WO2006123055A1 - Electronic stethoscope - Google Patents

Electronic stethoscope Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006123055A1
WO2006123055A1 PCT/FR2006/001123 FR2006001123W WO2006123055A1 WO 2006123055 A1 WO2006123055 A1 WO 2006123055A1 FR 2006001123 W FR2006001123 W FR 2006001123W WO 2006123055 A1 WO2006123055 A1 WO 2006123055A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electronic stethoscope
electronic
stethoscope
sensor
circuit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR2006/001123
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Marc Berdugo
Original Assignee
Global Vision Holding S.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Global Vision Holding S.A. filed Critical Global Vision Holding S.A.
Priority to EP06764645A priority Critical patent/EP1881790A1/en
Publication of WO2006123055A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006123055A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/06—Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
    • A61B5/061—Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing impedance electrodes on the surface of the body
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B7/00—Instruments for auscultation
    • A61B7/02—Stethoscopes
    • A61B7/026—Stethoscopes comprising more than one sound collector
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B7/00—Instruments for auscultation
    • A61B7/02—Stethoscopes
    • A61B7/04—Electric stethoscopes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electronic stethoscope.
  • Electronic stethoscopes are designed to capture hard-to-hear sounds from the heart and other parts of the body.
  • Electronic stethoscopes sold by the company 3M (trade name) under the Littmann brand are known, including a horn that includes a microphone and low noise amplifiers.
  • Three frequency response modes allow optimal heart and lung auscultation - bell (20 to 200 Hz), membrane (100 to 500 Hz) and extended range (20 to 1000 Hz).
  • Digital storage and recording of sounds is offered on six separate tracks. Instant playback of recorded sounds can be done at normal speed or at half speed.
  • the sound data recorded by the electronic stethoscope can be transmitted by infrared to another electronic stethoscope or to a personal computer.
  • Filter circuits provide three frequency response modes (bell, diaphragm, and extended range).
  • the stethoscope is equipped with biauricular earphones and soft pressure ear tips.
  • European Patent EP0845958 discloses an electronic stethoscope capable of operating in different modes for processing acoustic signals and providing filtered signals useful for performing diagnostics.
  • the stethoscope provides substantially only the acoustic signals derived from the biological activity of the heart.
  • the acoustic stethoscope provides substantially only the acoustic signals derived from the biological activity of the lungs.
  • the electronic stethoscope amplifies, very strongly, normal heart sounds and abnormal heart sounds, to facilitate the diagnosis of cardiac abnormalities.
  • the electronic stethoscope operates in a manner similar to that of a conventional acoustic stethoscope and has similar spectral characteristics, allowing a user with experience of an acoustic stethoscope to easily use the electronic stethoscope.
  • PCT patent WO0035348 relates to a sensor intended, preferably, to be used in an electronic stethoscope. This sensor comprises a substantially cylindrical viscoelastic contact and a transfer body securely stuck in a rear part and closely surrounded by a piezoelectric element, for example one or two piezoelectric sheets which convert the sound pressure into electrical signals.
  • This unique signal does not allow the user to access all the sound information for rendering a three-dimensional sound image.
  • the object of the present invention is to improve the perception by the practitioner of the amplified sound signals produced by an electronic stethoscope.
  • the invention relates in its most general sense to an electronic stethoscope characterized in that it comprises two sensors spaced from a distance of between 15 and 35 centimeters, and each mounted on a support via a cardan.
  • the stethoscope according to the invention comprises a pair of microphones paired in phase.
  • the pairing is performed by sorting identical microphones, recording the phase response curve as a function of frequency, and selecting the two microphones of a series whose offset between the two curves is the smallest.
  • Microphones have a natural resonant frequency greater than 15 kilohertz.
  • the links between the microphones and the electronic circuits are made with sheathed silver cables
  • the cables have a mu-metal shield.
  • the electronic circuits comprise a digital analog converter whose sampling frequency is at least equal to 96 Khz.
  • the clock of the converter circuit is a low jitter circuit.
  • Both channels are fully electrically independent.
  • Each channel has its own symmetrical power supply. All the links are of the symmetrical type, with a common mass.
  • it comprises a configurable treatment circuit according to the morphology of the patient.
  • each sensor comprises a scanning and processing circuit.

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic stethoscope, characterised in comprising two phase-matched sensors at a spacing of 15 to 35 centimeters and each mounted on a support by means of a shaft. Each sensor is connected to an independent electronic circuit, supplied by a separate supply.

Description

STÉTHOSCOPE ÉLECTRONIQUE ELECTRONIC STETHOSCOPE
La présente invention concerne un stéthoscope électronique.The present invention relates to an electronic stethoscope.
Les stéthoscopes électroniques sont conçus pour capter les sons difficiles à entendre provenant du cœur et d'autres parties du corps.Electronic stethoscopes are designed to capture hard-to-hear sounds from the heart and other parts of the body.
On connaît des stéthoscopes électroniques commercialisés par la société 3M (nom commercial) sous la marque Littmann, comprenant un pavillon qui inclut un microphone et des amplificateurs à faible bruit. Trois modes de réponse de fréquences permettent une auscultation optimale du cœur et des poumons - cloche (20 à 200 Hz), membrane (100 à 500 Hz) et gamme étendue (20 à 1000 Hz).Electronic stethoscopes sold by the company 3M (trade name) under the Littmann brand are known, including a horn that includes a microphone and low noise amplifiers. Three frequency response modes allow optimal heart and lung auscultation - bell (20 to 200 Hz), membrane (100 to 500 Hz) and extended range (20 to 1000 Hz).
Le stockage et l ' enregistrement numériques des sons sont offerts sur six pistes distinctes. La lecture instantanée des sons enregistrés peut se faire à vitesse normale ou à demi- vitesse. Les données de sons enregistrés par le stéthoscope électronique peuvent être transmises par infrarouge à un autre stéthoscope électronique ou à un ordinateur personnel.Digital storage and recording of sounds is offered on six separate tracks. Instant playback of recorded sounds can be done at normal speed or at half speed. The sound data recorded by the electronic stethoscope can be transmitted by infrared to another electronic stethoscope or to a personal computer.
Des circuits de filtres fournissent trois modes de réponse de fréquence (cloche, diaphragme et gamme étendue). Le stéthoscope est équipé d'écouteurs biauriculaires et d'embouts auriculaires à pression souples.Filter circuits provide three frequency response modes (bell, diaphragm, and extended range). The stethoscope is equipped with biauricular earphones and soft pressure ear tips.
Le brevet européen EP0845958 décrit un stéthoscope électronique pouvant fonctionner en différents modes pour traiter des signaux acoustiques et fournir des signaux filtrés utiles pour effectuer des diagnostics. Dans un mode de fonctionnement, le stéthoscope ne fournit sensiblement que les signaux acoustiques provenant de l ' activité biologique du coeur. Dans un autre mode de fonctionnement, le stéthoscope acoustique ne fournit sensiblement que les signaux acoustiques provenant de l'activité biologique des poumons. Dans un autre mode de fonctionnement encore, le stéthoscope électronique amplifie, de manière très forte, les bruits normaux du coeur et les bruits anormaux du coeur, pour faciliter le diagnostic d'anomalies cardiaques. Le stéthoscope électronique fonctionne d'une manière similaire à celle d'un stéthoscope acoustique conventionnel et il a des caractéristiques spectrales similaires, ce qui permet à un utilisateur ayant l'expérience d'un stéthoscope acoustique, d'utiliser sans difficulté le stéthoscope électronique. Le brevet PCT WO0035348 concerne un capteur destiné, de préférence, à être utilisé dans un stéthoscope électronique. Ce capteur comprend un contact viscoélastique de forme sensiblement cylindrique et un corps de transfert solidement fiché dans une pièce arrière et étroitement entouré par un élément piézo-électrique, par exemple une ou deux feuilles piézo-électriques qui convertissent la pression sonore en signaux électriques.European Patent EP0845958 discloses an electronic stethoscope capable of operating in different modes for processing acoustic signals and providing filtered signals useful for performing diagnostics. In one mode of operation, the stethoscope provides substantially only the acoustic signals derived from the biological activity of the heart. In another mode of operation, the acoustic stethoscope provides substantially only the acoustic signals derived from the biological activity of the lungs. In yet another mode of operation, the electronic stethoscope amplifies, very strongly, normal heart sounds and abnormal heart sounds, to facilitate the diagnosis of cardiac abnormalities. The electronic stethoscope operates in a manner similar to that of a conventional acoustic stethoscope and has similar spectral characteristics, allowing a user with experience of an acoustic stethoscope to easily use the electronic stethoscope. PCT patent WO0035348 relates to a sensor intended, preferably, to be used in an electronic stethoscope. This sensor comprises a substantially cylindrical viscoelastic contact and a transfer body securely stuck in a rear part and closely surrounded by a piezoelectric element, for example one or two piezoelectric sheets which convert the sound pressure into electrical signals.
On connaît dans l'état de la technique le brevet belge BE8800247 décrivant un stéthoscope acoustique stéréoscopique traditionnel.It is known in the state of the art Belgian patent BE8800247 describing a traditional stereoscopic acoustic stethoscope.
On connaît également dans l'état de la technique le brevet le brevet US6228040 décrit un stéthoscope électronique comprenant un ensemble de capteurs disposés sur un support. Dans ce document de l'art antérieur, les microphones fournissent des signaux qui sont combinés entre eux pour déterminer un signal unique consistant en la résultante des trois signaux captés.Also known in the state of the art the patent US6228040 discloses an electronic stethoscope comprising a set of sensors arranged on a support. In this prior art document, the microphones provide signals that are combined with each other to determine a single signal consisting of the resultant of the three picked signals.
Ce signal unique ne permet pas à l'utilisateur d'accéder à la totalité des informations sonores permettant de restituer une image sonore tridimensionnelle.This unique signal does not allow the user to access all the sound information for rendering a three-dimensional sound image.
L'objet de la présente invention est d'améliorer la perception par le praticien des signaux sonores amplifiés produit par un stéthoscope électronique.The object of the present invention is to improve the perception by the practitioner of the amplified sound signals produced by an electronic stethoscope.
À cet effet, l'invention concerne selon son acception la plus générale un stéthoscope électronique caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend deux capteurs espacés d'une distance comprise entre 15 et 35 centimètres, et montés chacun sur un support par l'intermédiaire d'un cardan.For this purpose, the invention relates in its most general sense to an electronic stethoscope characterized in that it comprises two sensors spaced from a distance of between 15 and 35 centimeters, and each mounted on a support via a cardan.
Le stéthoscope selon l'invention comprend un couple de microphones appariés en phase. L' appariement est réalisé par le tri de microphones identiques, par l'enregistrement de la courbe de réponse en phase en fonction de la fréquence et par sélection des deux microphones d'une série dont le décalage entre les deux courbes est le plus faible. Les microphones présentent une fréquence de résonance propre supérieure à 15 kilohertz.The stethoscope according to the invention comprises a pair of microphones paired in phase. The pairing is performed by sorting identical microphones, recording the phase response curve as a function of frequency, and selecting the two microphones of a series whose offset between the two curves is the smallest. Microphones have a natural resonant frequency greater than 15 kilohertz.
Les liaisons entre les microphones et les circuits électroniques sont réalisées avec des câbles argent gainéThe links between the microphones and the electronic circuits are made with sheathed silver cables
Teflon (marque commerciale) réduisant les effets de mémoire et les perturbations du signal électrique. De préférence, les câbles présentent un blindage en mu-métal.Teflon (trademark) reducing the effects of memory and disturbances of the electrical signal. Preferably, the cables have a mu-metal shield.
Les circuits électroniques comportent un convertisseur analogique digital dont la fréquence d'échantillonnage est au moins égale à 96 Khz. L'horloge du circuit convertisseur est un circuit à faible jitter.The electronic circuits comprise a digital analog converter whose sampling frequency is at least equal to 96 Khz. The clock of the converter circuit is a low jitter circuit.
Les deux voies sont totalement indépendantes électriquement. Chaque voie comporte sa propre alimentation symétrique. L'ensemble des liaisons est du type symétrique, avec une masse commune. Avantageusement, il comprend un circuit de traitement paramétrable en fonction de la morphologie du patient.Both channels are fully electrically independent. Each channel has its own symmetrical power supply. All the links are of the symmetrical type, with a common mass. Advantageously, it comprises a configurable treatment circuit according to the morphology of the patient.
Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, chaque capteur comprend un circuit de numérisation et de traitement. According to a preferred embodiment, each sensor comprises a scanning and processing circuit.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1 - Stéthoscope électronique caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend deux capteurs appariés en phase, espacés d'une distance comprise entre 15 et 35 centimètres, et montés chacun sur un support par l'intermédiaire d'un cardan, chaque capteur étant relié à un circuit électronique indépendant, alimenté par une alimentation distincte.1 - electronic stethoscope characterized in that it comprises two phase-matched sensors, spaced apart by a distance of between 15 and 35 centimeters, and each mounted on a support via a universal joint, each sensor being connected to a independent electronic circuit, powered by a separate power supply.
2 - Stéthoscope électronique selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que chacun des capteurs est associé à un convertisseur analogique-digital .2 - electronic stethoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the sensors is associated with an analog-digital converter.
3 - Stéthoscope électronique selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un circuit de traitement paramétrable en fonction de la morphologie du patient.3 - electronic stethoscope according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a treatment circuit parameterizable according to the morphology of the patient.
4 - Stéthoscope électronique selon les revendications 2 et 3, caractérisé en ce que chaque capteur comprend un circuit de numérisation et de traitement.4 - electronic stethoscope according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that each sensor comprises a scanning circuit and processing.
5 - Stéthoscope électronique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les liaisons entre un capteur et le circuit électronique associé est réalisé par un câble argent gainé de Téflon. 5 - electronic stethoscope according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connections between a sensor and the associated electronic circuit is formed by a silver cable Teflon sheathed.
PCT/FR2006/001123 2005-05-18 2006-05-18 Electronic stethoscope WO2006123055A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06764645A EP1881790A1 (en) 2005-05-18 2006-05-18 Electronic stethoscope

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0551289 2005-05-18
FR0551289A FR2885792B1 (en) 2005-05-18 2005-05-18 ELECTRONIC STETHOSCOPE

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006123055A1 true WO2006123055A1 (en) 2006-11-23

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ID=35355325

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/FR2006/001123 WO2006123055A1 (en) 2005-05-18 2006-05-18 Electronic stethoscope

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EP (1) EP1881790A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2885792B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2006123055A1 (en)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3329809A1 (en) * 1983-08-18 1985-02-28 Rudolf Dr.med. 5143 Wassenberg Thissen Device for the simultaneous auscultation of sound phenomena in different locations in the human body
US4528689A (en) * 1981-09-22 1985-07-09 International Acoustics Incorporated Sound monitoring apparatus
BE1001470A6 (en) 1988-03-03 1989-11-07 Benit Marc Stereo medical stethoscope - includes two acoustic or electric microphones whose positions may be adjusted on support
EP0845958A2 (en) 1995-07-21 1998-06-10 Stethtech Corporation Electronic stethoscope
WO2000035348A1 (en) 1998-12-03 2000-06-22 Meditron As Sound pickup sensor
US6228040B1 (en) 1998-08-04 2001-05-08 Western Research Company, Inc. Method and apparatus for diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome
US20020129968A1 (en) * 2001-03-16 2002-09-19 Flick Kenneth E. Electrical signal cable assembly including transparent insulating layers and associated methods

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4528689A (en) * 1981-09-22 1985-07-09 International Acoustics Incorporated Sound monitoring apparatus
DE3329809A1 (en) * 1983-08-18 1985-02-28 Rudolf Dr.med. 5143 Wassenberg Thissen Device for the simultaneous auscultation of sound phenomena in different locations in the human body
BE1001470A6 (en) 1988-03-03 1989-11-07 Benit Marc Stereo medical stethoscope - includes two acoustic or electric microphones whose positions may be adjusted on support
EP0845958A2 (en) 1995-07-21 1998-06-10 Stethtech Corporation Electronic stethoscope
US6228040B1 (en) 1998-08-04 2001-05-08 Western Research Company, Inc. Method and apparatus for diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome
WO2000035348A1 (en) 1998-12-03 2000-06-22 Meditron As Sound pickup sensor
US20020129968A1 (en) * 2001-03-16 2002-09-19 Flick Kenneth E. Electrical signal cable assembly including transparent insulating layers and associated methods

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2885792B1 (en) 2007-08-24
EP1881790A1 (en) 2008-01-30
FR2885792A1 (en) 2006-11-24

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