Stethoscope Head Sensor for Noise Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stethoscopes, including electronic ones, fail to effectively eliminate unwanted sounds generated by frictions, translations, or collisions during the auscultatory process, which interferes with the diagnosis of abnormalities and requires significant skill and time from physicians.
Innovation Solution
A stethoscope with a sensor and signal processing circuit in the head that detects angular variations or inclination angles to determine if the stethoscope is properly positioned, allowing it to start or stop sound gathering and enter a power-saving mode, thereby eliminating unwanted sounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic stethoscopes are used to amplify sound and eliminate unwanted sounds, then sound quality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic signal processing systems with a simple mechanical inclination sensor (tilt sensor) to detect stethoscope head positioning. This mechanical sensing approach substitutes for elaborate electronic detection systems, achieving reliable position detection with minimal circuitry and maintaining the simplicity advantage of conventional stethoscopes while enabling electronic control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational state of the stethoscope based on the inclination angle parameter detected by the sensor. When the inclination angle exceeds a threshold, the system automatically switches between sound gathering mode and power-saving mode. This parameter-based control simplifies the system architecture by using a single critical parameter (inclination angle) to govern system behavior, avoiding complex multi-parameter analysis.
2Reliability
If signal processing operations are performed to eliminate unwanted sounds, then auscultation quality is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary position verification using the inclination sensor before initiating sound gathering or signal processing operations. By checking the inclination angle in advance, the system determines whether the stethoscope is properly positioned on the patient's body. This preliminary check prevents unnecessary signal processing when the device is mispositioned, saving computational resources and time while ensuring quality auscultation only when properly set up.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic monitoring of the inclination angle during the auscultation process. The polling mechanism continuously checks the sensor output at regular intervals, and the system transitions between operational modes based on these periodic measurements. This periodic action ensures maintaining proper positioning without requiring continuous complex signal processing, thereby reducing overall processing time and computational load.
3Measurement precision
If the stethoscope continuously gathers sounds, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the stethoscope's operational state dynamic by continuously monitoring the inclination angle and automatically adjusting between sound gathering mode and power-saving mode. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to consume minimal power when not in proper use (mispositioned) while ensuring high diagnostic accuracy when properly positioned and actively used. The system transitions smoothly between states based on real-time sensor feedback, optimizing the trade-off between power consumption and diagnostic capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the inclination sensor continuously provides position information to the control circuit, which then adjusts the operational mode accordingly. When the inclination angle indicates proper positioning, the system enters sound gathering mode for accurate diagnosis; when mispositioned, it switches to power-saving mode. This closed-loop feedback system ensures diagnostic accuracy is maintained during actual use while minimizing power consumption during transport or improper placement.
Data Source
AI summary
A stethoscope capable of eliminating unwanted sounds and method thereof, the stethoscope and method thereof mainly use a stethoscope head containing a sensor and a signal processing circuit. By way of detecting and judging whether the stethoscope head arrives on correct stethoscopic position by the sensor, unwanted sounds generating by frictions, translations, or collisions during the stethoscopic process can be effectively eliminated such that the stethoscopic quality can be improved. Thus, a doctor can use less time and spirit to make a correct diagnosis for a patient with least unwanted interference sounds.