Portable Auscultation Training Device with Skin-Hard Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional auscultatory sound training devices are large, expensive, and limited in portability and accessibility, making it difficult to perform effective training anytime and anywhere, especially for remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A portable auscultatory sound identification training device with a hermetically sealed structure, elastic members, and multiple sounding bodies, equipped with an auscultatory sound generation/management system that stores and outputs various auscultatory sounds via electric signals, allowing for easy and practical training using a stethoscope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional auscultatory sound training devices are used, then training effectiveness is improved, but portability and accessibility deteriorate due to large size and high cost
Solution Approach 1:
The training device is segmented into separate functional modules: a sound source unit containing multiple types of auscultatory sounds, a transmission unit with acoustic coupling members, and a stethoscope interface. This modular segmentation allows the system to be divided into portable components while maintaining training effectiveness through dedicated functional elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The device creates acoustic copies of real human body sounds through synthesized audio signals that replicate heartbeat sounds, lung sounds, and other auscultatory phenomena. These copied sounds are transmitted through acoustic coupling members that simulate the physical sensation of listening to a real patient, providing effective training without requiring actual patients or large-scale equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional training devices are used, then comprehensive sound training is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sound source unit is designed with multi-functionality to generate multiple types of auscultatory sounds including heartbeat sounds, lung sounds, intestinal sounds, and abnormal sounds through a single device. This universal sound generation capability eliminates the need for multiple separate training devices, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining comprehensive training coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes parameter changes in acoustic signals to simulate different auscultatory conditions. By varying frequency, amplitude, and temporal patterns of the generated sounds, the system can represent multiple clinical scenarios without requiring physical changes to the hardware, thereby maintaining versatility while minimizing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If remote auscultation training is enabled, then accessibility is improved, but external noise interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces acoustic coupling members as intermediaries between the sound source and the stethoscope interface. These coupling members act as mediators that isolate the internal acoustic environment from external noise, allowing clear transmission of auscultatory sounds even in remote or noisy environments, thereby maintaining accessibility without sacrificing signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic coupling members utilize flexible membrane structures that can transmit acoustic vibrations effectively while providing isolation from external noise. These thin film structures allow the internal sounds to pass through while blocking external interference, enabling remote training in various environmental conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device enables efficient and effective auscultatory sound training anytime and anywhere, providing a cost-effective solution with improved portability and remote training capabilities, while minimizing external noise interference.
Implementation Method 1
a speaker (120) having a vibration member (110c) directed toward the cover member (130)
Implementation Method 2
a speaker (120) having a vibration member (110c) directed toward the cover member (130)
Data Source
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AI summary
An object is to provide an auscultatory sound identification training device and an auscultatory sound identification training system excellent in portability, easily available anytime and anywhere, practical, and economical at the time of training by indirect auscultation using a stethoscope . To achieve this object, a configuration is adopted to include an auscultation speaker 110 for converting a sent electric signal related to auscultatory sound information into an acoustic signal and outputting the converted signal as an auscultatory sound, a mounting plate 100a for mounting the auscultation speaker 110 to surround an outer peripheral portion thereof, and a cover member 130 made of a resin provided on a surface portion side of the mounting plate 100a to cover a front portion 110a side of the sounding body 110, the cover member having a hardness equivalent to a hardness of a human skin and at least a short width of 45 mm.