Digital Stethoscope Cough Counting and Respiratory Event Forecasting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital stethoscopes struggle with real-time detection of respiratory abnormalities, inability to forecast future respiratory events, and lack of data cataloging while ensuring patient privacy, with existing classification systems unable to predict severity or characteristics of respiratory events.

Innovation Solution

A digital stethoscope system utilizing convolutional methods to analyze auditory signals, count coughs, predict respiratory event severity, and forecast future events, integrated with a base station for enhanced processing and wireless charging, and connected to a cloud-based service for data storage and analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If traditional stethoscopes are used for respiratory monitoring, then a doctor can listen to patient's breathing, but the doctor must be present and the system is prone to error, making daily monitoring impractical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated respiratory monitoringVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical acoustic system of traditional stethoscopes with electronic sensors and digital signal processing. Microphones and accelerometers capture respiratory sounds and chest movements, which are then processed by algorithms to detect respiratory events automatically, eliminating the need for a doctor's physical presence while maintaining detection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a base station as an intermediary between the portable stethoscope and the analysis system. The base station receives data from the stethoscope, performs initial processing, and communicates with remote servers, enabling automated monitoring while maintaining system reliability through multiple processing stages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If complex classification algorithms are used to distinguish normal from abnormal respiratory sounds, then detection accuracy improves, but real-time performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverespiratory abnormality detection accuracyVSAvoidreal-time processing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the respiratory sound analysis into multiple frequency bands using filter banks. Each band is processed independently by separate classification algorithms, allowing parallel computation that maintains real-time performance while achieving high detection accuracy through comprehensive frequency analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a hierarchical classification approach where a simple algorithm provides quick initial classification, and more complex algorithms are applied only when needed. This partial application of complex processing maintains real-time performance for clear cases while achieving high accuracy for ambiguous cases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of information

If more respiratory parameters are monitored and analyzed, then forecasting ability improves, but device complexity and data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverespiratory event forecasting capabilityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the portable stethoscope with multi-functional sensors that serve multiple purposes. The same microphone array used for sound detection also captures environmental noise for context analysis, and the accelerometer data serves both motion detection and respiratory rate calculation, reducing overall system complexity while enhancing forecasting capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested system architecture where the portable stethoscope contains basic processing, the base station provides intermediate analysis, and remote servers perform comprehensive forecasting. Each level nests within and builds upon the previous level, distributing complexity across multiple tiers while maintaining overall system capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20260069162A1Digital stethoscope for counting coughs, and applications thereof

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 SONAVI LABS INC

AI summary

Embodiments disclosed herein improve digital stethoscopes and their application and operation. A first method detects of a respiratory abnormality using a convolution. A second method counts coughs for a patient. A third method predicts a respiratory event based on a detected trend. A fourth method forecasts characteristics of a future respiratory event. In a fifth embodiment, a base station is provided for a digital stethoscope.