim 1 or 2, wherein said medical diagnostic and communications device communicates with a cellular telephone visa said digital communications means,

such that digital audio signals, physiological measurements, or remote control messages are communicated between said medical diagnostics and communications device and said cellular telephone.

5. A medical diagnostic and communications device and cellular telephone as in claim 4, wherein said cellular telephone relays digital information between said medical and diagnostics communications device and remote computing devices via a cellular telephone data network.

6. A medical diagnostic and communications device as in claim 1 or 2, further comprising digital audio recording means for recording auscultation or voice signals such that audio recordings can be stored and later transmitted via said digital communications means.

7. A medical diagnostic and communications device as in claim 1 or 2, wherein said local control means comprises a means for detecting auscultation audio signal frequency and amplitude and directing said electronic processing means to selectively mix, multiplex or process auscultation sounds or surrounding voice sounds for output, based on the frequency and amplitude characteristics of said auscultation audio signals.

2. A medical diagnostic and communications device for auscultation, voice processing and remote communications comprising:

a portable device housing further elements comprising;

audio sensor means for converting auscultation sounds and surrounding voice sounds to electronic signals to facilitate both auscultation and voice communication, said audio sensor means comprising two audio sensors with a first sensor mounted to primarily detect auscultation sounds and a second sensor mounted to primarily detect surrounding voice sounds;

audio output means selected from the group consisting of loudspeaker, headphones, headphone connection and wireless digital communications means for transmission or reception of remote digital audio signals;

local control means;

electronic processing means operationally connected to said audio sensor means and said local control means, said electronic processing means including functions to perform audio signal mixing, multiplexing or processing;

wherein said local control means directs said electronic processing means to mix, multiplex or process electronic signals from said audio sensor means such that auscultation sounds or surrounding voice sounds can be selectively output to at least one of said audio output means.

8. A combined method for communication between a medical professional and a patient for the purposes of remote examination comprising the following steps:

first stethoscope with integrated auscultation, surrounding voice sensing, audio communications and control communications means housed within a single device is operatively connected to a first local internet access device selected from the group consisting of cellular telephone with internet access, handheld computer with internet access, local computer with internet access, wired internet access device and wireless internet access device;

a second control and voice communications device located at a remote location selected from the group consisting of a second stethoscope identical to first stethoscope, cellular telephone with internet access and computer with audio communications means and internet access, is operatively connected to the internet;

an audio communications connection is established between said first and a second internet access device via an internet connection such that sounds can be communicated in both directions between said first stethoscope and said second control and voice communications device;

a control connection is established such that said second control and voice communications device can control said first stethoscope,

such that a remote caregiver co-located with said second control and voice communications device can listen to auscultation and voice sounds from a patient or local caregiver co-located with said first stethoscope and optionally control said first stethoscope, and said patient or local caregiver can listen to voice communications from said remote caregiver and auscultation sounds from stethoscope via audio output means on said first stethoscope.