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Acoustic patient sensor coupler

  • US 9,955,937 B2
  • Filed: 09/18/2013
  • Issued: 05/01/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An acoustic sensor configured to non-invasively detect acoustic vibrations indicative of one or more physiological parameters of a patient, the acoustic sensor comprising:

  • a frame;

    a sensing element supported by the frame, the sensing element configured to output a signal responsive to acoustic vibrations associated with a patient when the acoustic sensor is attached to the patient; and

    a one piece integral acoustic coupler supported by the frame and configured to be coupled with an area of the skin of the patient, the acoustic coupler comprising;

    a bottom surface comprising a dielectric material that electrically decouples the area of the skin of the patient from the sensing element when the acoustic sensor is attached to the patient, the bottom surface having no openings and forming a barrier between the patient and the sensing element;

    one or more air vent holes on at least two sidewalls of the acoustic coupler and aligned with at least one pressure equalization pathway in the frame; and

    a top hole configured to be stretched open, from an unstretched state, to enable receiving the frame and the sensing element, wherein;

    the top hole is further configured to stretch back to the unstretched state after the frame and the sensing element are received by the acoustic coupler, andthe acoustic coupler covers at least a portion of a top of the frame.

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