Wearable auscultation system and method
First Claim
1. A wearable system for remote auscultation comprising:
- an acoustic sensor comprising;
a stethoscopic cup having first and second ends;
a membrane positioned adjacent to the first end of the stethoscopic cup;
an impedance matching element positioned adjacent to the membrane, the element providing for acoustic impedance matching with a body; and
a microphone positioned near the second end of the stethoscopic cup;
a signal-conditioning module operatively connected to the acoustic sensor; and
a wireless transceiver operatively connected to the signal-conditioning module.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for monitoring physiological parameters is useful for remote auscultation of the heart and lungs. The system includes an acoustic sensor (105) that has a stethoscopic cup (305). A membrane (325) is positioned adjacent to a first end of the stethoscopic cup (305), and an impedance matching element (335) is positioned adjacent to the membrane (325). The element (335) provides for acoustic impedance matching with a body such as a human torso. A microphone (315) is positioned near the other end of the stethoscopic cup (305) so as to detect sounds from the body. A signal-conditioning module (110) is then operatively connected to the acoustic sensor (105), and a wireless transceiver (115) is operatively connected to the signal-conditioning module (110). Auscultation can then occur at a remote facility that receives signals sent from the transceiver (115).
59 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A wearable system for remote auscultation comprising:
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an acoustic sensor comprising;
a stethoscopic cup having first and second ends;
a membrane positioned adjacent to the first end of the stethoscopic cup;
an impedance matching element positioned adjacent to the membrane, the element providing for acoustic impedance matching with a body; and
a microphone positioned near the second end of the stethoscopic cup;
a signal-conditioning module operatively connected to the acoustic sensor; and
a wireless transceiver operatively connected to the signal-conditioning module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for transmitting signals for remote auscultation comprising the steps of:
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attaching a sensor to an article of clothing, wherein the sensor includes a stethoscopic cup having first and second ends, a membrane positioned adjacent to the first end of the stethoscopic cup, an impedance matching element positioned adjacent to the membrane, the element providing for acoustic impedance matching with a body, and a microphone positioned near the second end of the stethoscopic cup;
detecting sounds within the body using the sensor; and
transmitting a signal corresponding to the sounds to a remote location, whereby a condition of the body may be assessed. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for remote auscultation comprising:
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means for attaching a sensor to an article of clothing, wherein the sensor includes a stethoscopic cup having first and second ends, a membrane positioned adjacent to the first end of the stethoscopic cup, an impedance matching element positioned adjacent to the membrane, the element providing for acoustic impedance matching with a body, and a microphone positioned near the second end of the stethoscopic cup;
means for detecting sounds within the body using the sensor; and
means for transmitting a signal corresponding to the sounds to a remote location, whereby a condition of the body may be assessed.
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Specification