RU2644546C1 - Electronic medical stethoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine.

SUBSTANCE: electronic medical stethoscope contains an acoustic receiver of piezoelectric type (1), a matching stage (2), a gain and filtering device, a reference soundtrack unit (22) and an analysis unit (23), a touch switch (19) and an analogue-to-digital converter (11). The gain and filtering device includes a low noise amplifier (3), four bandpass filters (4-7), an adjustable power preamplifier (8) and a power circuit filter (20). Four bandpass filters with bandwidths of 15-1000 Hz for the first (4), 100-500 Hz for the second (5), 15-2500 Hz for the third (6) and 20-16000 Hz for the fourth (7) are connected in parallel. Also, the stethoscope includes a power terminal amplifier (9), headphones (10), a controller (12), a wireless communication device transceiver (14), a wireless communication device headset (15), a mobile communication terminal (16) and a personal computer (17), an autonomous power supply (18), a mode switch (21) for switching the low noise amplifier with the inputs of the first, second, third and fourth bandpass filters.

EFFECT: increased signal-to-noise ratio, eliminated influence of extraneous noise, a possibility of study results transmission to a remote terminal while simultaneously entering data about the patient's identity into the wireless data channel with enhancement of signal filtering procedures efficiency.

3 cl, 1 dwg

Description

The invention relates to electronic medical equipment and is intended for medical personnel and individual use in the self-diagnosis of acoustic manifestations of the functioning of the internal organs of a person or other living biological creature in a predominantly wearable (wearable) embodiment.

Recently, there has been a tendency towards a reduction in qualified medical personnel in remote areas, in rural areas, as well as the maintenance personnel of oil rigs, geological teams and other teams located at a distance. Qualified medical care is often problematic. In this regard, it becomes especially relevant to develop monitoring and inspection methods for large groups of the population, built according to the telemetry scheme.

Among the currently existing medical phonendoscopes, electronic phonendoscopes are becoming increasingly common. Their difference from traditional devices is that the kit includes an electronic microphone and headphones. Electronic phonendoscopes allow you to objectively evaluate and analyze the sounds you hear due to the fact that all the data is recorded and processed on a personal computer (PC), and are ideal for listening to all organs that need to be diagnosed.

When equipping an electronic medical stethoscope with a wireless information transfer system with personification of patient data, it is possible to transfer data to remote medical centers, where, based on the information received, highly qualified specialists can be given the correct diagnosis.

Known multi-channel electronic stethoscope (1. RU 2229843, IPC AB 7/04, publ. 06/10/2004) containing an acoustic receiver, a filter unit, a recorder, an analog-to-digital converter, an analysis unit and a reference phonogram unit, a control unit, the first and second key blocks, the control inputs of which are connected to the corresponding output of the control unit, while the acoustic receiver and filter unit are multichannel and connected in series, their control inputs are connected to the corresponding outputs of the control unit, analog-digital The first converter and the analysis unit are multi-channel and connected in series, the output of the filter unit through the first block of keys is connected to the input of the analog-to-digital converter, the recorder is multi-channel and connected to the output of the first block of keys, the block of reference phonograms is multi-channel, and its control input is connected to the corresponding the output of the control unit, and the output through the second block of keys is connected to another input of the analysis unit.

The disadvantage of this device is the relatively low immunity of the device from acoustic interference.

A device for auscultation is known (2. RU 2062047, IPC АВВ 7/04, publ. 06/20/1996), containing an acoustic sensor connected in series, an electronic unit equipped with filters with a passband frequency corresponding to the noise frequency range of the diagnosed organs, and electrical connectors for connection headphones and recording devices, as well as headphones, and the acoustic sensor is made in the form of a receiver of vibrational acceleration suspended through a shock absorber in the sensor housing with the possibility of protrusion of the receiver applicator by an amount not more than half the height of the receiver of vibrational acceleration, and bimorphic piezoelectric elements and an electromagnetic screen are mounted on supports based on the applicator.

The disadvantage of this device is the inability to transmit data on the results of auscultation with the simultaneous result of the transfer of personal data of the patient to a remote terminal.

An individual electronic stethoscope is known (3. RU 2316256, IPC АВВ 7/02, published July 10, 2005), containing a control panel and an acoustic receiver connected in series, a telephone and a reference phonogram unit, a microprocessor unit, the digital input of which is connected to another panel output control, configured to select settings, the input port is connected to the output of the acoustic receiver and the input of the phone, made stereo, the other input of which is connected to the output port of the microprocessor unit, in turn, another the digital input of which is connected to the output of the block of reference phonograms containing individual phonograms in digital form.

The disadvantage of this device is the low noise immunity from acoustic noise and interference in the environment, the lack of equipment for transmitting research results to a remote medical center.

A well-known mobile phone with a stethoscope function (4. US 8200277, IPC Н04М 1/00, published 06.12.2012), containing a mobile phone with a data processing and communication function, which includes a stethoscope microphone, and a data processing system that is built into mobile phone case. Diagnostic data can be saved and transmitted to a remote medical center using the mobile phone communication function.

The closest analogue (prototype) to the claimed device for the intended purpose and the combination of common essential features is an electronic phonendoscope-stethoscope (5. RU 2173538, IPC АВВ 7/04, published on 09/20/2001) containing a piezoelectric type acoustic receiver connected to a matching cascade , which is a source follower, made in the form of a resistance multiplier, and connected to a gain and filtering device, a telephone with sound-conducting tubes, a headband with "olives", an electrical connector, an amplifier output m generality is connected to a telephone via an interface, configured as a photocoupler comprising two LEDs included in anti-parallel with the output of the electric connector, the other terminal of which is connected to the input of the analog-digital converter whose output and reference soundtracks unit connected to inputs of the analysis unit.

The disadvantages of this device are: the presence of the influence of extraneous noise, insufficiently high sensitivity and reliability in the diagnosis of the disease, the inability to transfer the results of the study with individual patient data to a remote terminal for a more thorough examination, as well as the inability to monitor the energy state and auto power off.

The task to which the creation of the invention is directed is to improve technical and operational characteristics and expand functionality by eliminating the influence of extraneous noise, increasing sensitivity and increasing reliability in diagnosing a disease, the possibility of wireless data transmission to a remote terminal, the ability to monitor the energy state and auto power off.

The solution to this problem is achieved by the fact that in an electronic medical stethoscope containing: a piezoelectric type acoustic receiver connected to a matching stage, which is connected to an amplification and filtering device, a phonogram reference unit and an analysis unit, a touch switch and an analog-to-digital converter, as part of the device amplification and filtering include a low-noise amplifier, four bandpass filters, an adjustable pre-power amplifier and a power supply filter, and the low-noise output the spreader is connected to the first inputs of four bandpass filters connected in parallel, with passband 15-1000 Hz in the first, 100-500 Hz in the second, 15-2500 Hz in the third and 20-16000 Hz in the fourth, the outputs of the bandpass filters are connected to the input of an adjustable pre-power amplifier, which is connected to the input of the terminal power amplifier, the second output of which is connected to the head phones, and the first output is connected in series with an analog-to-digital converter, controller, device transceiver wirelessly communication, the output of the transceiver of the wireless device is connected to the inputs of the headset of the wireless device, a mobile communication terminal and a personal computer, the second input of the controller is connected to the analysis unit, the output of which is connected to the input of the reference phonogram unit, an autonomous power supply is provided, with its output connected to a touch switch, the output of which is connected to a power supply filter, which is connected to a mode switch for switching a low-noise amplifier with inputs Vågå, second, third and fourth bandpass filters.

The solution to the problem of improving technical and operational characteristics and expanding the functionality of a stethoscope is also achieved due to additional design features (while maintaining this basic set):

- the stethoscope may additionally contain a charge controller for the power source and a discharge circuit of the power source, while the specified charge controller will be connected to the input of the power source, and the discharge circuit of the power source should be connected to the output of the power source through the third input of the controller (this allows two additional stethoscope functions: current monitoring of the energy state both in terms of charge level and discharge level, that is, by voltage); auto power off (which allows you to use it longer);

- the stethoscope may additionally contain a power supply auto shut-off circuit connected to the third output of the controller (this allows you to implement an additional function of the stethoscope: auto-power supply shutdown, which allows you to maintain the power supply for a longer time).

The structural diagram of the proposed electronic stethoscope is shown in the drawing, where the positions denote the main elements:

1 - acoustic receiver of the piezoelectric type;

2 - matching cascade;

3 - low noise amplifier;

4 - filter with a passband of 15-1000 Hz ("first filter");

5 - filter with a passband of 100-500 Hz ("second filter");

6 - filter with a passband of 15-2500 Hz ("third filter");

7 - filter with a passband of 20-16000 Hz ("fourth filter");

8 - adjustable preliminary power amplifier;

9 - terminal power amplifier;

items pos. 3-8 are part of the amplification and filtering device;

10 - head phones (headphones);

11 - analog-to-digital Converter;

12 - controller;

13 - liquid crystal display;

14 - transceiver of a wireless device (network), for example Wi-Fi (Bluetooth);

15 - a headset of a wireless device (network), for example Wi-Fi (Bluetooth);

16 - mobile communication terminal;

17 - personal computer (PC);

18 - power source (mainly a rechargeable battery);

19 - touch switch;

20 - power circuit filter or filter drive (as part of a gain and filtering device);

21 - mode switch;

22 - block reference phonograms;

23 - analysis unit;

24 - controller charge the power source (battery);

25 is a circuit diagram for automatically shutting off a power source;

26 is a diagram for controlling a discharge of a power source (battery).

The inventive electronic medical stethoscope contains:

- a piezoelectric receiver 1, which is a piezoelectric acceleration sensor with maximum transverse sensitivity to signals propagating from human organs, and with minimal transverse sensitivity to signals propagating through the air, which can significantly reduce the effect of noise and increase the signal-to-noise ratio, i.e. . improving the technical and operational characteristics and operational capabilities of the stethoscope;

- matching cascade 2, allowing to match the output impedance of the piezoelectric acceleration sensor and the input impedance of the low noise amplifier 3;

- low-noise amplifier 3, which can significantly improve the noise characteristics of the signal amplification path and thereby significantly increase its sensitivity to weak oscillations;

- a band-pass filter with a passband of 15-1000 Hz, but accentuating fluctuations in the region of 20-200 Hz ("first filter") 4, intended primarily for listening to heart sounds;

- a band-pass filter with a passband of 100-500 Hz ("second filter") 5, intended primarily for listening to noise of the lungs;

- a band-pass filter with a passband of 15-2500 Hz ("third filter") 6, providing a wide frequency response;

- a band-pass filter with a passband of 20-16000 Hz ("fourth filter") 7, designed primarily for acoustic input of individual patient data (surname, name, middle name, auscultation conditions, etc.);

- an adjustable pre-power amplifier 8, which allows you to choose a comfortable sound level when listening to the noise of the body;

- terminal power amplifier 9, which allows to increase fluctuations in power for comfortable listening to the noise of the body;

- head phones (headphones) 10, allowing you to listen to the internal noise of the body without using a wireless communication channel;

- analog-to-digital Converter 11, designed to convert an analog signal into a discrete code (digital signal);

- controller 12, designed to enter data into the transceiver 14, implement digital filtering procedures in the corresponding frequency ranges, calculate the heart rate, generate a device auto-disconnect signal from the power source, if you use it, forget to turn it off;

- display 13, mainly liquid crystal and designed to display the operating modes of the device (type of filter, the degree of discharge of the power source, heart rate, etc.);

- transceiver 14 of a wireless communications device (network) (WBS), for example Wi-Fi (Bluetooth), for wireless communication with a WBS headset 15, for example Wi-Fi (Bluetooth), and a mobile communication terminal 16;

- a mobile communication terminal 16, designed to transmit the results of auscultation to a remote medical terminal and receive previous patient phonograms for rewriting them in the block of reference phonograms 22;

- personal computer (PC) [in other words, a personal electronic computer (PC)] 17, designed to display the results of auscultation, their recording, processing and storage (database formation);

- autonomous power source 18 (mainly a rechargeable battery), designed to provide power to the device in all operating modes for a given time;

- touch switch (touch-on device) 19, designed to turn the device on and off, adjust the volume when listening;

- power supply filter (low-pass filter, filter-drive) 20, designed to eliminate radio interference in the power supply and the formation of optimal operating modes of electronic amplifying devices;

- mode switch 21, designed to switch filters 4-7;

- a block of reference phonograms 22, designed to store reference phonograms of auscultation;

- analysis unit 23, intended for comparative analysis of the listening phonogram with the reference, which is stored in the block of reference phonograms 22;

- the charge controller of the power source (battery) 24, designed to protect it from overcharging, protection against overcurrent and short circuit;

- auto power off circuit 25, designed to automatically turn off the power source when a strong discharge of the battery and if the user forgot to turn off the device after work;

- a circuit for indicating the discharge of a power source (battery) 2, designed to generate data on the discharge time of the power source in order to display them on the liquid crystal display 13.

A second output of the touch switch 19 may be provided, coupled to a power voltage divider (not shown).

Elements 1, 2 and 3, as a rule, are structurally combined into one common shielded block.

The described example of the structural implementation of the claimed device does not exclude other structural options within the framework of the claimed claims.

All elements of the claimed device can be performed on standard components, for example:

- low-noise amplifier 3 can be performed on a chip with a large input impedance of the type LMP7721MA;

- filters 4-7 can be performed on an operational amplifier type LMV796QMF;

- preliminary power amplifier 8 can be performed on an operational amplifier of the type LMV796QMF;

- the terminal power amplifier 9 can be performed on a specialized microcircuit of a power amplifier with a gain of the type LM4881M;

- head phones 10 can be performed identically or similarly to telephones T-PEOS D-201 or JVC HA-FXC51;

- analog-to-digital Converter 11 can be performed on the DAC102 S085;

- the controller 12 can be performed on SCADAPack LP;

- the transceiver (module) 14 can be performed, for example, on the WT11i;

- headset 15 can be performed on Sony SBH70;

- analysis blocks 23 and reference phonograms 22 can be performed on microcontrollers LPC408x;

- the mobile communication terminal 16 can be performed on the Samsung Galaxy S3 android;

- PC (PC) 17 can be performed (a) on Hp 255 G3 L7z53es;

- the filter 20 of the power circuit can be performed on resistors and capacitors;

- the power source 18 can be made on the basis of a rechargeable battery type LP855085;

- the controller 24 of the charge of the power source 18 (battery) can be performed on the basis of the assembly TXY8205A;

- the circuit 26 for monitoring the discharge of the power source 18 (battery) and the circuit of his (her) auto shut-off 25 can be performed on the basis of the LM393AAD chip.

The inventive device operates as follows.

When the contacts of the touch switch 19 are closed, the power circuit is closed, and the supply voltage from the source 18 is supplied through the filter 20 of the power circuit to the circuit elements.

When conducting auscultation, which consists in listening to the sounds generated during the functioning of internal organs (internal noise of the body), the sound signal is supplied to the piezoelectric receiver 1 and through the matching stage 2 is fed to a low-noise amplifier 3. Use as a acoustic receiver a piezoelectric acceleration sensor 1 having maximum transverse sensitivity to signals propagating from human organs, and minimum transverse sensitivity to signals, spread curling in the air, can significantly reduce the effect of noise and increase the signal-to-noise ratio, which improves technical and operational characteristics, expands the operational capabilities of the inventive stethoscope.

The mode switch 21 selects the appropriate frequency ranges by switching the outputs of the low-noise amplifier 3 with the outlets of the corresponding filters 4-7. So, filter 4 with a passband of 15-1000 Hz emphasizes fluctuations in the range of 20-200 Hz due to the digital filter implemented in controller 12, filter 5 with a passband of 100-500 Hz allows you to listen to lung noise, and filter 6 with a passband of 15 -2500 Hz provides a wide frequency response (moreover, filters with similar bandwidths are implemented in the controller 12), a filter 7 with a passband of 20-16000 Hz transmits conversational speech when entering personal data.

From the output of the filters, the signal is fed to an adjustable preliminary power amplifier 8 with a gain from 0 to 100, and then to a terminal power amplifier 9 with a coefficient of 1, turned on by a summing circuit, which amplifies the sound frequency to the level necessary for high-quality listening in headphones (headphones) 10, which, if necessary, are connected to the second output of the terminal power amplifier 9. This is necessary in the case when the headset 15 for some reason is not necessary to use.

An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 11 connected to the first output of the power amplifier 9 converts the input analog signal into a discrete code. Next, a digital code proportional to the analog signal enters the controller 12, where the following procedures are implemented: the heart rate is calculated, digital filtering procedures are implemented. If the data in the controller is not updated within 60 seconds, then a command is generated to automatically turn off the power source 18. The command is generated on the third output of the controller 12 and is fed to the circuit 25 to automatically turn off the power source 18.

The second output of the controller 12 is connected to the display 13 (at this stage of the development of science and technology - mainly liquid crystal), which displays the following information: filter type, heart rate, the degree of discharging of the power source 18 (battery) is displayed, and the current gain is displayed.

Digitally filtered auscultation results are sent to the UBS transceiver 14 and then to the UBS headset 15 for listening using a wireless channel, and this information can be received by several users at the same time, which is important, for example, when training medical personnel. Also, the result of auscultation by means of the transmitter 14 can be transmitted to a mobile communication terminal 16 or to a PC (PC) 17 to visualize the received oscillations using special software (STR). From the output of the mobile communication terminal 16, the results of listening to the patient can be transmitted wirelessly to remote medical centers for decision-making by specialists, as well as recording and storage in specialized databases.

If necessary, through the analysis unit 23, reference phonograms are recorded in the block of reference phonograms 22, which can also be listened to, displayed on a PC (PC) 17.

If it is necessary to enter the patient’s personal data (last name, first name, patronymic, etc.), as well as a description of the auscultation conditions, a filter 4 with a passband of 20-16000 Hz is connected, and the person who is listening to the sounds of the body into the piezoelectric receiver 1, enters with his voice this data.

The technical result from the use of the claimed invention consists in increasing the signal-to-noise ratio, eliminating the influence of extraneous noise, providing the possibility of transmitting the test results to a remote terminal while simultaneously entering patient identity data into a wireless data transmission channel, while using digital data processing in the controller allows greater efficiency of signal filtering procedures. This together leads to an improvement in the technical and operational characteristics of the phonendoscope. The use of the invention also allows you to expand the functionality of the device through the use of a wireless data channel and a system for inputting individual patient data, the implementation of the functions of the current monitoring of the energy state and automatic shutdown of the power source (which allows longer use), the use of a liquid crystal or other display (allows display necessary information).

Claims (3)

1. An electronic medical stethoscope containing a piezoelectric type acoustic receiver connected to a matching stage, which is connected to an amplification and filtering device, a phonogram reference unit and an analysis unit, a touch switch and an analog-to-digital converter, characterized in that the structure of the amplification and filtering device includes a low-noise amplifier, four bandpass filters, an adjustable pre-amplifier and a power supply filter, the output of a low-noise amplifier connected to the first inputs with four bandpass filters connected in a parallel circuit, with bandwidths of 15-1000 Hz for the first, 100-500 Hz for the second, 15-2500 Hz for the third and 20-16000 Hz for the fourth, the outputs of the bandpass filters are connected to the input of an adjustable pre-amplifier power, which is connected to the input of the terminal power amplifier, the second output of which is connected to the headphones, and the first output is connected in series with an analog-to-digital converter, controller, transceiver of a wireless communication device, and the output of the transceiver the transmitter of the wireless device is connected to the inputs of the headset of the wireless device, a mobile communication terminal and a personal computer, the second input of the controller is connected to the analysis unit, the output of which is connected to the input of the reference phonogram unit, an autonomous power source connected to a touch switch, the output of which is connected with a power supply filter that is connected to a mode switch for switching a low-noise amplifier with inputs of the first, second, third and fourth strip s filters. 2. The electronic medical stethoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a power source charge controller and a power source discharge circuit, wherein said charge controller is connected to the power source input, and the power source discharge circuit is connected to the output through the third input of the controller power source. 3. An electronic medical stethoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a power supply auto shut-off circuit connected to the third output of the controller.

Images