WO2007149279A2 - stéthoscope amplifié avec traitement des signaux à réduction de bruit automatique - Google Patents

stéthoscope amplifié avec traitement des signaux à réduction de bruit automatique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007149279A2
WO2007149279A2 PCT/US2007/013865 US2007013865W WO2007149279A2 WO 2007149279 A2 WO2007149279 A2 WO 2007149279A2 US 2007013865 W US2007013865 W US 2007013865W WO 2007149279 A2 WO2007149279 A2 WO 2007149279A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
signal
microphone
frequency
processor
signal process
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2007/013865
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English (en)
Other versions
WO2007149279A3 (fr
Inventor
Michael L. Petroff
Original Assignee
Petroff Michael L
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 Petroff Michael L filed Critical Petroff Michael L
Publication of WO2007149279A2 publication Critical patent/WO2007149279A2/fr
Publication of WO2007149279A3 publication Critical patent/WO2007149279A3/fr

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Classifications

    • 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 stethoscopes, and more specifically to amplified stethoscopes comprising noise elimination signal processing.
  • Both acoustic and amplified stethoscopes comprise a pickup head that is placed upon a patient.
  • the pickup head detects anatomical sounds emanating from within the patient that are of interest to a practitioner using the stethoscope; however the pickup head also delects pickup head vibration artifact noise and external ambient noise.
  • Pickup head vibration artifact noise is typically short in duration (generally occurring during the first few seconds following pickup head placement on the patient) but can be extremely high in level with respect to the detected anatomical sounds.
  • the pickup head is passive and couples the detected sounds and noises (the "detected sounds") via air confined within two hollow tubes to two open earpieces inserted in the ears of a practitioner.
  • the pickup head is active and couples the detected sounds to a microphone comprised in such pickup head; such microphone provides an input signal to a signal processor and amplifier; such signal processor and amplifier provide an amplified output signal that is connected to a speaker driver; and such speaker driver produces amplified detected sounds that couple via air confined with hollow tubes to two open earpieces inserted in the ears of a practitioner.
  • signal processors comprised prior art amplified stethoscopes may employ (a) multiple filter options, in which at least one upper cut-off frequency typically on the order of 1 ,000 to 3,000 Hz may be selected, and/or (b) multiple frequency response equalization options, in which at least one frequency response equalization curve may be selected.
  • Such options are selected manually by the practitioner often while the practitioner simultaneously attempts to use, and hold steady the position of, the pickup head on a patient in order to minimize pickup head movement artifact noise - a task which, from a practical standpoint, is often difficult to implement.
  • Other prior art amplified stethoscopes utilize a secondary ambient noise detection microphone having an output signal that is subtracted from a primary stethoscope microphone output signal in such a manner as to reduce ambient noise levels in the primary stethoscope microphone signal.
  • noise reduction techniques are often not sufficiently effective due to phase and amplitude misalignments of noise signals in the primary and secondary microphones for varying acoustic noise source and primary microphone placement parameters.
  • prior art acoustic stethoscopes offer the advantages of low cost and simplicity of operation, however inherently present low volume levels of detected sounds to the practitioner.
  • Prior art amplified stethoscopes offer the advantage of presenting high volume levels of detected sounds to the practitioner, however are inherently limited by at least one, and typically all, of the following disadvantages: [004] 1. Excessive amplification of pickup head vibration artifact noise relative to the detected anatomical sounds.
  • the present invention is an amplified stethoscope (“the stethoscope”) that provides effective, and where applicable automated, resolutions to inherent limitations in prior art amplified stethoscopes.
  • the stethoscope comprises a main body that incorporates a signal processor and amplifier coupled to a pickup head that is placed upon a patient.
  • a first microphone is disposed within the pickup head and provides a first microphone signal that is processed by the signal processor.
  • the first microphone signal corresponds to detected anatomical sound emanating from within the patient (the "anatomical sound”), which sounds are of diagnostic interest to a practitioner using the stethoscope; however, such signal also corresponds to detected pickup head movement induced artifact noise (the “artifact noise”) and competing external ambient noise (the “ambient noise”), which noises, once amplified, are disturbing and distracting to a practitioner using the stethoscope.
  • Artifact noise is typically short in duration (typically occurring only during the first few seconds following placement or movement of the pickup head on the patient) and is typically high in amplitude with respect to the anatomical sounds.
  • Ambient noise may exist for extended durations and is typically moderate in amplitude with respect to the anatomical sounds.
  • the first microphone signal thereby corresponds to each of the anatomical sounds, the artifact noise and the ambient noise (collectively, the "detected sounds").
  • the signal processor provides a processor audio output signal that is applied to at least one amplifier, which in turn provides at least one amplified output signal connected to at one of
  • At least one but ordinarily two speaker drivers producing amplified detected sounds which couple to a pair of air-filled hollow tubes substantially 200 to 400 mm in length, each such tube inserted into an ear of a practitioner ordinarily by means of a flexible earpiece, or, preferably,
  • the signal processor receives as input and processes the first microphone signal and provides at least one function of (a) a first signal process comprising a squelch, by means of one of disabling or attenuating the processor audio output signal during at least one of the typically short durations of high amplitude artifact noise above a first amplitude threshold, or an increasing rate of change in such artifact noise above a first rate of change threshold, wherein at least one of the activation or non-activation of the squelch, in the above- described manner, may be indicated by a first visual display, such as LED light(s), preferably disposed on the pickup head and driven by a signal processor display output signal, thereby providing the practitioner with visual feedback as to when the pickup head is being held in a stable position on the patient such that artifact noise induced
  • a second microphone may be disposed in the pickup head in such a manner as to be directly exposed to the ambient noise and provides a second microphone signal that augments the first microphone signal as input to the signal processor, wherein only the second microphone signal applies to the third signal process.
  • a binaural summation control may be comprised in one of the signal processor or amplifier, in which asymmetrical adjustments of such control present corresponding asymmetrical amplitude ratios of detected sounds to left and right amplifiers and earpieces in order to compensate for potential asymmetrical hearing sensitivities of the practitioner, whereby such adjustments may be indicated by a fourth visual display preferably disposed on the pickup head.
  • Such binaural summation control enables optimization of binaural summation and enhanced clarity of the detected anatomical sound.
  • Volume and power controls are also comprised in the stethoscope.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art amplified stethoscope.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment of a stethoscope of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a stethoscope of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art amplified stethoscope, in which microphone Ml is disposed on a first side 1 of pickup head H l, whereby side 1 of Hl may be placed against a patient and Ml detects anatomical sound, pickup head movement artifact noise and ambient noise (collectively, the detected sounds).
  • Ml provides microphone output signal Sl, which is applied as input to signal processor SPl .
  • SPl provides signal process P2 consisting of a filter having an upper frequency cut-off, and signal process P8 consisting of a frequency response equalization curve.
  • SPl provides signal processor output signal S2, which is applied as input to amplifier Ql.
  • Hollow tube Tl has a length dimension of substantially 200 to 400 mm, a front section sealingly coupled to Dl, and splits into a first rear section sealingly coupled to earpiece El and into a second rear section sealingly coupled to earpiece E2, whereby the amplified detected sound is confined and radiates to the earpieces.
  • Main body MBl houses SPl, Ql, Dl and a front section of Tl, while Hl, Ml, El, E2 and a rear section of Tl lie outside of MBl.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment of a stethoscope of the present invention, in which microphone M5 is disposed on a first side 1 of pickup head H3, whereby side 1 of H3 is placed against and is directed toward a patient and M5 detects anatomical sound, pickup head movement artifact noise and ambient noise (collectively, the detected sounds).
  • M5 provides microphone output signal S13, which is applied as a first input to signal processor SP3.
  • Microphone M6 is disposed on a second side 2 of pickup head H3, whereby side 2 of H3 is directed away from such patient and whereby M6 detects ambient noise.
  • M6 provides microphone output signal S14, which is applied as a second input to signal processor SP3.
  • SP3 provides signal process Pl consisting of a detected signal squelch function, signal process P2 consisting of a filter having an upper frequency cut-off, signal process P3 consisting of a decrementing of the filter in the second signal process, signal process P4 consisting of a default function of the first signal process, signal process P5 consisting of a default function of the third signal process, signal process P6 consisting of a limiting or compression of the detected sounds, signal process P7 consisting of a high pass filter having a lower cut-off frequency, and signal process P8 consisting of a frequency response equalization curve.
  • SP3 provides signal processor audio output signal S16, which is applied as input to amplifier Q3 comprising a binaural summation control.
  • Q3 provides first amplified output signal S 17, which is applied as input to speaker driver D4 producing a first amplified detected sound.
  • Q3 further provides second amplified output signal S18, which is applied as input to speaker driver D5 producing a second amplified detected sound.
  • Hollow tube T4 has a length dimension of substantially 200 to 400 mm, a front section sealingly coupled to D4, and a rear section sealingly coupled to earpiece E5.
  • Hollow tube T5 has a length dimension of substantially 200 to 400 mm, a front section sealingly coupled to D5, and a rear section sealingly coupled to earpiece E6.
  • the first and second amplified detected sounds are thereby confined and radiate to E5 and E6 respectively.
  • SP3 provides signal processor light display output signal S15, which is applied to light displays L4, L5 and L6, which indicate the status of the first and third signal processes and the binaural summation control.
  • Main body MB3 houses SP3, Q3, D4. D5, and front sections of T4 and T5, while E5, E6 and rear sections of T4 and T5 lie outside of MB3.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a stethoscope of the present invention, in which microphone M7 is disposed on a first side J of pickup head H4, whereby side 1 of H4 may be placed against a patient and M7 detects anatomical sound, pickup head movement artifact noise and ambient noise (collectively, the detected sounds). M7 provides microphone output signal S19, which is applied as input to signal processor SP4.
  • SP4 provides signal process Pl consisting of a detected signal squelch function, signal process P2 consisting of a filter having an upper frequency cut-off, signal process P3 consisting of a decrementing of the filter in the second signal process, signal process P4 consisting of a default function of the first signal process, signal process P5 consisting of a default function of the third signal process, signal process P6 consisting of a limiting or compression of the detected sounds, signal process P7 consisting of a high pass filter having a lower cut-off frequency, and signal process P8 consisting of a frequency response equalization curve.
  • SP4 provides signal processor audio output signal S21, which is applied as input to amplifier Q4 comprising a binaural summation control.
  • Q4 provides first amplified output signal S22, which is applied as input to speaker driver D6 producing a first amplified detected sound.
  • Q4 further provides second amplified output signal S23, which is applied as input to speaker driver D7 producing a second amplified detected sound.
  • Hollow tube T6 has a length dimension of substantially 1 to 2 mm, a front section sealingly coupled to D6, and a rear section sealingly coupled to earpiece E7.
  • Hollow tube T7 has a length dimension of substantially 1 to 2 mm, a front section sealingly coupled to D7, and a rear section sealingly coupled to earpiece E8.
  • the first and second amplified detected sounds are thereby confined and radiate to E7 and E8 respectively.
  • SP4 provides signal processor light display output signal S20, which is applied to light displays L7, L8 and L9, which indicate the status of the first and third signal processes and the binaural summation control.
  • Main body MB4 houses SP4, and Q4, while H4, M7, D6, D7, T6, T7, E7 and E8 lie outside of MBl.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Soundproofing, Sound Blocking, And Sound Damping (AREA)
  • Manipulator (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un stéthoscope amplifié comprenant de nouveaux traitements de signaux multiples, dans lequel un bruit d'artefact induit par le mouvement de la tête de détection est assourdi, le bruit ambiant externe concurrent est réduit, les sons anatomiques sont normalisés, la sommation binaurale est optimisée et, le cas échéant, de tels procédés sont fournis de manière automatisée.
PCT/US2007/013865 2006-06-17 2007-06-13 stéthoscope amplifié avec traitement des signaux à réduction de bruit automatique WO2007149279A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US81422606P 2006-06-17 2006-06-17
US60/814,226 2006-06-17

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007149279A2 true WO2007149279A2 (fr) 2007-12-27
WO2007149279A3 WO2007149279A3 (fr) 2008-03-06

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11357471B2 (en) 2006-03-23 2022-06-14 Michael E. Sabatino Acquiring and processing acoustic energy emitted by at least one organ in a biological system

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5492129A (en) * 1993-12-03 1996-02-20 Greenberger; Hal Noise-reducing stethoscope
US6999592B2 (en) * 2002-08-08 2006-02-14 Chelen William E Time and frequency windowed pocket cardiac stethoscope

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5492129A (en) * 1993-12-03 1996-02-20 Greenberger; Hal Noise-reducing stethoscope
US6999592B2 (en) * 2002-08-08 2006-02-14 Chelen William E Time and frequency windowed pocket cardiac stethoscope

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11357471B2 (en) 2006-03-23 2022-06-14 Michael E. Sabatino Acquiring and processing acoustic energy emitted by at least one organ in a biological system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2007149279A3 (fr) 2008-03-06

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