JP4995962B2 - Stethoscope - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a stethoscope via an electronic circuit.

The purpose of the conventional stethoscope via an electronic circuit is to accurately auscultate the generated sound in the body and prevent other unnecessary sounds from being heard. For this reason, various electronic processes and circuits were added to improve the listening sound. There are also devices that electronically suppress excessive volume such as contact noise and scratching noise.

There was also a stethoscope via an electronic circuit using a sound collection unit equipped with two sound collection devices.

In addition, some stethoscopes via an electronic circuit have an auditory characteristic approximate to that of a conventional stethoscope using an electronic circuit so that a user who is familiar with a general stethoscope can use it without a sense of incongruity.

In some cases, a signal processing unit is provided between the sound collection unit and the sound collection unit of the stethoscope, and the sound collection unit and the sound collection unit of the stethoscope are wirelessly separated.

There were also items that were auscultated in stereo and provided to the user.

As another technique, there has been a multi-channel stereo and headphones for that purpose.

In the stereo, there is also a device that creates a multi-channel sound field from two-channel headphones by electronic approximation.
JP 2004-261264 A JP2002-165292 Patent 3626198 6-61208 JP 2009-49844 A Special table 2004-509541 Special table 2004-500219 JP-A-11-220797

A conventional stethoscope using two auscultatory sound collectors in a stethoscope through an electronic circuit has a left and right sound field feeling but no upper and lower sound field feelings, and an existing mechanical auscultation commonly used. The use interval was different from the vessel.

In addition, there is no such stethoscope through such an electronic circuit that removes noise such as scratching of the sound collecting section or controls the excessive sound volume to protect the user's ear.

In addition, there is no such conventional stethoscope that secures convenience by wirelessly connecting the sound collection section and the sound collection section of the stethoscope.

Also, when not in use, there was no such thing as placing a sound collecting part of a stethoscope in a dedicated cradle or the like to charge and protect the equipment.

In addition, there is no such stethoscope that has a heat-retaining function in the sound collecting part of the cradle or the stethoscope so as not to cause a cold sensation upon human contact.

Also, there was no stethoscope that measured and displayed the heart rate of the subject by signal processing at the same time as use.

In the present invention, a sound collecting unit provided with three or more, preferably four or more sound collecting devices at the same time is used, and the sound from each sound collecting device is processed to listen to a three-dimensional sound field. Make a stethoscope that can.

In addition, by processing the signal, the contact noise of the stethoscope and excessive sound volume are controlled so that the ear of the stethoscope can be protected.

In addition, the signal processing corrects the difference between the left and right audibility characteristics of the user's ear, and the sense of use of the stethoscope using the conventional mechanical single sound collecting device makes it possible to obtain a plurality of sound collecting devices of the present invention. To make it possible to seamlessly change the feeling of use of the stethoscope using the device.

In addition, the focal point of the listening sound can be moved three-dimensionally by adjusting the phase difference of the signals from the plurality of sound collecting devices.

In addition, the movement of the focus of the listening sound and the change in the feeling of use can be easily changed during listening by attaching an operation medium such as a wheel or joystick used in a PC mouse to the sound collection unit. To do.

In addition, a dedicated cradle is used that connects the sound collection unit and the sound collection unit of the stethoscope wirelessly and charges and protects the sound collection unit when not in use.

Further, the sound collecting unit or the cradle is provided with a heat retaining function.

Moreover, you may use a protective cover for the heat insulation and protection of a sound collection part.

In addition, a heart rate display device is provided in the sound collection unit.

By the above means, the number of sound receiving channels is increased and a three-dimensional sound field is created, so that the user can concentrate on the part where the user wants to specify the listening sound. it can.

In addition, because signal processing can be easily performed by the built-in DSP, equalization such as special frequency emphasis, heart rate counting display, accurate listening sound by stereophonic sound, focused listening sound by phase control, by many examiners It is useful in the field such as comprehensive judgment, data logging, and education for many students.

Further, since an operation medium such as a wheel or a joystick is used, the operation is easy.

In addition, the protective cover of the sound collecting part of the stethoscope and the heater arranged in the cradle can remove the cold feeling when the stethoscope is applied and the fear of the infant.

In addition, by giving design to the sound collection part, protective cover, and cradle, it is more effective in removing the fear of infants. Since the stethoscope of the present invention has a high degree of freedom in shape, a high effect can be expected.

In addition, with the above degree of freedom, the contact portion of the sound collection unit can be easily disinfected or cleaned.

In the sound collecting part of the stethoscope, at least three, preferably four or more sound collecting devices are attached to the patient's body surface at a position where they can be pressed together at an appropriate distance.

The sound collecting part of this stethoscope may be considered to have a sound collecting microphone attached to each part of the bottom surface of a casing shaped like a small mouse of a personal computer, for example. The upper part is a button, a switch part, a data display part as an operation part, and a signal processing circuit and a rechargeable power source inside.

In addition, since there are at least three points of input, the phase of the input sound from each receiving device is adjusted as necessary, and the phase is adjusted by the DSP so as to focus on the position of the sound source to be auscultated. Try to hear clearly the sounds generated from each depth and position in the body.

The auscultator moves this to listen to the patient's body sound. At this time, the noise and impact when the patient's body surface touches the housing are shockproof or rubbery between the sound collector and the stethoscope sound collector. What is necessary is just to fix and attenuate with a material.

In addition, when an excessive sound input occurs when the patient is pressed against the patient's body surface or when the patient moves, the sound may be reduced or silenced by an internal circuit.

Further, the rubber-like material at this time preferably has elasticity so as to fulfill the function of bringing the sound collecting devices into close contact with the body surface of the patient.

The sound collection device may be a device that improves and reduces the sound collection part of an existing stethoscope and converts it into an electrical signal, but uses a dedicated contact microphone using a piezoelectric material such as polyvinylidene fluoride. In any case, any material can be used as long as it can withstand a load on the surface such as impact, abrasion, and disinfection.

The stethoscope sound collector housing can be any size that fits in the palm of your hand, but you can attach a trackball, wheel, joystick, rotary knob, switch, display device, etc. as necessary to control the function. You can do it.

By operating these operation units to change the volume, sound quality, focus phase, etc., it is convenient to work with one hand.

The equalization of the sound collecting device and other function controls described above may be performed in a stethoscope sound collecting unit housing using a digital signal processor (hereinafter referred to as DSP) or in a stethoscope sounding unit. In addition, it is possible to make it easy to hear low-frequency signals by multiplying the data from the stethoscope sound collection unit by a DSP to double speed or triple speed (particularly in the low frequency range such as heart sounds).

In addition, when the stethoscope sound collection unit and the stethoscope sounding unit are connected wirelessly, it is only necessary to provide both addresses so that signals are received only at the matching addresses. By doing this, it is possible to send a signal from a single stethoscope sound collector to a number of stethoscope receivers. This is useful when sending signals to educational sites, multiple auscultators, or data loggers. Is also advantageous.

The stethoscope sound collector housing may be charged and kept warm by placing it on a dedicated cradle. The cradle should have a charging function and a heat retaining function.

Charging uses an induction coil or the like to eliminate the metal contact portion and is better able to withstand disinfection and cleaning.

The playback sound of this device can be changed from a mode that can be heard in the same way as a conventional stethoscope to a mode that provides a three-dimensional sound field consisting of a plurality of stethoscope sound collectors, and there should be no connection between sound quality changes during this period. Needless to say, this can be done with a DSP.

In addition, the trackball, wheel, switch, rotary knob, etc., described above may be used for this operation. These may be in the stethoscope sound collector housing, or in the stethoscope receiver including headphones. There may be.

In addition, it is considered that the functions related to the auscultation person's hearing correction are convenient for data logging and auscultation by a large number of people if they are performed in the stethoscope sounding part.

If this stethoscope sounding part is made into a case, it may be in a shape that can be placed stationary or in a breast pocket. Moreover, the thing built in a headphone or an earphone may be sufficient.

Moreover, a cover which is a protective member is provided on the stethoscope receiver housing or the sound collector as necessary. This is preferably a thing that can withstand cleaning and disinfection, or a thing that can be easily replaced and that has an acoustic impedance close to that of the human body at the sound collection portion. For pediatricians, a cover that mimics an animal or the like would be good for a child's fear, and for a general adult, a cover like a computer mouse that gives priority to functions could be considered. For doctors, cows are considered.

The basic shape of the present invention is shown in FIG. Stethoscope sound collection unit A small mouse-like shape having a protruding portion of the sound collection device 2 on the bottom surface of the housing 1 and can be used with a fingertip.

It is also possible to have a knob that is more ergonomically pinched between the fingertips, a stabilizing ring 4 or the like.

The upper part has a joystick 5 and a switch 6 which are controller switch groups that can be operated while holding the stethoscope sound collector housing 1.

FIG. 2 is a view of the stethoscope sound collecting unit housing 1 of this embodiment as viewed from the bottom, and the sound collecting device 2 is arranged so as to have a three-dimensional focal point.

FIG. 5 shows a stethoscope receiver 9 used simultaneously and headphones 10 for the user to listen to the sound. The stethoscope receiving unit 9 is used in a pocket.

3 and 4 show an embodiment of the present invention with emphasis on designability.

FIG. 2 shows a shape in which a kitten is on top of the parent cat. The parent cat is the cradle 8 and the kitten is the stethoscope sound collector housing 1. The sound device 2.

In addition, a heart rate display 7 is provided on the head of the kitten which is the stethoscope sound collection unit housing 1, and the target heart rate is thereby displayed.

3 is a stethoscope sound collector housing 1 with a cow design cover, and a stethoscope sound collector housing 1 placed in a wagon-type cradle 8. FIG. In the practice of the present invention, charging and heat insulation are performed in this way.

In this embodiment, the sound collecting device 2 is attached to each of the four points on the toes and the breast.

A stethoscope is provided that is easier to hear, does not give fear to patients, and is convenient for diagnosis, education, data management, etc.

Stethoscope sound collection unit and receiver main body and cradle overhead view according to the first embodiment of the present invention A view of the stethoscope sound collector from the back 3 is an overhead view of a case and a cradle having a design property according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The bird's-eye view which put the case with the design nature concerning Example 2 of the present invention on the cradle Example of stethoscope receiver

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Stethoscope sound-collecting part housing | casing 2 Sound collector 3 Actuation lamp 4 Stabilizing ring 5 Joystick 6 Switch 7 Heart rate display display 8 Cradle 9 Stethoscope receiving part 10 Headphone

Claims (3)

In a stereophonic electronic stethoscope that is used by hand, three or more sound collectors are integrated into a housing and used as a sound collection unit, and the auscultation sound is electronically phased into a three-dimensional sound field. A stethoscope comprising a signal processing device and a sounding unit that provides an auscultatory sound to a user in a stereo three-dimensional sound field using an electronic receiving unit.
The stethoscope according to claim 1, wherein a phase processing is performed on the signal from each sound collecting device, and an operation unit capable of operating a focus of the sound collecting of the sound collecting unit is provided, so that the sound can be heard three-dimensionally in the body of the sound object. A stethoscope characterized by the ability to change the focus.
The stethoscope according to claim 2, wherein an operating member such as a trackball, a wheel, or a joystick is used as an operation unit capable of operating the focus of the acoustic sound, so that the acoustic focus can be easily operated. vessel.

Images