Acoustic respiratory monitoring sensor having multiple sensing elements
First Claim
1. An acoustic sensor for non-invasively outputting signals responsive to acoustic vibrations indicative of one or more physiological parameters of a medical patient, comprising:
- a sensor support including an acoustic cavity, the acoustic cavity formed in the sensor support;
a first acoustic sensing element at least partially supported by the sensor support, the first acoustic sensing element stretched in tension from a first side of the acoustic cavity to a second opposing side of the acoustic cavity, the first acoustic sensing element configured to output a first signal responsive to acoustic vibrations, the first signal comprising a first physiological signal component and a first acoustic noise component; and
a second acoustic sensing element at least partially supported by the sensor support, the second acoustic sensing element stretched in tension from a first side of the acoustic cavity to a second opposing side of the acoustic cavity, the second acoustic sensing element configured to output a second signal responsive to acoustic vibrations, the second signal comprising a second physiological signal component and a second acoustic noise component, the first and second acoustic sensing elements configured to provide the first and second signals to a noise attenuator configured to output a reduced noise signal having a higher signal to noise ratio than either of the first and second signals by at least partially constructively combining the first and second physiological signal components of the first and second signals and at least partially destructively combining the first and second acoustic noise components of the first and second signals,wherein the first and second sensing elements are arranged in a stacked configuration on the sensor support, andwherein the first and second sensing elements each comprise an outer portion of the stacked configuration and an inner portion of the stacked configuration, wherein the outer portions of the stack form a shielding barrier around the inner portions, the shielding barrier configured to reduce electromagnetic noise detected by the acoustic sensor.
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Abstract
According to certain described aspects, multiple acoustic sensing elements are employed in a variety of beneficial ways to provide improved physiological monitoring, among other advantages. In various embodiments, sensing elements can be advantageously employed in a single sensor package, in multiple sensor packages, and at a variety of other strategic locations in the monitoring environment. According to other aspects, to compensate for skin elasticity and attachment variability, an acoustic sensor support is provided that includes one or more pressure equalization pathways. The pathways can provide an air-flow channel from the cavity defined by the sensing elements and frame to the ambient air pressure.
954 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An acoustic sensor for non-invasively outputting signals responsive to acoustic vibrations indicative of one or more physiological parameters of a medical patient, comprising:
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a sensor support including an acoustic cavity, the acoustic cavity formed in the sensor support; a first acoustic sensing element at least partially supported by the sensor support, the first acoustic sensing element stretched in tension from a first side of the acoustic cavity to a second opposing side of the acoustic cavity, the first acoustic sensing element configured to output a first signal responsive to acoustic vibrations, the first signal comprising a first physiological signal component and a first acoustic noise component; and a second acoustic sensing element at least partially supported by the sensor support, the second acoustic sensing element stretched in tension from a first side of the acoustic cavity to a second opposing side of the acoustic cavity, the second acoustic sensing element configured to output a second signal responsive to acoustic vibrations, the second signal comprising a second physiological signal component and a second acoustic noise component, the first and second acoustic sensing elements configured to provide the first and second signals to a noise attenuator configured to output a reduced noise signal having a higher signal to noise ratio than either of the first and second signals by at least partially constructively combining the first and second physiological signal components of the first and second signals and at least partially destructively combining the first and second acoustic noise components of the first and second signals, wherein the first and second sensing elements are arranged in a stacked configuration on the sensor support, and wherein the first and second sensing elements each comprise an outer portion of the stacked configuration and an inner portion of the stacked configuration, wherein the outer portions of the stack form a shielding barrier around the inner portions, the shielding barrier configured to reduce electromagnetic noise detected by the acoustic sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An acoustic sensor for non-invasively outputting signals responsive to acoustic vibrations indicative of one or more physiological parameters of a medical patient, comprising:
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a sensor support including an acoustic cavity, the acoustic cavity formed in the sensor support; a first piezoelectric film at least partially supported by the sensor support and comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, the first piezoelectric film stretched in tension from a first side of the acoustic cavity to a second opposing side of the acoustic cavity; a second piezoelectric film at least partially supported by the sensor support and comprising a first electrode and second electrode, the second piezoelectric film stretched in tension from a first side of the acoustic cavity to a second opposing side of the acoustic cavity, the first electrode of the first piezoelectric film and the first electrode of the second piezoelectric film coupled to a common potential, the second electrode of the first piezoelectric film and the second electrode of the second piezoelectric film coupled to a noise attenuator, the noise attenuator configured to at least; partially constructively combine a physiological signal component of a first signal output by the first piezoelectric film and a physiological signal component of a second signal output by the second piezoelectric film, and at least partially destructively combine an acoustic noise component of the first signal output by the first piezoelectric film an acoustic noise component of the second signal output by the second piezoelectric film. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification