JP2019513040A - Noise reduction assembly for body auscultation - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a noise reduction assembly for auscultation of the body. Embodiments of the assembly include an auscultation device formed of a first material, the auscultation device having a proximal end for engaging the body when oriented in an operable direction. An inner damping layer, which may be formed of a second material, is formed along the outer surface of the auscultation device and covers all its outer surface except for the proximal end. An outer damping layer, which may be formed of a third material, is then formed in covering relation to the inner damping layer.

Description

priority

  This application is a continuation-in-part of copending US patent application Ser. No. 14 / 607,513, filed Jan. 28, 2015, which application is filed on Sep. 3, 2014. It is a continuation-in-part of pending US patent application Ser. No. 14 / 476,134, which is directed to US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 980,302 filed Apr. 16, 2014. It asserts priority.

  This application further claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 313,236, filed March 25, 2016.

  Each of the previously filed applications mentioned above is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

  The invention relates to a device for auscultation of the body. Embodiments of the apparatus include a housing sized and configured for orientation in an operative orientation with respect to a predetermined portion of the body, the housing being disposed therein The housing is further surrounded by a concentric structure. Further embodiments also include one or more noise inhibiting materials disposed in the chamber to reduce ambient noise leakage to the auscultation device of the present invention.

  The term auscultation, ie listening to sounds inside the body, is of great importance for many fields, such as the medical field. For example, auscultation of the body, eg, the body of a patient, assists the healthcare worker in diagnosing a disease that can affect the patient. Such may be conventionally achieved by a stethoscope, which has a wide bell and / or diaphragm to listen to a narrow range of low frequency acoustic signals, such as those related to the patient's heart rate Can be used. However, such an approach is fundamentally inadequate for many other diagnostic purposes, such as receiving an acoustic signal associated with a higher frequency signal.

  Thus, what is needed in the art is a device structured to receive acoustic signals at a wider band of frequencies, such as, but not limited to, high frequency sounds. Such acoustic signals include frequencies associated with other functions of the body such as, for example, swallowing, respiration, and blood flow useful in diagnostics, and such acoustic signals are the capabilities of conventional auscultation devices It is outside.

  Furthermore, what is needed in the art is a system incorporating such devices. Such systems may incorporate the device to facilitate patient diagnosis and / or other medical procedures performed by a healthcare professional. Such systems will utilize the acoustic signals received by the device and process the signals, for example, to assist in the detection of bowel, joint, lung, blood flow, or swallowing disorders.

  The invention relates to a device for auscultation of a body, for example the body of a patient. An exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention comprises a housing which is dimensioned and configured for placement in an orientable orientation with respect to a predetermined part of the body. Examples of such predetermined parts of the body include, but are not limited to, the area corresponding to the throat and lungs.

  Included within the housing are a plurality of chambers collectively structured to receive an acoustic signal at least when the housing is oriented in an operable direction. The acoustic signal may be generated by the body as well as associated with various body processes, conditions, and the like. Receiving such signals can facilitate diagnostics and other medical procedures. Thus, the plurality of chambers are cooperatively structured and / or shaped such that an acoustic signal generated by the body is entered into the device and detected.

  Additionally, at least one transducer is at least partially disposed within one of the plurality of chambers. The transducer is structured to convert an acoustic signal received by the device into an electrical signal. As merely an example, the transducer may include a microphone. The electrical signal may then be transmitted to other elements of the diagnostic system, as described further herein.

  Preferred embodiments of the invention further have a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being structured to define an opening. The opening is sized and configured for engagement with a predetermined portion of the body.

  Further, the plurality of chambers include an acoustic capture chamber in sound receiving relationship with the opening. Thus, the sound receiving relationship allows passage of an acoustic signal from the opening to at least the sound capture chamber. In a preferred embodiment, this is achieved by the openings that allow the acoustic signal to enter into the acoustic capture chamber.

  It should be understood that the shape of the acoustic capture chamber may vary according to various embodiments of the present invention. However, in a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the distal end of the acoustic capture chamber is less than or equal to the diameter of the proximal end. An example of a geometry having a configuration such that one end has a smaller diameter than the opposite end is a frusto-conical cone. Thus, various embodiments of the acoustic capture chamber may include such an arrangement. However, the acoustic chamber may comprise any suitable shape according to the invention, including but not limited to those mentioned above.

  Additionally, the plurality of chambers include a first reverberation chamber disposed in sound receiving relationship with the sound capture chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the transducer is at least partially disposed in the first reverberation chamber. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the transducer is movably arranged in the first reverberation chamber.

  Moreover, a preferred embodiment of the first reverberation chamber comprises a reverberation member movably arranged in the first reverberation chamber. Adjustment of the reverberation member, such as by moving the reverberation member within the first reverberation chamber, facilitates changing the acoustical properties of the device. Further, in a preferred embodiment, such adjustments can be made upon use of the device.

  The preferred embodiment further includes a second reverberation chamber disposed in a sound receiving relationship with the sound capture chamber. The second reverberation chamber facilitates "tuning" of the device, such as by adjusting the range of the acoustic signal received by the device, or the acoustic signal to which the device is most sensitive. In a preferred embodiment, this is achieved by changing the physical parameters of the second reverberation chamber, eg the volume. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, at least one transducer is movably arranged at least partially in the second reverberation chamber. Thus, moving the transducer facilitates "tuning" the device, such as by changing the echo characteristics of the device.

  The invention further relates to a signal processing system. In a preferred embodiment of the system, at least one device is in communication with a plurality of components collectively configured to process electrical signals received from the device. The electrical signal corresponds to an acoustic signal received by the device from the body. The plurality of components in a preferred embodiment includes an amplification component, a digital signal processing component, an analysis component, a pattern recognition component, and at least one output component.

  Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a device for auscultation of the body, comprising a low frequency signal such as 500 Hz or less. Thus, the device in this embodiment may include a housing and a concentric structure.

  The housing is positioned, at least, when the housing is oriented in an operable direction, for example, the proximal end of the housing is applied to an echoing body, such as a patient's body, for auscultation. It may include multiple chambers collectively structured to receive an acoustic signal, such as when done. The plurality of chambers may include an acoustic capture chamber and a first reverberation chamber, and in some embodiments, may further include a second reverberation chamber. The transducer may be arranged at least partially in the first echo chamber and / or in the second echo chamber. The acoustic capture chamber is disposed in a sound receiving relationship relative to the opening of the housing and is structured to receive an acoustic signal of higher frequency, eg, 500 Hz or higher.

  A concentric structure is formed circumferentially in surrounding relation to the proximal end of the housing. The proximal end of the concentric structure may be coplanar or parallel to the proximal end of the housing. The sheath of the concentric structure may be formed in a bell shape, whereby the opening of the concentric structure along its proximal end extends to a substantially hollow opening therein; On the other hand, the distal portion may form a substantially flat shape in surrounding and adjacent relation with the sheath of the housing.

  The housing may further include a low frequency receiver, such as a hole formed between the exterior of the housing but within the canopy of the concentric structure that extends inward to the inner opening of the acoustic capture chamber, etc. . The low frequency receiver or hole is structured to receive the lower frequency sound in the acoustic capture chamber and / or in the first or second echo chamber containing the transducer. The transducer may then convert both the higher frequency signal received from the opening of the housing and the low frequency signal from the opening of the concentric structure into an electrical input signal for further processing.

  A further embodiment of the present invention comprises the step of layering the inner damping layer in surrounding and stacked relation to the auscultation device on all the outer surfaces except the proximal end located in contact with the body. A further outer damping layer is further arranged in surrounding and stacked relation to the inner damping layer. Each of the inner damping layer, the outer damping layer, and the auscultation device itself or its outer surface may be formed of different materials in order to maximize the range of extraneous external noise that is impeded.

  These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the drawings and the detailed description.

  For a better understanding of the nature of the present invention, the following detailed description should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention. Figure 2 is a schematic view of a bottom view of the embodiment of Figure 1; FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the side view of the embodiment of FIG. 5; FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic view of another device according to the invention capable of receiving both higher frequency sound and lower frequency sound signals. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 8; FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a cross-sectional view of the noise reduction assembly of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the bottom view of the noise reduction assembly of the present invention.

  Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

  As shown in the accompanying drawings, the present invention is directed to an apparatus and system for auscultation of the body. As explained above, auscultation relates, for example, but not exclusively, to the practice of the capture of acoustic signals generated by the body, for example for medical diagnostic purposes. Thus, it should be understood that the body may be a human body, i.e. a patient, but may be any other suitable acoustic signal source.

  According to the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the device 1 comprises a housing 50. The housing 50 is sized and configured for placement in an actuable orientation with respect to a predetermined portion of the body. For example, the housing 50 may be positioned relative to and / or in contact with a portion of the body corresponding to the patient's throat, such as for the purpose of monitoring an acoustic signal associated with the patient's breathing and / or swallowing, for example. obtain.

  Thus, the housing 50 includes a plurality of chambers 10, 30, 40 disposed within the housing. The chambers are collectively structured to receive the acoustic signal generated by the body. In the preferred embodiment, the chambers 10, 30, 40 are collectively structured to echo the housing 50 by receiving an acoustic signal. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the chambers 10, 30, 40 are collectively structured such that the housing 50 echoes frequencies within the range of about 20 Hertz to about 2,000 Hertz. In addition, the housing 50 of the preferred embodiment includes materials of a configuration selected for specific echo properties.

  Still referring to FIG. 1, the housing 50 includes a proximal end 50 'and a distal end 50 ". The proximal end 50' is a predetermined portion of the body, such as the area of the neck, the area of the throat, chest, And / or is structured for operationally oriented orientation relative to any other desired or preferred areas, etc. Such an orientation of the proximal end 50 'is such as with the housing 50. Including the engagement of the body with the housing 50 such that the body and the body define an opposing engagement with each other.

  Furthermore, the proximal end 50 ′ is structured to include the opening 55. The opening 55 is sized and configured to engage a predetermined portion of the body when the housing 50 is in the operative orientation. The engagement of the body with the opening 55 comprises an arrangement of the opening 55 in close proximity to the body such that an acoustic signal generated by the body passes through the opening 55 into the housing 50. Thus, various embodiments of the present invention may include various configurations and / or dimensions of the opening 55 suitable for engagement with various predetermined portions of the body, such configurations and / or dimensions being, for example, , And the size and position of a predetermined part of the body.

  The plurality of chambers 10, 30, 40 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 include an acoustic capture chamber 10. The sound capture chamber 10 is arranged in a sound receiving relationship with the opening 55. Thus, the openings 55 facilitate the passage of the acoustic signal to the acoustic capture chamber 10.

  FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 as viewed from a composition facing the opening 55. The sound capture chamber includes a proximal end 10 'and a distal end 10 ". Furthermore, various embodiments of the sound capture chamber 10, including various configurations, are also contemplated. As is apparent from FIG. In configuration, the distal end 10 ′ ′ of the sound capture chamber 10 comprises a diameter smaller than the diameter of the proximal end 10 ′. FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment in which the distal end 10 '' of the sound capture chamber 10 comprises a diameter equal to the diameter of the proximal end 10 '.

  Still referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the device 1 comprises a first echo chamber 30. The first reverberation chamber 30 is arranged in sound receiving relationship with the sound capture chamber 10. Thus, a body-generated acoustic signal captured and / or received by the acoustic capture chamber 10 is received by the first echo chamber 30.

  Additionally, adjustment of the echo characteristics of the housing 50 may be achieved. This can also be achieved when using the device 1. For example, in at least one embodiment, changing the inner diameter of the chambers 10, 30, 40 facilitates changing the frequency at which the housing 50 resonates. Furthermore, as shown in the preferred embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6, the echo adjustment member 60 is movably disposed at least partially within the first echo chamber 30. Although FIGS. 5 and 6 show two possible positions of the echo adjustment member 60 within the first echo chamber 30, this should not be considered as the only assumption, nor should it be understood as a limitation. Absent. Thus, movement of the echo adjustment member 60 within the first echo chamber 30, such as by, for example, sliding, telescoping, and / or any other suitable method facilitates altering the echo characteristics of the housing 50, and as a result, It may facilitate the modification of the acoustic signal that the device receives, or the acoustic signal to which the device is most tuned.

  The embodiment of FIG. 1 further includes a second reverberation chamber 40 disposed in sound receiving relationship relative to the sound capture chamber 10. The second echo chamber facilitates the "tuning" of the device 1, which should be understood as adjusting the range of the acoustic signal that the device 1 receives or that the device is most sensitive to. This can be achieved, for example, by changing the dimensions of the second reverberation chamber 40 or the like. Further, the proximal end 40 'of the second reverberation chamber 40 is in communication with the distal end 10 "of the acoustic capture chamber 10. Furthermore, the distal end 40" of the second reverberation chamber is a first reverberation chamber 30. In communication with the proximal end 30 'of the

  In various embodiments of the apparatus 1, the acoustic capture chamber 10 and the second reverberation chamber 40 are in fluid communication. Thus, the distal end 10 "of the acoustic capture chamber and the proximal end 40 'of the second echo chamber are correspondingly structured such that fluid, for example air, passes between the two chambers 10, 40. This may further facilitate the communication of the acoustic signal between the chambers 10, 40.

  Preferred embodiments of the device 1, eg the embodiment of FIG. 1 etc., further comprise at least one transducer 20 or a plurality of transducers 20, 22 as shown in FIG. 7. Examples of transducers 20, 22 include, but are not limited to, microphones. For example, transducers 20, 22 as shown in FIG. 1 are structured to convert acoustic signals into at least one electrical signal. The electrical signal may then be processed, for example, to facilitate diagnosis.

  Further, with further reference to FIG. 1, the transducer 20 is at least partially disposed within the first reverberation chamber 30. However, the transducer 20 is not limited to placement in the first reverberation chamber. Thus, it is contemplated that various other embodiments according to the present invention include a transducer disposed at least partially in the corresponding one of the chambers 10, 30, 40.

  Furthermore, still other embodiments include a plurality of transducers, each of which is at least partially disposed in a corresponding one of the plurality of chambers 10, 30, 40. For example, referring to FIG. 7, at least one transducer, but preferably a plurality of transducers 20, 22 are disposed within the housing 50. In particular, the first transducer 20 is preferably at least partially disposed in the first echo chamber 30 and the second transducer 22 is preferably at least partially disposed in the second echo chamber 40 . Further, the transducers 20, 22 may be movably disposed at least partially within their respective chambers. Thus, the transducers are movable independently and / or collectively in their respective chambers. This facilitates changing the echo characteristics of the housing 50 and / or changes the frequency of the acoustic signal received by the transducers 20, 22 for conversion to at least one electrical signal.

  Referring again to FIG. 3, an embodiment of a system 2 according to the present invention is provided. The system 2 comprises a device 1 for auscultation of the body. It should be understood that the device 1 may be the embodiment of FIG. 1, but also any embodiment of the device 1 consistent with the present invention. In the preferred embodiment of the system 2 as shown in FIG. 3, the device 1 is in communication with a plurality of components 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 510. The components include, but are not limited to, at least one of processing component 200, analysis component 300, pattern recognition component 400, and output components 500,510. The output component may include a display component 500 and an audio output component 510. Furthermore, the system 2 may be configured to process electrical signals using dynamic range control and equalization.

  The amplification component 100 is structured to amplify the electrical signal received from the device 1. An example of an amplification component is a microphone preamplifier.

  Processing component 200 is structured to process the amplified signal from amplification component 100. The processing component 200 comprises a digital signal processor. Further, the processing component 200 is structured to process the amplified signal to facilitate further analysis. Further, the processing component 200 can be structured to incorporate pre-post AGC filtering, dynamic range control and / or equalization of audio frequencies. In the preferred embodiment, the audio output component 510 is in communication with the processing component 200. Thus, the audio output component 510 is structured to facilitate listening of the processed signal, eg, by a healthcare professional or the like. Examples of the audio output component 510 include headphones.

  The analysis component 300 receives the processed signal from the processing component 200. The analysis component 300 is structured to generate an analyzed signal. Thus, the analysis component 300 may perform, for example, fast Fourier transform analysis, etc., to generate the analyzed signal.

  The analyzed signal is then communicated to a pattern recognition component 400 structured to recognize patterns in the analyzed signal, eg, frequency, intensity, patterns for any combination in the time domain, and the like. Additionally, pattern recognition component 400 may be configured to match detected patterns in the analyzed signal to potential diagnostic and / or medical conditions. Thus, the pattern recognition component 400 is configured to output potential diagnostic and / or medical conditions according to the corresponding detected pattern. The analyzed signal is further transmitted to the display component 500. An example of the display component 500 includes a visible display structured for output of a spectrogram. The display component 500 in various embodiments may be further configured to highlight the problem detected by the system 2 and / or it may facilitate the diagnostic process or otherwise aid the diagnostic process obtain.

  While the above embodiments of the device are effective for frequencies above 500 Hz, in other additional embodiments it may also be desirable to capture lower frequency sounds, ie below 500 Hz . Thus, the invention further provides an apparatus for auscultation of the body that can auscultate a wider range of frequencies simultaneously including frequencies above 500 Hz and frequencies below 500 Hz as shown in FIGS. 8-10. Think of. Focusing on FIG. 8, an apparatus 800 for auscultation of the body may include a housing 50 and a concentric structure 800.

  The housing 50 may comprise at least one of the embodiments for the device for auscultation as listed above according to FIGS. 1 to 7. As such, the housing 50 may include a proximal end 50 'and a distal end 50 ". The proximal end 50' of the housing 50 is oriented such that the housing 50 is operable relative to the body. Includes an opening 55 that is sized and configured to engage a predetermined portion of the body when being operated, the body can include a human or mammalian body that echoes internal sounds for auscultation The operative orientation may include positioning the proximal end 50 'of the housing in direct adjacent relationship with the body portion.

  The housing 50 may further include a plurality of chambers disposed therein, which are at least collectively adapted to receive an acoustic signal when the housing 50 is oriented in an operable direction. Structured At least one transducer 20 is at least partially disposed in a corresponding one of the chambers and is structured to convert an acoustic signal received from the opening 55 of the housing 50 into an electrical signal.

  The plurality of chambers may include an acoustic capture chamber 10 and a first reverberation chamber 30. An additional second reverberation chamber 40 may also be included, as shown in the above embodiments of FIGS. 1-7. The transducer 20 is preferably disposed in a first reverberation chamber 30, which may also include a notch 90 for insertion through a communication cable, such as 95, for example. However, the transducer 20 can also be arranged in another chamber, such as, for example, the second echo chamber 40. Transducer 20 may include a microphone or any other combination of circuits or devices capable of converting acoustic sound waves into electrical input signals and suitable for conversion. The sound capture chamber 10 may have a conical profile so that the distal end of the chamber has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the proximal end. The sound capture chamber 10 is disposed in a sound receiving relationship with the opening 55 of the housing 50. For example, the opening 55 of the housing 50 may open into the acoustic capture chamber 10, as shown in FIG. The shape, size, geometry, and other configurations of the acoustic capture chamber are configured and intended to receive acoustic signals at frequencies above 500 Hz.

  A concentric structure 800 is formed circumferentially in surrounding relation to the proximal end 50 'of the housing 50 to capture low frequency signals, such as signals below 500 Hz and the like. The concentric structure 800 may have a proximal end 801 and a distal end 802, the proximal end 801 being sized and configured with an opening 855 for engagement with a predetermined portion of the body. Including. The openings 855 of the concentric structure 800 are structured to receive the lower frequency signal of the reverberator. In at least one embodiment, the proximal end 801 of the concentric structure 800 may be parallel to the proximal end 50 ′ of the housing 50. The distal end 802 of the concentric structure 800 may be circumferentially formed in adjacent relation to the exterior of the housing 50. The sheath 803 of the concentric structure 800 may form a partial semi-dome, bell or convex shape, while the distal end 802 may form a substantially flat shape.

  The housing 50 includes a low frequency receiver 810 in sound communication between the acoustic capture chamber 10 and the concentric structure 800 to receive low frequency signals from the concentric structure 800 at the transducer 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the low frequency receiver 810 receives the acoustic capture chamber 10 from the inner opening of the concentric structure 800 to receive sound waves from the openings 855 of the concentric structure 800 according to FIGS. 8 and 10. The hole 810 may be formed to the interior of the. In some embodiments, the low frequency receiver 810 may be structured to provide signals directly into the first reverberation chamber 30 and / or the second reverberation chamber 40 housing the transducer 20. The transducer 20 receives both the higher frequency signal from the opening 55 of the acoustic capture chamber 10 and the low frequency signal from the opening 855 of the concentric structure 800 via the low frequency receiver 810.

  Both the higher frequency signal and the low frequency signal may be simultaneously or selectively converted by the transducer into an electrical input signal, which may then be for signal clarity or as described above It can be further processed for the desired audio effect. The signal may be transmitted by communication cable 95 as shown in FIG. 9 for this process, and / or another transducer, eg, for listening to the electrical signal or the processed electrical signal. It may be sent to an earphone or headset etc that converts it back to sound. In other embodiments, the cable 95 may be omitted and the transmission may be in a manner known to the person skilled in the art, such as, but not limited to, NFC, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or others. It may be performed wirelessly according to the communication protocol of According to the embodiment of FIG. 9, the transducer and the chamber that houses it, eg, the first echo chamber 30, etc., may be sealed by a cap 90, eg, to prevent external noise or interference.

  Further embodiments of the present invention are auscultation devices by use of one or more materials disposed and / or forming auscultation devices 1 and / or 800 as described above For reducing ambient noise leakage to 1 and / or 800.

  In certain situations or environments, the auscultation devices of the present invention may be susceptible to extraneous acoustical or other vibratory interference, which may blur important bioacoustic data. The sensitivity of these extraneous interferences is mainly due to: (1) unwanted vibrational energy of the material used to form the body of the auscultation device into its internal chamber and / or into the acoustic capture device or microphone And (2) the material used to form the outer body of the device resonates when excited by the extraneous vibrational energy, which in turn causes the inner chamber to And / or may be caused by two factors: being transmitted to the acoustic capture device. The greater the sensitivity of the sound capture capability, and the wider the frequency of response of the auscultation device, the greater the vulnerability to any ambient noise leakage. Therefore, it is necessary to further strengthen the auscultation device 1 or 800 of the present invention in order to overcome this further drawback in the art.

  In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and by focusing on FIGS. 11 and 12, the noise reduction assembly 900 may be arranged in view of the structure of the auscultation device 800 or another device for auscultation of the human or animal body. It is done.

  Thus, the auscultation device 910, such as the device 800 or the like, or another device may be provided as part of the entire assembly 900 and is formed by the first material. The first material is aluminum, steel, stainless steel, high density plastic, HDPE, LDPE, polycarbonate, acrylic resin, ABS, PVC, Teflon (registered trademark), polypropylene, various woods, other metals, plastics, or handheld Other materials having sufficient stiffness appropriate for the auscultation device may be included. The internal structure of the auscultation device 910 can incorporate any one of the embodiments described herein, such as the device 800 listed above.

  The inner damping layer 920 may obscure the outer body of all sides of the auscultation device 910 in layers, except for the proximal end 950. In other words, the inner attenuation layer 920 may be shaped and arranged in an adjacent relationship to the outer surface of the auscultation device 910 and for auscultation when the auscultation device is arranged in the operable direction. , With the exception of the proximal end indicated by 950, which is the end located on the body, it may cover all the outer surfaces of the auscultation device. The inner damping layer 920 may be formed of a second material, which may include a putty, gel, foam, rubber compound, and / or any other preferred flexible material, or a combination thereof.

  The outer damping layer 930 may be shaped and disposed in adjacent and covering relation to the inner damping layer. In other words, the outer damping layer 930 forms an sheath for the inner damping layer and all of the inner damping layer, as well as the auscultation device therein, except for its proximal end as indicated by 950, of the auscultation device 910 It will cover all outer surfaces. Outer damping layer 930 is aluminum, steel, stainless steel, high density plastic, HDPE, LDPE, polycarbonate, acrylic resin, ABS, PVC, "Teflon", polypropylene, various woods, other metals, plastics, or inner damping layer It may be formed of a third material, including 920 and other materials having sufficient rigidity to protect the auscultation device 910. In at least one embodiment, the third material preferably comprises dissimilar materials having a different material and / or different material density than the first material.

  In other embodiments not shown, additional layering of multiple dissimilar materials may be combined with the outer damping layer 930 and the inner damping layer to increase and / or enhance the impedance barrier and / or vibration damping properties of the entire assembly 900. It can be practiced between layers 920. Ideally, in one embodiment, the auscultation device 910, the inner damping layer 920, the outer damping layer 930, and between the outer layer 930 and the inner layer 920 to increase the performance or damping effect of the entire assembly 900. Each layer, including any additional layers that are practiced and arranged, are dissimilar materials to their adjacent layers. For example, in one embodiment, the first material forming the auscultation device 910 can comprise stainless steel, the third material forming the outer damping layer 930 can comprise plastic, and the second material forming the inner damping layer 920 May comprise a gel.

  That is, layering of different materials having different densities and / or other properties may inhibit higher frequency noise or vibration. For example, when the outermost (third) material is excited by an external source, certain frequencies are blocked, certain frequencies are attenuated to varying degrees, and some frequencies pass substantially unchanged. Do. The material itself will also resonate to some extent. The second material will act on the first material to attenuate or reduce any resonance. The vibrational energy passing through the outermost material will then be influenced by the intermediate (second) material. This material will function as pre-exclusion at different frequencies. In other words, completely different frequencies would be stopped, attenuated or allowed to pass. Because this second material is flexible, it creates a much more effective impedance barrier than simply placing the two hard materials in contact with each other. It is similar to transmitting vibration to the water accumulated from the solid wall. And any residual vibrational energy will reach the innermost (first) material. This material functions in the same way as the outermost material and will be influenced by the intermediate material as well.

  Systems that layer or layer different materials or damping layers function to create multiple impedance barriers that significantly reduce the amount of vibrational energy transmitted through the device. It also attenuates the resonance properties of the hard material, if necessary.

  While many modifications, variations and changes in detail may be made to the described preferred embodiments of the present invention, all matter in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings is exemplary. It is intended to be construed as and not in a limiting sense. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

  The present invention has been described above.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 800, 910 apparatus 2 system 10 sound capture chamber 20 1st transducer 22 2nd transducer 30 1st echo chamber 40 2nd echo chamber 50 housing 10 ', 30', 40 ', 50', 801, 950 proximal end 10 ", 40", 50 ", 802 distal end 55, 855 opening 60 resonance adjustment member 90 notch 90 cap 95 communication cable 100 amplification component 200 processing component 300 analysis component 400 pattern recognition component 500 display component 510 audio output component 800 Concentric structure 803 sheath 810 low frequency receiver 810 holes 900 noise reduction assembly 920 inner damping layer 930 outer damping layer

Claims (20)

A noise reduction assembly for body auscultation,
An auscultation device formed of a first material and including a proximal end and a distal end, the auscultation device engaging a predetermined portion of the body when the auscultation device is disposed in an operable orientation An auscultation device, wherein the proximal end includes an aperture sized and configured as
An inner damping layer formed of a second material, shaped and arranged in adjacent relation to the outer surface of the auscultation device, covering all the outer surface of the auscultation device except the proximal end , With the inner damping layer,
An outer damping layer formed of a third material and shaped and arranged in adjacent and covering relation to the inner damping layer;
Including, noise reduction assembly.   The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises a material having a higher stiffness than the second material.   The assembly of claim 1, wherein the second material comprises a material having a lower stiffness than the first material.   The assembly of claim 1, wherein the third material comprises a material having a higher stiffness than the second material, and further comprising a material different than the first material.   The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first material and the third material are each formed of different materials having different densities. A noise reduction assembly for body auscultation,
An auscultation device,
The proximal end has an opening sized and configured to engage a predetermined portion of the body having a proximal end and a distal end and when oriented in an operable direction. Housing, including
A housing, comprising a plurality of chambers arranged in the housing, which are collectively structured to receive an acoustic signal when at least the housing is arranged in an operable direction;
At least one transducer, at least partially disposed in a corresponding one of the chambers, structured to convert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal;
A concentric structure formed circumferentially in surrounding relation to the proximal end of the housing to capture low frequency signals;
An auscultation device, including
An inner attenuating layer, shaped and arranged in adjacent relation to the outer surface of the auscultation device, covering all the outer surface of the auscultation device except the proximal end;
An outer damping layer shaped and arranged in adjacent and covering relation to the inner damping layer;
Including, noise reduction assembly.   7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the plurality of chambers include an acoustic capture chamber disposed in a sound receiving relationship relative to the opening of the housing.   The assembly of claim 7, wherein the housing comprises a low frequency receiver in sound communication between the acoustic capture chamber and the concentric structure.   9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the low frequency receiver includes a hole formed from the opening of the concentric structure to the inside of the acoustic capture chamber to receive sound waves from the inner opening of the concentric structure. assembly.   The concentric structure has a proximal end and a distal end, an opening sized and configured for engagement of the proximal end of the concentric structure with the predetermined portion of the body. The assembly of claim 8, comprising:   The assembly of claim 7, wherein the proximal end of the concentric structure is parallel to the proximal end of the housing.   The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the distal end of the concentric structure is circumferentially formed in adjacent relation to the sheath of the housing.   The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the sound capture chamber comprises a distal end having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the proximal end of the sound capture chamber.   The assembly of claim 7, wherein the plurality of chambers further include a first echo chamber disposed in a sound receiving relationship relative to the acoustic capture chamber.   15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the at least one transducer is at least partially disposed within the first reverberation chamber.   15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the first reverberation chamber comprises a sealed distal end.   The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the auscultation device is formed of a first material selected from aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and high density plastic.   18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the inner damping layer is formed of a second material selected from putties, gels, rubbers, and foams.   19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the outer damping layer is formed of a third material selected from aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and high density plastic.   20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the first and third materials are each formed of different materials having different densities.

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