Multi-channel Digital Stethoscopy Signal Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital stethoscopy systems are complex and costly due to their multifunctional transmission units, which complicate fine filtering and high-speed processing, and fail to separately output cardiac and lung sounds when needed.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel digital stethoscopy system with transmission units that convert and transmit stethoscopy signals with unique ID information, and a reception terminal that filters and separates these signals by frequency to extract cardiac and lung sounds, simplifying the configuration and enhancing signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transmission unit performs multiple functions (amplification, noise removal, frequency separation, wireless transmission), then the signal processing capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides functions between transmission units (amplification, ADC conversion, wireless transmission) and reception terminals (noise removal, frequency separation, cardiac/lung sound classification). This segmentation simplifies the transmission unit configuration while maintaining comprehensive signal processing capability through the reception terminal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces digital signal transmission as an intermediary between the stethoscope and the processing system. The transmission unit converts analog signals to digital signals and transmits them wirelessly, allowing complex processing to be performed at the reception terminal rather than within the transmission unit itself.
2Measurement precision
If the transmission unit performs fine filtering and high-speed arithmetic processing, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Fine filtering and high-speed arithmetic processing (FFT) are relocated from the transmission unit to the reception terminal. The transmission unit only performs basic amplification and digital conversion, while the reception terminal handles the computationally intensive filtering and spectral analysis, improving precision without complicating the transmission unit.
3Device complexity
If a single stethoscope is used, then the device simplicity is maintained, but the ability to separately obtain cardiac and lung sounds is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reception terminal is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle signals from multiple transmission units simultaneously. It can classify and separate cardiac sounds, lung sounds, and noise from any combination of stethoscopes, providing versatility while maintaining simple single-stethoscope operation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its operation mode based on the number of transmission units connected. It can function as a simple single-channel system or expand to multi-channel operation with automatic signal classification and separation, providing flexibility without requiring complex pre-configuration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transmission units are used, then the sound separation capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complexity by keeping transmission units simple (only amplification, ADC, and wireless transmission) while concentrating the complex signal processing, classification, and separation functions in the reception terminal. This allows multiple transmission units to be used without increasing their individual complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple transmission unit signals are merged and processed together in the reception terminal, which combines all received digital signals and performs unified frequency separation and sound classification. This merging approach enables multi-channel operation without requiring complex coordination between multiple transmission units.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a multi-channel digital stethoscopy system. The present invention can provide accurate and detailed medical examination information by separating and filtering stethoscopy sounds received from a plurality of transmission units by frequency in a single reception terminal, dividing the filtered stethoscopy sounds into cardiac sounds and lung sounds, and then outputting the same.