Digital Stethoscope Signal Processing via External Mobile Filtering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital stethoscopes face challenges such as high costs due to fixed digital filters, difficulty in updating algorithms, limited recording duration, and lack of real-time signal processing and visualization, making it hard for different physicians to analyze sounds accurately and increasing the risk of infection during auscultation of contagious diseases.
Innovation Solution
A digital stethoscope design that processes analog acoustic signals externally using a smartphone or tablet, allowing real-time signal processing, visualization, and configuration of digital filters according to individual physician preferences, with secure web protocol transmission and neural network assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If digital filters and microcontrollers are used to process audio signals in the stethoscope, then signal processing capability is improved, but device cost and complexity significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex digital signal processing functions from the stethoscope device itself and relocates them to a separate computer system. The stethoscope retains only basic analog-to-digital conversion and wireless transmission capabilities, while all filtering, noise reduction, and analysis algorithms are executed externally on a computer with sufficient processing power. This separation dramatically simplifies the stethoscope hardware while maintaining advanced signal processing capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If preset digital filters are implemented in microcontrollers, then signal filtering is achieved, but adaptability to different physician preferences is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic, software-based digital filters that can be adjusted in real-time based on physician preferences and specific diagnostic needs. Unlike fixed hardware filters, the software filters allow physicians to modify filtering parameters, apply different filter types, and adapt the signal processing to various clinical scenarios. This dynamic approach enables customization while maintaining signal filtering effectiveness.
3Quantity of substance
If audio signals are recorded after applying digital filters, then storage space is reduced, but ability to re-analyze original sounds is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies digital filters and noise reduction algorithms to the audio signal in real-time during playback, not during recording. The original unprocessed audio data is preserved in storage with full fidelity, and filtering operations are performed on-demand when the physician listens to the recording. This preliminary action approach ensures that the original information is never lost, while still providing filtered audio output when needed.
4Device complexity
If limited memory is used for storing audio records, then device size is reduced, but ability to save rare diagnostic signals is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the large storage capacity of external computer systems to store audio recordings, effectively copying the storage function from the portable stethoscope to the stationary computer. The stethoscope itself maintains minimal local storage for basic operations, while comprehensive audio archives are maintained on the connected computer with sufficient space to store extensive recording histories and rare diagnostic signals.
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
Enables high-quality, real-time signal processing and analysis by physicians or AI, reduces power consumption, and allows safe auscultation of contagious patients, while being cost-effective and adaptable to individual needs.
Implementation Method 1
a device for detecting analog acoustic signals from a patient and generating digital signals based on detected acoustic signals, comprising a sequentially connected audio microphone, an analog signal pre-amplifier, an ADC, a microcontroller, and a battery
Data Source
AI summary
An auscultation device that can be used for telemedicine consultations and real-time telemedicine monitoring. The digital stethoscope includes a detector of analog acoustic signals from the patient and a data processing system implemented via a secure encrypted web-protocol and accessible via the user interface of a progressive web-application on a portable computing device of the patient/physician with connected headphones. The acoustic signal detection device comprises a sequentially connected audio microphone, an analog signal pre-amplifier, an ADC, a microcontroller, and a battery. The microcontroller combines the signals from the ADC and the device status signals into a single packet and transmits it wirelessly to the data processing system. The software processing is carried out on the physician's or patient's device. An increase in the quality/speed of signal processing is achieved with reduced power consumption and with the possibility of safe auscultation of patients with highly contagious diseases, e.g., COVID-19.