Tubular member for facilitating collection of sound waves generated inside a living body

Abstract

In this specification, an acoustic collection device designed to extend a path through which sound waves can be collected by a microphone is introduced. The acoustic collection device can include a tubular body having (i) a distal boundary surface at which sound waves corresponding to sounds inside a living body are collected, and (ii) a proximal boundary surface at which the sound waves are presented to the microphone. A channel defined by the inner surface of the tubular body extends between the distal boundary surface and the proximal boundary surface. The channel enables the sound waves to travel from the distal boundary surface to the proximal boundary surface. The acoustic collection device may be connected to a housing of an electronic device used to record the sound waves, or the acoustic collection device may be implemented within an input unit for an electronic stethoscope system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] Various embodiments relate to a tubular member designed to facilitate the recording of sound waves generated inside a living body.

Background Art

[0002]

[0002] Historically, acoustic stethoscopes have been used to listen to internal sounds generated inside a living body. This process is called "auscultation" and is often done for the purpose of examining biological systems from which their function can be inferred from these internal sounds. Typically, an acoustic stethoscope includes a single chest piece having a rigid (e.g., metal) resonator designed to be placed against the body, and a pair of hollow tubes connected to earpieces. When sound waves are captured by the resonator, they are directed through the pair of hollow tubes to the earpieces.

[0003]

[0003] However, acoustic stethoscopes have several drawbacks. For example, acoustic stethoscopes attenuate sound in proportion to the frequency of the sound source. Therefore, the sound transmitted to the earpieces tends to be very weak, which may make it difficult to accurately diagnose the condition. In practice, due to variations in ear sensitivity, some sounds (e.g., sounds below 50 Hz) may not be heard at all.

[0004]

[0004] Some companies have begun to develop electronic stethoscopes (also called "digital stethoscopes" or "stethophones") to address the drawbacks of acoustic stethoscopes. Electronic stethoscopes improve acoustic stethoscopes by electronically amplifying sound. For example, electronic stethoscopes can address these sounds by amplifying the weak sounds generated inside the living body. To achieve this, electronic stethoscopes convert sound waves detected by a microphone located within the chest piece into electrical signals, and then amplify the electrical signals for optimal listening.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005]

Figure 1

[0005] Perspective view of an acoustic collector designed to extend the path through which sound waves can be collected.

Figure 2

[0006] Perspective view of another acoustic collector designed to extend the path through which sound waves can be collected.

Figure 3

[0007] Side cross-sectional view of the acoustic collector in its non-deformed state.

Figure 4

[0008] Illustrates an example of an acoustic collector in which the distal and proximal portions of the tubular body include recesses.

Figure 5

[0009] Includes some examples of different channel geometries.

Figure 6

[0010] Side view of the acoustic collector.

Figure 7

[0011] Includes side and top-down views illustrating how the acoustic collector can be fixed to an electronic device and then placed against the surface of the body.

Figure 8

[0012] Shows a flow diagram of a process for manufacturing an acoustic collector.

Figure 9

[0013] Shows a flow diagram of a process for acquiring audio data indicative of sounds inside a living body.

Figure 10A

[0014] Includes a top perspective view of an input unit for an electronic stethoscope system.

Figure 10B

[0015] Includes a bottom perspective view of the input unit of FIG. 10A.

Figure 10C

Figure 11A

[0016] Includes a cross-sectional side view of an input unit for an electronic stethoscope system that does not include an acoustic collector.

Figure 11B

[0017] Includes a cross-sectional perspective view of the input unit of FIG. 11A.

Figure 11C

[0018] Includes a cross-sectional side view of the input unit of FIG. 11A.

Figure 12A

[0019] Includes a cross-sectional perspective view of the input unit including an acoustic collector.

Figure 12B

[0020] Includes a cross-sectional side view of the input unit of FIG. 12A.

Figure 13

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

Figure 14

[0022] It is a general block diagram illustrating exemplary components of the input unit and the hub unit of an electronic stethoscope system.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0006]

[0023] Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the drawings. The drawings show various embodiments for purposes of illustration, and those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative embodiments can be used without departing from the principles of the technology. Thus, while specific embodiments are shown in the drawings, the technology has various room for modification.

[0007]

[0024] Electronic stethoscopes are quite promising because they can reduce the influence of sounds generated outside the living body during inspection, commonly called "ambient noise," through electronic identification, filtering, amplification, and physical separation. However, both electronic stethoscopes and acoustic stethoscopes have a notable drawback, namely, they are sophisticated medical devices that cannot be used by individuals who are not properly trained. For this reason, electronic stethoscopes and acoustic stethoscopes are generally not suitable for use outside medical facilities except by trained medical professionals. This becomes a problem as many patients are starting to register for telemedicine programs where medical services are provided remotely.

[0008]

[0025] In this specification, an acoustic collection device (also referred to as an "acoustic focusing device") designed to extend a path through which sound waves can be collected by a microphone housed in an electronic device is introduced. For convenience, the acoustic collection device may also be referred to as an "acoustic collector" or an "acoustic concentrator". The acoustic collector can include a tubular body generally made of a deformable material having (i) a distal interface through which sound waves corresponding to sounds inside a living body are collected, and (ii) a proximal interface through which the sound waves are presented to a microphone of the electronic device to which the tubular body is connected. A channel defined by the inner surface of the tubular body extends between the distal interface and the proximal interface. The channel enables sound waves to travel from the distal interface to the proximal interface.

[0009]

[0026] Generally speaking, the acoustic collector can act as a guide by directing sound generated in the space adjacent to the electronic device towards the microphone. For example, assume that an individual wants to collect sound waves representing sounds inside a living body (or simply the "body"). In such a scenario, the individual can attach the acoustic collector to the electronic device and then position the electronic device such that the acoustic collector can collect sound waves generated inside the body and then direct those sound waves towards the microphone. Typically, this is achieved by holding the acoustic collector against the body either directly (e.g., against the skin) or indirectly (e.g., against clothing). Such an approach enables internal sounds to be recorded by the microphone while external sounds are silenced or filtered. The term "internal sound" refers to acoustic sounds generated inside the body, and the term "external sound" refers to acoustic sounds generated outside the body.

[0010]

[0027] In some embodiments, the acoustic collector comprises a porous material such as an open-cell foam or a closed-cell foam. Open-cell foams are generally made from polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride ("PVC"), nitrile, silicone, or ethylene propylene diene monomer ("EPDM") rubber, and closed-cell foams are generally made from ethylene vinyl acetate ("EVA"), polyethylene, neoprene, PVC, nitrile, or styrene butadiene rubber. There are several advantages to using a foam. First, foams generally provide high resistance to compression set (i.e., crushing under pressure), as well as high elasticity, vibration damping, and shock absorption. Second, foams generally function well to absorb errant sound waves. For example, consider a scenario where an acoustic collector having a tubular body through which a cylindrical cavity is defined is pressed against the surface of a living body. Sound waves traveling parallel to the walls of the cylindrical cavity along its length will reach the microphone of the electronic device without issue. However, errant sound waves, i.e., sound waves that do not travel parallel to the walls of the cylindrical cavity, will impinge on the walls of the cylindrical cavity. If the tubular body comprises a foam, these errant sound waves will be absorbed, if not completely, then mostly, resulting in a "clearer" recording by the microphone of the electronic device.

[0011]

[0028] The acoustic collectors described herein are designed to be used by individuals who are not trained to use sophisticated medical devices such as electronic stethoscopes and acoustic stethoscopes. For example, a patient can use an acoustic collector to record their internal sounds. As another example, a friend or family member can use an acoustic collector to record a patient's internal sounds. As will be further described below, the acoustic collector can be used in combination with readily available electronic devices and can thus prove particularly beneficial when a medical professional seeks to provide a remote diagnosis through telemedicine.

[0012]

[0029] For illustrative purposes, embodiments may be described in the context of recording internal sounds for the purpose of diagnosing respiratory diseases. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that an acoustic collector can be used to facilitate the recording of internal sounds generated from other locations on the body. Thus, the acoustic collector may be used to collect sound waves generated by the circulatory, respiratory, or digestive systems.

[0013] [Glossary of Technical Terms]

[0030] A brief definition of terms, abbreviations, and phrases used throughout this disclosure is provided below.

[0014]

[0031] The terms "connected" and "coupled" and their variants are intended to include any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements. For example, a pair of objects may be directly connected to each other, or a pair of objects may be indirectly connected to each other via one or more intermediate objects.

[0015]

[0032] The term "about" means within ± 10 percent of the recited value.

[0016] [Overview of the Acoustic Collector]

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an acoustic collector 100 designed to extend a path along which sound waves can be collected. As will be further described below, the acoustic collector 100 can serve as a passive mechanism for collecting sound waves and then presenting them to a microphone housed within an electronic device. By directing the sound waves towards the microphone, the acoustic collector 100 can significantly improve the ability to record sounds of interest.

[0017]

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

[0018]

[0035] As will be further described below, the acoustic collector 100 can be fixed to an electronic device. Then, during the recording operation, the distal portion 104 of the acoustic collector 100 can be placed against the living body (or simply the "body") so that sound waves generated within the body are guided toward the microphone of the electronic device. Thus, the distal boundary surface 114 located at the distal portion 104 can serve as an entry point for sound waves to enter the acoustic collector 100. On the other hand, the proximal boundary surface 116 located at the proximal portion 108 can serve as an exit point for sound waves to exit the acoustic collector 100. The distal boundary surface 114 and the proximal boundary surface 116 may correspond to the opposing ends of the channel 110.

[0019]

[0036] Typically, at least a portion of the tubular body 102 is made of a deformable material that can deform from its original shape under pressure and then return to its original shape when the pressure is removed. Examples of deformable materials include elastomeric materials, sponge materials, and foamed materials. Since the deformable material can deform under pressure, a tubular body made of such a material can easily expand and contract along the transverse axis and the longitudinal axis to adapt to various pressures, as will be further described below. In some embodiments, the entire tubular body 102 is made of a deformable material. In other embodiments, only a portion of the tubular body 102 is made of a deformable material, and the other portion(s) of the tubular body are made of a rigid material. For example, the distal portion 104 and the intermediate portion 106 may be made of a deformable material, and the proximal portion 108 may be made of a non-deformable material or a material that is more difficult to deform, so as to provide stability and structure near the location where the acoustic collector 100 contacts the electronic device.

[0020]

[0037] The tubular body 102 can be designed such that the intermediate portion 106 deforms when a force is applied along the longitudinal axis of the acoustic collector 100 as a whole. Such a force can be applied, for example, when the distal portion 104 of the tubular body 102 is held against the body surface and the individual moves the electronic device to which the acoustic collector 100 is connected along the longitudinal axis. When pressure is applied to the proximal portion 108, the intermediate portion 106 can deform, partially collapse, or otherwise deform towards the distal portion 104. However, the channel 110 can be designed such that the sound waves collected through the distal interface 114 can still travel through the tubular body 102 towards the proximal interface 116.

[0021]

[0038] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another acoustic collector 200 designed to extend the path along which sound waves can be collected. The acoustic collector 200 shown in FIG. 2 includes some features that are at least generally similar to the acoustic collector 100 described with reference to FIG. 1. For example, the acoustic collector 200 includes a tubular body 202 having a distal portion 204, a proximal portion 208 opposite the distal portion 204, and an intermediate portion 206 separating the distal portion 204 and the proximal portion 208 from each other. A channel 210 defined by the inner surface 212 of the tubular body 202 extends from the distal portion 204 to the proximal portion 208.

[0022]

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the outer surface 214 of the tubular body 202 can be essentially non-linear. For example, the tubular body 202 can have concave sidewalls disposed adjacent to portions that flare outward along the distal end and / or the proximal end. Alternatively, the outer surface 214 of the tubular body 202 can be straight as shown in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the tubular body is tapered, angled, or curved. For example, the outer surface of the tubular body can be convexly curved. As another example, the tubular body can have a ribbed outer surface having a series of spaced-apart annular structures (also referred to as "ribs") to more easily adapt to compression when a force is applied along the longitudinal axis.

[0023]

[0040] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an acoustic collector 300 in an undeformed state. The acoustic collector 300 shown in FIG. 3 has a similar form to the acoustic collector 100 described with reference to FIG. 1, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the features can be similarly applicable to acoustic collectors having other forms, such as the acoustic collector 200 described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0024]

[0041] The acoustic collector 300 includes a tubular body 302 having a distal portion 304 configured to be positioned proximate to the surface of the body, a proximal portion 308 configured to be positioned proximate to a microphone of an electronic device, and an intermediate portion 306 separating the distal portion 304 from the proximal portion 308. The tubular body 302 can be designed such that the intermediate portion 306 deforms when a force is applied along the longitudinal axis of the acoustic collector 300 as a whole. The deformation along the longitudinal axis can effectively stabilize the tubular body 302, provide rigidity, enhance the separation of sound waves traveling through the channel, thereby bringing about an improvement in auscultation.

[0025]

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, the acoustic collector 300 can include (i) a first opening 310 in the distal portion 304 for collecting sound waves and (ii) a second opening 312 in the proximal portion 308 for presenting the sound waves to, for example, a microphone of an electronic device to which the tubular body 302 is fixed. The first opening 310 and the second opening 312 can both represent opposite ends of a channel defined through the tubular body 302. Thus, when sound waves enter the first opening 310, those sound waves travel through the channel to the second opening 312.

[0026]

[0043] In some embodiments, a diaphragm 314 (also referred to as a "vibrating membrane") extends across a first opening 310 of a channel defined through a tubular body 302. The diaphragm 314 can often be used to listen for high-pitched sounds such as those generated by the lungs. The diaphragm 314 can be formed from a variety of materials as long as the diaphragm 314 is rigid. For example, the diaphragm 314 can be a thin plastic disk made of an epoxy fiberglass compound or glass fiber. As shown in FIG. 3, the diaphragm 314 can extend across the entire diameter of the distal boundary surface of the tubular body 302. However, this is not necessarily the case. In some embodiments, the diaphragm 314 does not extend across the entire diameter of the distal boundary surface of the tubular body 302. In such embodiments, a portion of the distal boundary surface of the tubular body 302 may be exposed. The diaphragm 314 can serve as a surface vibration collector and need not seal the entire channel nor provide a hermetic seal of the channel.

[0027]

[0044] In an embodiment where the diaphragm 314 is attached to the distal boundary surface of the tubular body 302, an adhesive film 316 (also referred to as an "adhesive layer" or simply an "adhesive") can be positioned along at least a portion of the distal boundary surface. For example, the adhesive 316 can be in the form of an annular ring extending around the entire circumference of the distal boundary surface of the tubular body 302. As another example, several "patches" of the adhesive 316 may be disposed around the distal boundary surface of the tubular body 302. Generally, the adhesive 316 comprises a permanent adhesive so as to prevent the diaphragm 314 from separating from the distal boundary surface during use. When the diaphragm 314 is pulled away from the skin, the diaphragm 314 can be subjected to a slight vacuum force, for example, due to the negative fluid pressure of sweat adhering to the skin. The adhesive 316 should be strong enough to ensure that the entire acoustic collector 300 can be removed from the body without problems. Examples of suitable adhesives include pressure-sensitive adhesives, sealants, and other reactive and non-reactive adhesives. Thus, in some embodiments, the adhesive 316 may need to be "activated" by applying pressure, heat, or light during the manufacturing process. As will be further described below with reference to FIG. 6, the adhesive can also be fixed, deposited, or otherwise placed on the distal portion 304 (e.g., along the surface of the diaphragm 314) and / or on the proximal portion 308 to facilitate attachment to the body and the electronic device, respectively.

[0028]

[0045] Typically, the diameters of the distal and proximal boundary surfaces are 5 to 10 millimeters ("mm"). However, the diameter of the distal boundary surface does not necessarily have to be the same as that of the proximal boundary surface. For example, the distal and proximal boundary surfaces may have a diameter of about 6 mm, or the distal boundary surface may have a diameter of about 10 mm and the proximal boundary surface may have a diameter of about 6 mm. The diameters of the first opening 310 and the second opening 312 along the distal and proximal boundary surfaces can be 2 to 7 mm. For example, in an embodiment where the diameters of the distal and proximal boundary surfaces are about 6 mm, the diameters of the first opening 310 and the second opening 312 can be about 3 mm. Depending on the channel design, the diameter of the first opening 310 does not have to be the same as that of the second opening 312. For example, when the distal boundary surface has a diameter of about 10 mm, the first opening 310 may have a diameter of about 7 mm, and when the proximal boundary surface has a diameter of about 6 mm, the second opening 312 may have a diameter of 3 mm. Typically, the acoustic collector 300 is designed such that the tubular body 302 still has a thickness of at least 1 mm after the channel is formed.

[0029]

[0046] In some embodiments, the first opening and / or the second opening is / are each defined by, or extend from, a recess in the distal portion and / or the proximal portion. As an example, FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an acoustic collector 400 in which the distal portion 404 and the proximal portion 408 of the tubular body 402 include recesses. The distal portion 404 includes a recess defined by an inner concave surface 414 in which the first opening 410 is defined. Further, the proximal portion 408 includes a recess defined by an inner concave surface 414 in which the second opening 412 is defined. In other embodiments, the recess may be defined by a surface that tapers towards the channel defined between the first opening 410 and the second opening 412 from the most distal end of the acoustic collector 400, or by another surface having a shape suitable for collecting sound waves and then guiding them towards the proximal portion 408.

[0030]

[0047] In some embodiments, an intermediate portion 406 located between a distal portion 404 and a proximal portion 408 acts as a throat segment (or simply “throat”) in which sound waves are directed. In FIG. 4, for example, the width of the channel defined between a first opening 410 and a second opening 412 is widest near the distal and proximal interfaces and narrowest at the intermediate portion 406. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the dimensions of the channel can vary depending on the shape of the inner surface 414 of the tubular body 402.

[0031]

[0048] Furthermore, a diaphragm 416 can extend across a first opening 410 of a channel defined through the tubular body 402. As described above, the diaphragm 416 can be used to listen to high-pitched sounds. Generally speaking, the diaphragm 416 can represent a thin sheet of material (e.g., plastic) that vibrates when sound waves generated within the body impinge thereon. The diaphragm 416 can be connected to the distal interface of the tubular body 402 using the adhesive 418 described above.

[0032]

[0049] Some examples of different channel geometries are shown in FIG. 5. These channel geometries include hyperboloids with straight throats, hyperboloids with smooth throats, ogive curves, and conical surfaces. Alternatively, the inner surface of the tubular body can be tapered such that the channel narrows towards the proximal interface and funnels sound waves towards the proximal portion.

[0033]

[0050] FIG. 6 is a side view of an acoustic collector 600. Typically, the acoustic collector 600 is wider than it is tall. For example, the width of the acoustic collector can be 5-10 mm as described above. On the other hand, the length (also referred to as the “height”) of the tubular body 602 is typically 1-5 mm, 2-4 mm, or 2.5-3.5 mm. The tubular body 602 can be longer than 5 mm in some embodiments, but such acoustic collectors can be difficult to handle as they extend away from the electronic device to which they are attached, as will be further described below.

[0034]

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, the acoustic collector 600 may have an adhesive film 610 (also referred to as an “adhesive layer” or simply an “adhesive”) located along at least a portion of the proximal portion 608. For example, the adhesive 610 may be in the form of an annular ring that extends around the entire circumference of the proximal interface of the tubular body 602. As another example, several “patches” of the adhesive 610 may be disposed around the circumference of the proximal interface of the tubular body 602. The adhesive 610 may comprise a temporary or removable adhesive so as to enable the acoustic collector 600 to be easily removed from the electronic device after a recording session. Examples of such adhesives include pressure sensitive adhesives, sealants, and other non-reactive adhesives. Suitable adhesives may include elastomers (e.g., acrylic elastomers), EVA, nitrile, silicone rubber, polyurethane, or polymers. In some embodiments, the adhesive 610 further comprises a suitable tackifier. For example, a pressure sensitive adhesive may be based on an elastomer mixed with a rosin ester for tackiness.

[0035]

[0052] In some embodiments, the adhesive 612 is also located along at least a portion of the distal portion 604. For example, the adhesive 612 may be in the form of an annular ring that extends around the entire circumference of the distal interface of the tubular body 602. As another example, several “patches” of the adhesive 612 may be disposed around the circumference of the distal interface of the tubular body 602. Generally, the adhesive 612 is fixed, deposited, or otherwise placed on the distal portion 604 such that the diaphragm 614 or at least its central portion is not covered by the adhesive 612.

[0036]

[0053] In some embodiments, the adhesive 612 along the distal interface comprises a temporary or removable adhesive such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive, a sealant, or another non-reactive adhesive, similar to the adhesive 610 along the proximal interface. However, since the distal portion 604 is intended to contact the body while the proximal portion 608 is intended to contact the electronic device, the adhesives 610, 612 need not include the same materials. For example, the adhesive 612 along the distal interface may be non-cytotoxic, hypoallergenic, or resistant to bacterial growth, while the adhesive 610 along the proximal interface need not have such properties. As another example, since the adhesive 612 along the distal interface can contact the body rather than the electronic device, it may have lower adhesiveness than the adhesive 610 along the proximal interface. Specifically, since the main function of the adhesive 612 along the distal interface is to prevent slipping along the surface of the body, the adhesive 612 may be more tacky than adhesive.

[0037]

[0054] In other embodiments, the adhesive 612 along the distal interface comprises a permanent adhesive. In such embodiments, the adhesive 612 can be disposed between the distal interface of the tubular body 602 and the diaphragm 614, rather than directly contacting the body. When applied and held against the surface of the body, the diaphragm 614 can vibrate when sound waves generated within the body impinge thereon. The diaphragm 614 enables those sound waves to be more readily directed or collected into the channel defined through the tubular body 602 (and thus guided toward the microphone).

[0038]

[0055] FIG. 7 includes side and top views illustrating how the acoustic collector 700 can be secured to the electronic device 702 and then placed against the surface of the body 704. Note that the body can be a human body or an animal body. First, an individual can remove the cover from the end of the acoustic collector 700 to expose an adhesive disposed along the proximal end thereof. The individual can then secure the exposed proximal end to the electronic device 702. As shown in FIG. 7, the acoustic collector 700 can be secured to the electronic device 702 such that a microphone is positioned within the boundaries of the proximal interface. More specifically, the individual can attempt to position the acoustic collector 700 such that the microphone is located near the center of an opening along the proximal interface.

[0039]

[0056] The individual can then indicate that they wish to start a recording session. For example, the individual can specify, through a computer program executed on the electronic device 702, that they wish to record internal sounds generated within the body 704. To record these internal sounds, the individual can position the electronic device 702 such that the distal end of the acoustic collector 700 contacts the surface of the body 704. As described above, in some embodiments, the adhesive is also located along the distal end of the acoustic collector 700, and thus the individual can remove another cover from the end to expose the adhesive disposed along the distal end of the acoustic collector 700 and then secure that end to the surface of the body 704. Generally, the orientation of the electronic device 702 (and thus the acoustic collector 700) is irrelevant as long as contact between the distal end of the acoustic collector 700 and the surface of the body 704 can be maintained.

[0040]

[0057] During the recording session, sound waves representing the internal sounds are collected through the distal interface of the acoustic collector 700. These sound waves are directed along a channel through the proximal interface of the acoustic collector 700 towards the microphone of the electronic device 702.

[0041]

[0058] Generally speaking, the acoustic collector 700 serves several purposes. First, the acoustic collector 700 extends the path through which sound waves can be collected by the microphone. Second, the acoustic collector 700 acts similarly to the auricle (also called the "pinna") of the outer ear by channeling sound waves toward the destination (i.e., the microphone). Third, the acoustic collector 700 inhibits the influence of sounds generated outside the body 704. These sounds are sometimes referred to as "external sounds." External sounds are generally sounds generated by three different sound sources and include a combination of (1) sounds generated from the surrounding environment, (2) sounds leaking through the acoustic collector 700, and (3) sounds penetrating the body 704 being inspected. Examples of external sounds include sounds directly generated from the acoustic collector 700 (e.g., the creaking of the tubular body, the compression or expansion of the tubular body) and low-frequency ambient noise penetrating the acoustic collector 700 or the body 704.

[0042]

[0059] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a process 800 for manufacturing an acoustic collector. First, a manufacturer can obtain a block of material that can be deformed under pressure (step 801). Typically, a deformable material can return to its original form or at least very nearly to its original form when the pressure is removed. For illustrative purposes, the material can be described as being obtained in the form of a "block". However, one of ordinary skill in 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 a tube instead of a block, in which case the manufacturer can perform different steps to manufacture the acoustic collector. Examples of deformable materials include elastomeric materials, sponge materials, and foam materials. Thus, the block can consist of a closed-cell foam made from nylon, urethane, latex, or silicone. Evonik VESTAMID® Care ML24 nylon foam, PORON® polyurethane foam, and BISCO® silicone foam are examples of elastic foams that provide high resistance to compression set (i.e., crushing by pressure), as well as high elasticity, vibration damping, and shock absorption.

[0043]

[0060] Thereafter, the manufacturer can form a tubular body having a pair of ends from a block of deformable material (step 802). The tubular body can have a width of 10 mm or less and a length of 5 mm or less. However, the tubular body can have a length of at least 0.05 mm. The manufacturer can then define a channel through the tubular body such that (i) a first opening is accessible along a first end of the pair of ends and (ii) a second opening is accessible along a second end of the pair of ends (step 803). Both the inner and outer surfaces of the tubular body can take various forms. For example, the tubular body can be in the form of a hollow right circular cylinder (also referred to as a "cylindrical shell") defined by two right circular cylinders sharing a common axis and a pair of ends perpendicular to the common axis. The first opening (also referred to as the "first opening of the channel") can be located at the first end of the cylindrical shell, and the second opening (also referred to as the "second opening of the channel") can be located at the second end of the cylindrical shell. In some embodiments, the first and second openings have equal dimensions, but in other embodiments, the first and second openings have different dimensions. Thus, the first opening can have a width different from that of the second opening.

[0044]

[0061] The manufacturer then applies an adhesive to one of the pair of ends of the tubular body (step 804) and can cover the adhesive to maintain its adhesiveness (step 805). The adhesive can comprise a temporary or removable adhesive to enable easy fixing and then removal of the acoustic collector to an electronic device. Examples of such adhesives include pressure-sensitive adhesives, sealants, and other non-reactive adhesives.

[0045]

[0062] Other steps can also be included in process 800.

[0046]

[0063] For example, as described above, the same or different adhesives can be applied to the other of the pair of ends of the tubular body. Generally, the adhesive is applied along the end of the tubular body that is used as the proximal end. That is, the adhesive film is usually applied along the end of the tubular body that is fixed to the electronic device. The distal end of the tubular body positioned against the surface of the body being examined may also include an adhesive, but an adhesive may not be necessary to maintain good contact with the surface of the body as long as the acoustic collector is pressed against the surface of the body with sufficient force.

[0047]

[0064] As another example, the manufacturer may apply a coating to the outer and / or inner surface of the tubular body to prevent sound waves from entering the channel from locations other than the pair of ends of the tubular body. The coating can be used not only to prevent the entry of external sounds, but also to protect, for example, the skin from reactions due to contact with an acoustic collector having a tubular body made of a specific material (e.g., latex). Thus, in some embodiments, at least the outer surface of the tubular body can be coated. The coating can comprise wax, rubber, plastic, or the like. Generally, the coating comprises a deformable material such that the tubular body is still allowed to deform when pressure is applied as described above.

[0048]

[0065] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a process 900 for obtaining audio data indicative of sounds inside a living body. First, an individual can obtain an acoustic collector (step 901). The individual can be, for example, a patient who wants to use the acoustic collector to record their internal sounds. Alternatively, the individual can be a friend or family member who wants to record the internal sounds of another person. The acoustic collectors described herein can be used by medical professionals, but those medical professionals are generally trained to use sophisticated medical devices such as stethoscopes and acoustic auscultators that are becoming obsolete for most of the acoustic collectors.

[0049]

[0066] Afterwards, the individual can fix the acoustic collector to the housing of the electronic device used to record internal sounds (step 902). For example, the individual can remove a cover (also called a "liner") along one end of the acoustic collector to expose an adhesive, and then use the adhesive to attach the acoustic collector to the housing of the electronic device. As described above, the acoustic collector can be fixed to the housing of the electronic device such that one end is positioned adjacent to a hole in the housing through which sound waves can travel to reach the microphone.

[0050]

[0067] Next, the individual can position the electronic device such that the other end is positioned adjacent to an anatomical region of the body (step 903). For example, the individual can hold the electronic device such that the other end is directly adjacent to the skin of the body within the anatomical region. Generally, the anatomical region depends on the internal sounds of interest to the individual. For example, if the individual wishes to record circulatory or respiratory sounds, the individual can hold the other end of the acoustic collector against the chest region. As another example, if the individual wishes to record gastrointestinal sounds, the individual can hold the other end of the acoustic collector against the abdominal region.

[0051]

[0068] It should be noted that the individual can start a recording session at any point during process 900. For example, the individual may prompt the electronic device to start recording after the acoustic collector is fixed to the housing of the electronic device, or the individual may prompt the electronic device to start recording after the acoustic collector is positioned adjacent to an anatomical region of the body. Usually, the individual achieves this by interacting with a computer program executed on the electronic device. However, the computer program can be configured to automatically start recording, for example, when it detects a sound representing an internal sound.

[0052]

[0069] It is contemplated that, unless contrary to physical possibility, the above steps may be performed in various orders and combinations. For example, multiple instances of process 900 of FIG. 9 may be performed to generate multiple recordings corresponding to the same anatomical region or different anatomical regions.

[0053] [Overview of the Electronic Stethoscope System]

[0070] As described above, the acoustic collector can be used by itself to facilitate the collection of sound waves generated within the body and the recording of those sound waves by a microphone of an electronic device. However, the acoustic collector may also be used within the input unit of the electronic stethoscope system.

[0054]

[0071] As will be further described 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 direct sound waves towards at least one microphone configured to generate audio data indicative of internal sounds generated within the living body. These microphones may also be referred to as "auscultation microphones". Further, each input unit may include at least one microphone configured to generate audio data indicative of external sounds generated outside the living body. These microphones may also be referred to as "ambient microphones" or "environmental microphones". For illustrative purposes, an "ambient microphone" may be described as being capable of generating audio data indicative of "ambient sound". However, these "ambient sounds" generally include a combination of external sounds as described above.

[0055]

[0072] There are several advantages to recording internal sounds and external sounds separately. In particular, the internal sound can be electronically amplified, and the external sound can be electronically suppressed, attenuated, or filtered. Thus, an electronic stethoscope system can handle faint sounds generated from within a living body during an examination by manipulating audio data indicative of the internal sound and the external sound. However, the manipulation may introduce undesirable digital artifacts that make it more difficult to interpret the internal sound. By using an acoustic collector, the quality of the audio data indicative of the internal sound can be improved without relying on operations (such as suppression, attenuation, or filtering) of the underlying signal.

[0056]

[0073] FIG. 10A includes a top perspective view of an input unit 1000 for an electronic stethoscope system. For convenience, the input unit 1000 may be referred to as a "stethoscope patch" if it includes only a subset of the components necessary for auscultation. The input unit 1000 is often attached to the chest of the body and may also be referred to as a "chest piece." However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the input unit 1000 may be attached to other parts of the body, such as the neck, abdomen, or back.

[0057]

[0074] As will be further described below, the input unit 1000 can collect sound waves representative of an internal sound, convert the sound waves into an electrical signal, and then digitize the electrical signal (e.g., for easier transmission, to ensure higher fidelity, etc.). The input unit 1000 can include a structure 1002 made of a rigid material. Typically, the structure 1002 is made of a metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, or a suitable metal alloy. To make the structure 1002, molten metal is typically die-cast and then machined or extruded into the appropriate shape.

[0058]

[0075] In some embodiments, the input unit 1000 includes a casing that prevents the structure 1002 from being exposed to the surrounding environment. For example, the casing can prevent contamination, improve cleanability, improve clarity, etc. Generally, the casing encloses substantially all of the structure 1002 except for the conical resonator cavity disposed along the bottom surface of the structure. The conical resonator cavity will be described in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 10B - 10C. The casing may be made of silicone rubber, polypropylene, polyethylene, or any other suitable material. Further, in some embodiments, the casing includes additives that, by their presence, limit the growth of microorganisms, ultraviolet ( "UV") degradation, etc.

[0059]

[0076] FIGS. 10B - 10C include a bottom perspective view of the input unit 1000 including a structure 1002 having a distal portion 1004 and a proximal portion 1006. To initiate the auscultation procedure, an individual (e.g., a medical professional such as a physician or nurse) can place and secure the proximal portion 1006 of the input unit 1000 against the surface of the body being examined. The proximal portion 1006 of the input unit 1000 can include a wider opening 1008 of the conical resonator cavity 1010. The conical resonator cavity 1010 can be designed to direct sound waves collected through the wider opening 1008 toward a narrower opening 1012 that can communicate with the auscultation microphone. Conventionally, the wider opening 1008 has been about 30 - 50 mm, 35 - 45 mm, or 38 - 40 mm. However, since the input unit 1000 described herein can be improved in separating internal sounds, a smaller conical resonator cavity can be used. For example, in some embodiments, the wider opening 1008 is 30 mm, 20 mm, or less than 10 mm. Thus, the input unit described herein can support a wide variety of conical resonator cavities having different sizes designed for different applications, etc.

[0060]

[0077] Figure 11A includes a cross-sectional side view of an input unit 1100 of an electronic stethoscope system that does not include an acoustic collector. In many cases, the input unit 1100 includes a structure 1102 in which an internal cavity is defined. The structure 1102 of the input unit 1100 may have a conical resonator cavity 1104 designed to direct sound waves toward a microphone present within the internal cavity. In some embodiments, a diaphragm 1112 (also referred to as a “vibrating membrane”) extends across a wider opening (also referred to as an “outer opening”) of the conical resonator cavity 1104. The diaphragm 1112 can be used to detect vibrations induced by sound waves received through the conical resonator cavity 1104. The diaphragm 1112 can be formed from a thin plastic disk made of an epoxy fiber glass compound or glass fiber.

[0061]

[0078] To improve the clarity of sound waves collected by the conical resonator cavity 1104, the input unit 1100 can be designed to simultaneously monitor sounds generated from different locations. For example, the input unit 1100 can be designed to simultaneously monitor sounds generated from within the body being examined and sounds generated from the surrounding environment. Accordingly, the input unit 1100 can include at least one microphone 1106 (referred to as a “stethoscope microphone”) configured to generate audio data indicative of internal sounds and at least one microphone 1108 (referred to as a “surround microphone”) configured to generate audio data indicative of ambient sounds. Each of the stethoscope microphone and the surround microphone can include a transducer capable of converting sound waves into electrical signals. Thereafter, the electrical signals generated by the stethoscope microphone 1106 and the surround microphone 1108 can be digitized before being transmitted to the hub unit. Digitization enables the hub unit to easily clock or synchronize signals received from multiple input units. Digitization can also ensure that signals received by the hub unit from the input unit have a higher fidelity than would otherwise be possible.

[0062]

[0079] These microphones may be omnidirectional microphones designed to pick up sound from all directions, or may be directional microphones designed to pick up sound coming from a specific direction. For example, the input unit 1100 may include a stethoscope microphone(s) 1106 directed to pick up sound generated from a space adjacent to the outer opening of the conical resonator cavity 1104. In such an embodiment, the ambient microphone(s) 1108 may be an omnidirectional microphone or a directional microphone. As another example, a set of ambient microphones 1108 may be equally spaced within the structure 1102 of the input unit 1100 to form a phased array capable of capturing highly directional ambient sound and reducing noise and interference. Thus, the stethoscope microphone(s) 1106 may be arranged to concentrate on the path of the incoming internal sound (also referred to as the "stethoscope path"), and the ambient microphone(s) 1108 may be arranged to concentrate on the path of the incoming ambient sound (also referred to as the "ambient path").

[0063]

[0080] Conventionally, an electronic stethoscope has subjected an electrical signal indicative of a sound wave to a digital signal processing ("DSP") algorithm responsible for filtering out unwanted artifacts. However, such an action suppresses almost all sounds within a particular frequency range (e.g., 100 - 800 Hz), thereby greatly distorting internal sounds of interest (e.g., those corresponding to inhalation, exhalation, or heartbeat). Here, however, an active noise cancellation algorithm can be used in which a processor separately examines the audio data generated by the auscultation microphone(s) 1106 and the audio data generated by the ambient microphone(s) 1108. More specifically, the processor can analyze the audio data generated by the ambient microphone(s) 1108 to determine how the audio data generated by the auscultation microphone(s) 1106, if any, should be modified. For example, the processor can discover that certain digital features should be amplified (e.g., because they correspond to internal sounds), reduced (e.g., because they correspond to ambient sounds), or completely removed (e.g., because they represent noise). Such techniques can be used to improve the clarity, detail, and quality of the sounds recorded by the input unit 1100. For example, the application of a noise cancellation algorithm can be an integral part of the noise removal process used by an electronic stethoscope system including at least one input unit 1100.

[0064]

[0081] For privacy, while the conical resonator 1104 is directed away from the body, it may not be permitted to record either the auscultation microphone(s) 1106 or the ambient microphone(s) 1108. Thus, in some embodiments, the auscultation microphone(s) 1106 and / or the ambient microphone(s) 1108 do not start recording until the input unit 1100 is attached to the body. In such embodiments, the input unit 1100 may include one or more attachment sensors 1110A - 1110C that are responsible for determining whether the structure 1102 is properly fixed to the body surface.

[0065]

[0082] The input unit 1100 can include any subset of the attachment sensors shown herein. For example, in some embodiments, the input unit 1100 includes only the attachment sensors 1110A - 1110B positioned near the wider opening of the conical resonator cavity 1104. As another example, in some embodiments, the input unit 1100 includes only the attachment sensor 1110C positioned near the narrower opening (also referred to as the "inner opening") of the conical resonator cavity 1104. Further, the input unit 1100 can include different types of attachment sensors. For example, the attachment sensor 1110A can be an optical proximity sensor designed to emit light (e.g., infrared light) through the conical resonator cavity 1104 and then, based on the light that is reflected and returns into the conical resonator cavity 1104, determine the distance between the input unit 1100 and the body surface. As another example, the attachment sensors 1110A - 1110C can be audio sensors designed to determine, with the help of an algorithm programmed to determine the decrease in a high - frequency signal, whether the structure 1102 is in firm contact with the body surface and sealed based on the presence of environmental noise. As another example, the attachment sensors 1110A - 1110B can be pressure sensors designed to determine whether the structure 1102 is in firm contact with the body surface and sealed based on the amount of pressure applied. Some embodiments of the input unit 1100 include each of these different types of attachment sensors. By considering the outputs of these attachment sensors (singular or plural) 1110A - 1110C in combination with the aforementioned active noise cancellation algorithm, the processor can dynamically determine the adhesion state. That is, the processor can determine, based on the outputs of these attachment sensors 1110A - 1110C, whether the input unit 1100 has been applied to the body to form a seal.

[0066]

[0083] FIG. 11B includes a cross-sectional perspective view of the input unit 1100, and FIG. 11C includes a cross-sectional side view of the input unit 1100. As shown in FIGS. 11B-11C, the auscultation microphone 1106 can be positioned near the inner opening of the conical resonator cavity 1104 such that sound waves collected through the outer opening can be "passed through the funnel-shaped portion" toward the auscultation microphone 1106 through the throat 1116. The auscultation microphone 1106 can be mounted on the printed circuit board 1114 or can be made accessible through the printed circuit board 1114. Such an arrangement can place the auscultation microphone 1106 about 0.5 to 1.0 mm (generally 0.6 to 0.8 mm) away from the inner opening of the conical resonator cavity 1104. Note that in some embodiments, the adhesive 1118 can be positioned between the printed circuit board 1114 and a portion of the structure 1102 that defines the conical resonator cavity 1104. However, the adhesive 1118 is generally very thin (e.g., less than 0.1 mm) and thus does not "lengthen" the throat 1116 nor act as a cushion between the printed circuit board 1114 and the portion of the structure 1102 that defines the conical resonator cavity 1104.

[0067]

[0084] The height of the adhesive 1118 and the throat 1116 does not change significantly even when a fairly large force 1120 is applied to the input unit 1100 as measured from the auscultation microphone 1106 to the inner opening of the conical resonator cavity 1104. Thus, it can be said that the input unit 1000 has a relatively high compression rate. Generally, the higher the compression rate, the more noisy the signal, and therefore, it is desirable to lower the compression rate. Further, the printed circuit board 1114 can be connected via the adhesive 1118 to a portion of the structure 1102 that defines or corresponds to (e.g., complements) the periphery of the conical resonator cavity 1104 as shown in FIG. 11B, and such a design can cause unwanted noise. For example, if the structure 1102 is dragged across the surface of the living body, these vibrations can be transmitted from the structure 1102 through the adhesive 1118 to the printed circuit board 1114 (and thus the auscultation microphone 1106).

[0068]

[0085] FIG. 12A includes a cross-sectional perspective view of an input unit 1200 including an acoustic collector 1218, and FIG. 12B includes a cross-sectional side view of the input unit 1200. It should be noted that except for the addition of the acoustic collector 1218, the input unit 1200 may be the same as the input unit 1100 in FIGS. 11A-11C in other respects. Thus, the input unit 1200 may include a stethoscope microphone 1206 positioned near the inner opening of the conical resonator cavity 1204 such that sound waves collected through the outer opening can be "channeled through the funnel-shaped portion" towards the stethoscope microphone 1206. The stethoscope microphone 1206 may be mounted on the printed circuit board 1214 or may be accessible via the printed circuit board 1214.

[0069]

[0086] Here, the acoustic collector 1218 is positioned between the printed circuit board 1214 and a portion of the structure 1202 that defines or corresponds to (e.g., complements) the perimeter of the conical resonator cavity 1204. By adding the acoustic collector 1218, the throat 1216 "becomes longer". For example, the acoustic collector 1218 may have a thickness of 2.0 to 4.0 mm. By "lengthening" the throat 1216, a lower compression ratio can be achieved, resulting in a less noisy signal.

[0070]

[0087] Further, the acoustic collector 1218 may include a deformable material as described above. For example, the acoustic collector 1218 may comprise a deformable material such as an open-cell foam or a closed-cell foam made of nylon, urethane, latex, or silicone. Evonik VESTAMID® Care ML24 nylon foam, PORON® polyurethane foam, and BISCO® silicone foam are examples of suitable foams. Embodiments of the acoustic collector 1218 may have a density of 0.8 grams per cubic centimeter ("g / cm 3 "), 0.6 g / cm 3 , or less than 0.4 g / cm 3 ​

[0071]

[0088] Since the acoustic collector 1218 comprises a deformable material, when a force 1220 is applied to the input unit 1200, the "length" of the throat 1216 can be changed. Specifically, the height of the acoustic collector 1218, and thus the distance between the auscultation microphone 1206 and the inner opening of the conical resonator cavity 1204, can be decreased when the force 1220 is applied to the input unit. For example, the acoustic collector 1218 can be shrunk, compressed, or otherwise deformed such that the acoustic collector 1218 has a compressed thickness of 1.0 to 2.0 mm, 1.2 to 1.8 mm, or 1.4 to 1.6 mm. As described above, the deformation along the longitudinal axis can actually stabilize the acoustic collector 1218, provide rigidity, enhance the separation of sound waves traveling through the channel, thereby resulting in an improvement in auscultation.

[0072]

[0089] In embodiments where the acoustic collector 1218 is a porous material, positioning the acoustic collector 1218, for example, directly adjacent between the printed circuit board 1214 and the structure 1202 can also reduce noise. Generally speaking, the acoustic collector 1218 can act as an acoustic insulator within the structure 1202 of the input unit 1200. The acoustic collector 1218 can not only result in a throat 1216 that is more acoustically adaptable, but the acoustic collector 1218 can also prevent, block, or otherwise limit unwanted noise. For example, when the structure 1202 is dragged across the surface of the living body, these vibrations can rather be transmitted directly from the acoustic collector 1218 to the printed circuit board 1214 (and thus the auscultation microphone 1206).

[0073]

[0090] As described above with reference to FIG. 6, the acoustic collector 1218 may have an adhesive applied to its distal interface to facilitate attachment to the structure 1202 and / or an adhesive applied to its proximal interface to facilitate attachment to the printed circuit board 1214. The adhesive may be applied to the proximal interface before the acoustic collector 1218 is attached to the bottom side of the printed circuit board 1214, and then the adhesive may be applied to the distal interface before the acoustic collector 1218 is attached to the inner surface of the structure 1202. Alternatively, the adhesive may be applied to the distal interface before the acoustic collector 1218 is attached to the inner surface of the structure 1202, and then the adhesive may be applied to the proximal interface before the acoustic collector 1218 is attached to the bottom side of the printed circuit board 1214. In some embodiments, the adhesive is applied only along the distal interface of the acoustic collector 1218 as shown in FIG. 12B and indicated by reference numeral 1218. In some embodiments, the adhesive 1218 is in the form of a double-sided tape comprising, for example, a backing of polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) and an acrylic adhesive. In other embodiments, the adhesive 1218 is in the form of a gel comprising a resin that is activated by heat, ultraviolet light, or chemically.

[0074]

[0091] As shown in FIGS. 12A-12B, the structure 1202 may comprise a first portion 1202A and a second portion 1202B that connect along the perimeter of the input unit 1200. Segmenting the structure 1202 provides flexibility in how and when the acoustic collector 1218 is installed within the input unit 1200.

[0075]

[0092] Accordingly, the input unit 1200 may include a printed circuit board 1214 having a first side and a second side to which the auscultation microphone 1206 is mounted, a structure including (i) a first section and (ii) a second section having an outer surface defining a resonator cavity through which sound waves are guided toward the auscultation microphone when the structure is placed against the surface of a living body, and an acoustic collector having a tubular body made of a deformable material positioned between the second side of the printed circuit board and the second section of the structure. The tubular body may be in a cylindrical form so as to surround the acoustic microphone while being in contact with the second side of the printed circuit board.

[0076]

[0093] FIG. 13 illustrates how one or more input units 1302A - 1302N can be connected to a hub unit 1304 to form an electronic stethoscope system 1300. In some embodiments, a plurality of 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. Generally, the electronic stethoscope system 1300 includes at least six input units. An electronic stethoscope system having a plurality of input units may also 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 may be moved across the body so as to simulate an array of a plurality of input units. An electronic stethoscope system having one input unit may also be referred to as a "single-channel stethoscope".

[0077]

[0094] As shown in FIG. 13, each input unit 1302A - 1302N can be connected to the hub unit 1304 via a corresponding cable 1306A - 1306N. Generally, the transmission paths formed between each input unit 1302A - 1302N and the hub unit 1304 via the corresponding cables 1306A - 1306N are designed to be substantially interference - free. For example, an electronic signal may be digitized by the input units 1302A - 1302N before being transmitted to the hub unit 1304, and the signal fidelity can be ensured by prohibiting the generation / contamination of electromagnetic noise. Examples of cables include ribbon cables, coaxial cables, Universal Serial Bus (''USB'') cables, High - Definition Multimedia Interface (''HDMI (registered trademark)'') cables, RJ45 Ethernet (registered trademark) cables, and any other cable 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). Thus, each input unit 1302A - 1302N may include a single physical port, and the hub unit 1304 may include a plurality of physical ports. Alternatively, a single cable may be used to connect all of the input units 1302A - 1302N to the hub unit 1304. 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 each capable of interfacing with a single input unit. Such a cable may be referred to as a ''1 - to - 2 cable'', ''1 - to - 4 cable'', or ''1 - to - 6 cable'', for example, based on the number of second ends.

[0078]

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

[0079]

[0096] Since the electronic stethoscope system 1300 can deploy the adaptive gain control algorithm during post - processing procedures, the input unit array 1308 can be allowed to collect information regarding a wide range of sounds generated by the heart, lungs, etc. The input units 1302A - 1302N within the input unit array 1308 can be placed at different anatomical positions along the surface of the body (or on entirely different bodies), so that different biometric features (e.g., respiratory rate, heart rate, or the degree of wheezing, crackling sounds, etc.) can be simultaneously monitored by the electronic stethoscope system 1300.

[0080]

[0097] FIG. 14 is a general block diagram illustrating exemplary 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 can include any subset of the components shown in FIG. 14, as well as additional components not illustrated herein. For example, the input unit 1400 can include a biosensor capable of monitoring physiological characteristics of the body such as, for example, sweating (e.g., based on skin humidity), temperature, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the biosensor can be designed to monitor a breathing pattern (also referred to as a “respiratory pattern”) and record the electrical activity of the heart, among other things. As another example, the input unit 1400 can include an inertial measurement unit (“IMU”) capable of generating data from which gestures, orientation, or position can be derived. An IMU is an electronic component designed to measure the forces, angular velocity, inclination, and / or magnetic field of an object. In general, an IMU includes an accelerometer(s), a gyroscope(s), a magnetometer(s), or any combination thereof.

[0081]

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

[0082]

[0099] As described above, the microphone(s) 1408 can convert acoustic sound waves into electrical signals. The microphone(s) 1408 can include a stethoscope microphone(s) configured to generate audio data indicative of internal sound, an ambient microphone(s) configured to generate audio data indicative of ambient sound, or any combination thereof. The audio data representing the value of the electrical signal can be stored, at least temporarily, in the memory 1412. In some embodiments, the processor(s) 1404 processes the audio data before downstream transmission to the hub unit 1450. For example, the processor(s) 1404 can apply algorithms designed to perform digital signal processing, noise removal, gain control, echo cancellation, artifact removal, feature identification, and the like. In other embodiments, minimal processing is performed by the processor(s) 1404 before downstream transmission to the hub unit 1450. For example, the processor(s) 1404 can simply attach metadata specifying the identity of the input unit 1400 to the audio data, or can examine metadata already added to the audio data by the microphone(s) 1408.

[0083]

[0100] In some embodiments, the input unit 1400 and the hub unit 1450 transmit data to each other via a cable connected between the corresponding data interfaces 1418, 1470. For example, audio data generated by the microphone(s) 1408 can be transferred to the data interface 1418 of the input unit 1400 and transmitted to the data interface 1470 of the hub unit 1450. Alternatively, the data interface 1470 may 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, 1456 can communicate with each other via a two-way communication protocol such as near field communication ("NFC"), wireless USB, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, cellular data protocol (e.g., LTE®, 3G, 4G, or 5G), or a dedicated point-to-point protocol.

[0084]

[0101] The input unit 1400 may include a power component 1414 that can supply power to other components present within the housing 1402, if necessary. Similarly, the hub unit 1450 may include a power component 1466 that can supply power to other components present within the housing 1452. Examples of power components include rechargeable lithium ion ("Li-Ion") batteries, rechargeable nickel metal hydride ("NiMH") batteries, rechargeable nickel cadmium ("NiCad") batteries, and the like. In some embodiments, the input unit 1400 does not include a dedicated power component and thus needs to receive power from the hub unit 1450. A cable designed to facilitate the transmission of power (e.g., via a physical connection of electrical contacts) can be connected between the power interface 1416 of the input unit 1400 and the power interface 1468 of the hub unit 1450.

[0085]

[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. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that these channels can be included in the same cable. Thus, a single cable capable of carrying data and power can be coupled between input unit 1400 and hub unit 1450.

[0086]

[0103] Hub unit 1450 can include one or more processors 1454, wireless transceiver 1456, display 1458, codec 1460, one or more light emitting diode (「LED」) indicators 1462, memory 1464, and power components 1466. These components can be present within housing 1452 (also referred to as a 「structure」). As described above, embodiments of hub unit 1450 can include any subset of these components, as well as additional components not shown herein.

[0087]

[0104] As shown in FIG. 14, embodiments of hub unit 1450 can include a display 1458 for presenting information such as, for example, the breathing state or heart rate of the individual being examined, network connection status, power connection status, connection status of input unit 1400, and the like. Display 1458 can be controlled via a tactile input mechanism (e.g., buttons accessible along the surface of housing 1452), and an audio input mechanism (e.g., a microphone), among others. As another example, some embodiments of hub unit 1450 include LED indicator(s) 1462 for operating guidance instead of display 1458. In such embodiments, LED indicator(s) 1462 can convey information similar to that presented by display 1458. As another example, some embodiments of hub unit 1450 include both display 1458 and LED indicator(s) 1462.

[0088]

[0105] Upon receiving audio data representing an electrical signal generated by the microphone(s) 1408 of the input unit 1400, the hub unit 1450 may provide the audio data to a codec 1460 responsible for decoding the incoming data. The codec 1460 may decode the audio data (e.g., by reversing the encoding applied by the input unit 1400) in preparation for, for example, editing, processing, etc. The codec 1460 may be designed to process the audio data generated by the stethoscope microphone(s) within the input unit 1400 and the audio data generated by the ambient microphone(s) within the input unit 1400 sequentially or simultaneously.

[0089]

[0106] Thereafter, the processor(s) 1454 can process the audio data. Similar to the processor(s) 1404 of the input unit 1400, the processor(s) 1454 of the hub unit 1450 can apply algorithms designed to perform digital signal processing, noise removal, gain control, noise cancellation, artifact removal, feature identification, etc. Some of these algorithms may not be necessary if they have already been applied by the processor(s) 1404 of the input unit 1400. For example, in some embodiments, the processor(s) 1454 of the hub unit 1450 applies algorithms for discovering diagnostically relevant features in the audio data, while in other embodiments, such an action may not be necessary if the processor(s) 1404 of the input unit 1400 has already discovered diagnostically relevant features. Alternatively, the hub unit 1450 can transfer the audio data to a destination (e.g., a diagnostic platform running on a computing device or a distributed system) for analysis, as further described below. Generally, diagnostically relevant features correspond to patterns of values in the audio data that match predetermined pattern definition parameters. As another example, in some embodiments, the processor(s) 1454 of the hub unit 1450 applies algorithms for reducing noise in the audio data to improve the signal-to-noise ("SNR") ratio, while in other embodiments, these algorithms are applied by the processor(s) 1404 of the input unit 1400.

[0090]

[0107] In addition to the power interface 1468, the hub unit 1450 may include a power port. The power port (also referred to 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 interfacing with different connector types (e.g., C13, C15, C19). Additionally or alternatively, the hub unit 1450 may include a power receiver having an integrated circuit (also referred to 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, when the input unit 1400 and the hub unit 1450 are not physically connected to each other via a cable. The power receiver may be configured to receive power transmitted in accordance with the Qi standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium or some other wireless power standard.

[0091]

[0108] In some embodiments, the housing 1452 of the hub unit 1450 includes an audio port. The audio port (also referred to as an "audio jack") is a receptacle that can be used to transmit signals such as audio to a suitable plug of an accessory such as headphones. The audio port typically includes one, two, three, or four contacts that enable easy transmission of an audio signal when a suitable plug is inserted into the audio port. For example, most headphones 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 directly transmit an audio signal to wireless headphones (e.g., via NFC, wireless USB, Bluetooth, etc.).

[0092]

[0109] As described above, the processor(s) 1404 of the input unit 1400 and / or the processor(s) 1454 of the hub unit 1450 can apply various algorithms to support different functions. Examples of such functions include attenuation of lost data packets in audio data, 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 present in the memory (e.g., the memory 1412 of the input unit 1400 or the memory 1464 of the hub unit 1450). Accordingly, 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.

[0093]

[0110] Note that in some embodiments, the input unit 1400 is configured to directly transmit the audio data generated by the microphone(s) 1408 to destinations other than the hub unit 1450. For example, the input unit 1400 may transfer the audio data to the wireless transceiver 1406 and transmit it to a computing device executing a computer program responsible for analyzing the audio data. The audio data may be transmitted to the computing device instead of or in addition to the hub unit 1450. When the audio data is transferred to the computing device in addition to the hub unit 1450, the input unit 1400 may generate duplicate copies of the audio data and then transfer those separate copies forward (e.g., to the wireless transceiver 1406 for transmission to the computing device, to the data interface 1418 for transmission to the hub unit 1450).

[0094]

[0111] Additional information regarding the electronic stethoscope system can be found in U.S. Patent No. 10,555,717, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0095] [Annotation]

[0112] The foregoing description of various embodiments of the present 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 exact forms disclosed.

[0096]

[0113] Numerous modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the technology and its practical applications, thereby enabling others of ordinary skill in the relevant art to understand the claimed subject matter, the various embodiments, and the various modifications that are suitable for the particular uses contemplated.

Claims

1. An apparatus for guiding sound towards a destination, comprising: a tubular body, wherein the tubular body has: a distal boundary surface where sound waves corresponding to internal sounds of a living body are collected; a proximal boundary surface where the sound waves are presented to a microphone of an electronic device to which the tubular body is connected; a channel defined by an inner surface of the tubular body, extending between the distal boundary surface and the proximal boundary surface; and the channel enables the sound waves to travel from the distal boundary surface to the proximal boundary surface.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tubular body is made of a deformable material that deforms from its original form under pressure and returns to its original form when the pressure is removed.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the deformable material is a urethane foam.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface is tapered such that the channel narrows towards the proximal boundary surface and guides the sound waves through a funnel-shaped portion towards the proximal boundary surface.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distal boundary surface has a concave surface representing a recess for collecting the sound waves, and the proximal boundary surface has a concave surface representing a recess for presenting the sound waves.

6. a diaphragm that vibrates when the sound waves impinge thereon; an adhesive film that fixes the diaphragm to the distal boundary surface of the tubular body; and the apparatus according to claim 1 further comprises the above.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the channel at the distal boundary surface is between 2 millimeters (mm) and 7 mm, and the diameter of the channel at the proximal boundary surface is between 2 mm and 7 mm.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the diameter of the tubular body is between 5 mm and 10 mm.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the length of the tubular body is 5 mm or less.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprises an adhesive film that fixes the proximal end of the tubular body to the electronic device.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the adhesive film comprises a temporary adhesive that enables the tubular body to be removed from the electronic device.

12. A method for manufacturing an acoustic collection device, comprising: obtaining a block of deformable material that deforms under pressure and returns to its original form when the pressure is removed; forming a tubular body having a pair of ends from the block of deformable material; ​ Here, the tubular body has a width of 10 millimeters (mm) or less and a length of 5 mm or less, defining a channel through the tubular body such that (i) a first opening is accessible along a first end of the pair of ends, and (ii) a second opening is accessible along a second end of the pair of ends, comprising a method.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the tubular body is in the form of a hollow circular cylinder.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the deformable material is a continuous foam of urethane, latex, or silicone.

15. The method according to claim 12, further comprising attaching an adhesive film to one of the pair of ends of the tubular body. The method according to claim 12.

16. The method according to claim 12, further comprising coating an outer surface of the tubular body to prevent sound waves from entering the channel from locations other than the pair of ends. The method according to claim 12.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the first opening has a different width from the second opening.

18. A method for acquiring audio data indicative of sounds inside a living body, fixing the device according to claim 1 to a housing of an electronic device such that the proximal interface is positioned adjacent to a hole through which sound waves travel to reach a microphone, positioning the electronic device such that the distal interface is positioned adjacent to an anatomical region of the living body, comprising a method.

19. The fixing comprises removing a liner from the device according to claim 1 so as to expose an adhesive film along the proximal interface, The method according to claim 18.

20. The positioning comprises holding the electronic device such that the distal interface is directly adjacent to the skin of the living body within the anatomical region, The method according to claim 18.

21. An input unit for an electronic stethoscope system, a printed circuit board having a first side and a second side on which a microphone is mounted, a structure, where the structure comprises (i) a first section, and (ii) a second section having an outer surface defining a resonator cavity through which sound waves are guided towards the microphone when the structure is placed against the surface of a living body. A tubular body made of a deformable material and located between the second side of the printed circuit board and the second section of the structure, An input unit comprising the same. **Claim 22** The tubular body A first interface surface where the sound waves are collected, A second interface surface where the sound waves are presented to the microphone, Defined by an inner surface, extending between the first interface surface and the second interface surface, and having a channel that enables the sound waves to travel from the first interface surface to the second interface surface, The input unit according to claim 21, including the above. **Claim 23** The deformable material can deform from its original form under pressure and return to its original form when the pressure is removed. The input unit according to claim 21. **Claim 24** The deformable material is a nylon foam. The input unit according to claim 21. **Claim 25** The tubular body has a height of 2 to 4 millimeters. The input unit according to claim 21. **Claim 26** The tubular body has a density of less than 0.4 grams per cubic centimeter. The input unit according to claim 21. **Claim 27** Further comprising an adhesive located between the tubular body and the second section of the structure, The input unit according to claim 21. **Claim 28** The adhesive is in the form of a double-sided tape comprising a backing of polyethylene terephthalate and an acrylic adhesive. The input unit according to claim 27. **Claim 29** The adhesive is in the form of a gel. The input unit according to claim 27. **Claim 30** The microphone is configured to generate audio data indicating sounds inside the living body. The input unit A transceiver configured to enable a communication channel for facilitating communication with a destination via a network, A processor, Further comprising, and the processor Is configured to transfer the audio data to the transceiver for wireless transmission to the destination via the communication channel. The input unit according to claim 21. **Claim 31** The microphone is configured to generate audio data indicating sounds inside the living body. The input unit Further comprises a second microphone configured to generate second audio data indicating sounds outside the living body. The input unit according to claim 30. **Claim 32** The processor is further configured to transfer the second audio data to the transceiver for wireless transmission to the destination via the communication channel. The input unit according to claim 31.

33. The processor is further configured to attach metadata identifying the input unit to the audio data and the second audio data. The input unit according to claim 32.

34. The resonator cavity has an outer opening over which the diaphragm extends and an inner opening towards which the microphone is directed, the input unit according to claim 21.

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