GB2486962A

GB2486962A - Electronic stethoscope

Info

Publication number: GB2486962A
Application number: GB201121672A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leona Waiwaiku
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-29
Filing date: 2011-12-16
Publication date: 2012-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 2031-12-16
Also published as: GB201022069D0; GB201121672D0; GB2486962B

Abstract

An electronic stethoscope (100) for use on a patient, comprising first and second surfaces. The first surface is provided with a microphone (4), for receiving a first audio signal when placed in contact with the patient, and converting the first audio signal into a first electrical signal. The stethoscope further comprises a modulator for receiving the first electrical signal and modulating the first electrical signal to produce a second electrical signal. The second surface is provided with a speaker (9) for receiving the second electrical signal and converting the second electrical signal into a second audio signal. The second surface is fixed with respect to the first surface such that, when the first surface is placed in contact with a part of the patient's body, the second surface is directed away from that part of the patient.

Description

I

ELECTRONIC STETHOSCOPE

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an electronic stethoscope and in particular to an electronic stethoscope which is adapted for use by people with hearing or movement difficulties, or may be used in a teaching environment in which sounds are conveyed to more than one user.

Background to the Invention

Stethoscopes are widely used by health care professionals to aid in diagnosis by listening to the sounds made by a patient's body, and in particular the patient's chest and abdomen. Traditional stethoscopes comprise a tube connecting a pad which must be placed on a patient, and two ear buds which must be placed in the user's ears, so that the user can hear noises made by the patient's body more clearly.

Electronic stethoscopes, which use electrical components to amplify the sounds made by a patient, are known. Electronic stethoscopes still use the same basic format of a pad which is placed on the patient and two ear buds which must be placed in the user's ears.

For users with hearing difficulties, this can be a problem, since the user may not be able to use the ear buds effectively. Users who have difficulty manipulating objects with their hands, for example due to arthritis or a movement disorder, can also find traditional designs difficult.

Conventional stethoscopes are also of limited usefulness in a teaching environment, since only one person can listen to the output of the stethoscope at a time. This makes it more difficult for a teacher to identify any significant sounds for their students.

Therefore a stethoscope which is more easily located on the patient and used would be desirable, especially if that stethoscope was better suited to use by groups of people, such as in a teaching environment.

Summary of the Invention

In pursuit of this aim, a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an electronic stethoscope for use on a patient. The stethoscope comprises a housing and the housing comprises a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is provided with a microphone, for receiving a first audio signal when placed in contact with the patient, and converting the first audio signal into a first electrical signal. The stethoscope further comprises a modulator for receiving the first electrical signal and modulating the first electrical signal to produce a second electrical signal. The second surface is provided with a speaker for receiving the second electrical signal and converting the second electrical signal into a second audio signal. The second surface is fixed with respect to the first surface such that, when the first surface is placed in contact with a part of the patient's body, the second surface is directed away from that part of the patient.

In this way the invention provides a device which can be placed on a patient and provide a clearly audible broadcast of the noises detected by the microphone. Since the second surface is fixed with respect to the first surface, the speaker is directed away from the patient and can be clearly heard by a user. The stethoscope can be placed easily and need not be held in a specific configuration, making it easier for a user with hearing or movement difficulties to manipulate, place and use the stethoscope. This can be especially beneficial where the user is the patient, that is where the patient wants to use the stethoscope on themselves. It is also beneficial when multiple parties must use the stethoscope together to identify a sound.

The second audio signal is typically produced nearly simultaneously with the first audio signal, with only a short delay for the electronic processing to take place.

The first electrical signal is typically modulated so that the second audio signal is substantially louder than first audio signal, so that the sounds being detected by the microphone are broadcast effectively by the speakers. Therefore in many cases the modulation will be an amplification. However the modulator may be configured to alter the signal in other ways. For example, the modulator may be arranged to decrease the amplitude of the second electrical signal. The modulator may be arranged to remove certain frequencies of sound, in order to remove unwanted noise from the second audio signal.

It may be that the first surface is adjacent the second surface. It may be that the first surface is substantially perpendicular to the second surface. Since the human body does not present many right angles, the use of a perpendicular angle between the first and second surfaces can help to ensure that the speaker is always directed away from the patient, in use. However, any angle desired may be used, and the second surface may, for example, be parallel to the first surface. In such an instance, the speakers may be directed in a direction with is substantially opposite to a direction of maximum sensitivity of the microphone.

It may be that the second surface is provided with a plurality of speakers, for receiving the second electrical signal and converting the second electrical signal into the second audio signal. By using a plurality of speakers greater volume can be achieved. The use of two or more speakers also provides redundancy, since one speaker can break but the electronic stethoscope will continue to be usable, thanks to the other speaker or speakers.

Typically, the housing will further comprise a third surface. The third surface is provided with a further speaker, for receiving the second electrical signal and converting the second electrical signal into the second audio signal. The third surface is fixed with respect to the first surface such that, when the first surface is placed in contact with a part of the patient's body, the third surface is directed away from that part of the patient.

It may be that the third surface is located adjacent the first surface. It may be that the first surface is substantially perpendicular to the third surface. The third surface may be arranged at any angle to the first surface.

The third surface may comprise a plurality of speakers. There may be further surfaces, provided with further speakers.

Typically, the housing further comprises a first depression on a surface of the housing.

Depressions in the surfaces of the housing make the electronic stethoscope easier to pick up and hold. Depressions may be of a size suitable for receiving a human finger or fingers, to further assist in the manipulation of the electronic stethoscope. The housing may also comprise a second depression on a surface of the housing. Where there are two depressions, it may be that the first depression is located on a first side of the housing, and the second depression is located on a second, substantially opposite side of the housing. In such an instance a user can grip the stethoscope by placing their finger in the depressions and exerting a gripping force upon the stethoscope.

The electronic stethoscope may further comprise at least one pad of a material with a higher coefficient of friction than the first, second or third surfaces, the pad being adhered to the surface of the housing. Typically such pads are located in a depression.

The high friction pads provide further assistance in gripping and manipulating the electronic stethoscope.

Depressions and pads are typically located on further surfaces, other than the first, second or third surfaces, so that gripping and manipulating the stethoscope does not cause the user to obstruct the microphone or speakers.

Typically the electronic stethoscope further comprises a socket suitable for receiving a plug from a set of headphones, the socket being arranged to provide the second electrical signal to the headphones. It may be that the electronic stethoscope is arranged to mute the speakers when the plug is inserted, in order to reduce confusion between the two different sound sources of speakers and headphones. Alternatively, the speakers may continue to function when a plug is inserted to the socket. Such an embodiment is useful since a recording device could be connected through the plug to record the second electrical signal, while the speakers continue to produce the second audio signal for the benefit of the user.

It may be that the stethoscope further comprises a transmitter for receiving either the first or the second electrical signal and converting the electrical signal into a further signal for transmission to a remote receiving device. The transmitter may be part of an induction loop system, or use any other suitable remote transmission method. The receiving device may be a hearing aid or hearing implant, or a recording device, or any other device suitable for either recording the electromagnetic signal or converting it into a second audio signal.

It may be that the housing further comprises a clip. The clip may be suitable for attaching the electronic stethoscope to an item of clothing. Typically, the clip is located on a side other than the first side, so as not to obstruct the microphone in use. This is especially important since the microphone is typically placed in contact with the patient, and a clip could prevent this. Typically, the clip is located on a side other than the second or third sides, so as not to obstruct the speakers in use.

It may be that the housing further comprises a closed loop. The closed loop is typically suitable for receiving a cord, so that the electronic stethoscope can be suspended from the cord and carried in that manner when not in use.

Advantages of these embodiments are set out hereafter, and further details and features of each of these embodiments are defined in the accompanying dependent claims and

elsewhere in the following detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various aspects of the teachings of the present invention, and arrangements embodying those teachings, will hereafter be described by way of illustrative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 show front views of an electronic stethoscope according to the invention; Figures 3 and 5 show back views of the same electronic stethoscope; Figure 4 shows a side view of the electronic stethoscope; Figure 6 shows a detail of the back of the electronic stethoscope; and Figure 7 is a diagrammatic representation of the components of the electronic stethoscope.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Figures 1 to 6 show a stethoscope 100, also known as a Leo-Scope. The stethoscope comprises an on/off button 1, a cord attachment 2, a volume control 3, a diaphragm 4, a headphone socket 5, eight finger grip pads 6, a front section 7, a back section 8, a top speaker 9, a bottom speaker 10, and a clip 11.

The Leo-Scope is a small hand-held digital style stethoscope, designed to be used by healthcare professionals, with a high quality acoustic sensitive diaphragm and a built in microphone for picking up sounds produced by the lungs, heart and gut. When using a blood pressure monitor the Leo-Scope can be placed on the forearm/bend in the elbow, overlapping the brachial artery to listen to the pulsation of the arteries. The Leo-Scope has an on-off button, volume control and a plug-in earphone, which makes it possible for the instrument to be used as the user chooses. The Leo-Scope is a small structure that can be carried around easily in the pocket, clipped on a garment, or worn around the neck using the enclosed cord.

Currently, the only instrument available to perform any of the Leo-Scope's tasks is the stethoscope, which has to be placed in the user's ears, thereby allowing only the user to pick up the sounds. For healthcare professionals with hearing difficulties, this can be a problem. In contrast, when the Leo-Scope is placed on the desired part of the patient's body, using the volume control button allows the sound to be clearly heard by everyone present at the same time. Alternatively, it can be used with the earphone, if the user chooses. It is ideal for use in learning situations with students or healthcare professionals, as everyone present can hear the sounds. As such, the Leo-Scope can be used for teaching recognition of sounds in groups.

Turning to figure 1, the diaphragm 4 is a flexible member covered by a rigid mesh. The rigid mesh protects the diaphragm from damage due to impacts.

The volume control 3 is a wheel which protrudes from the body of the stethoscope 100.

The wheel can therefore be turned easily by simply placing a finger on the wheel and moving the finger back and forth. This is easier to adjust for a user with poor mobility in their hands that a button, where they must exert pressure. Not needing to exert pressure also makes it easier to adjust the volume of the stethoscope 100 while it is in use without accidentally moving the stethoscope.

The grip pads 6, which can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, comprise circles of a high friction material adhered to the surface of the stethoscope 100. The grip pads 6 are arranged on opposite sides of the stethoscope 100 so that a user can manipulate the stethoscope by placing one finger on each group of grip pads 6 and exerting an inward pressure.

To further assist the user, each group of grips pads 6 is arranged inside a concave curve on the surface of the stethoscope 100. This curve helps to prevent the user's fingers from slipping, since the pressure exerted by the user will tend to cause their fingers to stay within the curve. The curve also ensures a greater contact between the user's fingers and the grip pads 6, in use.

The user can turn the stethoscope 100 on and off using the on/off button 1. This stops the stethoscope 100 making noises and wasting power when not in use.

The top and bottom speakers 9, 10 are both positioned behind grills in the surface of the stethoscope 100, visible in Figure 3, in order to protect them from damage due to impact during use.

If the user wishes to, they can fit a cord through the cord attachment 2, and then wear the stethoscope 100, for example looped around their neck. This will help prevent the user losing the stethoscope 100, and reduce the risk of damage that might result from the stethoscope 100 being carried inside a pocket.

The clip 11 can be used to fasten the stethoscope 100 to an item of clothing such as a pocket or belt loop, or the top of a clipboard, or any other convenient surface, when not in use. Again, this will help prevent the user losing the stethoscope 100, and reduce the risk of damage that might result from the stethoscope 100 being carried inside a pocket.

Figure 7 is a diagram of the internal components of the stethoscope 100. The stethoscope comprises a microphone 12, which in turn comprises the diaphragm 4. In use, the diaphragm is placed close to the patient so that noises made by the patient's body cause the diaphragm to move. Movements in the diaphragm are then translated by the microphone 12 into a first electrical signal, which is sent to the modulator 13. The modulator 13 modulates the first electrical signal to produce a second electrical signal, and then transits the second electrical signal to the top and bottom speakers 9, 10 and the headphone socket 5. Finally, the top and bottom speaker 9, 10, or a pair of headphones, translate the second electrical signal into a second audio signal.

The modulator 13 is configured to modulate the first electrical signal so that the second audio signal has the same characteristics as the first audio signal except in that it has a different amplitude. In this way the stethoscope 100 provides an accurate representation of the sounds made by a patient's body.

The stethoscope 100 also comprises a controller 14, which is connected to the on/off button 1, the volume control 3 and a battery 15.The controller 14 controls the power supply from the battery to the rest of the stethoscope 100, and as such can cause the stethoscope 100 to turn on or off when the on/off button I is operated. The controller 14 also controls the behaviour of the modulator 13 so that when the volume control 3 is operated the controller causes the modulator 13 to alter the second electrical signal and so increase or decrease the volume of the second audio signal.

When headphones are connected to the headphone socket 5, the top and bottom speakers 9, 10 are deactivated by the controller 14, so that only a user wearing the headphones will hear the output of the stethoscope 100. This can be helpful in situations where privacy must be maintained, or if there is background noise which the headphones might help the user to overcome or distinguish.

Turning back to figure 1, the stethoscope 100 comprises a front section 7 and a back section 8 which can be separated. When the front and back sections 7, 8 are separated the battery 15 can be accessed and replaced when necessary.

In an alternative embodiment, a stethoscope 100 may be provided with a rechargeable battery and a further socket suitable for connecting the stethoscope 100 to a power supply for recharging the rechargeable battery. In the embodiments above a battery of a standard size, such as an AA or AAA battery will be used, since these are easily purchased by the user. However embodiments which use other sizes of battery are also possible.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An electronic stethoscope for use on a patient, the stethoscope comprising a housing and the housing comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is provided with a microphone, for receiving a first audio signal when placed in contact with the patient, and converting the first audio signal into a first electrical signal, the stethoscope further comprising a modulator for receiving the first electrical signal and modulating the first electrical signal to produce a second electrical signal, the second surface being provided with a speaker for receiving the second electrical signal and converting the second electrical signal into a second audio signal, the second surface being fixed with respect to the first surface such that, when the first surface is placed in contact with a part of the patient's body, the second surface is directed away from that part of the patient.
2. An electronic stethoscope as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first surface is adjacent the second surface.
3. An electronic stethoscope as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein the first surface is substantially perpendicular to the second surface.
4. An electronic stethoscope as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second surface is provided with a plurality of speakers, for receiving the second electrical signal and converting the second electrical signal into the second audio signal.
5. An electronic stethoscope as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing further comprises a third surface, wherein the third surface is provided with a further speaker, for receiving the second electrical signal and converting the second electrical signal into the second audio signal, the third surface being fixed with respect to the first surface such that, when the first surface is placed in contact with a part of the patient's body, the third surface is directed away from that part of the patient.
6. An electronic stethoscope as claimed in claim 5, wherein the third surface is located adjacent the first surface.
7. An electronic stethoscope as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the first surface is substantially perpendicular to the third surface.
8. An electronic stethoscope as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing further comprises a first depression on a surface of the housing.
9. An electronic stethoscope as claimed in claim 8, wherein the housing further comprises a second depression on a surface of the housing.
10. An electronic stethoscope as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first depression is located on a first side of the housing, and the second depression is located on a second, substantially opposite side of the housing.
11. An electronic stethoscope as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein in the housing further comprises at least one pad of a material with a higher coefficient of friction than the first, second or third surfaces, the pad being adhered to the surface of the housing.
12. An electronic stethoscope as claimed in any preceding claim, the stethoscope further comprising a socket suitable for receiving a plug from a set of headphones, the socket being arranged to provide the second electrical signal to the headphones.
13. An electronic stethoscope as claimed in any preceding claim, the stethoscope further comprising a transmitter for receiving either the first or the second electrical signal and converting the electrical signal into a further signal for transmission to a remote receiving device.
14. An electronic stethoscope as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing further comprises a clip.
15. An electronic stethoscope as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing further comprises a closed loop.
16. An electronic stethoscope substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.