WO2017165604A1 - Noise reduction assembly for auscultation of a body - Google Patents
Noise reduction assembly for auscultation of a body Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2017165604A1 WO2017165604A1 PCT/US2017/023740 US2017023740W WO2017165604A1 WO 2017165604 A1 WO2017165604 A1 WO 2017165604A1 US 2017023740 W US2017023740 W US 2017023740W WO 2017165604 A1 WO2017165604 A1 WO 2017165604A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- assembly
- housing
- proximal end
- disposed
- recited
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000002555 auscultation Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 49
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 8
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- 238000003745 diagnosis Methods 0.000 description 8
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B7/00—Instruments for auscultation
- A61B7/02—Stethoscopes
- A61B7/04—Electric stethoscopes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
- G10K11/002—Devices for damping, suppressing, obstructing or conducting sound in acoustic devices
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
- H04R1/20—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics
- H04R1/22—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired frequency characteristic only
- H04R1/28—Transducer mountings or enclosures modified by provision of mechanical or acoustic impedances, e.g. resonator, damping means
- H04R1/2807—Enclosures comprising vibrating or resonating arrangements
- H04R1/2838—Enclosures comprising vibrating or resonating arrangements of the bandpass type
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
- H04R1/08—Mouthpieces; Microphones; Attachments therefor
- H04R1/083—Special constructions of mouthpieces
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a device for auscultation of a body.
- An embodiment of the device includes a housing dimensioned and configured for disposition in an operative orientation relative to a predetermined portion of the body, the housing having a plurality of chambers disposed therewithin, the housing also being surrounded by a concentric structure.
- a further embodiment also comprises one or more noise impeding materials disposed within the chamber (s) for reducing ambient noise leakage into the auscultation device of the present invention.
- Auscultation or the term for listening to the internal sounds of a body, is of great importance to many disciplines, such as the medical fields .
- auscultation of a body such as the body of a patient, assists a medical professional in the diagnosis of ailments that may affect the patient.
- Such may be traditionally achieved with a stethoscope, which may use a wide bell and/or a diaphragm to listen to a narrow range of low frequency acoustic signals, such as those associated with patient's heartbeat.
- stethoscope which may use a wide bell and/or a diaphragm to listen to a narrow range of low frequency acoustic signals, such as those associated with patient's heartbeat.
- such approaches are fundamentally inadequate for many other diagnostic purposes, such as receiving acoustic signals associated with higher frequency signals.
- a device structured to receive acoustic signals in a wider band of frequencies, including but not limited to high-frequency sounds .
- acoustic signals include frequencies associated with other functions of the body useful in diagnosis, such as swallowing, breathing, and blood flow, and are outside the capabilities of traditional stethoscope devices.
- Such a system may incorporate the device to facilitate in the diagnosis of patients and/or other medical procedures carried out by medical professionals .
- Such a system would utilize the acoustic signals received by the device, and process the signals to assist in detection of, for example, disorders of the gut, the joints, the lungs, blood flow, or swallowing.
- the present invention relates to a device for auscultation of a body, such as the body of a patient.
- An illustrative embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing dimensioned and configured for disposition in an operative orientation relative to a predetermined portion of the body. Examples of such predetermined portion of the body include but are not limited to the throat and area corresponding to the lungs .
- a plurality of chambers collectively structured to receive an acoustic signal at least when the housing is disposed in the operative orientation.
- the acoustic signals are produced by the body and may correlate with various bodily processes, conditions, etc. Receiving such signals may facilitate in diagnostics and other medical procedures .
- the plurality of chambers are cooperatively structured and/or shaped such that acoustic signals produced by the body enter the device for detection.
- At least partially disposed within one of the plurality of chambers is at least one transducer.
- the transducer is structured to convert the audio signal received by the device into an electrical signal.
- the transducer may comprise a microphone.
- the electrical signal may then be transmitted to other elements of a diagnostic system, as will be further described herein.
- a preferred embodiment of the present invention further comprises proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being structured to define an opening.
- the opening is dimensioned and configured for engagement with the predetermined portion of the body.
- the plurality of chambers comprises an acoustic capture chamber in a sound receiving relationship relative to the opening. Accordingly, the sound receiving relationship permits the passage of the acoustic signal from the opening to at least the acoustic capture chamber. In the preferred embodiment, this is achieved by way of the opening permitting entry of the acoustic signal into the acoustic capture chamber .
- the shape of the acoustic capture chamber may vary among the various embodiments of the present invention.
- the diameter of the distal end of the acoustic capture chamber is less than or equal to the diameter of a proximal end.
- An example of a geometric shape having such a configuration wherein one end comprises a smaller diameter than an opposing end is a frustum of a right circular cone.
- various embodiments of an acoustic capture chamber may comprise such a configuration.
- the acoustic chamber may comprise any suitable shape in accordance with the present invention, including but not limited to the foregoing.
- the plurality of chambers comprises a primary resonance chamber disposed in sound receiving relation relative to the acoustic capture chamber.
- the transducer is at least partially disposed within the primary resonance chamber.
- the transducer is movably disposed in the primary resonance chamber.
- a preferred embodiment of the primary resonance chamber comprises a resonance adjustment member movably disposed within the primary resonance chamber. Adjustment of the resonance adjustment member, such as by moving it within the primary resonance chamber, facilitates alteration of acoustic properties of the device. Further, in a preferred embodiment such adjustment may be carried out during use of the device.
- a preferred embodiment further comprises a secondary resonance chamber disposed in a sound receiving relationship relative to the acoustic capture chamber.
- the secondary resonance chamber facilitates "tuning" of the device, such as by adjusting a range of acoustic signals that the device receives or to which it is most sensitive. In a preferred embodiment, this is accomplished by altering the physical parameters, such as the volume, of the secondary resonance chamber.
- at least one transducer is movably disposed at least partially within the secondary resonance chamber. Accordingly, moving of the transducer facilitates "tuning" of the device, such as by altering the resonant properties of the device.
- the present invention further relates to a signal processing system.
- at least one device is in communication with a plurality of components collectively configured to process an electrical signal received from the device.
- the electrical signal corresponds to the acoustic signal received by the device from the body.
- the plurality of components in the 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 a body to include low frequency signals, including those at or below 500 Hz.
- the device in this embodiment may comprise a housing as well as a concentric structure.
- the housing may comprise a plurality of chambers collectively structured to receive an acoustic signal at least when the housing is disposed in the operative orientation, such as when the proximal end of the housing is placed up against a resonating body such as a patient' s body for auscultation.
- the plurality of chambers may comprise an acoustic capture chamber and a primary resonance chamber, and may further comprise a secondary resonance chamber in some embodiments .
- a transducer may be disposed at least partially in the primary resonance chamber and/or the secondary resonance chamber.
- the acoustic capture chamber is disposed in a sound receiving relationship relative to an opening of the housing, and is structured to receive acoustic signals of higher frequencies, such as those at or above 500 Hz.
- the concentric structure is formed circumferentially in surrounding relations to the proximal end of the housing.
- the proximal end of the concentric structure may be flush or parallel with the proximal end of the housing.
- An exterior of the concentric structure may form a bell shape, such that an opening of the concentric structure along its proximal end extends to a substantially hollow opening therein, while the distal portion may form a substantially flat profile in surrounding and abutting relations with an exterior of the housing .
- the housing may further comprise a low frequency receiver, such as a bore formed between an exterior of the housing but within the canopy of the concentric structure that reaches inward to an interior opening of the acoustic capture chamber.
- This low frequency receiver or bore is structured to receive the lower frequency sounds at the acoustic capture chamber and/or at the primary or secondary resonance chamber (s) housing the transducer.
- the transducer may then convert both the received higher frequency signals from the opening of the housing, as well as the low frequency signals from the opening of the concentric structure, into an electrical input signal for further processing.
- a further embodiment of the present invention comprises layering an interior dampening layer in surrounding and overlying relations relative to an auscultation device on all exterior surfaces except the proximal end placed against the body.
- a further exterior dampening layer may is further disposed in surrounding and overlying relations relative to the interior dampening layer.
- Each of the interior dampening layer, exterior dampening layer, and the auscultation device itself or the exterior surface thereof, may be formed of a different material to maximizing the range of extraneous and external noises that is impeded.
- Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a side view of an illustrative embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention.
- Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a bottom view of the embodiment of Figure 1.
- Figure 3 is a schematic representation of an illustrative embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention .
- Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a side view of an illustrative embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention.
- Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a side view of an illustrative embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention.
- Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a side view of the embodiment of Figure 5.
- Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a side view of an illustrative embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention.
- Figure 8 is a schematic representation of another device in accordance with the present invention capable of receiving both higher and low frequencies sound signals.
- Figure 9 is a schematic representation of an illustrative embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention .
- Figure 10 is a schematic representation of a bottom view of the embodiment of Figure 8.
- Figure 11 is a schematic representation of a side cutaway view of a noise reduction assembly of the present invention.
- Figure 12 is a schematic representation of a bottom view of a noise reduction assembly of the present invention.
- the present invention is directed to a device and system for auscultation of a body.
- auscultation relates to the practice of capturing acoustic signals produced by the body, such as but not limited to for purposes of medical diagnosis .
- the body may be a human body, i.e. a patient, but may also be any other suitable source of acoustic signals .
- a device 1 comprises a housing 50.
- the housing 50 is dimensioned and configured for disposition in an operative orientation relative to a predetermined portion of the body.
- the housing 50 may be placed relative to and/or against a portion of the body that corresponds to a patient's throat, such as for purposes of monitoring acoustic signals associated with a patient's breathing and/or swallowing.
- the housing 50 comprises a plurality of chambers 10, 30, 40 disposed within the housing.
- the chambers are collectively structured to receive an acoustic signal produced by the body.
- the chambers 10, 30, 40 are collectively structured such that receiving the acoustic signal causes the housing 50 to resonate.
- chambers 10, 30, 40 are collectively structured such that housing 50 resonates at a frequency and/or frequencies within the range of about 20 Hertz to about 2,000 Hertz.
- the housing 50 in a preferred embodiment comprises a material of construction chosen for particular resonant properties .
- the housing 50 comprises a proximal end 50' and a distal end 50".
- the proximal end 50' is structured for disposition in an operative orientation relative to a predetermined portion of the body, such as an area of the neck, throat, an area of the chest, and/or any other desired or suitable area.
- Such disposition of the proximal end 50' comprises engagement of the housing 50 with the body such that the housing 50 and the body define a confronting engagement with one another.
- the proximal end 50' is structured to include an opening 55.
- the opening 55 is dimensioned and configured for engagement with the predetermined portion of the body when the housing 50 is in the operative orientation.
- Engagement of the opening 55 with the body includes disposition of the opening 55 in close proximity to the body such that acoustic signals produced by the body pass through the opening 55 and into the housing 50.
- various embodiments of the present invention may comprise varying configurations and/or dimensions of openings 55 suitable for engagement with varying predetermined portions of the body, as may be determined by e.g. the size and location of the predetermined portion of the body .
- the plurality of chambers 10, 30, 40 of the embodiment of Figure 1 comprises an acoustic capture chamber 10.
- the acoustic capture chamber 10 is disposed in a sound receiving relationship relative to the opening 55. Accordingly, the opening 55 facilitates passage of acoustic signals into the acoustic capture chamber 10.
- Figure 2 shows the embodiment of Figure 1 as seen from a view toward the opening 55.
- the acoustic capture chamber comprises a proximal end 10' and a distal end 10".
- various embodiments of an acoustic capture chamber 10 comprising various configurations are contemplated.
- the distal end 10" of the acoustic capture chamber 10 comprises a diameter less than a diameter of the proximal end 10' .
- Figure 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment wherein the distal end 10" of the acoustic capture chamber 10 comprises a diameter equal to a diameter of the proximal end 10' .
- a preferred embodiment of the device 1 comprises a primary resonance chamber 30.
- the primary resonance chamber 30 is disposed in a sound receiving relationship relative to the acoustic capture chamber 10. Accordingly, acoustic signals produced by the body that are captured and/or received by the acoustic capture chamber 10 and are received by the primary resonance chamber 30.
- a resonance adjustment member 60 is movably disposed at least partially within the primary resonance chamber 30.
- Figures 5 and 6 demonstrate two possible positions of the resonance adjustment member 60 within the primary resonance chamber 30, but should not be taken as being the only contemplated or otherwise construed as limiting.
- moving, such as by sliding, telescoping, and/or any other suitable method, of the resonance adjustment member 60 within the primary resonance chamber 30 facilitates the alteration of resonant properties of the housing 50, and accordingly may facilitate a change in the acoustic signals which the device receives or to which the device is most tuned.
- the embodiment of Figure 1 further comprises a secondary resonance chamber 40 disposed in a sound receiving relationship relative to the acoustic capture chamber 10.
- the secondary resonance chamber facilitates "tuning" of the device 1, which should be understood as the adjusting of the range of acoustic signals that the device 1 receives or to which it is most sensitive. This may be accomplished by, for example, varying the dimensions of the secondary resonance chamber 40.
- a proximal end 40' of the secondary resonance chamber 40 is in communication with the distal end 10" of the acoustic capture chamber 10.
- a distal end 40" of the secondary resonance chamber is in communication with the proximal end 30' of the primary resonance chamber 30.
- the acoustic capture chamber 10 and the secondary resonance chamber 40 are in fluid communication. Accordingly, the distal end 10" of the acoustic capture chamber and the proximal end 40' of the secondary resonance chamber are correspondingly structured such that fluid, e.g. air, passes between the two chambers 10, 40. This may further facilitate communication of acoustic signals between the chambers 10, 40.
- fluid e.g. air
- a preferred embodiment of a device 1, such as that of Figure 1, further comprises at least one transducer 20 or, as shown in Figure 7, a plurality of transducers 20, 22.
- An example of a transducer 20, 22 includes but is not limited to a microphone.
- the transducer 20, 22, such as shown in Figure 1, is structured to convert the acoustic signal into at least one electrical signal. The electrical signal may then be processed, such as to facilitate diagnosis.
- the transducer 20 is disposed at least partially within the primary resonance chamber 30.
- the transducer 20 is not limited to disposition within the primary resonance chamber. Accordingly, it is contemplated that various other embodiments in accordance with the present invention comprise a transducer disposed at least partially in a corresponding one of the chambers 10, 30, 40.
- Still other embodiments comprise a plurality of transducers, each of which is at least partially disposed in corresponding ones of the plurality of chambers 10, 30, 40.
- at least one transducer but preferably a plurality of transducers 20, 22 are disposed within the housing 50.
- a first transducer 20 is preferably disposed at least partially within the primary resonance chamber 30, and a second transducer 22 is preferably disposed at least partially within the secondary resonance chamber 40.
- the transducers 20, 22 may be movably disposed at least partially within their respective chamber. Accordingly, the transducers are independently and/or collectively moveable within their respective chamber or chambers . This facilitates alteration of the resonant properties of the housing 50 and/or alter frequencies of acoustic signals received by the transducers 20, 22 for conversion into at least one electrical signal.
- the system 2 comprises a device 1 for auscultation of a body.
- the device 1 may be the embodiment of Figure 1, but may also be any embodiment of a device 1 consistent with the present invention.
- 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, a processing component 200, an analysis component 300, a pattern recognition component 400, and at least one output component 500, 510.
- the output components may comprise a display component 500 and an audio output component 510.
- the system 2 may be configured to process the electronic signal using Dynamic Range Control and Equalization .
- the amplification component 100 is structured to amplify an electronic signal received from the device 1.
- An example of an amplification component is a microphone preamplifier.
- the processing component 200 is structured to process the amplified signal received from the amplification component 200.
- 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. Additionally, the processing component 200 may be structured to incorporate pre-post AGC filtering, audio frequency dynamic range control and/or equalization.
- an audio output component 510 is in communication with the processing component 200. Accordingly, the audio output component 510 is structured to facilitate listening to the processed signal, such as by a medical professional.
- An example of an audio output component 510 includes headphones .
- the analysis component 300 receives the processed signal from the processing component 200.
- the analysis component 300 is structured to produce an analyzed signal. Accordingly, the analysis component 300 may perform e.g. a Fast Fourier Transform analysis to produce the analyzed signal.
- the analyzed signal is then transmitted to a pattern recognition component 400 structured to recognize patterns in the analyzed signal, such as those pertaining to any combination of the frequency, intensity or time domain. Further, the pattern recognition component 400 may be configured to match detected patterns in the analyzed signal with potential diagnosis and/or medical conditions . Accordingly, the pattern recognition component 400 is configured to output the potential diagnosis and/or medical condition in accordance with the corresponding detected pattern or patterns.
- the analyzed signal is further transmitted to a display component 500. Examples of a display component 500 include visual display devices structured for the output of a spectrogram. The display component 500 in various embodiments may further be configured to highlight issues detected by the system 2 and/or that may facilitate or otherwise aid in the diagnosis process.
- a device 800 for auscultation of a body may comprise a housing 50 and concentric structure 800.
- the housing 50 may comprise at least one of the embodiments for a device for auscultation as recited above, in accordance to Figures 1-7.
- housing 50 may comprise a proximal end 50' and a distal end 50'' .
- the proximal end 50' of the housing 50 includes an opening 55 dimensioned and configured for engagement with a predetermined portion of a body when the housing 50 is disposed in an operative orientation relative to the body.
- the body may comprise a human or mammalian body which resonates internal sounds for auscultation, and the operative orientation may include placing the proximal end 50' of the housing in direct abutting relations to a portion of the body.
- the housing 50 may further comprise a plurality of chambers disposed therewithin, which are collectively structured to receive an acoustic signal at least when the housing 50 is disposed in the operative orientation. At least one transducer 20 is at least partially disposed in a corresponding one of the chambers and structured to convert the received acoustic signal from the opening 55 of the housing 50 into an electrical signal.
- the plurality of chambers may comprise an acoustic capture chamber 10 and a primary resonance chamber 30.
- a further secondary resonance chamber 40 may also be included, such as illustrated in the above embodiments of Figures 1-7.
- the transducer 20 is preferably disposed in the primary resonance chamber 30, which may also comprise a notch 90 for inserting a communications cable, such as 95, therethrough.
- the transducer 20 may also be disposed in another chamber, such as the secondary resonance chamber 40.
- Transducer 20 may comprise a microphone or any other combination of circuits or devices capable and appropriate for capturing converting acoustic sound waves into electrical input signals.
- the acoustic capture chamber 10 may comprise a conical profile, such that the distal end of the chamber comprises a diameter less than the diameter of the proximal end.
- the acoustic capture chamber 10 is disposed in a sound receiving relationship relative to the opening 55 of the housing 50.
- the opening 55 of the housing 50 may open into the acoustic capture chamber 55, as illustrated in Figure 8.
- the shape, dimension, profile, and other configurations of the acoustic capture chamber is configured and intended to receive acoustic signals of at or above the 500 Hz frequency.
- the concentric structure 800 is formed circumferentially in surrounding relations to the proximal end 50' of the housing 50, for capturing low frequency signals, such as those at or below 500 Hz.
- the concentric structure 800 may comprise a proximal end 801 and a distal end 802, the proximal end 801 includes the opening 855 dimensioned and configured for engagement with a predetermined portion of the body.
- the opening 855 of the concentric structure 800 is structured to receive the lower frequency signals of a resonating body.
- 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 formed circumferentially in abutting relations to an exterior of the housing 50.
- An exterior 803 of the concentric structure 801 may form a partial semi-dome, bell shape, or convex shape, while the distal portion 802 may be form a substantially flat profile.
- the housing 50 comprises a low frequency receiver 810 in sound communication relations between the acoustic capture chamber 55 and the concentric structure 800.
- the low frequency receiver 810 may comprise a bore 810, in accordance to Figures 8 and 10, formed from an interior opening of the concentric structure 800 to an interior of the acoustic capture chamber 55 in order to receive acoustic waves from the opening 855 of the concentric structure 800.
- the low frequency receiver 810 may be structured to feed the signal directly into the primary resonance chamber 30 and/or the secondary resonance chamber 40 housing the transducer 20.
- the transducer 20 receives both the higher frequency signals from the opening 55 of the acoustic capture chamber 10, as well as the low frequency signals from the opening 855 of the concentric structure 800, through the low frequency receiver 810.
- Both the higher frequency signals and the low frequency signals may then be either simultaneously or selectively converted into electrical input signals by the transducer, which may then be further processed for signal clarity or for desired audio effects as described above.
- the signal may travel up a communications cable 95 shown in Figure 9 for this processing and/or may travel to another transducer such as an ear piece or headset which converts the electrical signals or processed electrical signals back into sound for a listener.
- the cable 95 may be omitted and the transmission may occur wirelessly through methods known to those skilled in the art, such as but not limited to NFC, WiFi, Bluetooth, or other communication protocols.
- the transducer and the chamber it resides within, such as the primary resonance chamber 30, may be sealed with a cap 90, such as to prevent extraneous noise or interference.
- the auscultation device (s) of the present invention may be sensitive to extraneous acoustic or other vibrational interference, which may obscure important bio-acoustic data.
- the sensitivity of these extraneous interferences may predominantly be caused by two factors: (1) the material used to form the body of the auscultation device (s) do not sufficiently impede the transmission of unwanted vibrational energy into the inner chamber (s) thereof and/or to the acoustic capture device or microphone; and (2) the material used to form the outer body of the device resonates when excited by extraneous vibrational energy, and this is thereafter transmitted to the inner chamber (s) and/or acoustic capture device.
- a noise reduction assembly 900 is represented in view of the structure of auscultation device 800 or another device for auscultation of a human or animal body.
- an auscultation device 910 such as the device 800, or another device, may be provided as part of the overall assembly 900, which is formed of a first material.
- the first material may comprise aluminum, steel, stainless steel, high density plastic, HDPE, LDPE, polycarbonate, acrylic, ABS, PVC, Teflon, polypropylene, various woods, other metals, plastics, or other materials having sufficient rigidity appropriate for a handheld auscultation device.
- the interior structure of the auscultation device 910 may incorporate any one of the embodiments as described herein, such as that of the device 800 recited above.
- An interior dampening layer 920 may be shrouded, as a layer on the outer body of all faces of the auscultation device 910 except its proximal end 950.
- the interior dampening layer 920 may be molded and disposed in abutting relations relative to an exterior surface of the auscultation device 910, and cover all exterior surfaces thereof except the proximal end as indicated by 950, which is the end placed upon a body for auscultation, or when the auscultation device is disposed in an operative orientation.
- the interior dampening layer 920 may be formed of a second material, which may comprise a putty, gel, foam, rubber formula, and/or any other preferably pliable material or combinations thereof.
- An exterior dampening layer 930 may then be molded and disposed in abutting and covering relations relative to the interior dampening layer. In other words, it will form exterior to the interior dampening layer, and cover all of the interior dampening layer, as well as the auscultation device 910 therein, including all exterior surfaces of the auscultation device 910 except its proximal end as indicated by 950.
- the exterior dampening layer 930 may be formed of a third material, which may comprise aluminum, steel, stainless steel, high density plastic, HDPE, LDPE, polycarbonate, acrylic, ABS, PVC, Teflon, polypropylene, various woods, other metals, plastics, or other materials having sufficient rigidity to protect the interior dampening layer 920 and the auscultation device 910.
- the third material will comprise a different and/or dissimilar material having a different material density, than the first material.
- each layer including the auscultation device 910, the interior dampening layer 920, the exterior dampening layer 930, and any additional layers implemented and disposed in between the exterior 930 and interior 920 layers, are of dissimilar materials relative to its adjacent layer (s), in order to increase the performance or dampening effect of the overall assembly 900.
- the first material forming the auscultation device 910 may comprise stainless steel
- the third material forming the exterior dampening layer 930 may comprise a plastic
- the second material forming the interior dampening layer 920 may comprise a gel .
- the system of layering or cascading different materials or dampening layers works to create multiple impedance barriers which significantly reduces the amount of vibrational energy that is transmitted through the device. It also damps the resonant characteristics of the, necessarily, rigid materials .
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- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Surgery (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Medical Informatics (AREA)
- Otolaryngology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Soundproofing, Sound Blocking, And Sound Damping (AREA)
- Details Of Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)
- Measuring And Recording Apparatus For Diagnosis (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2017238243A AU2017238243A1 (en) | 2016-03-25 | 2017-03-23 | Noise reduction assembly for auscultation of a body |
KR1020187030065A KR20180123550A (en) | 2016-03-25 | 2017-03-23 | NOISE REDUCTION ASSEMBLY FOR AUSCULTATION OF A BODY |
EP17771125.6A EP3432800A4 (en) | 2016-03-25 | 2017-03-23 | Noise reduction assembly for auscultation of a body |
JP2018549801A JP2019513040A (en) | 2016-03-25 | 2017-03-23 | Noise reduction assembly for body auscultation |
CA3018543A CA3018543A1 (en) | 2016-03-25 | 2017-03-23 | Noise reduction assembly for auscultation of a body |
CN201780025344.XA CN109069098A (en) | 2016-03-25 | 2017-03-23 | Noise reduction components for body auscultation |
IL261877A IL261877A (en) | 2016-03-25 | 2018-09-20 | Noise reduction assembly for auscultation of a body |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201662313236P | 2016-03-25 | 2016-03-25 | |
US62/313,236 | 2016-03-25 | ||
US15/403,598 | 2017-01-11 | ||
US15/403,598 US10820883B2 (en) | 2014-04-16 | 2017-01-11 | Noise reduction assembly for auscultation of a body |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2017165604A1 true WO2017165604A1 (en) | 2017-09-28 |
Family
ID=59899810
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2017/023740 WO2017165604A1 (en) | 2016-03-25 | 2017-03-23 | Noise reduction assembly for auscultation of a body |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3432800A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2019513040A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20180123550A (en) |
CN (1) | CN109069098A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2017238243A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3018543A1 (en) |
IL (1) | IL261877A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2017165604A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10639000B2 (en) | 2014-04-16 | 2020-05-05 | Bongiovi Acoustics Llc | Device for wide-band auscultation |
CN111742562A (en) * | 2018-01-24 | 2020-10-02 | 舒尔获得控股公司 | Directional mems microphone with correction circuitry |
US10820883B2 (en) | 2014-04-16 | 2020-11-03 | Bongiovi Acoustics Llc | Noise reduction assembly for auscultation of a body |
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- 2017-03-23 WO PCT/US2017/023740 patent/WO2017165604A1/en active Application Filing
- 2017-03-23 EP EP17771125.6A patent/EP3432800A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2017-03-23 KR KR1020187030065A patent/KR20180123550A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2017-03-23 AU AU2017238243A patent/AU2017238243A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2017-03-23 CN CN201780025344.XA patent/CN109069098A/en active Pending
- 2017-03-23 JP JP2018549801A patent/JP2019513040A/en active Pending
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2018
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US10639000B2 (en) | 2014-04-16 | 2020-05-05 | Bongiovi Acoustics Llc | Device for wide-band auscultation |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA3018543A1 (en) | 2017-09-28 |
EP3432800A4 (en) | 2019-12-18 |
IL261877A (en) | 2018-10-31 |
CN109069098A (en) | 2018-12-21 |
JP2019513040A (en) | 2019-05-23 |
KR20180123550A (en) | 2018-11-16 |
AU2017238243A1 (en) | 2018-10-11 |
EP3432800A1 (en) | 2019-01-30 |
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