Heart-activity sound monitoring
First Claim
1. A method for acquiring, externally or internally, a subject'"'"'s anatomical S1, S2, S3, S4 heart-sound information useful in performing a cardio investigation and in producing a related utility output involving that subject comprisingplacing an acoustic sensor on or within the subject'"'"'s anatomy at a selected anatomical, the acoustic sensor comprising an acoustical-to-electrical-output transducer specifically having a known, nominal, mechanical resonance frequency which lies within the known range of the S1, S2, S3, S4 heart-sound frequencies, and being capable of providing a sensor electrical output,using a wave generator having a wave generator electrical output, stimulating the transducer at a frequency which is close to its known, nominal, mechanical resonance frequency,coupling to a frequency comparator the electrical outputs of the transducer and of the wave generator,observing over time any time-based differences which exist between the two, thus-compared outputs,interpreting such observed differences as being representations of the subject'"'"'s S1, S2, S3, S4 heart sounds, andfrom such interpreted differences, producing a utility output associated with the subject.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for acquiring, externally or internally, for utility purposes a subject'"'"'s anatomical heart-sound information including (a) for a selected time period, applying continuous, near-sensor-mechanical-resonance, vibratory stimulation to an acoustic sensor placed on or within the subject'"'"'s anatomy, and (b) during that time period, detecting, as direct indications of heart sounds, changes in the sensor'"'"'s physical resonance properties produced by heart sounds arriving at the sensor.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method for acquiring, externally or internally, a subject'"'"'s anatomical S1, S2, S3, S4 heart-sound information useful in performing a cardio investigation and in producing a related utility output involving that subject comprising
placing an acoustic sensor on or within the subject'"'"'s anatomy at a selected anatomical, the acoustic sensor comprising an acoustical-to-electrical-output transducer specifically having a known, nominal, mechanical resonance frequency which lies within the known range of the S1, S2, S3, S4 heart-sound frequencies, and being capable of providing a sensor electrical output, using a wave generator having a wave generator electrical output, stimulating the transducer at a frequency which is close to its known, nominal, mechanical resonance frequency, coupling to a frequency comparator the electrical outputs of the transducer and of the wave generator, observing over time any time-based differences which exist between the two, thus-compared outputs, interpreting such observed differences as being representations of the subject'"'"'s S1, S2, S3, S4 heart sounds, and from such interpreted differences, producing a utility output associated with the subject.
Specification