WO1998034530A2

WO1998034530A2 - Body sounds observation system

Info

Publication number: WO1998034530A2
Application number: PCT/IL1998/000056
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lior Goldenberg; Zvi Ben-Shalom
Original assignee: Mund, Harry
Priority date: 1997-02-06
Filing date: 1998-02-04
Publication date: 1998-08-13
Also published as: WO1998034530A3; AU5779498A; IL120170A0

Abstract

A body sounds observation system which includes a body sounds sensing and transmission unit (10) having acoustic sensing apparatus (22) configured for placement in acoustic sensing proximity to a subject; and IR signal transmission apparatus (28), associated with the acoustic sensing apparatus (22), for transmitting IR output signals corresponding to sensed body sounds, and a remote unit (14 and 16) located at a remote location relative to the acoustic sensing apparatus, and which has signal receiving apparatus for receiving output signals corresponding to the sensed body sounds; and output apparatus, associated with the signal receiving apparatus, for providing a sensible output corresponding to the sensed body sounds.

Description

BODY SOUNDS OBSERVATION SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to medical devices generally, and to stethoscopes, in particular.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of stethoscopes for medical diagnostic purposes is widespread. A traditional stethoscope has a number of basic parts, namely, a sound receiver for placement on a body portion, such as the chest, an earpiece for insertion into a user's ears, and a tube which transfers acoustic energy from the sound receiver to the earpiece, thereby enabling a user, such as a doctor or nurse, to listen to sounds emanating from a body portion. This type of stethoscope has been in existence for many years and, despite some efforts to update it, has remained generally unchanged.

The above-described conventional stethoscope has a number of drawbacks, among which are the fact that the sounds heard by a user are accompanied by environmental and system noise, and the sounds emanating from a particular organ may be masked by sounds of other organs. A further disadvantage is the fact that the conventional stethoscope does not permit more than one user to listen to body sounds at one time, as well as the fact that observed body sounds are heard in real time only.

Furthermore, as the earpiece is physically connected to the sound receiver, he may be exposed to airborne or other infection from a person being examined due to the fact that he is physically connected to the sound receiver and must thus position himself within close range of the person being examined.

US Patent No. 4,777,961 , entitled 'High Sensitivity Stethoscopic System and Method,' describes a precordial suction stethoscope constant monitoring system which includes a heart and breath sound detector, solely mounted to the patient using only suction or other connection means, and a radio wave transmitter and a remote radio receiver and audio means. A quick connect suction cup or other stethoscope, which is especially suitable for use on the wet skin of a newborn, is used to provide the acoustical recess of the stethoscope head. A microphone transducer located in the stethoscope head or in a detachable housing is used for converting acoustical vibrations into an electrical impulse. The remote radio receiver amplifies and converts the electronically transmitted physiological condition information into an audible signal.

This system has a major disadvantage in that it is subject to interference by electrical devices operating in the same vicinity, and, furthermore, itself can cause interference to other devices operating nearby. This can include, of course, pacemaker devices, such that, it would be necessary to ascertain, prior to checking a person, that he does not have a pacemaker and, if he does, to use a conventional stethoscope. It is thus seen that the above system has certain problems inherent, which need to be considered each time it is to be used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an improved body sound observation system intended to replace stethoscopes and other prior art body sound observation systems, and to overcome disadvantages presented thereby.

In particular, it is sought to provide a sound detection system which enables observation of the body sounds via IR transmission, thereby enabling remote observation of the sounds, but which does not interfere with and is not subject to interference by electrical or other devices operating in the same vicinity as the person whose body sounds are being observed.

There is thus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a body sounds observation system which includes: a body sounds sensing and transmission unit having acoustic sensing apparatus configured for placement in acoustic sensing proximity to a subject; and IR signal transmission apparatus, associated with the acoustic sensing apparatus, for transmitting IR output signals corresponding to sensed body sounds, and a remote unit located at a remote location relative to the acoustic sensing apparatus, and which has signal receiving apparatus for receiving output signals corresponding to the sensed body sounds; and output apparatus, associated with the signal receiving apparatus, for providing an sensible output corresponding to the sensed body sounds.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the output apparatus is operative to provide the sensible output in real time.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body sounds sensing and transmission unit further includes processing apparatus for processing sounds sensed by the acoustic sensing apparatus, prior to transmission of the output signals by the IR signal transmission apparatus.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the processing apparatus includes apparatus enabling selection of body sounds in a preselected waveband only; and amplifier apparatus, for amplifying body sounds in the preselected waveband.

Alternatively, the processing apparatus may include apparatus enabling selection of body sounds in a selected waveband and/or sound amplification apparatus.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the output apparatus may include audio output apparatus and/or visual display apparatus.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the signal receiving apparatus of the remote unit includes IR receiver apparatus.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system of the invention also includes relay apparatus which includes IR receiver apparatus for receiving the IR output signals; and signal transmission apparatus associated with the IR receiver apparatus and for transmitting further output signals corresponding to the IR output signals received by the IR receiver apparatus, wherein the signal receiving apparatus of the remote unit further includes additional receiving apparatus for receiving the further output signals, and the output apparatus is operative to provide a sensible output corresponding to the sensed body sounds.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the signal transmission apparatus of the relay apparatus and the signal receiving apparatus of the remote units are connected by a communications link which includes one or both of line communications, and non-line communications.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system also includes, in association with the relay apparatus, a main memory module, and apparatus for selectably providing the further output signals from the relay apparatus to the memory apparatus so as to store in the memory apparatus data contained in the further output signals.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is also provided further memory apparatus which includes: a portable memory module for storing in a readable format data pertaining to a single subject; interface apparatus associable with the portable memory module facilitating data retrieval therefrom and data storage therein; and apparatus for exchanging data between the interface apparatus and at least one of the main memory apparatus and the remote unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a pictorial illustration of a body sound observation system, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustration of the system of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3A is a block diagram illustration of the body sound sensor and transmitter subsystem of the system of the present invention;

Fig. 3B is a schematic illustration of the subsystem of Fig. 3A, constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustration of the earphones subsystem of the system of the system of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustration of the repeater of the system of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustration of an individual memory device of the system of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 7 is a schematic illustration of a pen-type body sound sensor and transmitter subsystem of the present invention; and

Fig. 8 is a schematic illustration of a further type of body sound sensor and transmitter subsystem of the present invention, suitable for invasive acoustic sensing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It will be appreciated that the term 'body' as used in the present specification and claims, refers to any live human or animal body whose sounds may be usefully observed by placement of a sound or vibration sensing device in acoustic sensing proximity thereto.

Furthermore, the term "body sounds," as used throughout the present specification and claims, is intended to mean sounds, both in the hearing and non-hearing ranges, as well as intra- and inter-organ vibrations occurring in the body of a subject, such as may be sensed by acoustic sensing means described below.

The present invention provides a body sound and vibration observation system for medical diagnostic and/or monitoring purposes, for detecting body sounds and vibrations of various body organs, and for relaying these sounds and vibrations via an infrared communications link, either directly or indirectly to one or more remote stations. The relayed sounds are then 'observed' via any suitable sensible medium, such as audio or video, preferably in real time, to one or more medical personnel or other users, storage on a main storage device and subsequent playback and/or analysis, and storage on any suitable type of portable storage medium holding data relating to a specific individual and selectable playback at any time in the future.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that a particular advantage of the present invention is the fact that body sounds are transmitted via infrared means, which has no inherent system noise, suffers no interference by electromagnetic fields produced by other medical devices, lighting and the like, and does cause interference with other medical devices, including pacemakers and various monitoring devices.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown an infrared-linked body sounds and vibrations observation system, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system of the present invention principally includes a body sounds and vibrations sensor and transmitter or "BSST," referenced 10, and one or more earphones, referenced 12. BSST 10 and earphones 12 communicate, as described below in more detail, via infrared (IR) links 13 (Fig. 2), thereby to avoid any interference, either by or to, electronic devices in the vicinity of the BSST.

There may also be provided a repeater 14, for the purpose of relaying data from BSST 10 to earphones 12, if the earphones are out of IR transmission range or if there is no direct line of sight between the earphones and BSST 10, and for communicating with a computer 16, thereby to store data acquired by the BSST 10 for future use. Computer 16 may be any embedded system based on a suitable microprocessor or microcontroller. Communications between BSST 10 and repeater 14 is via an IR link 15, while communications between repeater 14 and computer 16, is via a communications link 17 which may use any suitable wired or wireless medium, such as, IR, RF, fiber optic or electrical wire. Earphones 12 may optionally also be connected, by any suitable communications link 19, directly to computer 16.

Repeater 14 and/or computer 16 may optionally also be connected to an external data system 110, such as an information or data analysis system, via respective communications links 112 and 114. External data system 110 may include one or more of a local area network, telephone system, satellite communications network, and any other type of system via which it may be sought to provide relay body sounds for diagnostic, monitoring, study or conferencing purposes, by use of BSST 10 of the present invention. Communications links 112 and 114 may include one or more of any suitable type of communications medium, including wire, RF, optical, and so on.

There may further be provided an individual memory device or "IMD" 18 (Fig. 2) which may interface with earphones 12 and computer 16, and which stores all the data pertaining to a particular individual, and which may be in the form of a magnetic diskette or a digital medium such as a smart card, in the shape of a credit card, for example. The IMD 18 is particularly useful for containing a complete medical history of a person, including all data acquired via BSST 10, as well as other data, such as ECG tests, and manually entered data such as is known to be noted in patient files and charts. The IMD 18 may also be connectable, via any suitable communications link, to a suitable audio replay system, shown as 'speaker' 20 in Fig. 2, for replaying data acquired by the BSST 10 to medical experts or students, as required.

A particular advantage of the present invention is that all of the body sounds sensed by BSST 10 are processed, as described below, in conjunction with the BSST so as to form a single, integral unit therein, and a signal transmission is thus broadcast only after a desired filtering and amplification has been performed. This processed data is thus of much higher quality, and requires relatively low power for transmission to earphones 12. Furthermore, as body sounds data acquired by BSST 10 of the present invention may be distributed to many different locations, including one or more external data systems 110 (Fig. 2), the selection and processing of this data at the BSST 10 ensures that the data being disseminated via any system, to any location, is uniform.

Referring now to Figs. 3A and 3B, BSST 10 includes an audio pickup or receiver 20 which may be any suitable stethoscope-type head, which may have a membrane 101 covering an acoustic recess formed within a housing 102, and in which is located a microphone 22 for detecting acoustic waves. The membrane may optionally be made from any suitable throwaway material, so as to reduce the possibility of infection being transferred thereby, from one person being examined, to another.

Alternatively, the microphone may be any device suitable for direct sensing of body sounds and vibrations, in which case a membrane may not be provided. A particular advantage of a membrane not being provided is that it tends to remove all sounds above certain frequencies, such as those which may contain useful information. In yet further alternative embodiments of the invention, there may be provided, in place of microphone 22, other means, such as, a piezolelecric membrane (not shown) such as used in a waveguide transducer.

Microphone 22 provides output analog signals in accordance with the detected acoustic waves. A frequency and gain control circuit 24 (Fig. 3A) is arranged to receive analog signals provided as output from microphone 22, and to conduct them, via a digital and/or analog control circuit 26 (Fig. 3A) to an IR transceiver unit 28. IR transceiver unit 28 may be of any suitable type found in digital transmission applications, and which is operative to transmit and receive in any suitable IR range. A suitable modulation is used for signal transmission from IR transmitter 28 (Fig. 3) of BSST 10 to transceiver 52 of repeater 14 (Fig. 5).

Preferably, frequency and gain control circuit 24 and control circuit 26, as well as a preamplifier (not shown), the location of which is shown generally at 25 in Fig. 3B. There may also be provided a user/BSST interface 30, such as a suitable keypad or other data input device, for enabling user control of certain functions of frequency and gain control circuit 22 and/or digital analog control circuit 26.

The frequency and gain control circuit 24 is operative to provide a selected amplification to the analog signals received from microphone 22 and further to provide filtering to a selected bandwidth. The bandwidth may be selected via interface 20, via an earphone unit 12 (Fig. 2), or via computer 16 and repeater 14 (Fig. 2). Also useful is the sampling of signals by opening an appropriate window in any selected sub-audio bandwidth. The signals in these bandwidths, although not within the normal hearing range, may be transformed to a hearing range and suitably amplified. Alternatively, these signals may be displayed as video output on a visual display unit (VDU) 27 (Fig. 2) or as a suitable tactile output.

As described, the output analog signals from the digital and/or analog control circuit 26 are transmitted to earphone units 12 and, optionally, to repeater 14, via IR transceiver unit 28.

Referring now briefly to Fig. 7, there is seen a pen-type BSST, referenced 10', constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. BSST 10' includes an audio pickup or receiver 20' which may be any suitable stethoscope-type head, which may have an optionally disposable membrane 101' covering an acoustic recess formed within a pen-shaped housing 102', and in which is located a microphone 22' for detecting acoustic waves. The pen-shaped housing 102' renders the BSST 10' easy to hold in place and manipulate, having a convenient shape for gripping. Control circuitry is provided in the form of integrated circuit 25' which is configured for mounting in housing 102', and to which are connected both microphone 22' and IR transceiver unit 28'. Operation of BSST 10' is similar to BSST 10, shown and described above in conjunction with Figs. 3A and 3B, and is thus not described herein.

Referring now to Fig. 8, there is seen yet a further type of BSST 10", which is suitable for invasive acoustic sensing by insertion into the body of a subject, as part of an endoscope (not shown) either through a body opening or an incision. BSST 10" is also suitable for sensing directly on a body surface. BSST 10" includes a suitable support 140 for a microphone 22". A pick-up head 142, such as a suitable, miniature stethoscope-type head 144, having an optionally disposable membrane 101" or equivalent, is attached to support 140 via an acoustic pipe 146. Pipe 146 may be a flexible pipe, such as used in prior art stethoscopes. Control circuitry is provided in support 140 in the form of an integrated circuit 25", and is connected both to microphone 22" and IR transceiver unit 28". Operation of BSST 10" is similar to BSST 10, shown and described above in conjunction with Figs. 3A and 3B, and is thus not described herein.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the main function of earphone 12 (Fig. 2), of which there may be a plurality linked up to a single BSST 10, is to receive information transmitted to it, either directly from BSST 10 (Figs. 1 and 2), or via repeater 14 (Figs. 1 and 2). It is also envisaged that in order to hear a playback of stored audio data, earphone 12 may receive data transmitted thereto from computer 16.

Each earphone 12 includes a transceiver 32 which transmits the incoming data signal to digital and/or analog control circuit 34. Circuit 34 is similar to digital and/or analog control circuit 26 (Fig. 3A). Transceiver 32 is preferably an IR transceiver, similar to IR transceiver 28 (Fig. 3A), so that it may be used to receive signals directly from BSST 10. If, however, earphone 12 is intended for use at a 'distant' location, it may receive data via repeater 14, such that any other suitable communications link may be employed, including fiber optic, RF or wire.

For the purpose of the present description, 'distant' is taken to be any distance which is out of direct line of sight with the location of BSST 10, or out of transmission range. It will be appreciated that this may be either in a nearby room, such as the viewing gallery of an operating theater, or in another location entirely, linked to the BSST location, for example, by telephone lines.

Reception and transmission of data is provided by transceiver 32 via circuit 34, as selected by a user via input means 40, such as any suitable keypad, knobs, touch panel, or the like. Among the selectable options are (1 ) storing in a memory 42, which may be a digital memory or a magnetic memory such as a diskette or the like, and (2) replaying of stored data for various purposes, including comparison with previously recorded body sounds, diagnosis, and so on. Data can be recalled for replaying from memory 42; computer 16; or IMD 18 (Fig. 2). Data is recalled from computer 16 or IMD 18 via respective suitable communications links and transceiver 32. It is also possible to provide a visual display of any raw or analyzed data, either in real time or during replay thereof, by means of an optional visual display 27 (also Fig. 2), such as of the LCD type. While VDU 27 is portrayed in Fig. 4 to be a portion of BSST 10, it may, in fact, be connected to any or all or BSST 10, repeater 14, computer 16, and IMD 18. An electrical power source 46, which may either be a battery power source or a mains source, is provided for powering the earphone 12. As in many battery powered systems, an audible and/or visible warning signal may be emitted in the advent of low power.

A frequency gain and control circuit 48 is arranged to receive preferably a digital output from control circuit 34, and to amplify the signal suitable for an audio output device, typically a suitable speaker 50 which preferably forms part of the earphone 12. As described above, the present invention provides various options as to communications path configurations. While it is important that transmissions from and to BSST 10 (Figs. 1 and 2) are infrared only, all transmissions to distant locations from repeater 14 may employ any other suitable medium, including IR, RF, fiber optic, or wire.

Referring now to Fig. 5, the system of the present invention may include, as described briefly above in conjunction with Figs. 1 and 2, a repeater 14, whose purpose is to receive and transmit via any of three transceivers 52, 54 and 56, respectively employing suitable predetermined communications media, from corresponding components of BSST 10, earphone or earphones 12, and computer 16 (Figs. 1 and 2). Data received by transceivers 52, 54 and 56, is provided to a pulse or signal shaper 58 which reconstructs the incoming signal and retransmits the reconstructed signal via one or more of the others of the transceivers 52, 54 and 56.

The optional provision of an individual memory device or IMD 18, was described above in conjunction with Fig. 2. The function of IMD 18 is to receive and store, in whole or in part, any or all information, signals detected and/or stored by BSST 10, and/or stored in computer 16, so as to facilitate their recall and transmission to an earphone 12 and/or optional VDU 27 of any system constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to Fig. 6, it is seen that IMD 18 includes a transceiver 60 which can receive and transmit data in either analog or digital form. There is provided an analog/digital control unit 62 which controls retransmission of signals received from transceiver 60, so as to either store them in memory 64, via a suitable interface 63, or to provide them to one or more speakers 66. In one mode of operation, therefore, IMD 18 receives incoming signals via transceiver 60, and stores them, via interface 63, in memory 64 which may be any sort of portable memory, such as diskette, smart card, and so on, which may be either read only, or a read and write memory. Accordingly, interface 63 is an appropriate type of disk drive or information port, in accordance with the type of memory 64 employed. In a second mode of operation, control unit 62 is operative to recall stored signals from memory 64 and either to retransmit them, via transceiver 60, to a suitable receiver or transceiver unit, such as may be associated with an earphone unit, for example, or to replay the stored audio signals via speaker 66, which may either be integral with IMD 18 or external thereto.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited by what has been specifically shown and described hereinabove, merely by way of example. Rather, the scope of the invention is limited solely by the claims, which follow.

Claims

1. A body sounds observation system which comprises: a body sounds sensing and transmission unit having: acoustic sensing means configured for placement in acoustic sensing proximity to a subject; and

IR signal transmission means, associated with said acoustic sensing means, for transmitting IR output signals corresponding to sensed body sounds, and a remote unit located at a remote location relative to said acoustic sensing means, and which has: signal receiving means for receiving output signals corresponding to the sensed body sounds; and output means, associated with said signal receiving means, for providing an sensible output corresponding to the sensed body sounds.

2. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said output means is operative to provide said sensible output in real time.

3. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said body sounds sensing and transmission unit further comprises processing means for processing sounds sensed by said acoustic sensing means, prior to transmission of said output signals by said IR signal transmission means.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein said processing means comprises: means enabling selection of body sounds in a preselected waveband only; and amplifier means, for amplifying body sounds in said preselected waveband.

5. A system according to claim 3, wherein said processing means comprises means enabling selection of body sounds in a selected waveband.

6. A system according to claim 3, wherein said processing means comprises sound amplification means.

7. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said output means comprises audio output means.

8. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said output means comprises visual display means.

9. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said signal receiving means of said remote unit comprises IR receiver means.

10. A system according to claim 9, also comprising relay means which includes:

IR receiver means for receiving said IR output signals; and signal transmission means associated with said IR receiver means and for transmitting further output signals corresponding to said IR output signals received by said IR receiver means, and wherein said signal receiving means of said remote unit further comprises additional receiving means for receiving said further output signals and said output means is operative to provide a sensible output corresponding to the sensed body sounds.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein said signal transmission means of said relay means and said signal receiving means of said remote units are connected by a communications link which comprises at least one of the communications media in the group consisting of: line communications, and non-line communications.

12. A system according to claim 10, and also comprising, in association with said relay means: main memory means, and means for selectably providing said further output signals from said relay means to said memory means so as to store in said memory means data contained in said further output signals.

13. A system according to claim 12, and also comprising further memory means which comprises: a portable memory module for storing in a readable format data pertaining to a single subject; interface means associable with said portable memory module facilitating data retrieval therefrom and data storage therein; and means for exchanging data between said interface means and at least one of said main memory means and said remote unit.

14. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said remote unit comprises at least one set of earphones.