CN104349718A - Electronic stethoscope system for telemedicine applications - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic stethoscope is disclosed and includes a housing configured for hand-held manipulation, a transducer supported by the housing and configured to sense auscultation signals at a first location, and a headset coupled to the housing and configured to deliver audio corresponding to the auscultation signals through earpieces on the headset. The electronic stethoscope further includes a processor disposed in the housing and configured to convert the auscultation signals to first digital signals representative of the auscultation signals and to wirelessly transmit the first digital signals from the electronic stethoscope via a secure digital network to a second location such that the audio corresponding to the auscultation signals is provided to headsets of one or more additional electronic stethoscopes at the second location in substantial real time with the sensing of the auscultation sounds at the first location.

Description

For the electronic stethoscope system of remote medical-treatment application

Technical field

The present invention relates to remote medical-treatment system.More specifically, the present invention relates to electronic stethoscope, this electronic stethoscope in remote medical-treatment system via secure digital network signal transmission in real time substantially.

Background technology

Develop multiple device and carry out the sound that human body sends, such as hear sounds and lungs sound.The scope of known device is mainly machinery (such as, stethoscope) to various electronic installation (such as mike and transducer).Such as, stethoscope is the basic tool of disease for diagnosis of cardiovascular system and disease.It is in basic health care and not having the place of superior armarium (such as remote districts) to diagnose the technical equipment the most often adopted when this type of disease and disease.

Such as, clinician easily recognizes, detecting relevant cardiac symptoms and forming diagnosis based on the sound that stethoscope is heard is need to accumulate for many years could obtain and the technical ability be proficient in.Become complicated due to the fact that in the task of acoustically detecting abnormal heart activity: hear sounds is often separated from one another within the very short time period, and the signal of characterizing cardiac illness is usually not too easy than normal cardiac sound hears.

Summary of the invention

In one aspect, the present invention relates to remote medical-treatment system, described remote medical-treatment system comprises the first electronic stethoscope, described first electronic stethoscope comprises shell, transducer and headband receiver, described shell is configured to hand-held manipulation, described transducer senses auscultative signal in first position, and described headband receiver sends the audio frequency corresponding with auscultative signal by the ear piece on headband receiver.Remote medical-treatment system also comprises the second electronic stethoscope, and the second electronic stethoscope comprises shell, transducer and headband receiver, and its housing is configured to hand-held manipulation, and headband receiver sends audio frequency by the ear piece on headband receiver.First electronic stethoscope comprises processor and antenna, and wherein auscultative signal is converted to the digital signal representing auscultative signal by processor, and digital signal is wirelessly transmitted to the second position via secure digital network by antenna.Second electronic stethoscope comprises antenna and processor, wherein antenna receives the digital signal representing auscultative signal via secure digital network in second position, processor converts digital signal to the audio frequency corresponding with auscultative signal, and substantially sends audio frequency by the ear piece on the headband receiver of the second electronic stethoscope in real time along with at first position sensing auscultatory sound.

On the other hand, the present invention relates to electronic stethoscope, described electronic stethoscope comprises shell, transducer and headband receiver, described shell is configured to hand-held manipulation, described transducer is by outer casing supporting, and be formed at first position sensing auscultative signal, described headband receiver is connected to shell and is configured to send the audio frequency corresponding with auscultative signal by the ear piece on headband receiver.Electronic stethoscope also comprises processor, described processor is arranged in shell, and be configured to auscultative signal to convert to the first digital signal of representing auscultative signal and the first digital signal is wirelessly transmitted to the second position via secure digital network from electronic stethoscope, making the headband receiver along with substantially in real time the audio frequency corresponding with auscultative signal to be provided to the one or more remote electronic stethoscopes in second position at first position sensing auscultatory sound.

On the other hand, the present invention relates to remote medical-treatment system, described remote medical-treatment system comprises local electronic stethoscope, and local electronic stethoscope is configured to sense auscultative signal from patient, and auscultative signal is converted to the digital signal representing auscultative signal.Remote medical-treatment system also comprises one or more additional electron stethoscope and secure network interface, and local electronic stethoscope is connected to one or more additional electron stethoscope via secure digital network by secure network interface.Each in one or more additional electron stethoscope is configured to receive via secure digital network the digital signal representing auscultative signal, and converts digital signal to the audio frequency corresponding with auscultative signal.Substantially audio frequency is sent by the ear piece on the headband receiver of each in one or more additional electron stethoscope in real time along with by local electronic stethoscope sensing auscultatory sound.

Although the invention discloses multiple embodiment, by illustrating and describe the following detailed description of exemplary embodiment of the present invention, other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent for those skilled in the art.Therefore, accompanying drawing and detailed description should be considered as in fact illustrative rather than restrictive.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Fig. 1 is the diagrammatic view of remote medical-treatment system according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is for being applicable to the perspective view of the embodiment of the electronic stethoscope in the remote medical-treatment system shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is the front view of the embodiment of the system of electronic stethoscope for being bonded on patient sites or expert's website place.

Fig. 4 is the screenshot capture of embodiment of the user interface at patient sites place.

Fig. 5 is the screenshot capture of the embodiment of user interface at expert's website place.

Fig. 6 is for being presented at the screenshot capture of the graphic user interface in the user interface shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is the perspective view of the embodiment for the wireless chest piece in the remote medical-treatment system shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is the perspective view of the embodiment for the wireless head-band earphone in the remote medical-treatment system shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is the perspective view of another embodiment for the wireless head-band earphone in remote medical-treatment system of the present disclosure.

Figure 10 is the diagrammatic view of remote medical-treatment system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Although the present invention can be revised as various modification and alternative form, specific embodiment is shown in the drawings by way of example and be described in detail hereinafter.But the present invention is not limited to described specific embodiment.On the contrary, the present invention is intended to contain all modifications form, equivalents and the alternative form in the scope of the invention that is defined by the appended claims.

Detailed description of the invention

Fig. 1 is the diagrammatic view of the embodiment of remote medical-treatment system 10, and described remote medical-treatment system comprises bioacoustic sensor 12, patient sites's computer 14, patient sites's software interface 16, expert's site computer 22 and expert's site software interface 24.Optional wireless head-band earphone 25 is also show at expert's website place.Patient sites's bioacoustic sensor 12 and patient sites's computer 14 carry out radio communication, and carry out alternately via patient sites's software interface 16 and patient sites's computer 14.Expert's website bioacoustic sensor 12 and expert's site computer 22 carry out radio communication, and carry out alternately via expert's site software interface 24 and expert's site computer 22.Patient sites's software interface comprises wave point 26 and network port interface 27, and expert's site software interface comprises wave point 28 and network port interface 29.Patient sites's computer 14 and expert's site computer 22 communicate with one another through the Internet I.In brief, bioacoustic sensor 12 communicates with one another via patient sites's computer 14, expert's site computer 22 and the Internet I, to allow substantially to hear away from the clinician of patient sites or other medical experts the body sound sensed from the patient patient sites in real time.This is transmitted as " substantially real-time ", because the signal processing between patient sites and expert's website stethoscope and transmission can cause small delays.Also between bioacoustic sensor 12, substantially other sound and information can be transmitted in real time, such as voice signal.

Fig. 2 is the perspective view of the embodiment being applicable to bioacoustic sensor in remote medical-treatment system 10 and electronic stethoscope 12.Electronic stethoscope 12 comprises: earplug 30a, 30b; Syrinx 32a, 32b; With supervisor 34.Supervisor 34 is connected to main shell or the chest piece 36 of at least one sensor 38 (invisible in Fig. 2) of supporting.Sensor 38 is configured to the sound sensing the generation of biogenetic derivation material, the sound of other organ or tissue generation of such as heart, lung, vocal cords or health.In certain embodiments, sensor 38 can be used for the speech sound of the user of the electronic stethoscope 12 picked up at patient and/or expert's website place.Can to be arranged within main shell 36 or on miscellaneous part comprise power supply, microprocessor, signal processing circuit (e.g., digital signal processor), keyboard, graphic user interface and communicator (e.g., radio device).In addition, main shell 36 can comprise management circuit, such as, described in the U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2008/0232604 that name is called " Power Management for Medical Sensing Devices Employing Multiple Sensor Signal Feature Detection " (power management of the medical sensing devices using multiple sensor signal features to detect) those, this patent application is incorporated herein by reference in full.

The signal processing circuit of electronic stethoscope 12 can be configured to perform the several functions from simple to complexity.Such as, signal processing circuit can be configured to the analysis bioacoustic signals receiving sensor 38 being carried out to relative complex, such as body sound characteristic matching.Signal processing circuit can carry out various forms of statistical analysis to the signal that sensor 38 produces.In this class formation, signal processing circuit can comprise digital signal processor (DSP).And for example, signal processing circuit can carry out frequency-selective filtering to strengthen the dissimilar body sound sensed by electronic stethoscope 12.Signal processing circuit is also configured to the signal produced by sensor 38 to convert to the acoustical signal that is conveyed through syrinx 32a, 32b for accurately with truly reproduced by the body sound of earplug 30a, 30b.In certain embodiments, electronic stethoscope 12 is configured to produce acoustical signal, as name is called the U.S. Patent No. 6 of " Electronic Stethoscope " (electronic stethoscope), 134, 331, name is called the U.S. Patent No. 7 of " Electronic Stethoscope " (electronic stethoscope), 006, 638, and/or name is called the U.S. Patent No. 7 of " Method and an Apparatus for Processing Auscultation Signals " (method and apparatus for the treatment of auscultative signal), 130, described in 429, each in above-mentioned patent is incorporated to way of reference in full.

In certain embodiments, the sensor 38 of electronic stethoscope is configured to respond the deformation of transducer and modulates or produce the signal of telecommunication.Suitable transducer is for modulating or produce other material of the signal of telecommunication or those transducers of element in conjunction with piezoelectric (organic and/or inorganic piezoelectric material) (such as piezoelectric film), pressure drag material, strain gauge, electric capacity or sensing element, linear variable difference transformer and response distortion.Sensor 38 can be plane or nonplanar, such as in the case of a curved or corrugated configuration.Suitable piezoelectric comprises polymeric films, polymeric foam, pottery, composite or their combination.Sensor 38 can in conjunction with the transducer array of identical or different transducer type and/or different transducer material, and all transducers can be connected, connect separately or connect with multiple structure.Suitable transducer in conjunction with multiple sensing element with different qualities and/or the sensor with customizable sensed characteristic is disclosed in U.S. Patent application No.2007/0113649 and No.2007/0113654 owned together, and each in above-mentioned patent application is incorporated herein by reference in full.

Following technology can be used to realize sensor 38, and described technology is different from those technology adopting electromagnetic energy or high pressure material.Such as, the removable cantilever with high reflector surface of sound to be converted, and the laser irradiated on a surface or light beam can be modulated.The intensity of light modulated or other characteristics can be received by photoelectric detector, and described photoelectric detector exports the signal of telecommunication for analysis.And for example, one or more accelerometer can be used to carry out acoustic signals and produce the signal of telecommunication corresponding with acoustical signal.

Electronic stethoscope 12 also comprises user interface 40.User interface 40 can comprise multiple pattern and/or positioning indicator and pattern and/or gauge tap.Switch can comprise (such as) volume or gain control switch and mode selection switch.Indicator can provide the instruction of selected filter mode or other information (such as battery and communication link state).The instruction of this communication link state can based on the error detection performed by computer 14,22 and/or the electronic stethoscope 12 patient sites or expert's website (e.g., CRC hereinafter described and additive method).In a preferred embodiment, only misregistration appearance and do not record its disappearance.Such as, if expert's site computer 22 and/or expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 identify mistake, then expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 can send following signal to expert's site computer 22: the data that expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 receives are different from the data that patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 sends.Then provide this instruction by user interface 40, thus be the clinician's display at expert's website place: the sound heard by expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 is not the true reappearance of the body tone signal by patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 sensing.As used herein, term " true reappearance " refers to and numercally accurately to copy.

Electronic stethoscope 12 also comprises the integrated communication system with patient sites's computer 14 or expert's site computer 22 wireless transmitted signals.Such as, the information transmission that electronic stethoscope 12 can be obtained during auscultation is to computer 14,22.Computer 14,22 can process information to provide various output data, such as information (as, heart rate instruction, S1-S4 hear sounds) and/or the vision of following diagnostic message, figure and/or audition represent, described diagnostic message and abnormal heart, lung or other organ dysfunctions (e.g., phonocardiogram, spectrogram, cardiac murmur (such as because of valve regurgitation or narrow cause those), respiratory disorder (such as pneumonia or pulmonary edema)) or other organ lesions relevant.

Communication system be used in electronic stethoscope 12 and computer 14 or 22 or other external device (ED)s (as, personal computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile phone, net book etc.) between set up radio frequency (RF) communication link, as will hereafter described in more detail.Short range wireless communication interface can be used to realize communication link, such as, meet the interface of known communication standard (such as bluetooth standard, IEEE 802 standard (as IEEE 802.11), ZigBee or similar specification (such as based on IEEE 802.15.4 standard those) or other public or proprietary wireless protocols).Such as, in certain embodiments, communication system is 1 class or 2 class Bluetooth radios.Radio communication can realize according to utilizing the one or several mode in following form of energy: electromagnetic radiation, optics (comprising near-infrared) and acoustics (comprising the high frequency exceeding the average audition limit).In certain embodiments, communication system is used to set up secure communications links between electronic stethoscope 12 and computer.

In certain embodiments, the antenna (not shown) being used for wireless communication system is integrated in main shell 36.In order to improve the communication link with electronic stethoscope 12, aperture 42 can be formed in master metal shell 36 and utilizing the material of easier electromagnetism transmission to cover.Such as, polymeric member can be utilized to cover aperture 42.Stroboscopic light sources (e.g., LED) can be arranged on to indicate the connection between electronic stethoscope 12 and computer to be active in aperture, and remind the user of electronic stethoscope 12 not cover aperture 42.Can comprise in user interface 40 inverse signal volume indicator with when connecting with computer for user provides the intensity of communication link.In certain embodiments, little parabola is arranged on the permissive waste signal patient tissue in of reflection from antenna transmission below antenna, and assembles the signal trapped by antenna received from computer.In the embodiment of alternative, so that Antenna Positioning is improved and the sight line of computer in higher position in the one of astronomical cycle in syrinx 32a, 32b or supervisor 34.Antenna can comprise can be arranged on multiple branches on two sides of syrinx 32a, 32b to allow the unobstructed signal communication under different health orientation.

Electronic stethoscope 12 also can comprise wired connection port 44 to allow in electronic stethoscope 12 and the wired connection between computer 14 or 22 or other external device (ED)s (e.g., personal computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile phone, net book etc.).Can bonding conductor (electric conductor or optical conductor) between the suitable adapter on the wired connection port 44 of electronic stethoscope 12 and external device (ED).Wired connection port 44 and any required interface circuit of electronic stethoscope 12 can be configured to according to multiple agreement (such as, FireWire ^tM(IEEE 1394), USB or other communication protocol) transmit information.In addition, connectivity port 44 can be configured to be connected to docking base, and described docking base makes electronic stethoscope 12 engage with computer 14 or 22.Electronic stethoscope 12 is attached to automatic startup and/or allow that cable or docking base can trigger the control/application software on computer 14 or 22 and is stored in sound on electronic stethoscope 12 or data file is uploaded or is synchronized in computer 14 or 22.When attached, also will recharge energy by wired connection port 44 and be delivered to electronic stethoscope 12.

Also sonic transducer or mike 48 can be integrated in the top side side of sensor 38 (that is, dorsad) of main shell 36.Mike 48 can be used for from mike 48 peripheral region reception environment sound.Such as, except sensor 38 or replace sensor 38, mike 48 also can be used with the speech sound of pickup the user of the electronic stethoscope 12 at patient and/or expert's website place.

In certain embodiments, electronic stethoscope 12 comprises integrated electronic storage medium, described integrated electronic storage medium allow user in electronic stethoscope 12 storaged voice source, body sound or other records for consulting afterwards.Electronic storage medium also can comprise voice recognition data and language identification data, described voice recognition data is used for the stethoscopic user of identification or owner, described language identification data be used for identification voice command make can voice responsive order to revise electronic stethoscope 12 some arrange (e.g., power, volume).Language identification voice command also can be used for by speech source, body sound or other record or document backup to database of patient medical records.In certain embodiments, electronic stethoscope is configured to the content of voice signal to transcribe in case history or other data files (e.g., patient medical record), such as (e.g.) in U.S. Patent No. 7, described in 444,285 (Forbes).Also speech source can be carried out storage with the audio track relating to institute's sensing body sound makes proper sound and speech source play by earplug 30a, 30b simultaneously.In certain embodiments, user interface 40 allows user to roll to be stored in body sound in electronic storage medium and speech source for selection and playback.Mike 48 also can be used for effectively reducing environment noise to remove undesired ambient noise from the health and voice signal of record.

Again with reference to figure 1, the electronic stethoscope 12 at patient sites place can be connected with patient sites's computer 14 via safe wireless interface 26 or match and to connect to set up secure network between patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 and patient sites's computer 14.Similarly, the electronic stethoscope 12 at expert's website place can be connected with expert's site computer 22 via safe wireless interface 28 or match and to connect to set up secure network between expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 and expert's site computer 22.Although each place in patient sites and expert's website shows Single Electron stethoscope 12, should be appreciated that and multiple electronic stethoscope 12 can be connected to patient sites's computer 14 and/or expert's site computer 22.In certain embodiments, electronic stethoscope 12 matches via its corresponding computer 14,22 of PAN (Personal Area Network) (PAN).An example of PAN is blueteeth network, is sent in the another one in electronic stethoscope 12 and computer 14 or 22 on wherein pair code is based upon in electronic stethoscope 12 and computer 14 or 22 one.In certain embodiments, optional wireless head-band earphone to be also connected with expert's site computer 22 or stethoscope 12 via safe wireless interface 28 or to match.

Between the network port interface 27,29 of computer 14,22, setting up secure connection respectively additionally by the Internet I makes electronic stethoscope 12 communicate with one another by secure network connection.Such as, network port interface 27,29 commutative certificate, access authentication or set up secure network key to set up secure connection.Enciphered data was carried out by computer 14,22 before sending data through the Internet I.Then secure network key can be utilized to carry out data decryption when receiving.In certain embodiments, network port interface 27,29 allows the application on computer 14 and 22 to engage with the long-range wave point 26,28 be arranged on the Internet I.

In the embodiment of alternative, electronic stethoscope 12 is constructed and is configured to directly communicate with one another (that is, not engaging with computer 14 and 22) via secure connection.Such as, each electronic stethoscope 12 can be configured to have unique Internet protocol (IP) address, and electronic stethoscope 12 can directly utilize Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) to connect or other wireless connections (such as, Bluetooth pairing, honeycomb connect) foundation secure connection each other.And for example, patient sites and/or expert's website can comprise multiple electronic stethoscope 12 communicated with one another in locality.

When electronic stethoscope 12 connects on secure network connects, between electronic stethoscope 12 or between electronic stethoscope 12 and computer 14,22, substantially signal can be sent in real time.Such as, body sound can be transferred to earplug 30a, 30b at expert's website place substantially in real time from the electronic stethoscope patient sites.Microphone in addition by being connected to computer 14,22 reproduces body sound substantially in real time.In certain embodiments, be substantially the same patient sites with the electronic stethoscope 12 at expert's website place, make to reproduce body sound and other sound in patient sites earplug 30a, 30b with expert's website place substantially the samely.In addition, sound is undertaken recording and storing by the one in electronic stethoscope 12 and substantially carries out playing (from the memorizer in electronic stethoscope 12 or from the one in computer 14,22) simultaneously to all networked electronic stethoscopes 12 afterwards.In certain embodiments, transfer to patient sites's computer 14 by patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 and carried out subpackage by the signal that the Internet I transmits by patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 and enumerated, and carrying out error checking at expert's website place to guarantee true tonequality at expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 place and reliable reproduction.Error checking can be carried out to guarantee the precise delivery of the data deriving from patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 further via each element (that is, patient sites's computer 14, expert's site computer 22 and expert's site electrical stethoscope 12) in remote medical-treatment system 10.Error checking can be any applicable data transmission check technology, include, but is not limited to cyclic redundancy check (CRC) (CRC), check and, horizontal and vertical redundancy check, hash function, duplication code etc.Described system also can in conjunction with the quantitative determination of (such as) sample process, determines redundant data in communication link or data deficiencies by performing described sample process quantitative determination.In brief, the sound bag deriving from patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 is directly forwarded (that is, Mirroring Mapping) to expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 by the Internet I.

In a preferred embodiment, remote medical-treatment system 10 comprises the error checking and checking that have nothing to do with underlying communications systems or network (e.g., bluetooth, TCP/IP) agreement.Independent error checking can be performed to guarantee that signal is the true reappearance of the auscultatory sound deriving from patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 further at any parts place of remote medical-treatment system 10.In some preferred embodiment, carry out classified service in the interruption of first floor system according to persistent period and earthquake intensity, wherein wrong all causing send following communication (the one or more parts via remote medical-treatment system) to user: signal is not true reappearance.Such as, subpackage signal or other signals can be sent to expert's station system parts every 500 milliseconds by patient sites's parts.Interruption more than 500 milliseconds in underlying communications systems or network can cause the gained of discarded packets/signal and the decline tonequality at expert's website place to indicate (e.g., being changed by the color of indicator).

In addition, ambient sound (such as voice signal) can be received by sensor 38 and substantially can transmit in real time, side by side or alternately with body sound between electronic stethoscope 12.In the embodiment of alternative, electronic stethoscope 12 receives voice communication and other ambient sounds by mike 48, and processes and be sent to remote site.Body message breath is from patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 Continuous Flow to expert's site electrical stethoscope 12, and ambient sound two-way flow between patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 and expert's site electrical stethoscope 12.Patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12, expert's site electrical stethoscope 12, patient sites's computer 14 and expert's site computer 22 can comprise one or more circular buffer separately to guarantee the continuous information stream between electronic stethoscope 12.In certain embodiments, ambient sound be μ-rule encoding and on the body sound that produced by electronic stethoscope 12 at patient sites place of being added to.Therefore, the clinician at patient sites place (such as) can hear that the body sound deriving from patient receives to obtain the phonetic order of expert at comfortable expert's website place simultaneously.This allows expert at expert's website place and patient to have experience on the spot substantially.Because receive sound the clinician at patient sites place by earplug 30a, 30b, so patient sites place clinician and can hold a consultation privately the expert at expert's website place, but not (such as) have the microphone by being attached to patient sites's computer 14 expert's site communication export.Signal processing can be adopted optimize the tonequality of the voice signal provided by earplug 30a, 30b.

The voice reproduced by earplug 30a, the 30b of the electronic stethoscope 12 patient sites and expert's website place and auscultated sound can be carried out locality and be controlled at each electronic stethoscope 12 place.Can by auscultative signal and voice signal simultaneously but on autonomous channel, be provided to earplug 30a, 30b, thus clinician be allowed to control the volume of auscultatory sound and voice communication independently.This allows clinician to optimize the relative volume of auscultatory sound and ambient sound, thus provides the Differential Output being customized to clinician and preferably requiring for earplug 30a, 30b of clinician.Each electronic stethoscope 12 also can comprise selectivity speech enhan-cement wave filter, and the special frequency band that described selectivity speech enhan-cement wave filter (such as) strengthens voice signal reduces to contribute to environmental noise.

In certain embodiments, the transmission of voice signal is optionally controlled when stethoscope connects via secure network.Such as, when attached, body sound constantly can transfer to expert's website from patient sites, and voice signal and other ambient sounds only just transmit between sites when clinician selects transmission of speech signals.Such as, in certain embodiments, electronic stethoscope 12 uses frequency-selective filtering to suppress to characterize the frequency band of voice signal during auscultation.In such an embodiment, clinician is by inactive frequency filtering or amendment wave filter arrange the transmission that (that is, some frequency band allowing only to characterize voice signal reproduces and transmission) starts voice signal substantially.In certain embodiments, the transmission of voice signal is started when clinician presses the button in user interface 40.Transmission of speech signals (being similar to handheld transceiver or walkie-talkie) when electronic stethoscope 12 can be constructed such that proper pressing and keep the button in user interface 40.Alternatively, electronic stethoscope 12 can be constructed such that proper pressing and release-push time start transmitting voice signal pattern, and when again to press subsequently and release-push time to stop using transmitting voice signal pattern.

Electronic stethoscope 12 can comprise integrated software memorizer, and described integrated software memorizer initial storage is used for the software of patient sites's software interface 16 and/or expert's site software interface 24.Such as, when electronic stethoscope 12 being sold to consumer, software can be included in each electronic stethoscope 12.When being matched with computer 14 or 22 by electronic stethoscope 12, electronic stethoscope 12 can be configured to the software be stored in software memory automatically to download on computer 14 or 22.When being installed to by software on computer 14,22, this software allows electronic stethoscope 12 such as to be undertaken alternately by following manner and computer 14,22: be sent to computer 14,22 by from the information of electronic stethoscope 12 and signal and the control signal from computer 14,22 is supplied to electronic stethoscope 12.

Patient sites's long-distance video application 56 and the application of server site long-distance video 58 also shown in Figure 1.In certain embodiments, video camera is connected to patient sites's computer 14 and/or expert's site computer 22 to allow to carry out video communication via long-distance video application 56 and 58 between patient sites and expert's website.This allows (such as) to see the expert at expert's website place the feedback that sensor 38 provides associated sensor 38 to locate relative to the location of the patient located patient sites and for patient sites.And for example, video camera can be combined with the mike 48 in each in electronic stethoscope 12 to be provided in the video session between patient sites and expert's website.

Fig. 3 is the front perspective view of the embodiment of the computer 60 being suitable for use as patient sites's computer 14 and/or expert's site computer 22.Computer 60 comprises processor 62, display 64, camera 66, keyboard 68, mouse 70 and communication adapter 72.Processor 62 is also configured to be connected to the Internet to be conducive to the communication between patient sites and expert's website.Processor 62 shows for laptop computer, but alternatively, processor can be desk computer maybe can have any other form.In addition, although show stand alone display 64, the display of laptop computer can also be used.In addition, other input equipment (e.g., trace ball, control stick etc.) can be integrated in the computer 60 that can be used in remote medical-treatment system 10.

Processor 62 receives the input control signal from keyboard 68 and mouse 70, and video signal is provided to display 64.In addition, processor 62 signal that signal is sent to electronic stethoscope 12 via communication adapter 72 and receives from electronic stethoscope 12.In certain embodiments, communication adapter 72 is for being applicable to the Bluetooth adapter of short distance (e.g., most as many as 10m) and intermediate range (e.g., most as many as 100m) secure communication.Keyboard 68 and mouse 70 can be used for arranging safe mode etc. to start the secure connection with electronic stethoscope 12, as mentioned above.Communication adapter 72 can be positioned on the higher position on wall, as shown in the figure, to improve sight line between electronic stethoscope 12 and communication adapter 72 and communication link.

Camera 66 communicates with processor 62 video gathering patient sites or expert's website.Via long-distance video application 56 or 58, processor 62 engages that live video feedback is provided to patient sites or expert's website subsequently on the Internet I.As shown in the figure, to provide video communication between patient sites and expert's website on the top that camera 66 can be arranged on display 64, as mentioned above.Camera 66 also can be configured to move around patient sites or expert's website (video e.g., gathering patient sensor 38 position with it) to allow camera 66 with processor 62 radio communication.In certain embodiments, keyboard 68 and/or mouse 70 can be used to control the operation (e.g., amplification, focusing, location etc.) of the camera 66 at another website place at a website place.This allows (such as) Multimode Control at expert's website place just to locate the video gathered patient sites.

Fig. 4 is the screenshot capture of the embodiment of the user interface 80 that can be presented at during remote medical-treatment process on the display 64 at patient sites place.User interface 80 comprises data disaply moudle 82, video conference module 84 and stethoscope control module 86.The user of patient sites's computer 14 can use the user interface on keyboard 68, mouse 70 and/or other input equipment and display 64 to carry out alternately.Such as, user can use mouse 70 to select button in user interface 80 or drop-down menu key element.

Data disaply moudle 82 is that the figure of the cycle gonosome sound being produced by patient and sensed by the sensor 38 patient sites represents.The signal produced by sensor 38 is undertaken processing by electronic stethoscope processor and is provided to patient sites's computer 14 via antenna integrated.They with these signals of post processing, and are converted to appropriate format to be presented on data disaply moudle 82 by processor 62.Periodically or substantially figure can be upgraded in real time when electronic stethoscope 12 keeps on a patient body by clinician.Axle in scale used or figure can be handled by radio button 88 on usage data display module.

In certain embodiments, the signal produced by sensor 38 is divided into multiple passage by electronic stethoscope processor.Such as, sensing body sound can be converted to the data signal representing sensing body sound by electronic stethoscope processor, and the patient sites's computer 14 data signal is sent on first passage, and can sensing body sound be converted to acoustical signal, and acoustical signal is sent to earplug 30a, the 30b on second channel.Alternatively, the signal produced by sensor 38 directly can be sent to patient sites's computer 14 to convert the data signal of video-stream processor 62 to.

Video conference module 84 shows by video that the camera 66 at expert's website place gathers.Such as, this permission sees the expert at expert's website place the clinician at patient sites place, and allows expert to indicate the preferred orientation of sensor 38 relative to the patient located patient sites.Video conference module 84 also comprises the toolbar 90 with multiple video session control item.Such as, toolbar 90 can comprise the button of the location of the video conference controlled from the volume and user interface 80 of the sound of expert's website reception.Toolbar 90 also can comprise the interface and the instrument that start and terminate video conference.

Stethoscope control module 86 can comprise multiple optional control item and the setting option of the electronic stethoscope 12 for locating patient sites.These setting options can be selected to control the pattern, volume, power rating, record setting etc. of patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12.In certain embodiments, also these setting options are selected by the user interface 40 on electronic stethoscope 12.Stethoscope control module 86 also can comprise the option for controlling other modules in user interface 80.Stethoscope control module 86 also can comprise the selectable option for the communications setting between electronic stethoscope 12 and patient sites's computer 14.Such as, stethoscope control module 86 can allow the subpackage adjusting electronic stethoscope 12 to arrange or checks and repair the connection setting between electronic stethoscope 12 and patient sites's computer 14.

Fig. 5 is the screenshot capture that can be presented at the embodiment of the user interface 100 on the display 64 at expert's website place during remote medical-treatment process.Similar with user interface 80, user interface 100 comprises data disaply moudle 102, video conference module 104 and stethoscope control module 106.The user of expert's site computer 22 can use the user interface on keyboard 68, mouse 70 and/or other input equipment and display 64 to carry out alternately.Such as, user can use mouse 70 to select button in user interface 100 or drop-down menu key element.

Data disaply moudle 102 is that the figure of the cycle gonosome sound being produced by patient and sensed by the sensor 38 patient sites represents.The signal produced by sensor 38 is undertaken processing, being provided to patient sites's computer 14 and being sent to expert's site computer 22 by electronic stethoscope processor.They with these signals of post processing, and are converted to appropriate format to be presented on data disaply moudle 102 by expert's site computer processor 62.Periodically or substantially figure can be upgraded in real time when electronic stethoscope 12 keeps on a patient body by the clinician located patient sites.Axle in scale used or figure can be handled by radio button 108 on usage data display module.

Video conference module 104 shows the video by gathering at the camera 66 at patient sites place.Such as, this permission sees the location of sensor 38 relative to the patient located patient sites the expert at expert's website place.Video conference module 104 also comprises the toolbar 110 with multiple video session control item.Such as, toolbar 110 can comprise the button of the location of the video conference controlled from the volume and user interface 100 of the sound of patient sites's reception.Toolbar 110 also can comprise the interface and the instrument that start and terminate video conference.Toolbar 110 also can comprise the control item of adjustment at the camera position at patient sites place.

Stethoscope control module 106 can comprise multiple optional control item for the electronic stethoscope 12 patient sites and/or expert's website place and setting option.These setting options can be selected to control the pattern, filtering, volume, power rating, record setting etc. of patient and/or expert's site electrical stethoscope 12.Such as, stethoscope control module 106 can comprise the interface that the pattern on patient sites electronic stethoscope 12 of controlling and wave filter are arranged.Stethoscope control module 106 also can be configured to allow to control some setting option on patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12, retains only local other setting options controlled simultaneously.Such as, stethoscope control module 106 can provide the volume of only expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 to control, and the volume of patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 only can carry out at patient sites place controlling (e.g., by the user interface 40 in stethoscope control module 86 or patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12).In certain embodiments, expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 also can be formed at when being connected by secure network and make the user interface 40 on expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 control the setting option of patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12.Expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 also can be configured to the substantially all setting options (that is, making to control substantially to forbid in the locality at patient sites place) controlled on patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12, still allows patient sites to control volume simultaneously.This locality controls to guarantee to regulate volume according to the user preferences in each position.

In the embodiment of alternative, expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 can be set as required setting option and subsequently the setting option of expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 be sent to patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 (e.g., by expert's site computer 22 and patient sites's computer 14) to upgrade the setting option on patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 in once transmitting by the clinician at expert's website place.

Stethoscope control module 106 also can comprise the selectable option for the communications setting between patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 and patient sites's computer 14 and/or between expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 and expert's site computer 22.Such as, stethoscope control module 106 can allow the subpackage adjusting electronic stethoscope 12 to arrange or checks and repair the connection setting between electronic stethoscope 12 and expert's site computer 22.

Shown in and described user interface 100 be only exemplary and other configurations of user interface can be used.In the exemplary available configuration of shown in Fig. 6, user interface 100 can comprise the first graphic user interface 112, described first graphic user interface is the feature enhancing image of the shell 36 on expert's site electrical stethoscope 12, it has control section 114, and described control section comprises the button in the user interface 40 of expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 and each in other interfaces.Each button on control section 114 can carry out selecting to produce the identical function on expert's site electrical stethoscope 12, as the corresponding button in pressing user interface 40.Also the user interface being similar to user interface 112 can be presented in user interface 80 and control with function on the screen being provided for patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12.

When expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 to connect with patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 and is synchronous, user interface 100 can show single graphic user interface, described graphic user interface is the feature enhancing image of the shell 36 on patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12, and it comprises the button in the user interface 40 of patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 and each in other interfaces.Also this identical graphic user interface 112 can be presented in user interface 80.When patient sites's electronic stethoscope is connected with expert's site electrical stethoscope 12, each button on graphic user interface 112 can carry out selecting to provide the identical function on patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 patient sites or expert's website place, as the corresponding button in the stethoscopic user interface 40 of pressing patient sites.Graphic user interface 112, for providing interface the clinician at expert's website place, can control some setting option (e.g., pattern, wave filter etc.) of patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 by this interface.

Graphic user interface 112 also can comprise multiple connection button 116, and described connection button can be used for controlling the connection between expert's site computer and the electronic stethoscope 12 be connected.Such as, in the embodiment shown in fig. 6, connect button 116 and comprise " disconnection stethoscope " button, " disconnect " button long-range, " distance communicating " button, described " disconnection stethoscope " button allows local expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 to disconnect with expert's site computer 22, described " disconnecting long-range " button allows expert site computer 22 and patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 to disconnect (and patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 and expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 desynchronize), described " distance communicating " pushbutton enable is between expert's site electrical stethoscope and patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12.When expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 is not connected to patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12, " disconnecting long-range " and " distance communicating " button can be disabled or can not appear on graphic user interface 112.

In addition, graphic user interface 112 can comprise options menu 117, and described options menu allows user to control the various options be associated with the electronic stethoscope 12 be connected.Such as, in the embodiment shown in fig. 6, options menu 117 comprise allow clinician be connected to the drop-down menu rolled between the stethoscope of expert's site computer 22.This triggers effective electron stethoscope 12 and activates on graphic user interface 112, thus allows clinician to revise the setting option of each in the stethoscope be connected.

Graphic user interface 112 also can comprise video and/or audio instruction, is the true reappearance of the sound deriving from patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 to indicate the sound heard the clinician at expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 place.In the embodiment shown in fig. 6, graphic user interface 112 comprises the fidelity meter 118 being labeled as " stream integrity ", and described fidelity meter comprises fidelity indicator 119.Fidelity indicator 119 changes color to indicate whether that produce actual sound reproduces at expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 place.Such as, fidelity indicator 119 is shown in green and shown in red when sound is not true reappearance when sound is true reappearance.This instruction can based on the error detection (e.g., CRC) performed by expert's site computer 22 and/or expert's site electrical stethoscope 12.Error detection also can be performed by patient sites's computer 14 and/or patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12.Such as, if expert's site computer 22 and/or expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 identify mistake, then expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 can send following signal to expert's site computer 22: the data that expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 receives are different from the data that patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 sends.Then provide this instruction by user interface 100, thus be the clinician's display at expert's website place: the sound heard by expert's site electrical stethoscope 12 is not the true reappearance for the body tone signal sensed by patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12.The instruction that expert's site electrical stethoscope 12, patient sites's electronic stethoscope 12 and/or user interface 80 also can provide actual sound to reproduce.In the embodiment of alternative, by wrong miss report to system unit.

Although the stethoscope with reference to the ears part having chest piece, supervisor and be connected to earplug describes electronic stethoscope 12, other configurations can be had for the electronic stethoscope in remote medical-treatment system 10.Such as, Fig. 7 shows wireless chest piece 120, Fig. 8 and shows with Fig. 9 the wireless head-band earphone 122 that can be used for being connected with remote medical-treatment system 10.

Wireless chest piece 120 is configured to be substantially similar to the chest piece 36 above with reference to described in Fig. 2, and carries out alternately according to the element of the mode substantially the same with electronic stethoscope 12 and remote medical-treatment system 10.Particularly, wireless chest piece 120 is configured to connect via secure network be connected with computer 14,22.The parts that can be arranged in chest piece 120 comprise power supply, signal processing circuit and communication interface.Sensor 124 (not shown) is bearing in one end place of wireless chest piece 120, and antenna 126 is arranged on one end place relative with sensor 124 in wireless chest piece 120.Sensor 124 can have with above with reference to those the similar characteristics described in sensor 38 and configuration.Wireless chest piece 120 also can comprise electrode (not shown) and recharge (as described below) for the inductance or electric capacity carrying out power supply when being couple to wireless head-band earphone.Wireless chest piece 120 also can comprise one or more magnet, and it is configured to one or more magnet in wireless head-band earphone 122 attracting, thus makes can be attached to releasably between chest piece and headband receiver.

(not shown) in certain embodiments, is integrated into antenna in shell as above.In the illustrated embodiment, antenna 126 be configured to around pivot 128 pivotable or rotate with allows antenna 126 be oriented between the operating period highest signal connection.Antenna 126 also can be oriented to the headroom of memory period is minimized.In certain embodiments, antenna 126 is the high performance antenna for large-signal scope (e.g., being greater than 100m), thus the mobility of wireless chest piece 120 is maximized.

Wireless head-band earphone 122 is configured to connect via safety and/or network receive from electronic stethoscope, biosensor or other signal of originating.The assembly that can be arranged in headband receiver 122 comprises power supply, signal processing circuit, antenna and communication interface, and all these are all similar to and are integrated into module in above-mentioned chest piece 36 and assembly.The add-on assemble that can reside in headband receiver 122 comprises user interface, control module and mike.

Wireless head-band earphone 122 can have various configuration, comprises design and in ear design on ear.In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, wireless head-band earphone 122 comprises earplug 130a, 130b so that in ear uses.In certain embodiments, earplug 30a, 30b in earplug 130a, 130b and Fig. 2 are substantially the same to provide consistent tonequality to user between electronic stethoscope 12 and wireless head-band earphone 122.As shown in Figure 9, wireless head-band earphone 122 comprises control shell 140, syrinx 132a, 132b and breeches pipe 135.Control shell 140 and can comprise power supply, signal processing circuit, antenna, communication system, user interface, control module and mike.

If provided, headband receiver communication system is used in wireless head-band earphone and electronic stethoscope chest piece, biosensor, computer or is configured to set up radio frequency (RF) communication link between other external device (ED) any (such as, personal computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), panel computer, mobile phone, net book, digital music player etc.) of radio communication.As used herein, the device of pairing or the device that can match represent any goods be configured to wireless head-band earphone radio communication.Short range wireless communication interface can be used to realize communication link, such as, meet the interface of known communication standard (such as bluetooth standard, IEEE 802 standard (as IEEE 802.11), ZigBee or similar specification (such as based on IEEE 802.15.4 standard those) or other public or proprietary wireless protocols).Such as, in certain embodiments, communication system is 1 class or 2 class Bluetooth radios.In certain embodiments, communication system is adopted to set up secure communications links between wireless head-band earphone 122 and the device that can match.

In certain embodiments, the signal being transferred to wireless head-band earphone 122 by the device matched carries out subpackage by the device matched and enumerates, and carry out at wireless head-band earphone 122 place error checking or other checking to guarantee true tonequality and reliable reproduction.Error checking can use any suitable data transmission check technology, include, but is not limited to above-mentioned those.As detailed above, error checking can be the inspection also will carried out except basic communication protocol.

In embodiment available especially, wireless head-band earphone 122 can be used as network interface and/or PAN (Personal Area Network) (PAN) hub (such as, bluetooth host or other wireless network access point).As network interface, wireless head-band earphone 122 can set up authentication code (such as, bluetooth PIN/ match code, wireless network password etc.), input or in other words send this authentication code by it on the device matched expected.Alternatively, the device matched expected can set up authentication code, then can input on wireless head-band earphone 122 or in other words send this authentication code by it.Therefore, wireless head-band earphone 122 can be used as both network host and net computer.Wireless head-band earphone 122 can comprise integrated electronic storage medium, and it allows to store and retrieve mark and/or the position that the device of the pairing of communication link finally set up by headband receiver.

On the other hand, wireless head-band earphone can match with device via the communication of data (that is, acceleration signature figure) of movement and checking representing headband receiver and device.Such as, wireless head-band earphone 122 and the device that can match can comprise accelerometer (such as separately, twin shaft or three axis accelerometer or many single-axis accelerometers), it is configured to the data creation acceleration signature figure based on the movement representing related device.Acceleration signature figure or its part can be used as the authentication code of network interface communication.In a concrete enforcement of matching method, wireless head-band earphone 122 and the device that can match can be held and as one man be moved (such as, rotation, shake etc.), this will generate the acceleration signature figure of similar (if not identical) for each device.Alternatively, headband receiver 122 can move along identical path according to identical speed individually with the device that can match.In one aspect, wireless head-band earphone 122 can broadcast acceleration signature figure/authentication code.Then, the device that can match can via processor or other assembly to verify that headband receiver acceleration signature figure mates the acceleration signature figure of the device that can match.In other is specifically implemented, the device matched expected can send acceleration signature figure, and then this acceleration signature figure can be transfused to or in other words send to wireless head-band earphone 122 for checking.

Compare realization character figure by all or part of of degree of will speed up characteristic pattern to mate.In one exemplary embodiment, coupling comprises the absolute magnitude of the acceleration of more each device experience.And for example, relatively and verify the time series of " zero crossing " (such as, the change in the direction of the acceleration of sensor).In other is specifically implemented, time series and value are compared.Similarity needed for coupling (that is, qualified earthquake intensity or the incidence rate of difference between characteristic pattern) can be adjusted to application-specific, but is usually at least Bluetooth pairing standard.Be also to be understood that acceleration signature figure's also can be used for certification and two or more devices that can match of pairing at least partly.

At least in part because wireless head-band earphone is used as network interface, the device of pairing can be wireless chest piece 120 or other piece for stethoscope,chest any comprising communication module (comprising above-mentioned chest piece 36).Such as, biosensor can be that the name submitted on June 5th, 2012 is called the combined ECG/PCG sensor described in the attorney 66786US002 of the common pending trial of " ENHANCED AUSCULTATORY SENSOR AND ANALYSIS FOR PATIENT DIAGNOSIS " (enhancement mode auscultation sensor and the analysis for patient diagnosis).In specially suitable embodiment, headband receiver 122 connects the device being couple to pairing communicatedly via blueteeth network.

Among other components, control shell 140 and also can comprise user interface 142 and control module.Control that shell 140 also can comprise in power supply, signal processing circuit, antenna and communication interface one or more.In the embodiment of alternative, in one or more the be integrated into breeches pipe 135 in aforementioned components.User interface 142 can comprise the function similar to user interface 40, and can comprise multiple pattern and/or positioning indicator and pattern and/or gauge tap.Switch can comprise (such as) volume or gain control switch and mode selection switch.Indicator can provide the instruction of (such as) battery or communication link state.Be similar to the indicator on chest piece 36, described indicator can indicate the true reappearance of the sound of the device from pairing.

Wireless head-band earphone 122 also can comprise the control module being arranged on and controlling in shell 140.Control module can comprise multiple optional control item and the setting option of the device (being generally electronic stethoscope or biosensor) for matching.These setting options can be selected control the pattern, filtering, volume, power supply status, record setting option etc. of the device matched.Headband receiver control module also can comprise the selectable option for the communications setting between wireless head-band earphone 122 and the device of pairing.Such as, headband receiver control module can allow the subpackage of the electronic stethoscope adjusting pairing setting or inspection and the connection of repairing between electronic stethoscope and wireless head-band earphone 122 to arrange.In certain implementations; controlling shell 140 can relative to syrinx 132a, 132b for can move (such as; rotatable), with reduce the cumulative volume of wireless head-band earphone 122 and some assembly in protecting control shell 140 so that store or grasp.In addition, one of breeches pipe 135 or control shell 140 can comprise the internal volume being enough to the part keeping syrinx 132a, 132b.Such as, syrinx or its part can move in shell along guide rail to create wireless head-band earphone 122 profile reduced.

Wireless head-band earphone 122 also can comprise the mike 134 for receiving speech sound from user.In fig. 8, mike 134 is connected to adjustable supporting mass 136, and this adjustable supporting mass allows relative user to reorientate mike 134.As shown in Figure 9, mike is partially disposed and controls in shell 140.It will also be appreciated that other suitable position, such as the outer surface of headband receiver breeches pipe 135 or control shell 140.Send on the body sound that the Signal averaging that mike 134 can be received receives to wireless head-band earphone 122 and/or through communication link, as mentioned above.Body sound is transmitted in replacement or except transmission body sound, mike 134 also can allow user to carry out verbal message with the headband receiver on (such as) sharing electron stethoscope.

Wireless head-band earphone 122 also can comprise the mechanism of the device for keeping wireless chest piece 120 or other pairing to releasably.The connection of various pattern can be adopted between headband receiver and chest piece.Such as, and according to illustrated embodiment, wireless head-band earphone 122 comprises magnet 150, described magnet be configured to attract pairing device on magnet or Magnetized Material to allow releasable attachment between the two.Alternatively, can adopt various machinery that chest piece or biosensor are fixed to wireless head-band earphone 122 to releasably, such as placement of mechanical securing member and/or use the securing member (such as hook/ring fastener, clip etc.) of other type.The structure such as guide rail, guiding piece also can be used the assembly that is attached to releasably other surface any orientation particularly relative to breeches pipe, syrinx or headband receiver.

In certain implementations, also electric power delivery will can be recharged via the releasable connection with wireless head-band earphone 122 to chest piece or biosensor.Such as, wireless head-band earphone 122 can comprise wired connection port.Alternatively, syrinx or breeches pipe can comprise the electrode of the exposure being couple to headband receiver power supply.Such as, one or more electrode can be coupled on each assembly according to the attachment of predetermined orientation by wireless chest piece 120.This coupling can make circuit complete, thus causes electric current/energy to be transferred into wireless chest piece.Alternatively, this circuit also can be used for utilizing other power supply on battery or biosensor to charge to wireless head-band earphone 122.In certain implementations, the current charge of wireless head-band earphone or power state can be sent to chest piece or biosensor, and vice versa.According to relative charge/dump power, the optionally connected receipts of wireless head-band earphone 122 or transferring electric power.

Wireless head-band earphone 122 also can comprise pressure regulating mechanism.This pressure regulating mechanism allows the distance of user's adjustment between syrinx 132a and 132b.When being opened before the ear inserting user, syrinx 132a, 132b are usually biased to turn back to the configuration shown in Fig. 9.Which ensure that earplug 130a, 130b are acoustically being coupled so that the best of body sound is sent with the eardrum of user.When being couple to the device of pairing, for user, this being biased may be unnecessary or uncomfortable.Therefore, pressure regulating mechanism can prevent syrinx 132a, 132b from turning back to initial configuration completely.In certain implementations, pressure regulating mechanism comprises the rack and pinion type system be arranged in breeches pipe 135.Additive regulating mechanism comprises adjustable springs for changing the gravitation between the magnetic material of correspondence or system.In other is specifically implemented, pressure regulating mechanism comprises spool and lacing system, is similar to system disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No.2006/0156517.These adjustable systems can allow user in use to specify in the pressure thereupon experienced in distance between syrinx 130a and 130b and auditory meatus.

Except having except alternative configuration for the electronic stethoscope in remote medical-treatment system 10, the connection between electronic stethoscope also can have alternative configuration.Such as, Figure 10 is the diagrammatic view of the remote medical-treatment system 150 according to the embodiment selected else.Remote medical-treatment system 150 comprise sensing electronic stethoscope 12a, multiple networked electronic stethoscope 12b, 12c ..., 12n and network interface or hub 152.Electronic stethoscope 12a-12n and network interface 152 carry out radio communication.Electronic stethoscope 12a-12n can configure substantially similarly, and has the characteristic substantially similar with the electronic stethoscope 12 above described in Fig. 2.Should be appreciated that electronic stethoscope 12n represents the n-th networked electronic stethoscope 12, and should not be construed as restriction or limit the quantity being connected to the networked electronic stethoscope 12 of network interface 152.In certain embodiments, network interface 152 is configured to wearable, hand-held or portable device.In the embodiment that other is suitable, network interface and wireless head-band earphone integrated.

Network interface 152 is configured to set up secure connection with electronic stethoscope 12a-12n.In certain embodiments, electronic stethoscope 12a-12n matches via PAN (Personal Area Network) (PAN) and network interface 152.An example of PAN is blueteeth network, and wherein pair code to be based upon on network interface 152 and to be sent on each electronic stethoscope 12a-12n so that secure connection is to network interface 152.In certain implementations, what possibility was qualified is once set up single pairing.When attached, sensing electronic stethoscope 12a can be used for sensing patient body sound, and networking is examined device 12b-12n and be can be used for substantially listening to the patient body sound sensing and sensed by electronic stethoscope 12a in real time.In addition, can the sensor 38 of one in electronic stethoscope 12a-12n or mike 48 receive other sound (such as voice message) and be delivered to each in networked electronic stethoscope 12a-12n.In the embodiment of alternative, electronic stethoscope 12a-12n directly networks (that is, without the need to engaging intermediate network interface 152) each other.

In an Example embodiments, the electronic stethoscope 12 of teacher and the electronic stethoscope 12 of one or more student are networked by network interface 152.Doctor or student can be selected to sense patient body sound, and other on-line customers listen to patient body sound by its respective electronic stethoscope 12.In addition, can by the sound that is stored in the electronic stethoscope 12 (or another networking storage device) of teacher substantially simultaneously to the playback of all networked electronic stethoscopes 12.Doctor also provides phonetic order or prompting by the sensor 38 on main shell 36 or mike 48, described phonetic order or prompting and institute's sensing body sound provided by the ear piece of the electronic stethoscope 12 of student simultaneously.Therefore, if the electronic stethoscope of doctor is used for sensing body sound, then doctor can indicate location and the use of electronic stethoscope 12a when student listens to networked electronic stethoscope 12b-12n.If the electronic stethoscope of student is used for sensing body sound, then doctor by sensor 38 or mike 48 for each in student provides instruction and guidance.In addition, have in the student of the electronic stethoscope 12 being networked to network interface 152 each can in turn sensing body sound simultaneously doctor for they provide independent guidance.

In other embodiments, networking stethoscope is connected to computer or other external device (ED)s (e.g., mobile phone, PDA), as mentioned above.Microphone by being connected to computer or other external device (ED)s reproduces the stethoscopic auscultatory sound of networking and voice signal substantially in real time.In certain embodiments, connect by network and body sound is downloaded to computer or external device (ED) from electronic storage medium or other online databases (e.g., website) and branches to networking stethoscope, and/or substantially reproduced in real time by microphone.

In another example is specifically implemented, the wireless head-band earphone 122 of doctor and the electronic stethoscope of one or more student or biosensor can be networked via network interface.Doctor or student can be selected to sense patient body sound, and other on-line customers listen to patient body sound by its respective electronic stethoscope headband receiver.In certain implementations, may preferably the wireless head-band earphone of doctor and the stethoscope of single student or biosensor match.Doctor also can provide phonetic order or prompting via mike 132, described phonetic order or prompting and institute's sensing body sound provided by the ear piece of the electronic stethoscope 12 of student simultaneously.Therefore, if the electronic stethoscope of doctor is used for sensing body sound, then doctor can indicate his electronic stethoscope or the location of biosensor and use when student listens to networked electronic stethoscope 12b-12n.If the electronic stethoscope of student is used for sensing body sound, then doctor can via mike 132 for each in student provides instruction and guidance.In addition, have in the student of the electronic stethoscope 12 being networked to network interface each can in turn sensing body sound simultaneously doctor for they provide independent guidance.

Put it briefly, some embodiment disclosed herein relates to remote medical-treatment system, described remote medical-treatment system comprises the first electronic stethoscope, described first electronic stethoscope comprises shell, transducer and headband receiver, described shell is configured to carry out hand-held manipulation by the relative patient of clinician, described transducer is by outer casing supporting, and be formed at first position and sense auscultative signal from patient, described headband receiver is connected to shell and is configured to send the audio frequency corresponding with auscultative signal by the ear piece on headband receiver.Remote medical-treatment system also comprises the second electronic stethoscope, and the second electronic stethoscope comprises the shell substantially similar with the shell of the first electronic stethoscope, transducer and headband receiver, transducer and headband receiver.First electronic stethoscope is configured to auscultative signal to convert to the digital signal that represents auscultative signal and digital signal is wirelessly transmitted to the second position via secure digital network.Second electronic stethoscope is formed at second position and receives the digital signal representing auscultative signal via secure digital network, convert digital signal to the audio frequency corresponding with auscultative signal, and substantially send audio frequency by the ear piece on the headband receiver of the second electronic stethoscope in real time along with at first position sensing auscultatory sound.

Various amendment and interpolation can be carried out without departing from the scope of the invention to discussed exemplary embodiment.Such as, although above-described embodiment relates to specific features, scope of the present invention also comprises the embodiment with different characteristic combination and the whole embodiment do not contained in described feature.Therefore, scope of the present invention be intended to contain fall into claim and all equivalents thereof scope in these type of alternative forms whole, modification and variations.

Claims (31)

1. a bioacoustic sensor system, comprising:

Shell, described shell is configured to hand-held manipulation;

Transducer, described transducer by described outer casing supporting, and senses auscultative signal in first position;

Headband receiver, described headband receiver is configured to send the audio frequency corresponding with described auscultative signal by the ear piece on described headband receiver; With

Processor, described processor is arranged in the housing, and be configured to described auscultative signal be converted to the first digital signal representing described auscultative signal, and substantially in real time described first digital signal be wirelessly transmitted to described headband receiver via digital network from described bioacoustic sensor along with at described first position sensing auscultatory sound; The audio frequency corresponding with described auscultative signal wherein received by described headband receiver is that the numercal of described auscultatory sound sensed in described first position is accurately copied.

2. bioacoustic sensor system according to claim 1, wherein said receive MUT is at the environment audio frequency of described first position, and wherein said processor is also configured to described environment audio frequency be converted to the second digital signal representing described environment audio frequency, and via described digital network by described second digital signal with described first radio transmission of digital signals to described headband receiver.

3. bioacoustic sensor system according to claim 1, wherein said processor is communicated by secure personal LAN via radiofrequency signal.

4. bioacoustic sensor system according to claim 1, also comprises:

First antenna, described first antenna is configured to connect to come described first digital signal of wireless transmission from electronic stethoscope via secure digital.

5. bioacoustic sensor system according to claim 1, wherein said headband receiver comprises the second antenna.

6. bioacoustic sensor system according to claim 1, wherein said processor is also configured to carry out the signal of wireless receiving from described headband receiver via described digital network.

7. bioacoustic sensor system according to claim 6, wherein said signal comprises control signal.

8. bioacoustic sensor system according to claim 1, wherein said shell comprises wireless chest piece.

9. bioacoustic sensor system according to claim 1, wherein said headband receiver comprises network interface.

10. bioacoustic sensor system according to claim 9, wherein said network interface comprises PAN (Personal Area Network) hub.

11. bioacoustic sensor systems according to claim 9, wherein said network interface is configured to the device being couple to pairing communicatedly, and the device of described pairing is selected from personal computer, tablet PC, personal digital assistant, mobile phone, smart phone, digital music player and their combination.

12. bioacoustic sensor systems according to claim 1, wherein said headband receiver comprises pressure regulating mechanism.

13. bioacoustic sensor systems according to claim 1, wherein said shell remains in described headband receiver to releasably via securing member.

14. bioacoustic sensor systems according to claim 13, wherein said headband receiver comprises two syrinxs, and wherein said securing member is arranged on one or more syrinxs of described syrinx.

15. bioacoustic sensor systems according to claim 13, wherein said headband receiver comprises breeches pipe and controls shell, described control shell is couple to described breeches pipe, and wherein said securing member is positioned in described breeches pipe, described control shell or their combination.

16. bioacoustic sensor according to claim 13, wherein said shell comprises power supply, and is wherein remained in described headband receiver by described shell and make circuit complete, makes described power supply headset can transmit electric energy.

17. electronic stethoscopes according to claim 1, wherein said headband receiver comprises breeches pipe and two syrinxs, described breeches pipe comprises internal volume, and can moving between the first location and the second location at least partially of at least one syrinx, being received at least partially in described internal volume wherein at syrinx described in the described second position.

18. 1 kinds of remote medical-treatment systems, comprising:

Local bioacoustic sensor, described local bioacoustic sensor is configured to sense auscultative signal from patient, and described signal is converted to the digital signal representing auscultative signal;

Network interface, described local bioacoustic sensor is connected to one or more additional electron stethoscope via secure digital network by described network interface, each electronic stethoscope in wherein said one or more additional electron stethoscope is configured to receive via described secure digital network the described digital signal representing described auscultative signal, and convert described digital signal to the audio frequency corresponding with described auscultative signal, wherein substantially send described audio frequency by the ear piece be couple on the wireless head-band earphone of at least one electronic stethoscope in described one or more additional electron stethoscope in real time along with by described bioacoustic sensor sensing auscultatory sound,

Wherein said network interface is wearable PAN (Personal Area Network) hub, and wherein said local bioacoustic sensor is connected via PAN (Personal Area Network) with each in one or more additional electron stethoscope and is connected to described PAN (Personal Area Network) hub.

19. remote medical-treatment systems according to claim 18, the described audio frequency being wherein delivered to the described wireless head-band earphone of at least one electronic stethoscope in described one or more additional electron stethoscope is that the numercal of described auscultatory sound sensed by local electronic stethoscope is accurately copied.

20. remote medical-treatment systems according to claim 19, wherein said local bioacoustic sensor is also configured to via described network interface wireless receiving from the stethoscopic signal of described one or more additional electron.

21. remote medical-treatment systems according to claim 18, wherein said PAN (Personal Area Network) hub is arranged in the stethoscopic wireless head-band earphone of additional electron.

22. remote medical-treatment systems according to claim 18, wherein said local bioacoustic sensor is couple to wireless head-band earphone communicatedly, and described PAN (Personal Area Network) hub is arranged in local wireless head-band earphone.

23. 1 kinds of wireless head-band earphones for auscultation, described headband receiver comprises:

First syrinx and the second syrinx, described first syrinx and described second syrinx are configured to send the audio frequency corresponding with acoustic signal by the first ear piece of the correspondence on described headband receiver with the second ear piece;

Breeches pipe, described breeches pipe is couple to the first syrinx and the second syrinx;

Communication system, described communication system is configured to substantially receive digital signal via digital network from bioacoustic sensor in real time, wherein said communication system comprises PAN (Personal Area Network) hub, and wherein said communication system can be connected via PAN (Personal Area Network) with described bioacoustic sensor and is connected to described PAN (Personal Area Network) hub.

24. wireless head-band earphones according to claim 23, wherein said PAN (Personal Area Network) hub comprises blueteeth network.

25. wireless head-band earphones according to claim 23, wherein said PAN (Personal Area Network) hub comprises wireless network access point.

26. wireless head-band earphones according to claim 23, also comprise pressure regulating mechanism, and described pressure regulating mechanism can regulate between the first position and the second position.

27. wireless head-band earphones according to claim 21, wherein communication interface is configured to the device being couple to pairing communicatedly, and the device of described pairing is selected from personal computer, is configured to the medical treatment transducer of radio communication, tablet PC, personal digital assistant, mobile phone, smart phone, digital music player and their combination.

28. 1 kinds for setting up the method for communication between two, described method comprises:

There is provided first device, described first device has the first communication system being configured to set up wireless communication link and the mobile first sensor generating acceleration signature figure be configured in response to described first device;

There is provided the second device, described second device has the second communication system being configured to set up wireless communication link and mobile the second sensor generating acceleration signature figure be configured in response to described second device;

Mobile described first device and described second device, make the first acceleration signature figure generated by described first sensor at least be similar to the second acceleration signature figure generated by described second sensor;

Verify that described first acceleration signature figure mates described second acceleration signature figure; And

Between described first device and described second device, set up network connect.

29. methods according to claim 28, wherein said first device is headband receiver, and described second device is bioacoustic sensor.

30. methods according to claim 28, the step wherein moving described first device and described second device comprises holds two devices and as one man moves described two devices.

31. methods according to claim 28, wherein said first sensor and described second sensor comprise accelerometer.