Voice and Thoracic Acoustic Signal Transfer Function for Pulmonary Edema Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting pulmonary edema, particularly in heart failure patients, are inadequate for early detection, often leading to delayed intervention and severe fluid accumulation in the lungs.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that record voice signals and acoustic signals from a patient's thorax, computing a transfer function between the two types of signals to assess medical conditions such as pulmonary edema, allowing for early detection and treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional methods for detecting pulmonary edema are used, then the detection can be performed, but the detection is delayed and lacks sensitivity for early-stage fluid accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of voice signals and acoustic signals from the thorax to detect early signs of fluid accumulation before severe pulmonary edema develops. By continuously analyzing the transfer function between voice and acoustic signals, the system can identify subtle changes indicating early-stage fluid accumulation, enabling timely intervention before respiratory distress sets in.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical auscultation methods with an electronic system that uses microphones and acoustic transducers to capture and analyze sound signals. This substitution enables more sensitive and objective detection of fluid accumulation by computing transfer functions between voice signals and thoracic acoustic signals, improving both detection precision and timing.
2Measurement precision
If frequent monitoring is performed to detect early fluid accumulation, then early detection is achieved, but the monitoring process becomes complex and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a multi-functional approach where a single setup captures both voice signals and thoracic acoustic signals simultaneously. The same electronic system performs multiple functions: recording voice, recording thoracic sounds, computing transfer functions, and detecting fluid accumulation. This integration reduces the need for separate monitoring devices and simplifies the overall monitoring process while maintaining early detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically computes transfer functions and detects changes in fluid accumulation without requiring manual analysis or complex processing. The electronic system self-manages the entire monitoring process, from signal capture to diagnosis, reducing the operational complexity burden on users while enabling frequent monitoring.
3Reliability
If voice signals and acoustic signals are recorded simultaneously, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but the system requires precise synchronization and coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the recording of voice signals and thoracic acoustic signals into a single coordinated process. By using the same electronic system to capture both signal types simultaneously and computing their transfer function together, the system achieves comprehensive monitoring while managing synchronization requirements through integrated signal processing rather than separate coordinated systems.
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
This approach provides a sensitive and convenient method for frequent monitoring of fluid levels in the thorax, enabling early detection of pulmonary edema and reducing the risk of respiratory distress.
Implementation Method 1
recording acoustic signals output, simultaneously with the voice signals, by an acoustic transducer in contact with a thorax of the patient
Data Source
AI summary
A method for medical diagnosis includes recording voice signals due to sounds spoken by a patient and recording acoustic signals output, simultaneously with the voice signals, by an acoustic transducer in contact with a thorax of the patient. A transfer function is computed between the recorded voice signals and the recorded acoustic signals or between the recorded acoustic signals and the recorded voice signals. The computed transfer function is evaluated in order to assess a medical condition of the patient.