Tubular member for facilitating collection of acoustic waves originating from inside of living body

Abstract

The present application introduces an acoustic collection device designed to extend the path through which sound waves can be collected by a microphone. The acoustic collection device may include a tubular body having: (i) a distal interface through which acoustic waves corresponding to sound inside the organism are collected; and (ii) a proximal interface through which the acoustic waves are presented to the microphone. A channel defined by an inner surface of the tubular body extends between the distal interface and the proximal interface. The channel allows acoustic waves to propagate from the distal interface to the proximal interface. The acoustic collection device may be connected to a housing of an electronic device for recording acoustic waves, or the acoustic collection device may be implemented in an input unit of an electronic stethoscope system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various embodiments of the present application are directed to tubular members designed to facilitate recording of sound waves originating from within a living organism. Background Art

[0002] Traditionally, acoustic stethoscopes are used to listen to sounds originating from inside a living organism. This process is called "auscultation" and is often used to examine biological systems whose performance can be inferred from these internal sounds. Typically, an acoustic stethoscope consists of a single chestpiece with a rigid (e.g., metal) resonator designed to fit against the body and connected to a pair of hollow tubes in the earbuds. When the resonator captures sound waves, these sound waves are transmitted through the hollow tubes to the earbuds.

[0003] But acoustic stethoscopes have several disadvantages. For example, they attenuate sounds in proportion to the frequency of the source. As a result, the sounds transmitted to the earbuds are often very faint, which can make diagnosis difficult. In fact, due to differences in the sensitivity of the human ear, some sounds (such as those below 50 Hz) may not be heard at all.

[0004] Some companies have begun to develop electronic stethoscopes (also called "digital stethoscopes" or "stethoscope phones") to overcome the shortcomings of acoustic stethoscopes. Electronic stethoscopes improve on acoustic stethoscopes by electronically amplifying sounds. For example, electronic stethoscopes can solve this problem by amplifying weak sounds originating from inside a living organism. To do this, the electronic stethoscope converts sound waves detected by a microphone located in the chestpiece into electrical signals and amplifies the electrical signals to optimize the auscultation effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 A perspective view of an acoustic collector designed to extend the path along which sound waves can be collected.

[0006] Figure 2 A perspective view of another acoustic collector designed to extend the path along which sound waves can be collected.

[0007] Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view of the acoustic collector in a non-deformed state.

[0008] Figure 4 An example of an acoustic collector is shown in which the distal and proximal portions of the tubular body include recesses.

[0009] Figure 5 Examples of several different channel geometries are shown.

[0010] Figure 6 A side view of the acoustic collector.

[0011] Figure 7 Included are side and top views showing how the acoustic collector is secured to an electronic device and subsequently placed on a biological surface.

[0012] Figure 8 A flow chart for fabricating an acoustic collector is depicted.

[0013] Fig. 9 A flow chart for acquiring audio data indicative of internal sounds of a living organism is depicted.

[0014] Fig. 10A A top perspective view of an input unit comprising an electronic stethoscope system.

[0015] Fig. 10B -C include Fig. 10A Bottom perspective view of the input unit shown.

[0016] Fig.11A A side cross-sectional view of an electronic stethoscope system input unit including no acoustic collector.

[0017] Fig. 11B include Fig.11A A cutaway perspective view of the input unit is shown.

[0018] Fig. 11C include Fig.11A A side cross-sectional view of the input unit shown.

[0019] Fig. 12A Includes a cutaway perspective view of an input unit containing an acoustic collector.

[0020] Fig. 12B include Fig. 12A A side cross-sectional view of the input unit shown.

[0021] Fig.13 It shows how one or more input units can be connected to a hub unit to form an electronic stethoscope system.

[0022] Fig.14 is a high-level block diagram illustrating the components of the input unit and the hub unit of the electronic stethoscope system.

[0023] Various embodiments are described by way of example and not limitation through the accompanying drawings. Although the accompanying drawings show various embodiments for ease of description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other alternative embodiments may be implemented without departing from the principles of the present technology. Therefore, although specific embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, the present technology may be modified in various ways. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Electronic stethoscopes show significant potential due to their ability to mitigate the effects of sounds from outside the biological body being examined (commonly referred to as "ambient noise") through electronic identification, filtering, amplification, and physical isolation. However, both electronic and traditional acoustic stethoscopes have a significant disadvantage in that they are complex medical devices that cannot be used by individuals without appropriate training. Therefore, these devices are generally not suitable for use outside of a healthcare setting unless operated by a trained medical professional. This is problematic as more and more patients are enrolled in programs where medical services are delivered remotely.

[0025] The present application introduces an acoustic collecting device (also known as an "acoustic focusing device"), which is designed to extend the path of sound waves propagating to a microphone in an electronic device. For convenience, the acoustic collecting device may be referred to as an "acoustic collector" or "acoustic concentrator". The acoustic collector may include a tubular body, which is generally made of a deformable material and has: (i) a distal interface for collecting sound waves corresponding to internal sounds of a biological body; and (ii) a proximal interface for presenting the sound waves to a microphone of an electronic device so that the tubular body is connected to the electronic device. The inner surface of the tubular body defines a channel that extends from the distal interface to the proximal interface, so that the sound waves can be transmitted from the distal interface to the proximal interface.

[0026] Generally speaking, an acoustic collector can act as a guide device by guiding the sound generated from the vicinity of the electronic device to the microphone. For example, suppose an individual wants to collect sound waves representing the internal sounds of a biological body (or simply "body"). In this scenario, the individual can fix the acoustic collector to the electronic device and position the electronic device so that the acoustic collector can collect sound waves originating from the inside of the biological body and guide these sound waves to the microphone. Typically, this is achieved by pressing the acoustic collector against the body directly (such as against the skin) or indirectly (such as against clothing). This method allows the microphone to record internal sounds while muting or filtering external sounds. "Internal sounds" refer to acoustic signals originating from inside the body, while "external sounds" refer to acoustic signals originating from outside the body.

[0027] In some embodiments, the acoustic collector includes a porous material, such as an open-cell foam or a closed-cell foam. The open-cell foam is usually made of polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nitrile materials, silicone or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, while the closed-cell foam is usually made of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene, neoprene, PVC, nitrile materials or styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). There are multiple advantages to using foam materials. First, foam materials usually have a high resistance to compression deformation (i.e., they will not collapse easily under pressure), and have high resilience, vibration reduction and impact resistance. Secondly, foam materials can usually effectively absorb interfering sound waves. For example, assume that a cylindrical cavity is provided inside the tubular body of the acoustic collector, and the body is close to the surface of the organism. Sound waves propagating parallel to the cylindrical cavity wall can smoothly reach the microphone of the electronic device. However, interfering sound waves propagating non-parallel may be absorbed when encountering the cavity wall. If the tubular body is made of foam material, these interfering sound waves can be absorbed to a greater extent (or even completely), so that the microphone of the electronic device can obtain a "cleaner" recording effect.

[0028] The acoustic collector described herein is intended to be usable by individuals without professional training, without the need to acquire the skills to use complex medical equipment (such as an electronic stethoscope or a traditional acoustic stethoscope). For example, a patient can use the acoustic collector to record their internal sounds themselves. In addition, relatives and friends can also use the acoustic collector to help patients record their internal sounds. As discussed further below, the acoustic collector can be used in conjunction with readily available electronic devices, and therefore, the device may be particularly beneficial in the context of medical professionals seeking to provide diagnostic services via telemedicine.

[0029] For ease of explanation, some embodiments may describe the recording of internal sounds in the context of diagnosing respiratory diseases. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that acoustic collectors can also be used to record internal sounds originating from other parts of the body. Thus, acoustic collectors can be used to collect sound waves generated by the circulatory system, respiratory system, or digestive system. Definition of terms

[0030] Brief definitions of terms, abbreviations and phrases used in this disclosure follow.

[0031] The terms "connected", "coupled" and their variations shall include any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements. For example, a pair of objects may be directly connected together, or indirectly connected together through one or more intermediary objects.

[0032] The term "about" means within ±10% of the stated value. Acoustic Collector Overview

[0033] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of an acoustic collector 100, which is designed to extend the collection path of sound waves. As discussed further below, the acoustic collector 100 can be used as a passive device for collecting and transmitting sound waves to a microphone provided in an electronic device. By directing the sound waves to the microphone, the acoustic collector 100 can significantly improve the recording capability of the target sound.

[0034] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the acoustic collector 100 includes a tubular body 102 having a distal portion 104, a middle portion 106, and a proximal portion 108. The distal portion 104, the middle portion 106, and the proximal portion 108 may also be referred to as a "first portion," a "second portion," and a "third portion," respectively. A passage 110 defined by an inner surface 112 of the tubular body 102 may extend between the distal portion 104 and the proximal portion 108.

[0035] As discussed further below, the acoustic collector 100 can be fixed to an electronic device. During the recording operation, the distal portion 104 of the acoustic collector 100 can be placed on a biological body (or simply "human body") so that sound waves originating from the human body can be guided to the microphone of the electronic device. Therefore, the distal interface 114 at the distal portion 104 can be used as an entrance for sound waves to enter the acoustic collector 100, and the proximal interface 116 at the proximal portion 108 can be used as an exit for sound waves to be transmitted from the acoustic collector 100. The distal interface 114 and the proximal interface 116 can correspond to opposite ends of the channel 110.

[0036] Typically, at least a portion of the tubular body 102 is composed of a deformable material that can deviate from its original shape when subjected to pressure and return to its original shape after the pressure is released. Examples of deformable materials include elastomeric materials, sponge materials, foam materials, and the like. Since deformable materials can deform under pressure, a tubular body composed of such materials can freely expand and compress in the transverse and longitudinal directions to adapt to different pressures, as discussed further below. In some embodiments, the entire tubular body 102 is composed of a deformable material. In other embodiments, only a portion of the tubular body 102 is composed of a deformable material, while other portions are composed of a rigid material. For example, the distal portion 104 and the middle portion 106 may be made of a deformable material, while the proximal portion 108 may be made of a non-deformable material or a less deformable material to provide stability and structural support in the area where the acoustic collector 100 contacts the electronic device.

[0037] The tubular body 102 can be designed so that when a force is applied along the longitudinal axis of the acoustic collector 100, the middle portion 106 deforms. For example, if an individual moves the electronic device along the longitudinal axis with the distal portion 104 against the surface of the human body, pressure is applied to the proximal portion 106. In this case, the middle portion 106 may partially collapse or deform toward the distal portion 102. However, the channel 110 can be designed so that the sound waves collected by the distal interface 114 can still propagate along the tubular body 102 to the proximal interface 116.

[0038] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another acoustic collector 200 designed to extend the collection path of sound waves. Figure 2 The acoustic collector 200 shown has multiple Figure 1 The acoustic collector 200 has at least generally similar features to the acoustic collector 100. For example, the acoustic collector 200 has a tubular body 202 including a distal portion 204, a proximal portion 208 opposite the distal portion 204, and a middle portion 206 separating the distal portion 204 from the proximal portion 208. A channel 210 defined by an inner surface 212 of the tubular body 202 may extend from the distal portion 204 to the proximal portion 208.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the outer surface 214 of the tubular body 202 may have a nonlinear shape. For example, the tubular body 202 may have a concave sidewall adjacent to the flared portion of the distal end and / or the proximal end. Alternatively, the outer surface 214 of the tubular body 202 may also be as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The outer surface of the tubular body can be tapered, inclined or curved. For example, the outer surface of the tubular body can be convexly curved. In addition, the outer surface of the tubular body can be ribbed, i.e., with a series of spaced annular structures (also referred to as "ribs") to better accommodate compression when a force is applied along the longitudinal axis.

[0040] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an acoustic collector 300 in an undeformed state. Figure 3 The acoustic collector 300 shown is Figure 1 The acoustic collector 100 described in the embodiment has a similar form, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that these features are also applicable to other forms of acoustic collectors, such as Figure 2 Acoustic collector 200 described in .

[0041] The acoustic collector 300 includes a tubular body 302 having a distal portion 304 disposed close to the body surface, a proximal portion 308 disposed close to a microphone of an electronic device, and a middle portion 306 capable of separating the distal portion 304 and the proximal portion 308. The design of the tubular body 302 may allow the middle portion 306 to deform when a force is applied along the longitudinal axis of the acoustic collector 300. The deformation along the longitudinal axis may actually stabilize the tubular body 302, provide rigidity and enhance the isolation of sound waves propagating through the channel, thereby improving the auscultation effect.

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, the acoustic collector 300 may include (i) a first opening 310 at the distal portion 304 for collecting sound waves, and (ii) a second opening 312 at the proximal portion 308 for transmitting the sound waves to, for example, a microphone of an electronic device connected to the tubular body 302. The first and second openings 310, 312 together form opposite ends of a channel defined by the tubular body 302. Therefore, when sound waves enter the first opening 310, the sound waves will propagate through the channel to the second opening 312.

[0043] In some embodiments, a diaphragm 314 spans across the first opening 310 of the tubular body 302. The diaphragm 314 can be used to monitor high frequency sounds, such as those often produced by the lungs. The diaphragm 314 can be made of a variety of materials, as long as the diaphragm 314 is rigid. For example, the diaphragm 314 can be a thin plastic disk composed of an epoxy-fiberglass composite or fiberglass. Figure 3 As shown, the vibrating membrane 314 can extend across the entire diameter of the distal interface of the tubular body 302. However, this is not required. In some embodiments, the vibrating membrane 314 does not cover the entire diameter of the distal interface of the tubular body 302. In such embodiments, a portion of the distal interface of the tubular body 302 may be exposed. The vibrating membrane 314 can act as a surface vibration collector and does not need to seal the entire channel or provide an airtight seal for the channel.

[0044] In embodiments where the vibrating membrane 314 is fixed to the distal interface of the tubular body 302, an adhesive film 316 (also referred to as an "adhesive layer" or simply "adhesive") may be provided on at least a portion of the distal interface. For example, the adhesive 316 may be annular and extend along the entire periphery of the distal interface of the tubular body 302. As another example, a plurality of adhesive 316 "patches" may be arranged around the periphery of the distal interface of the tubular body 302. Typically, the adhesive 316 is composed of a permanent adhesive to prevent the vibrating membrane 314 from being disconnected from the distal interface during use. When the vibrating membrane 314 is pulled up from the skin, the vibrating membrane 314 may adhere to the skin due to a slight vacuum force generated by the negative fluid pressure of, for example, sweat. The adhesive 316 should be strong enough to ensure that the entire acoustic collector 300 can be detached from the body without problems. Applicable adhesives include pressure-sensitive adhesives, sealants, and other reactive and non-reactive adhesives. Therefore, in some embodiments, the adhesive 316 may need to be "activated" during the manufacturing process by applying pressure, heat, or light. As shown in reference Figure 6 As further discussed, adhesive may also be secured, deposited, or otherwise placed on the distal portion 304 (eg, the surface of the diaphragm 314 ) and / or the proximal portion 308 to facilitate securement to the body and the electronic device, respectively.

[0045] Typically, the diameter of the distal and proximal interfaces is 5-10 millimeters (mm). However, the diameter of the distal interface does not necessarily have to be the same as the diameter of the proximal interface. For example, the diameter of the distal and proximal interfaces can be approximately 6 mm, or the diameter of the distal interface can be approximately 10 mm, while the diameter of the proximal interface can be approximately 6 mm. The diameter of the first and second openings 310, 312 of the distal and proximal interfaces may be 2-7 mm. For example, in an embodiment where the diameter of the distal and proximal interfaces is approximately 6 mm, the diameter of the first and second openings 310, 312 may be approximately 3 mm. Depending on the design of the passage, the diameter of the first opening 310 may be different from the diameter of the second opening 312. For example, if the diameter of the distal interface is approximately 10 mm, the diameter of the first opening 310 may be approximately 7 mm, and if the diameter of the proximal interface is approximately 6 mm, the diameter of the second opening 312 may be 3 mm. Typically, the design of the acoustic collector 300 makes the tubular body 302 still have a thickness of at least 1 mm after the passage is formed.

[0046] In some embodiments, the first opening and / or the second opening are defined by or extend from a recess in the distal portion and / or the proximal portion, respectively. Figure 4An acoustic collector 400 is shown in which a distal portion 404 and a proximal portion 408 of a tubular body 402 include recesses. The distal portion 404 includes a recess defined by an inner concave surface 414, defining a first opening 410 therein. In addition, the proximal portion 408 also includes a recess defined by an inner concave surface 414, defining a second opening 412 therein. In other embodiments, the recess may be defined by a surface that tapers from the distal-most end of the acoustic collector 400 toward a passage defined between the first and second openings 410, 412, or by any surface having a shape suitable for collecting and directing sound waves propagating toward the proximal portion 408.

[0047] In some embodiments, the intermediate portion 406 between the distal portion 404 and the proximal portion 408 acts as a throat (or simply "throat") through which the sound waves are directed. Figure 4 4, the width of the passage defined between the first and second openings 410, 412 is widest near the distal and proximal interfaces and narrowest at the middle portion 406. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the size of the passage may vary depending on the shape of the inner surface 414 of the tubular body 402.

[0048] In addition, a diaphragm 416 may span across the first opening 410 of the tubular body 402. As previously described, the diaphragm 416 can be used to monitor high-frequency sounds. Overall, the diaphragm 416 may represent a thin layer of material (e.g., plastic) that vibrates when it is impacted by sound waves from the body. The diaphragm 416 can be connected to the distal interface of the tubular body 402 using an adhesive 418 as previously described.

[0049] Figure 5 Several different channel geometries are shown, including a hyperboloid with a linear throat, a hyperboloid with a smooth throat, a bullet curve, and a conical surface. Alternatively, the inner surface of the tubular body can be tapered, with the channel narrowing toward the proximal interface, thereby directing the sound waves toward the proximal portion.

[0050] Figure 6 is a side view of an acoustic collector 600. Typically, the width of the acoustic collector 600 is greater than the height. For example, the width of the acoustic collector may be 5-10 mm, as described above. At the same time, the length of the tubular body 602 (also referred to as the "height") is typically 1-5 mm, 2-4 mm, or 2.5-3.5 mm. Although in some embodiments, the length of the tubular body may exceed 5 mm, such acoustic collectors may be more difficult to operate because they will extend away from the electronic device to which they are fixed, which will be discussed further below.

[0051] like Figure 6As shown, the acoustic collector 600 may have an adhesive film 610 (also referred to as an "adhesive layer" or simply "adhesive") on at least a portion of the proximal portion 608. For example, the adhesive 610 may be in the form of a ring that surrounds the entire periphery of the proximal interface of the tubular body 602. Alternatively, the adhesive 610 may be arranged in the form of multiple "patches" around the periphery of the proximal interface of the tubular body 602. The adhesive 610 may be a temporary or removable adhesive so that the acoustic collector 600 can be easily removed from the electronic device after the recording session. Examples of these adhesives include pressure-sensitive adhesives, sealants, and other non-reactive adhesives. Suitable adhesives may include elastomers (e.g., acrylic-based elastomers), EVA, nitrile, silicone rubber, polyurethane, or polymers. In some embodiments, the adhesive 610 also includes a suitable adhesive enhancer. For example, the pressure-sensitive adhesive may be elastomer-based and compounded with rosin esters to enhance viscosity.

[0052] In some embodiments, adhesive 612 is also located on at least a portion of distal portion 604. For example, adhesive 612 can be in the form of a ring that surrounds the entire perimeter of the distal interface of tubular body 602. Alternatively, adhesive 612 can be arranged in the form of multiple "patches" around the perimeter of the distal interface of tubular body 602. Typically, adhesive 612 is fixed, deposited, or otherwise placed on distal portion 604 so that diaphragm 614 - or at least a central portion thereof - is not covered by adhesive 612.

[0053] In some embodiments, the adhesive 612 on the distal interface includes a temporary or removable adhesive - similar to the adhesive 610 on the proximal interface - such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive, a sealant, or other non-reactive adhesive. However, since the distal portion 604 is intended to contact the body and the proximal portion 608 is intended to contact the electronic device, the adhesives 610 and 612 may not use the same material. For example, the adhesive 612 on the distal interface may be non-cytotoxic, hypoallergenic, or antibacterial growth, while the adhesive 610 on the proximal interface may not have these properties. Another example is that the adhesive 612 on the distal interface may be less viscous than the adhesive 610 on the proximal interface because the former may contact the body and the latter may contact the electronic device. Specifically, the adhesive 612 on the distal interface may be more viscous than strong adhesion because the main function of the adhesive 612 is to prevent sliding along the surface of the body.

[0054] In other embodiments, the adhesive 612 on the distal interface may include a permanent adhesive. In these embodiments, the adhesive 612 may not directly contact the body, but is placed between the distal interface of the tubular body 602 and the diaphragm 614. When the diaphragm 614 contacts the body surface, it may vibrate under the impact of sound waves emitted in the body. The diaphragm 614 allows these sound waves to be more easily guided or collected into the channel defined by the tubular body 602 (therefore being guided to the microphone).

[0055] Figure 7 The side view and the top view are included to show how the acoustic collector 700 can be secured to the electronic device 702 and placed on the body surface 704. Note that the body can be a human body or an animal body. Initially, the individual may remove the cover from the proximal end of the acoustic collector 700 to expose the adhesive provided on the end. The individual may then secure the exposed proximal end to the electronic device 702. Figure 7 As shown, the acoustic collector 700 can be fixed to the electronic device 702 so that the microphone is located within the range of the proximal interface. More specifically, an individual may try to position the acoustic collector 700 so that the microphone is located near the center of the proximal interface opening.

[0056] The individual can then indicate that she wishes to initiate a recording session. For example, the individual can specify, through a computer program executing on the electronic device 702, that she wishes to record sounds from inside the body 704. To record these internal sounds, the individual can position the electronic device 702 so that the distal end of the acoustic collector 700 is in contact with the body surface 704. As previously described, in some embodiments, the adhesive is also located at the distal end of the acoustic collector 700, so the individual can remove another cover from the distal end of the acoustic collector 700 to expose the adhesive on that end and secure that end to the body surface 704. Generally, the orientation of the electronic device 700 (and therefore also the acoustic collector 700) is not important as long as the distal end of the acoustic collector 700 is kept in contact with the body surface 704.

[0057] During the entire recording session, sound waves representing the internal sound will be collected by the far-end interface of the acoustic collector 700. These sound waves will be transmitted along the channel, through the near-end interface of the acoustic collector 700, toward the microphone of the electronic device 702.

[0058] Overall, the acoustic collector 700 has several functions. First, the acoustic collector 700 expands the path through which sound waves can be collected by the microphone. Second, the acoustic collector 700 is similar to the auricle of the outer ear (also called the "pinna"), guiding the sound waves to the destination (i.e., the microphone). Third, the acoustic collector 700 suppresses the influence of external sounds, which are generally referred to as "external sounds." External sounds generally include a combination of sounds from three different sources: (1) sounds from the environment; (2) sounds that leak through the acoustic collector 700; and (3) sounds that penetrate the body 704 being examined. Examples of external sounds include sounds that come directly from the acoustic collector 700 (such as scraping, compression, or stretching sounds of the tubular body) and low-frequency ambient noise that penetrates the acoustic collector 700 or the body 704.

[0059] Figure 8 A flowchart 800 for making an acoustic collector is depicted. Initially, a manufacturer can obtain a block of material that is capable of deforming under pressure (step 801). Typically, such a deformable material is also capable of returning to its original form - or at least close to its original form - after the pressure is removed. For illustrative purposes, the material may be described as being obtained in the form of a "block." However, those familiar with the art will recognize that process 800 is equally applicable regardless of the form of the material. In some embodiments, the material is obtained in the form of a roll or tube, rather than a block, in which case the manufacturer may need to perform different steps to make the acoustic collector. Examples of deformable materials include elastomeric materials, sponge materials, foam materials, and the like. Thus, the block material may be an open-cell foam made of nylon, polyurethane, latex, or silicone. CareML24 nylon foam, Polyurethane foam and Silicone foam is a resilient foam material having high resistance to compression set (ie, collapse due to pressure) as well as high elasticity, vibration damping and shock absorbing capabilities.

[0060] Subsequently, the manufacturer may form a tubular body having a pair of ends from the block of deformable material (step 802). The width of the tubular body does not exceed 10 mm and the length does not exceed 5 mm. However, the length of the tubular body is at least 0.05 mm. Next, the manufacturer may define a passage in the tubular body such that (i) a first opening is accessible along the first end of the pair of ends, and (ii) a second opening is accessible along the second end of the pair of ends (step 803). The inner and outer surfaces of the tubular body may take various forms. For example, the tubular body may be a right cylindrical hollow tube (also called a "cylindrical shell") defined by two right cylinders having a common axis and a pair of ends perpendicular to the common axis. The first opening (also called the "first opening" of the passage) may be located at the first end of the cylindrical shell, and the second opening (also called the "second opening" of the passage) may be located at the second end of the cylindrical shell. In some embodiments, the first and second openings have comparable sizes, while in other embodiments, the first and second openings have different sizes. Therefore, the width of the first opening may be different from that of the second opening.

[0061] The manufacturer can then apply an adhesive to one end of the tubular body (step 804) and cover the adhesive with a protective film to keep it sticky (step 805). The adhesive can be a temporary or removable adhesive so that the acoustic collector can be easily attached to the electronic device and then removed from the electronic device. Examples of these adhesives include pressure sensitive adhesives, sealants, and other non-reactive adhesives.

[0062] Process 800 may also include other steps.

[0063] For example, the same adhesive or a different adhesive may be applied to the other end of the tubular body, as discussed above. Typically, the adhesive is applied to the end of the tubular body that serves as the proximal end. That is, a film of adhesive is typically applied to the end of the tubular body that is to be secured to the electronic device. The distal end of the tubular body, which will contact the body surface to be examined, may also include an adhesive, but as long as the acoustic collector is pressed against the body surface with sufficient pressure, an adhesive may not be required to maintain good contact.

[0064] As another example, the manufacturer may apply a coating to the outer surface and / or inner surface of the tubular body to prevent sound waves from other locations of the tubular body from entering the passage. The coating can be used not only to prevent the entry of external sound, but also to protect against the effects of, for example, skin contact with certain materials (such as latex) when contacting the acoustic collector. Therefore, in some embodiments, at least the outer surface of the tubular body can be coated with a coating. The coating can include wax, rubber, plastic, etc. Typically, the coating includes a deformable material so that the tubular body can still deform when pressure is applied to the tubular body, as discussed above.

[0065] Fig. 9A flowchart 900 for acquiring audio data indicative of body sounds is depicted. Initially, an individual may acquire an acoustic collector (step 901). The individual may be a patient who intends to record her own body sounds using the acoustic collector. Alternatively, the individual may be a friend or family member who intends to record another person's body sounds. Although the acoustic collectors described herein may be used by healthcare professionals, these healthcare professionals are typically trained to use advanced medical equipment, such as electronic and acoustic stethoscopes, which renders the acoustic collectors essentially useless in such situations.

[0066] Thereafter, the individual may secure the acoustic collector to the housing of an electronic device for recording in vivo sound (step 902). For example, the individual may remove a cover (also called a "liner") from one end of the acoustic collector to expose an adhesive, and then secure the acoustic collector to the housing of the electronic device using the adhesive. As described above, the acoustic collector may be secured to the housing of the electronic device so that one end is proximate to a hole in the housing through which sound waves may pass to a microphone.

[0067] The individual may position the electronic device so that the other end is proximate to an anatomical region of the living body (step 903). For example, the individual may hold the electronic device so that the other end is in direct contact with the skin of the living body, located in the anatomical region. Typically, the anatomical region depends on the body sounds that the individual is concerned about. For example, if the individual wishes to record circulatory or respiratory system sounds, she may place the other end of the acoustic collector against the chest region. As another example, if the individual is concerned about recording gastrointestinal sounds, she may place the other end of the acoustic collector against the abdominal region.

[0068] Note that the individual can initiate a recording session at any stage of process 900. For example, the individual can prompt the electronic device to begin recording after the acoustic collector is secured to the electronic device housing; or after the acoustic collector is placed in the anatomical region. Typically, the individual does this by interacting with an executed computer program. However, the computer program can also be configured to automatically begin recording, for example, when sounds representative of sounds within the body are detected.

[0069] Unless it is against physical possibility, it is foreseeable that the above steps can be performed in different orders and combinations. For example, it can be performed multiple times. Fig. 9 Process 900 in to generate multiple recordings associated with the same anatomical region or different anatomical regions. Electronic Stethoscope System Overview

[0070] As mentioned above, the acoustic collector can be used alone to collect sound waves from the body and record these sound waves through the microphone of the electronic device. However, the acoustic collector can also be used in the input unit of the electronic stethoscope system.

[0071] As discussed further below, the electronic stethoscope system may include one or more input units connected to a hub unit. Each input unit may have a conical resonator cavity (also referred to as a "conical resonator" or "resonator cavity") designed to guide sound waves to at least one microphone configured to generate audio data representing sounds from inside the organism. These microphones may be referred to as "stethoscope microphones". In addition, each input unit may include at least one microphone configured to generate audio data representing sounds from outside the living organism. These microphones may be referred to as "environmental microphones" or "external microphones". For example, an "environmental microphone" may be described as being able to generate audio data representing "environmental sounds". However, these "environmental sounds" typically include a combination of the external sounds discussed above.

[0072] There are several advantages to recording internal and external sounds separately. In particular, internal sounds can be electronically amplified, while external sounds can be electronically attenuated, weakened or filtered. Thus, an electronic stethoscope system can resolve faint sounds from the examined organism by processing audio data representing both internal and external sounds. However, manipulation may produce undesirable digital artifacts, which makes interpretation of internal sounds more difficult. By using an acoustic collector, the quality of the audio data representing internal sounds can be improved without relying on manipulation (e.g., attenuation, weakening or filtering) of the underlying signal.

[0073] Fig. 10A A top perspective view of an electronic stethoscope system input unit 1000 is shown. For convenience, the input unit 1000 may be referred to as a "stethoscope patch," even though the input unit may include only a portion of the components required to perform auscultation. The input unit 1000 may also be referred to as a "chest piece," because it is typically secured to the chest of the body. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the input unit 1000 may also be secured to other parts of the body (e.g., the neck, abdomen, or back).

[0074] As further described below, the input unit 1000 can collect sound waves representing internal sounds, convert the sound waves into electrical signals, and then digitize the electrical signals (e.g., for easier transmission, to ensure higher fidelity, etc.). The input unit 1000 may include a structure 1002 made of a rigid material. Typically, the structure 1002 is made of metal, such as stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, or other suitable metal alloys. To manufacture the structure 1002, the molten metal is usually molded and then processed or extruded into the desired shape.

[0075] In some embodiments, the input unit 1000 includes a housing that can protect the structure 1002 from exposure to the environment. For example, the housing can prevent contamination, improve cleanability, improve clarity, etc. Typically, the housing almost completely encloses the structure 1002, except for the conical resonator cavity located on its bottom side. The conical resonator cavity will be discussed below. Fig. 10B -C are further described together. The shell can be made of silicone, polypropylene, polyethylene, or any other suitable material. In addition, in some embodiments, the shell includes an additive whose presence limits microbial growth, ultraviolet ("UV") degradation, etc.

[0076] Fig. 10B -C shows a bottom perspective view of the input unit 1000, which includes a structure 1002 having a distal portion 1004 and a proximal portion 1006. To begin the auscultation process, an individual (e.g., a medical professional, such as a doctor or nurse) can fix the proximal portion 1006 of the input unit 1000 on the surface of the body being examined. The proximal portion 1006 of the input unit 1000 can include a wider opening 1008 of a conical resonator cavity 1010. The conical resonator cavity 1010 is designed to guide sound waves collected through the wider opening 1008 to a narrower opening 1012, which may lead to an auscultation microphone. Typically, the diameter of the wider opening 1008 is approximately 30-50 mm, 35-45 mm, or 38-40 mm. However, since the input unit 1000 described herein may have improved internal sound isolation, a smaller conical resonator cavity may be used. For example, in some embodiments, the diameter of the wider opening 1008 is less than 30 mm, 20 mm, or 10 mm. Thus, the input unit described herein may be able to support a variety of different sized conical resonator cavities, suitable for different applications, etc.

[0077] Fig.11AA cross-sectional side view of an electronic stethoscope system input unit 1100 is shown, the input unit not including an acoustic collector. Typically, the input unit 1100 includes a structure 1102 having an internal cavity. The structure 1102 of the input unit 1100 may have a conical resonator cavity 1104 designed to direct sound waves to a microphone located within the internal cavity. In some embodiments, a vibrating membrane 1112 (also referred to as a "diaphragm") extends across a wider opening (also referred to as an "external opening") of the conical resonator cavity 1104. The vibrating membrane 1112 can be used to detect vibrations induced by sound waves received through the conical resonator cavity 1104. The vibrating membrane 1112 can be formed from a thin plastic disk made of an epoxy fiberglass composite or fiberglass.

[0078] To improve the clarity of the sound waves collected by the conical resonator cavity 1104, the input unit 1100 may be designed to monitor sounds from different locations simultaneously. For example, the input unit 1100 may be designed to monitor sounds from within the subject and sounds from the environment simultaneously. Therefore, the input unit 1100 may include at least one microphone 1106 (referred to as an "auscultation microphone") configured to generate audio data representing internal sounds, and at least one microphone 1108 (referred to as an "environmental microphone") configured to generate audio data representing environmental sounds. Each auscultation and environmental microphone may include a sensor capable of converting sound waves into electrical signals. Subsequently, the electrical signals generated by the auscultation and environmental microphones 1106, 1108 may be digitized before being transmitted to the hub unit. Digitization enables the hub unit to easily synchronize or align the clocks of the signals from multiple input units. Digitization can also ensure that the signals from the input units have higher fidelity than otherwise.

[0079] These microphones may be omnidirectional microphones, designed to pick up sounds from all directions, or directional microphones, designed to pick up sounds from a specific direction. For example, the input unit 1100 may include a directional auscultation microphone 1106 for picking up sounds from the space adjacent to the opening outside the conical resonator cavity 1104. In this embodiment, the environmental microphone 1108 may be an omnidirectional microphone or a directional microphone. As another example, a group of environmental microphones 1108 may be evenly distributed within the structure 1102 of the input unit 1100 to form a phased array for capturing highly directional ambient sounds to reduce noise and interference. Thus, the auscultation microphone 1106 may be arranged to focus on the transmission path of internal sounds (also referred to as the "auscultation path"), while the environmental microphone 1108 may be arranged to focus on the transmission path of ambient sounds (also referred to as the "ambient path").

[0080] Typically, an electronic stethoscope passes electrical signals representing sound waves to a digital signal processing ("DSP") algorithm, which is responsible for filtering out unwanted artifacts. However, this operation may suppress almost all sounds within a certain frequency range (e.g., 100-800 Hz), thereby greatly distorting useful internal sounds (e.g., breathing, heartbeat, etc.). However, here, the processor can use an active noise cancellation algorithm to examine the audio data generated by the stethoscope microphone 1106 and the ambient microphone 1108 separately. More specifically, the processor can parse the audio data generated by the ambient microphone 1108 to determine whether and how to modify the audio data generated by the stethoscope microphone 1106. For example, the processor may find that certain digital features should be amplified (e.g., because they correspond to internal sounds), weakened (e.g., because they correspond to ambient sounds), or completely removed (e.g., because they represent noise). This technology can be used to improve the clarity, detail, and quality of the sound recorded by the input unit 1100. For example, applying a noise cancellation algorithm may be an important part of the denoising process of an electronic stethoscope system including at least one input unit 1100.

[0081] To protect privacy, the stethoscope microphone 1106 and / or the ambient microphone 1108 may not record when the conical resonator cavity 1104 is facing the outside of the body. Therefore, in some embodiments, the stethoscope microphone 1106 and / or the ambient microphone 1108 will only start recording when the input unit 1100 is mounted on the body. In such embodiments, the input unit 1100 may include one or more attachment sensors 1110A-C for determining whether the structure 1102 has been properly fixed to the body surface.

[0082] Input unit 1100 may include any subset of accessory sensors described herein. For example, in some embodiments, input unit 1100 includes only accessory sensors 1110A-B located near the wider opening of conical resonator cavity 1104. As another example, in some embodiments, input unit 1100 includes only accessory sensor 1110C located near the narrower opening (also called "inner opening") of conical resonator cavity 1104. In addition, input unit 1100 may include different types of accessory sensors. For example, accessory sensor 1110A may be an optical proximity sensor designed to transmit light (e.g., infrared light) through conical resonator cavity 1104 and then determine the distance between input unit 1100 and the body surface based on the light reflected back to conical resonator cavity 1104. As another example, accessory sensors 1110A-C may be audio sensors that use a programmed algorithm to determine whether structure 1102 is securely sealed to the body surface based on the presence of ambient noise by determining the attenuation of high-frequency signals. As another example, the attachment sensors 1110A-B may be pressure sensors designed to determine whether the structure 1102 is securely sealed to the body surface based on the pressure applied. Certain embodiments of the input unit 1100 include these different types of attachment sensors. By combining the outputs of these attachment sensors 1110A-C with the active noise cancellation algorithm described above, the processor can dynamically determine the attachment state. That is, the processor can determine whether the input unit 1100 has formed a seal on the body based on the outputs of these attachment sensors 1110A-C.

[0083] Fig. 11B includes a cross-sectional perspective view of the input unit 1100, and Fig. 11C The input unit 1100 is shown in cross-sectional side view. Fig. 11B As shown in Figure 1-C, a stethoscope microphone 1106 may be mounted on or accessible through a printed circuit board 1114, and the stethoscope microphone 1106 may be located near the inner opening of the conical resonator cavity 1104 so that sound waves collected through the outer opening can be directed to the stethoscope microphone 1106 through the throat 1116. This arrangement may be such that the distance between the stethoscope microphone 1106 and the inner opening of the conical resonator cavity 1104 is approximately 0.5-1.0 mm (typically 0.6-0.8 mm). Note that in some embodiments, an adhesive 1118 may be placed between the printed circuit board 1114 and the portion of the structure 1102 that defines the conical resonator cavity 1104. However, the adhesive 1118 is typically very thin (e.g., less than 0.1 mm) and therefore does not "extend" the throat 1116 or act as a buffer between the printed circuit board 1114 and the portion of the structure 1102 that defines the conical resonator cavity 1104.

[0084] The height of the adhesive 1118 and throat 1116 (the distance from the stethoscope microphone 1106 to the opening in the conical resonator cavity 1104) does not change significantly even when a large force 1120 is applied to the input unit 1100. Therefore, the input unit 1000 can be said to have a relatively high compression ratio. A higher compression ratio generally corresponds to a noisier signal, so it is desirable to reduce the compression ratio. In addition, the printed circuit board 1114 can be connected to the portion of the structure 1102 that defines or corresponds to (e.g., supplements) the outer edge of the conical resonator cavity 1104 by the adhesive 1118, such as Fig. 11B As shown, this design may result in undesirable noise. For example, if the structure 1102 is dragged across a living surface, these vibrations may be transmitted from the structure 1102 to the printed circuit board 1114 (and therefore, to the stethoscope microphone 1106) via the adhesive 1118.

[0085] Fig. 12A A cross-sectional perspective view of an input unit 1200 including an acoustic collector 1218, Fig. 12B 12 includes a cross-sectional side view of the input unit 1200. Note that, except for the addition of the acoustic collector 1218, the input unit 1200 may be Fig.11A -C is similar to the input unit 1100. Thus, the input unit 1200 may include a stethoscope microphone 1206 located near the inner opening of the conical resonator 1204 so that sound waves collected through the outer opening can be guided to the stethoscope microphone 1206 through the throat 1216. The stethoscope microphone 1206 can be mounted on or accessible through the printed circuit board 1214.

[0086] At this time, the acoustic collector 1218 is located between the printed circuit board 1214 and the structure 1202 that defines or corresponds to (e.g., complements) the outer edge of the conical resonator 1204. By adding the acoustic collector 1218, the throat 1216 is "lengthened". For example, the thickness of the acoustic collector 1218 may be 2.0-4.0 mm. By "lengthening" the throat 1216, a lower compression ratio can be achieved, thereby reducing noise in the signal.

[0087] In addition, the acoustic collector 1218 may include a deformable material. For example, the acoustic collector 1218 may be made of open-cell foam or closed-cell foam, and the material may be nylon, polyurethane, latex, or silicone. CareML24 nylon foam, Polyurethane foam and Silicone foam is an example of a suitable foam material. The density of the acoustic collector 1218 can be less than 0.8 g / cm3 (g / cm 3 ), for example 0.6 g / cm 3 or 0.4g / cm 3.

[0088] Because the acoustic collector 1218 is made of a deformable material, the "length" of the throat 1216 changes when a force 1220 is applied to the input unit 1200. Specifically, the height of the acoustic collector 1218 (and therefore, the distance between the stethoscope microphone 1206 and the opening in the conical resonator 1204) decreases when the force 1220 is applied. For example, the acoustic collector 1218 may shrink, compress, or otherwise deform so that its compressed thickness is 1.0-2.0 mm, 1.2-1.8 mm, or 1.4-1.6 mm. As previously described, deformation along the longitudinal axis can actually stabilize the acoustic collector 1218, provide rigidity and enhance the isolation of sound waves in the channel, thereby improving the auscultation effect.

[0089] In an embodiment where the acoustic collector 1218 is a porous material, placing the acoustic collector 1218 between (e.g., directly adjacent to) the printed circuit board 1214 and the structure 1202 can also reduce noise. Overall, the acoustic collector 1218 may act as an acoustic insulator inside the structure 1202 of the input unit 1200. The acoustic collector 1218 can not only create a throat 1216 that meets acoustic requirements, but also prevent, suppress, or otherwise limit unwanted noise. For example, if the structure 1202 is dragged on the surface of a living body, these vibrations may be transferred from the acoustic collector 1218 instead of being transmitted directly to the printed circuit board 1214 (and therefore, to the stethoscope microphone 1206).

[0090] As mentioned above, refer to Figure 6 , the acoustic collector 1218 may be coated with adhesive at its distal interface to secure it to the structure 1202, and / or at its proximal interface to secure it to the printed circuit board 1214. The adhesive may be applied to the proximal interface before the acoustic collector 1218 is secured to the bottom surface of the printed circuit board 1214, and may subsequently be applied to the distal interface before the acoustic collector 1218 is secured to the inner surface of the structure 1202. Alternatively, the adhesive may be applied to the distal interface before the acoustic collector 1218 is secured to the inner surface of the structure 1202, and may subsequently be applied to the proximal interface before the acoustic collector 1218 is secured to the bottom surface of the printed circuit board 1218. In some embodiments, the adhesive is applied only to the distal interface of the acoustic collector 1218, such as Fig. 12B 1218. In other embodiments, adhesive 1218 is in the form of a double-sided tape, for example, comprising a polyethylene terephthalate ("PET") backing and an acrylic adhesive. In other embodiments, adhesive 1218 is in the form of a gel, for example, comprising a resin that is activated by heat, UV light, or chemically.

[0091] like Fig. 12A As shown in FIG. 1B , the structure 1202 may include a first portion 1202A and a second portion 1202B that interlock along the perimeter of the input unit 1200 . Segmenting the structure 1202 provides flexibility in when and how to install the acoustic collector 1218 within the input unit 1200 .

[0092] Thus, the input unit 1200 may include a printed circuit board 1214 having a first side and a second side, and having a stethoscope microphone 1206 mounted thereon, a structure including (i) a first portion and (ii) a second portion, the outer surface of which defines a resonant cavity through which sound waves are directed toward the stethoscope microphone when the structure is placed on the surface of a living body, and an acoustic collector having a tubular body made of a deformable material, the tubular body being located between the second side of the printed circuit board and the second portion of the structure. The tubular body may be cylindrical so as to surround the acoustic microphone and contact the second side of the printed circuit board.

[0093] Fig.13 It is shown how one or more input units 1302A-N are connected to a hub unit 1304 to form an electronic stethoscope system 1300. In some embodiments, multiple input units are connected to the hub unit 1304. For example, the electronic stethoscope system 1300 may include four input units, six input units, or eight input units. Typically, the electronic stethoscope system 1300 will include at least six input units. An electronic stethoscope system with multiple input units may be referred to as a "multi-channel stethoscope." In other embodiments, only one input unit is connected to the hub unit 1304. For example, a single input unit can be moved on the body to simulate an array of multiple input units. An electronic stethoscope system with one input unit may be referred to as a "single-channel stethoscope."

[0094] like Fig.13As shown, each input unit 1302A-N can be connected to the hub unit 1304 via a corresponding cable 1306A-N. Generally, the transmission path formed between each input unit 1302A-N and the hub unit 1304 via the corresponding cable 1306A-N is designed to be substantially interference-free. For example, the input unit 1302A-N may digitize the electronic signal before transmitting it to the hub unit 1304, and ensure the fidelity of the signal by prohibiting the generation / pollution of electromagnetic noise. Examples of cables include ribbon cables, coaxial cables, USB cables, HDMI cables, RJ45 Ethernet cables, and any other cables suitable for transmitting digital signals. Each cable includes a first end connected to the hub unit 1304 (e.g., via a physical port) and a second end connected to the corresponding input unit (e.g., via a physical port). Therefore, each input unit 1302A-N may include one physical port, and the hub unit 1304 may include multiple physical ports. Alternatively, all input units 1302A-N may be connected to the hub unit 1304 using one cable. In such an embodiment, the cable may include a first end capable of interfacing with the hub unit 1304 and a series of second ends capable of interfacing with individual input units. Such a cable may be referred to as a "one-to-two cable," a "one-to-four cable," or a "one-to-six cable," depending on the number of second ends.

[0095] When all input units 1302A-N connected to the hub unit 1304 are in auscultation mode, the electronic stethoscope system 1300 can use an adaptive gain control algorithm that is programmed to compare internal sounds with environmental sounds. The adaptive gain control algorithm can analyze the target auscultation sound (e.g., normal breathing, wheezing, coughing, etc.) to determine whether a sufficient sound level has been reached. For example, the adaptive gain control algorithm can determine whether the sound level exceeds a predetermined threshold. The adaptive gain control algorithm may be designed to be able to achieve up to 100 times gain control (e.g., in two different stages). The gain level can be adaptively adjusted based on the number of input units in the input unit array 1308 and the sound level recorded by the auscultation microphone in each input unit. In some embodiments, the adaptive gain control algorithm is programmed to be deployed as part of a feedback loop. Therefore, the adaptive gain control algorithm may apply gain to the audio recorded by the input unit, determine whether the audio exceeds a preprogrammed intensity threshold, and dynamically determine whether additional gain is needed based on the judgment.

[0096] Because the electronic stethoscope system 1300 can deploy an adaptive gain control algorithm during post-processing, the input unit array 1308 can collect various sound information caused by the heart, lungs, etc. Since the input units 1302A-N can be placed at different anatomical locations on the surface of the body (or a completely different body), different biometric characteristics of the electronic stethoscope system 1300 (e.g., breathing rate, heart rate, or degree of wheezing, coughing, etc.) can be monitored simultaneously.

[0097] Fig.14 is a high-level block diagram illustrating example components of an input unit 1400 and a hub unit 1450 of an electronic stethoscope system. Embodiments of the input unit 1400 and the hub unit 1450 may include Fig.14 , and other components not shown in this figure. For example, input unit 1400 may include a biometric sensor capable of monitoring biometric characteristics of the body, such as sweat (e.g., based on skin wetness), temperature, etc. In addition, or as an alternative, the biometric sensor may be designed to monitor breathing patterns (also known as "breathing patterns"), record electrical activity of the heart, etc. As another example, input unit 1400 may include an inertial measurement unit ("IMU") capable of generating data from which gestures, directions, or positions may be derived. An IMU is an electronic component designed to measure force, angular rate, inclination, and / or magnetic field of an object. Typically, an IMU includes an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, or any combination thereof.

[0098] The input unit 1400 may include one or more processors 1404, a wireless transceiver 1406, one or more microphones 1408, one or more accessory sensors 1410, a memory 1412, and / or a power component 1414, electrically connected to a power interface 1416. These components may be located within a housing 1402 (also referred to as a "structure").

[0099] As previously described, microphone 1408 can convert sound waves into electrical signals. Microphone 1408 can include an auscultation microphone configured to generate audio data representing internal sounds, an ambient microphone configured to generate audio data representing ambient sounds, or any combination of the two. The audio data representing the value of the electrical signal can be stored at least temporarily in memory 1412. In some embodiments, processor 1404 processes the audio data before transmitting it to hub unit 1450. For example, processor 1404 can apply algorithms for digital signal processing, denoising, gain control, noise elimination, artifact removal, feature recognition, etc. In other embodiments, the processing performed by processor 1404 before transmitting the audio data to hub unit 1450 is minimized. For example, processor 1404 may only attach metadata to the audio data to specify the identity of input unit 1400, or check the metadata that microphone 1408 has added to the audio data.

[0100] In some embodiments, the input unit 1400 and the hub unit 1450 transmit data to each other via cables connected to the corresponding data interfaces 1418, 1470. For example, audio data generated by the microphone 1408 can be forwarded to the data interface 1418 of the input unit 1400 for transmission to the data interface 1470 of the hub unit 1450. Alternatively, the data interface 1470 can be part of the wireless transceiver 1456. The wireless transceiver 1406 can be configured to automatically establish a wireless connection with the wireless transceiver 1456 of the hub unit 1450. The wireless transceivers 1406 and 1456 can communicate with each other via a two-way communication protocol, such as near field communication ("NFC"), wireless USB, A cellular data protocol (e.g., LTE, 3G, 4G, or 5G) or a proprietary point-to-point protocol.

[0101] The input unit 1400 may include a power supply assembly 1414 that can provide power to other components within the housing 1402 when necessary. Similarly, the hub unit 1450 can include a power supply assembly 1466 that can provide power to other components within the housing 1452. Examples of power supply assemblies include rechargeable lithium-ion ("Li-Ion") batteries, rechargeable nickel-metal hydride ("NiMH") batteries, rechargeable nickel-cadmium ("NiCad") batteries, etc. In some embodiments, the input unit 1400 does not include a dedicated power supply assembly and must therefore receive power from the hub unit 1450. A cable designed to transmit power (e.g., a physical connection through electrical contact) can be connected between the power supply interface 1416 of the input unit 1400 and the power supply interface 1468 of the hub unit 1450.

[0102] The power channel (i.e., the channel between power interface 1416 and power interface 1468) and the data channel (i.e., the channel between data interface 1418 and data interface 1470) are shown as separate channels for illustrative purposes only. The skilled person will recognize that these channels can be included in the same cable. Thus, a single cable capable of carrying both data and power can connect the input unit 1400 and the hub unit 1450.

[0103] The hub unit 1450 may include one or more processors 1454, a wireless transceiver 1456, a display screen 1458, a codec 1460, one or more light emitting diode ("LED") indicators 1462, a memory 1464, and a power supply assembly 1466. These components may reside within a housing 1452 (also referred to as a "structure"). As described above, embodiments of the hub unit 1450 may include any subset of these components, or other additional components not shown herein.

[0104] like Fig.14 As shown, embodiments of the hub unit 1450 may include a display screen 1458 for presenting information such as the breathing status or heart rate of the individual being examined, the network connection status, the power connection status, the connection status of the input unit 1400, etc. The display screen 1458 can be controlled by a tactile input mechanism (e.g., a button accessible on the surface of the housing 1452), an audio input mechanism (e.g., a microphone), etc. As another example, some embodiments of the hub unit 1450 include an LED indicator 1462 for operation guidance instead of the display screen 1458. In these embodiments, the LED indicator 1462 can convey similar information as presented by the display screen 1458. As another example, some embodiments of the hub unit 1450 include both the display screen 1458 and the LED indicator 1462.

[0105] After receiving the audio data representing the electrical signal generated by the microphone 1408 of the input unit 1400, the hub unit 1450 may provide the audio data to the codec 1460 responsible for encoding and decoding. The codec 1460 may, for example, decode the audio data (e.g., by reversely decoding the encoding applied by the input unit 400) for editing, processing, etc. The codec 1460 may be designed to process the audio data generated by the auscultation microphone in the input unit 1400 and the audio data generated by the ambient microphone in the input unit 1400 sequentially or simultaneously.

[0106] Subsequently, the processor 1454 can process the audio data. Similar to the processor 1404 of the input unit 1400, the processor 1454 of the hub unit 1450 can apply algorithms intended for digital signal processing, denoising, gain control, noise cancellation, artifact removal, feature recognition, etc. If the processor 1404 of the input unit 1400 has already applied some of these algorithms, these algorithms may no longer be needed. For example, in some embodiments, the processor 1454 of the hub unit 1450 applies an algorithm to find diagnosis-related features in the audio data, while in other embodiments, if the processor 1404 of the input unit 1400 has already found diagnosis-related features, it is not necessary to perform this operation. Alternatively, the hub unit 1450 can forward the audio data to a target (e.g., a diagnostic platform running on a computing device or a decentralized system) for analysis, as further discussed below. Typically, the diagnosis-related features will correspond to a value pattern in the audio data that matches a predetermined pattern definition parameter. As another example, in some embodiments, the processor 1454 of the hub unit 1450 applies algorithms to reduce noise in the audio data to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (“SNR”), while in other embodiments, these algorithms are applied by the processor 1404 of the input unit 1400 .

[0107] In addition to the power interface 1468, the hub unit 1450 may also include a power port. The power port (also known as a "power jack") enables the hub unit 1450 to be physically connected to a power source (e.g., an electrical outlet). The power port may be capable of connecting to different types of connector interfaces (e.g., C13, C15, C19). Additionally or alternatively, the hub unit 1450 may include a power receiver having an integrated circuit (also known as a "chip") capable of wirelessly receiving power from an external source. Similarly, the input unit 1400 may include a power receiver having a chip capable of wirelessly receiving power from an external source, for example, if the input unit 1400 and the hub unit 1450 are not physically connected by a cable. The power receiver can be configured to receive power transmitted according to the Qi standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium or other wireless power standards.

[0108] In some embodiments, the housing 1452 of the hub unit 1450 includes an audio port. An audio port (also known as an "audio jack") is a receiver that can be used to transmit a signal (e.g., an audio signal) to an appropriate plug for an accessory (e.g., a headset). An audio port typically includes one, two, three, or four contact points that enable easy transmission of audio signals when an appropriate plug is inserted. For example, most headsets include a plug designed for a 3.5 mm audio port. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless transceiver 1456 of the hub unit 1450 may be able to transmit audio signals directly to a wireless headset (e.g., via NFC, wireless USB, Bluetooth, etc.).

[0109] As described above, the processor 1404 of the input unit 1400 and / or the processor 1454 of the hub unit 1450 may apply various algorithms to support different functions. Examples of these functions include attenuation of lost packets, noise-dependent volume control, dynamic range compression, automatic gain control, equalization, noise suppression, and acoustic echo cancellation. Each function may correspond to a separate module residing in a memory (e.g., the memory 1412 of the input unit 1400 or the memory 1464 of the hub unit 1450). Therefore, the input unit 1400 and / or the hub unit 1450 may include an attenuation module, a volume control module, a compression module, a gain control module, an equalization module, a noise suppression module, an echo cancellation module, or any combination thereof.

[0110] Note that in some embodiments, input unit 1400 is configured to directly transmit audio data generated by microphone 1408 to a destination other than hub unit 1450. For example, input unit 400 can forward the audio data to wireless transceiver 1406, which transmits the audio data to a computing device executing a computing program that is responsible for analyzing the audio data. The audio data can be transmitted to the computing device instead of, or in addition to, hub unit 1450. If the audio data is forwarded to the computing device in addition to hub unit 1450, input unit 1400 can generate copies of the audio data and then forward the copies separately (e.g., transmit it to the computing device via wireless transceiver 1406 and transmit it to hub unit 1450 via data interface 1418).

[0111] For more information on electronic stethoscope systems, see U.S. Patent No. 10,555,717, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Remark

[0112] The foregoing description of various embodiments of the technology has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter to the precise form disclosed.

[0113] Many modifications and variations are obvious to those skilled in the art. These embodiments are selected and described to best explain the principles of the technology and its practical application, so that professionals in the relevant field can understand the claimed subject matter, various embodiments and various modifications suitable for specific uses.

Claims

1. A device for guiding sound to a target location, the device comprising: A tubular body, comprising: a distal interface through which sound waves corresponding to sounds inside the organism are collected; a proximal interface through which the sound waves are presented to a microphone of an electronic device connected to the tubular body; and a passage defined by an inner surface of the tubular body and extending between the distal interface and the proximal interface, Wherein, the channel allows the sound waves to propagate from the distal interface to the proximal interface.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The tubular body is formed of a deformable material that is capable of deflecting from an original shape when subjected to pressure and returning to the original shape after the pressure is removed.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The deformable material is polyurethane foam.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The inner surface is tapered so that the channel gradually narrows toward the proximal interface, thereby guiding the sound waves toward the proximal interface.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The distal interface has a concave surface, which is used to form a sound wave collecting groove, and the proximal interface has a concave surface, which is used to form a sound wave presenting groove.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The device further comprises: a diaphragm that vibrates when sound waves strike it; and An adhesive film is used to fix the vibration membrane to the distal end interface of the tubular body.

7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The channel has a diameter between 2 mm and 7 mm at the distal interface and a diameter between 2 mm and 7 mm at the proximal interface.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that The diameter of the tubular body is between 5 mm and 10 mm.

9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The length of the tubular body does not exceed 5 mm.

10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The device further comprises: An adhesive film is provided, the adhesive film being used for fixing the proximal end of the tubular body to the electronic device.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that The adhesive film includes a temporary adhesive to enable the tubular body to be detached from the electronic device.

12. A method for manufacturing an acoustic collecting device, the method comprising: Obtaining a piece of deformable material, the deformable material being capable of deforming when subjected to pressure and returning to its original shape when the pressure is removed; forming a tubular body having a pair of ends from the deformable mass of material, Characterized in that the width of the tubular body does not exceed 10 mm, and the length does not exceed 5 mm; and A passage is defined within the tubular body such that (i) the first opening is accessible along a first end of the pair of end portions, and (ii) the second opening is accessible along a second end of the pair of end portions.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The tubular body is in the form of a straight circular hollow cylindrical structure.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The deformable material is open-cell foam, which is made of polyurethane, latex or silicone.

15. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: An adhesive film is applied to one of a pair of end portions of the tubular body.

16. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: A coating is applied to the outer surface of the tubular body to suppress sound waves from entering the passage from locations other than the pair of end portions.

17. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that A width of the first opening is different from a width of the second opening.

18. A method for acquiring audio data indicative of internal sounds of a living organism, the method comprising: Fixing the apparatus of claim 1 to the housing of the electronic device so that the proximal interface is located adjacent to a hole so that sound waves propagate through the hole to the microphone; and The electronic device is positioned so that the distal interface is located adjacent to an anatomical region of a living being.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The fixing includes: The liner is removed from the device of claim 1 to expose the adhesive film on the proximal interface.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein: The positioning includes: The electronic device is held so that the distal interface is directly adjacent to the skin of the anatomical region of the living being.

21. An input unit for an electronic stethoscope system, the input unit comprising: a printed circuit board having a first side and a second side, wherein a microphone is mounted on the second side; A structure comprising (i) Part I, and (ii) a second portion, the outer surface of the second portion defining a resonator cavity, through which sound waves are guided to the microphone when the structure is placed on a surface of a biological body; as well as A tubular body is formed of a deformable material and is located between the second side of the printed circuit board and the second portion of the structural body.

22. The input unit according to claim 21, characterized in that The tubular body comprises: a first interface through which sound waves are collected; a second interface through which sound waves are presented to the microphone; and A passageway is defined by the inner surface and extends between the first interface and the second interface to allow acoustic waves to propagate from the first interface to the second interface.

23. The input unit according to claim 21, characterized in that The deformable material is capable of deflecting from an original shape when subjected to pressure and returning to the original shape after the pressure is removed.

24. The input unit according to claim 21, characterized in that The deformable material is nylon foam.

25. The input unit according to claim 21, characterized in that The height of the tubular body is 2 mm to 4 mm.

26. The input unit according to claim 21, characterized in that The density of the tubular body is less than 0.4 g / cm 3 .

27. The input unit according to claim 21, characterized in that The input unit further comprises: An adhesive is disposed between the tubular body and the second portion of the structural body.

28. The input unit according to claim 27, characterized in that The adhesive is in the form of a double-sided adhesive tape, which includes a polyethylene terephthalate backing and an acrylic adhesive.

29. The input unit according to claim 27, characterized in that The adhesive is in the form of a gel.

30. The input unit according to claim 21, characterized in that The microphone is configured to generate audio data indicating internal sounds of a living body, and the input unit further includes: a transceiver configured to establish a communication channel to facilitate communication with a target in the network; and A processor, the processor being configured to: The audio data is forwarded to the transceiver for wireless transmission to the destination via the communication channel.

31. The input unit according to claim 30, characterized in that The microphone is configured to generate audio data indicating internal sounds of a living body, and the input unit further includes: A second microphone is configured to generate second audio data indicative of a sound external to the living body.

32. The input unit according to claim 31, characterized in that The processor is further configured to: The second audio data is forwarded to the transceiver for wireless transmission to the destination via the communication channel.

33. The input unit according to claim 32, characterized in that The processor is further configured to: Metadata for identifying the input unit is added to the audio data and the second audio data.

34. The input unit according to claim 21, characterized in that The resonator cavity has an outer opening, a diaphragm extends over the outer opening, and the resonator cavity has an inner opening, the inner opening faces the microphone.

Images