EP4536090A1

EP4536090A1 - Digital stethoscope and measurement quality system for telehealth applications

Info

Publication number: EP4536090A1
Application number: EP23820210.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Onur Yusuf CINAR; Kemal Ozanoglu; Zeynep Yasemin Kahya
Original assignee: Bogazici Universitesi
Current assignee: Bogazici Universitesi
Priority date: 2022-06-09
Filing date: 2023-06-01
Publication date: 2025-04-16
Also published as: EP4536090A4

Abstract

The invention relates to a digital stethoscope (100) for detecting sounds within the body comprising an acoustic chamber (110) for collecting sound waves generated at a target site on the body, a microphone (130) for detecting sound within said acoustic chamber (110), and a processor unit (120) for processing the sound signal received by said microphone (130), Accordingly, it is characterized in that it comprises at least two distance sensors (140) for detecting the distance between the acoustic chamber (110) and the body, and at least one motion sensor (150) for detecting the movements of the digital stethoscope (100), associated with said processor unit (120); that said distance sensors (140) are positioned on two separate halves of a front side (111) of the acoustic chamber (110) in contact with the body; the processor unit (120) is configured to detect that the distance signals received from the distance sensors (140) are below a predetermined distance threshold value and that the motion signal received from said motion sensor (150) is below a predetermined motion threshold value, and accordingly to determine a degree of accuracy of the audio signal received from the microphone (130).

Description

DIGITAL STETHOSCOPE AND MEASUREMENT QUALITY SYSTEM FOR TELEHEALTH APPLICATIONS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a digital stethoscope for detecting sounds within the body. The invention relates in detail to a digital stethoscope for listening to sounds within the body with enhanced accuracy.

BACKGROUND

Telehealth is the use of communication technologies to provide healthcare at a distance. These technologies include computers, cameras, video conferencing, internet, satellite, and wireless communications. Telehealth is a remote health application for the improvement of individual and community health, such as diagnosis, treatment, prevention, research, evaluation, and continuous education of health care providers in cases where distance is critical for health care due to geographical obstacles, outbreaks, or other factors. Accordingly, healthcare professionals use information and communication technologies to exchange information for diagnosis and treatment.

The process of listening to the sounds within a person's body is referred to as auscultation. Auscultation involves listening to the sounds within a person's body (e.g., heart sounds, breathing sounds) using a stethoscope. Digital stethoscopes are also used in remote health applications to remotely listen to sounds within a person's body. Digital stethoscopes detect sounds within a person's body through a microphone and convert them into electrical sound signals that can be transmitted. These audio signals can be transmitted to remote terminals via a communication network. Thus, a specialized healthcare professional can perform remote auscultation of patients. However, an expert person is not always available to hold and guide the digital stethoscope over the body. In fact, the patients themselves usually position the digital stethoscope on their bodies. This leads to the question of how accurately one uses the digital stethoscope. Because the digital stethoscope needs to be held still and close enough to the body to accurately detect the sounds that occur within the body. Otherwise, the sounds generated within the body cannot be accurately detected by the microphone. As a result, the above-mentioned issues have made it necessary to innovate in the related technical field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a digital stethoscope for eliminating the above-mentioned disadvantages and bringing new advantages to the relevant technical field.

An object of the invention is to provide a digital stethoscope that detects sounds within the body with improved accuracy.

Another object of the invention is to provide a digital stethoscope for listening to sound waves generated at a target area on the body with improved accuracy.

In order to achieve all the above-mentioned objects and those which will arise from the following detailed description, the present invention relates to a digital stethoscope for detecting sounds within the body comprising an acoustic chamber for collecting sound waves generated at a target site on the body, a microphone for detecting sound within said acoustic chamber, and a processor unit for processing the sound signal received through the said microphone. Accordingly, it is characterized in that it comprises at least two distance sensors for detecting the distance between the acoustic chamber and the body, associated with a said processor unit, and at least one motion sensor for detecting the movements of the digital stethoscope; that said distance sensors are positioned on two separate halves of a front side of the acoustic chamber in contact with the body; the processor unit is configured to detect that the distance signals received from said distance sensors are below a predetermined distance threshold value and that the motion signal received from said motion sensor is below a predetermined motion threshold value, and to determine accordingly a degree of accuracy of the audio signal received from the microphone. Thus, the sound waves generated in the target area are listened to with increased accuracy.

A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the processor unit is configured to process the distance signals received from the distance sensors, the motion signal received from the motion sensor, and the audio signal received from the microphone based on the time at which they are received. Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the processor unit is configured to determine an accuracy range in which said accuracy is above a predetermined accuracy threshold and to filter the audio signal received from the microphone within said accuracy range. This enables the processor unit to decompose the part of the received audio signal whose degree of accuracy is above the accuracy threshold. This improves the accuracy of the sound signal detected by the microphone.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said degree of accuracy is inversely proportional to a distance value between the acoustic chamber and the body, received by the processing unit from the distance sensors. Thus, the degree of accuracy is increased by moving the digital stethoscope closer to the body.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the said degree of accuracy is inversely proportional to the movement value of the digital stethoscope that the processor unit receives from the motion sensor. Thus, the degree of accuracy is increased by stabilizing the digital stethoscope.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that three distance sensors are provided, said distance sensors being positioned on the front side of the acoustic chamber in contact with the body, with an equal distance between them. This provides improved accuracy of the distance between the acoustic chamber and the body.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a circuit board provided on the back side of the acoustic chamber; the processor unit and the motion sensor are provided on said circuit board.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the processor unit is associated with a memory unit to store the signals it receives.

The invention also relates to an auscultation system comprising a digital stethoscope as described above. Accordingly, it is characterized in that it comprises a mobile terminal for listening to the sounds within the body detected by the digital stethoscope and a communication network for communication between said mobile terminal and the digital stethoscope. This enables a healthcare professional to perform remote auscultation (listening). This allows a healthcare professional in a different location to listen to the audio signal detected by the digital stethoscope with increased accuracy. This prevents the healthcare professional from misdiagnosing the patient. Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the processor unit is associated with a communication unit for sending the received signals to said communication network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a representative cross-sectional view of the digital stethoscope at the front.

Figure 2 shows a representative cross-sectional view of the digital stethoscope on the side.

Figure 3 shows a representative view of the auscultation system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the digital stethoscope (100) of the invention is described only by way of non-limiting examples for a better understanding of the subject matter.

The invention relates to a digital stethoscope (100) for detecting sounds within the body. Said digital stethoscope (100) comprises an acoustic chamber (110) for collecting sound waves generated at a target area on the body. Said acoustic chamber (110) has an acoustic structure to collect the sound waves generated in the target area it is directed to. The acoustic chamber (110) comprises a front side (111 ) in contact with the body and a back side (112) behind said front side (111). The digital stethoscope (100) comprises a microphone (130) for detecting sound in the acoustic chamber (110). The said microphone (130) generates an audio signal by detecting sound waves collected in the acoustic chamber (110). In a possible embodiment, the microphone (130) is positioned at a focal point of the acoustic chamber (110). Thus, the sound waves collected in the acoustic chamber (110) are amplified by the microphone (130). In a possible embodiment, the microphone (130) is guided. In this way, the microphone (130) aimed at the target area detects the sounds generated in the target area in an amplified manner. The digital stethoscope (100) further comprises a processor unit (120) for processing the audio signal received by the microphone (130). The microphone (130) sends the audio signal it generates to the said processor unit (120).

The digital stethoscope (100) of the invention comprises at least two distance sensors (140) for detecting the distance between the acoustic chamber (110) and the body. Said distance sensors (140) are positioned on two separate halves of the front side (111 ) of the acoustic chamber (110). In a possible embodiment, the distance sensors (140) are positioned at an equal angle to each other around an axis with the microphone (130) being the origin. In the preferred embodiment, the digital stethoscope (100) comprises three distance sensors (140). It is obvious that embodiments with more distance sensors (140) are possible. Distance sensors (140) generate a distance signal by detecting the distance between the acoustic chamber (110) and the body. Distance sensors (140) send the distance signals they generate to the processor unit (120). In a possible embodiment, the distance sensor (140) is an optical distance sensor. In another possible embodiment, the distance sensor (140) is an ultrasonic distance sensor. In another possible embodiment, the distance sensor (140) is a laser distance sensor.

The digital stethoscope also comprises at least one motion sensor (150). Said motion sensor (150) generates a motion signal by detecting the movements of the digital stethoscope (100). The motion sensor (150) sends the motion signal it generates to the processor unit (120). The motion sensor (150) detects the movements of the digital stethoscope (100) in three dimensions. The motion sensor (150) may be an IMU sensor, also an inertial measurement unit in the state of the art. In a possible embodiment, the motion sensor (150) may comprise an accelerometer and a gyroscope. This gyroscope detects rotational values without reference to external coordinates. The said accelerometer also detects the force applied to a reference mass, regardless of the coordinate.

The processor unit (120) processes the distance signals received from the distance sensors (140), the motion signal received from the motion sensor (150), and the audio signal received from the microphone (130) based on the time at which they are received. The processor unit (120) is configured to detect that the distance signals received from the distance sensors (140) are below a predetermined distance threshold value. The distance threshold is determined by the minimum distance between the acoustic chamber (110) and the body when the digital stethoscope (100) detects sounds within the body. The processor unit (120) is configured to detect when the motion signal received from the motion sensor (150) is below a predetermined motion threshold value. Said motion threshold value is determined by the minimum motion that the digital stethoscope (100) is exposed to when detecting sounds within the body. The processor unit (120) determines the degree of accuracy of the audio signal received from the microphone (130) by comparing the motion signal and the distance signal with the respective threshold values. Said degree of accuracy refers to the closeness of the sound signal produced by the microphone (130) to the actual sounds within the body. In other words, the degree of accuracy refers to the accuracy with which the sounds generated within the body are detected by the microphone (130). The degree of accuracy is a ratio between 0 and 1 . An accuracy of 1 means that the sounds generated within the body are accurately detected by the microphone (130). Similarly, an accuracy of 0 indicates that the sounds generated within the body are inaccurately detected by the microphone (130). The degree of accuracy is inversely proportional to the distance value between the acoustic chamber (110) and the body that the processor unit (120) receives from the distance sensors (140). This means that as the digital stethoscope (100) moves away from the body, the accuracy of the audio signal decreases. The degree of accuracy is inversely proportional to the movement value of the digital stethoscope (100) that the processor unit (120) receives from the motion sensor (150). That is, as the mobility of the digital stethoscope (100) increases, the error of the sound signal detected by the microphone (130) increases and the degree of accuracy decreases. Therefore, the digital stethoscope (100) should be used fairly close to the body and fairly still. This use is detected by means of distance sensors (140) and motion sensors (150) of the invention. In a possible embodiment, the processor unit (120) is configured to compare the degree of accuracy with a predetermined accuracy threshold value. This accuracy threshold is determined based on a negligible error rate of the audio signal. The processor unit (120) is configured to determine an accuracy range in which the degree of accuracy is above the accuracy threshold value. The processor unit (120) is configured to filter the audio signal received from the microphone (130) within said accurate range.

In a possible embodiment, the digital stethoscope (100) comprises a memory unit (170) for storing signals received by the processor unit (120). In this embodiment, the processor unit (120) comprises a machine-learning algorithm capable of being taught with the signals stored in the memory unit (170). In this way, the accuracy of the sounds within the body detected by the digital stethoscope (100) is increased.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the digital stethoscope (100) comprises a circuit board (160) for positioning the processor unit (120). Said circuit board (160) is positioned on the back side (112) of the acoustic chamber (110). In the preferred embodiment, the motion sensor (150) is also positioned on the circuit board (160). The circuit board (160) may be an electronic circuit board (160) in the state of the art.

The invention also relates to an auscultation system (10) comprising said digital stethoscope (100). Said auscultation system (10) comprises a mobile terminal (200) for listening to the sounds detected by the digital stethoscope (100) from a different location. Said mobile terminal (200) may be a computer, tablet, phone, etc. The auscultation system (10) also includes a communication network (190) for communication between the mobile terminal (200) and the digital stethoscope (100). Said communication network (190) may be the internet or any server. The processor unit (120) is associated with a communication unit (180) for communicating with a said communication network (190). Said communication unit (180) may be a communication module, such as a Bluetooth module, an Ethernet module, or a Wi-fi module.

The protection scope of the invention is specified in the appended claims and certainly cannot be limited to what is described in this detailed description for illustrative purposes. It is clear that those skilled in the art can produce similar embodiments in the light of the foregoing without departing from the main theme of the invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS GIVEN IN THE FIGURES

10 Auscultation system 100 Digital Stethoscope

110 Acoustic chamber

111 Front side

112 Back side

120 Processor unit 130 Microphone

140 Distance sensor

150 Motion sensor

160 Circuit board

170 Memory unit 180 Communication unit

190 Communication network

200 Mobile terminal

Claims

1. A digital stethoscope (100) for detecting sounds within the body comprising an acoustic chamber (110) for collecting sound waves generated at a target site on the body, a microphone (130) for detecting sound within said acoustic chamber (110), and a processor unit (120) for processing the sound signal received by said microphone (130), characterized in that; it comprises at least two distance sensors (140) for detecting the distance between the acoustic chamber (110) and the body, and at least one motion sensor (150) for detecting the movements of the digital stethoscope (100), associated with said processor unit (120); that said distance sensors (140) are positioned on two separate halves of a front side (111) of the acoustic chamber (110) in contact with the body; the processor unit (120) is configured to detect that the distance signals received from the distance sensors (140) are below a predetermined distance threshold value and that the motion signal received from said motion sensor (150) is below a predetermined motion threshold value, and accordingly to determine a degree of accuracy of the audio signal received from the microphone (130).

2. A digital stethoscope (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the processor unit (120) is configured to process the distance signals received from the distance sensors (140), the motion signal received from the motion sensor (150) and the audio signal received from the microphone (130) based on the time at which they are received.

3. A digital stethoscope (100) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the processor unit (120) is configured to determine an accuracy range in which said degree of accuracy is above a predetermined accuracy threshold value, and to filter the audio signal received from the microphone (130) within said accuracy range.

4. A digital stethoscope (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that said degree of accuracy is inversely proportional to a distance value between the acoustic chamber (110) and the body, received by the processing unit (120) from the distance sensors (140).

5. A digital stethoscope (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that said degree of accuracy is inversely proportional to a movement value of the digital stethoscope (100) received by the processor unit (120) from the motion sensor (150). A digital stethoscope (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that three distance sensors (140) are provided, said distance sensors (140) being positioned on the front side (111) of the acoustic chamber (110) in contact with the body, with an equal distance between them. A digital stethoscope (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the acoustic chamber (110) comprises a circuit board (160) provided on the back side (112), the processor unit (120), and the motion sensor (150) being provided on said circuit board (160). A digital stethoscope (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that it is associated with a memory unit (170) for recording signals received by the processor unit (120). An auscultation system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a digital stethoscope (100), characterized in that it comprises a mobile terminal (200) for listening to sounds within the body detected by the digital stethoscope (100), and a communication network (190) for communication between said mobile terminal (200) and the digital stethoscope (100). An auscultation system (10) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the processor unit (120) is associated with a communication unit (180) for sending the received signals to said communication network (190).