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;
a first acoustic sensing element at least partially supported by the sensor support and comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion comprising a coating disposed on an inner surface of the first acoustic sensing element, the outer portion comprising a coating disposed on an outer surface of the first acoustic sensing element; and
a second acoustic sensing element at least partially supported by the sensor support, positioned between the sensor support and the first acoustic sensing element, and comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion comprising a coating disposed on an inner surface of the second acoustic sensing element, the outer portion comprising a coating disposed on an outer surface of the second acoustic sensing element,wherein the inner portions are positioned between the outer portions,wherein at least the first acoustic sensing element wraps around at least a portion of the sensor support, the outer portions forming an electrical shielding barrier around the inner portions.
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Accused Products
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.
949 Citations
15 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; a first acoustic sensing element at least partially supported by the sensor support and comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion comprising a coating disposed on an inner surface of the first acoustic sensing element, the outer portion comprising a coating disposed on an outer surface of the first acoustic sensing element; and a second acoustic sensing element at least partially supported by the sensor support, positioned between the sensor support and the first acoustic sensing element, and comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion comprising a coating disposed on an inner surface of the second acoustic sensing element, the outer portion comprising a coating disposed on an outer surface of the second acoustic sensing element, wherein the inner portions are positioned between the outer portions, wherein at least the first acoustic sensing element wraps around at least a portion of the sensor support, the outer portions forming an electrical shielding barrier around the inner portions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of manufacturing an acoustic sensor for non-invasively outputting signals responsive to acoustic vibrations indicative of one or more physiological parameters of a medical patient, the method comprising:
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providing a first acoustic sensing element comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion comprising a coating disposed on an inner surface of the first acoustic sensing element, the outer portion comprising a coating disposed on an outer surface of the first acoustic sensing element; providing a second acoustic sensing element comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion comprising a coating disposed on an inner surface of the second acoustic sensing element, the outer portion comprising a coating disposed on an outer surface of the second acoustic sensing element; attaching the first acoustic sensing element to a sensor support; attaching the second sensing element to the sensor support over the first acoustic sensing element; and attaching an intermediate layer of adhesive material to the sensor support over the first acoustic sensing element, the intermediate layer at least partially bonding the inner portions of the first and second acoustic sensing elements to one another such that mechanically active regions of the first sensing element move together with mechanically active regions of the second sensing element in response to acoustic vibrations, wherein the inner portions of the first and second acoustic sensing elements are disposed between the outer portions of the first and second acoustic sensing elements, at least the second acoustic sensing element wraps around at least a portion of the sensor support, and wherein the outer portions form an electrical shielding barrier around the inner portions.
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Specification