Stethoscope Sleeve Sensor Integration for Objective Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stethoscopes provide subjective and limited diagnostic information, especially in noisy environments or when heart rates are high, and electronic stethoscopes require additional equipment and are not easily portable.
Innovation Solution
A stethoscope front-end recorder device, referred to as the Sleeve, which is easily installed and removed, contains sensors for acquiring ECG, heart sounds, and other biosensors, and wirelessly transmits data to a mobile device for analysis and display, allowing for remote diagnosis without ancillary equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional stethoscopes are used, then the traditional auscultation method is preserved, but the diagnostic information is subjective and limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines traditional acoustic auscultation with electronic sensing capabilities by integrating a microphone and ECG electrodes into the chestpiece. This merging allows the device to capture both acoustic heart sounds and electrical cardiac activity simultaneously, providing objective digital data while preserving the familiar stethoscope form factor and auscultation method.
Solution Approach 2:
The stethoscope is designed to perform multiple functions: traditional acoustic listening, electronic heart sound recording, ECG monitoring, and digital data transmission. This multi-functionality enables the single device to provide both subjective auscultation and objective electronic diagnostics, resolving the contradiction between diagnostic precision and device simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If electronic stethoscopes with separate display units are used, then objective heart sound data is obtained, but the device is not easily portable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the recording, processing, and display functions directly into the stethoscope body, eliminating the need for separate external display units. The microcontroller embedded in the stethoscope processes heart sound data locally and displays results on an integrated screen, making the device self-contained and highly portable while maintaining objective electronic detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical connection and data transmission methods of traditional electronic stethoscopes with wireless communication technology. The stethoscope transmits data wirelessly to mobile devices or stores data internally, eliminating bulky cables and external equipment, thereby significantly improving portability and ease of use in clinical settings.
3Ease of operation
If conventional stethoscopes are used, then the device is simple and portable, but external noise masks heart sounds and diagnostic capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces purely acoustic detection with electronic sensing technology, including microphones and ECG electrodes that convert heart sounds and electrical activity into digital signals. This substitution allows for electronic filtering and processing that can distinguish cardiac signals from external noise, effectively eliminating noise interference while preserving the portability of the stethoscope.
Solution Approach 2:
The stethoscope incorporates feedback mechanisms where the captured heart sounds and ECG data are processed by a microcontroller that can identify and filter out noise patterns. The system provides real-time feedback through visual displays and audio output, allowing clinicians to adjust settings or reposition the device to optimize signal quality and minimize noise interference.
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 accurate and portable monitoring and display of heart sounds and electrical activity, enhancing diagnostic capabilities by providing objective data and preserving the traditional auscultation method.
Implementation Method 1
a microphone adapted to detect body sounds
Implementation Method 2
an electrode chest-bell adapted to pick-up electric heart signals
Data Source
AI summary
A stethoscope front-end recorder device (also referred to as Sleeve) for the chest piece of a stethoscope, which is easily installed and removed. The Sleeve covers the circumference of the chest piece of a stethoscope. The Sleeve contains sensors for acquiring biosensor parameters such as electrocardiogram, body temperature, heartbeat, heart rhythm, heart rate variability, heart rate turbulence, heart sounds, respiration, cardiac index and blood flow. The Sleeve has Bluetooth interface communicating with a mobile device with software component, interfacing with a back-end server with the capability to capture, analyze and save patient information.