CN104349718A - Electronic stethoscope system for telemedicine applications - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic stethoscope is disclosed and includes a housing configured for hand-held manipulation, a transducer supported by the housing and configured to sense auscultation signals at a first location, and a headset coupled to the housing and configured to deliver audio corresponding to the auscultation signals through earpieces on the headset. The electronic stethoscope further includes a processor disposed in the housing and configured to convert the auscultation signals to first digital signals representative of the auscultation signals and to wirelessly transmit the first digital signals from the electronic stethoscope via a secure digital network to a second location such that the audio corresponding to the auscultation signals is provided to headsets of one or more additional electronic stethoscopes at the second location in substantial real time with the sensing of the auscultation sounds at the first location.

Description

Electronic Stethoscope System for Telemedicine Applications

technical field

The present invention relates to a telemedicine system. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electronic stethoscope that transmits signals over a telemedicine system via a secure digital network in substantially real time.

Background technique

Various devices have been developed to detect sounds produced by the human body, such as heart and lung sounds. Known devices range primarily from mechanical devices such as stethoscopes to various electronic devices such as microphones and transducers. For example, the stethoscope is an essential tool for diagnosing diseases and disorders of the cardiovascular system. It is the most commonly used technology for diagnosing such diseases and conditions in primary healthcare and in places where sophisticated medical equipment is not available, such as remote areas.

For example, clinicians readily recognize that detecting relevant cardiac symptoms and forming a diagnosis based on sounds heard with a stethoscope are skills that take years to acquire and master. The task of acoustically detecting abnormal heart activity is complicated by the fact that heart sounds are often separated from each other for short periods of time, and signals indicative of cardiac disorders are often less audible than normal heart sounds.

Contents of the invention

In one aspect, the invention relates to a telemedicine system comprising a first electronic stethoscope comprising a housing, a transducer, and a headset, the housing being configured for Handheld, the transducer senses an auscultation signal in a first position, and the headset delivers audio corresponding to the auscultation signal through earpieces on the headset. The telemedicine system also includes a second electronic stethoscope, the second electronic stethoscope including a housing, a transducer, and a headset, wherein the housing is configured for hand-held manipulation, and the headset passes through earpieces on the headset Deliver audio. The first electronic stethoscope includes a processor, wherein the processor converts the auscultation signal into a digital signal representing the auscultation signal, and an antenna that wirelessly transmits the digital signal to a second location via a secure digital network. The second electronic stethoscope includes an antenna, and a processor, wherein the antenna receives a digital signal representing an auscultation signal at a second position via a secure digital network, the processor converts the digital signal into an audio frequency corresponding to the auscultation signal, and as Sensing auscultation sounds at one location delivers the audio through earpieces on a headset of a second electronic stethoscope in substantially real time.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to an electronic stethoscope comprising a housing, a transducer, and headphones, the housing being configured for hand-held manipulation, the transducer being supported by the housing and being configured To sense an auscultation signal at a first location, the headset is connected to the housing and configured to deliver audio corresponding to the auscultation signal through earpieces on the headset. The electronic stethoscope also includes a processor disposed in the housing and configured to convert the auscultation signal into a first digital signal representing the auscultation signal and wirelessly transmit the first digital signal from the electronic stethoscope to the first digital signal via a secure digital network. Two locations such that audio corresponding to the auscultation signal is provided to the headset of the one or more remote electronic stethoscopes at the second location substantially in real time as auscultation sounds are sensed at the first location.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a telemedicine system comprising a local electronic stethoscope configured to sense auscultation signals from a patient and convert the auscultation signals into digital signals representing the auscultation signals. The telemedicine system also includes one or more additional electronic stethoscopes, and a secure network interface that connects the local electronic stethoscope to the one or more additional electronic stethoscopes via a secure digital network. Each of the one or more additional electronic stethoscopes is configured to receive a digital signal representing the auscultation signal via the secure digital network, and convert the digital signal to audio corresponding to the auscultation signal. Audio is delivered through earpieces on the headset of each of the one or more additional electronic stethoscopes substantially in real time as auscultation sounds are sensed by the local electronic stethoscope.

While a number of embodiments of the invention are disclosed, still other embodiments of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description which illustrates and describes exemplary embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a telemedicine system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electronic stethoscope suitable for use in the telemedicine system shown in FIG. 1 .

3 is a front view of an embodiment of a system for engaging an electronic stethoscope at a patient or specialist site.

Figure 4 is a screenshot of an embodiment of a user interface at a patient site.

Figure 5 is a screenshot of an embodiment of a user interface at an expert site.

FIG. 6 is a screenshot of a graphical user interface that may be displayed on the user interfaces shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 .

7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wireless chestpiece for use in the telemedicine system shown in FIG. 1 .

8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wireless headset for use in the telemedicine system shown in FIG. 1 .

9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a wireless headset for use in the telemedicine system of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a telemedicine system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and described in detail below. However, the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Detailed ways

1 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of a telemedicine system 10 that includes a bioacoustic sensor 12 , a patient site computer 14 , a patient site software interface 16 , a specialist site computer 22 , and a specialist site software interface 24 . An optional wireless headset 25 is also shown at the expert site. Patient site bioacoustic sensor 12 is in wireless communication with patient site computer 14 and interacts with patient site computer 14 via patient site software interface 16 . Expert site bioacoustic sensor 12 is in wireless communication with expert site computer 22 and interacts with expert site computer 22 via expert site software interface 24 . The patient site software interface includes a wireless interface 26 and a network port interface 27 , and the specialist site software interface includes a wireless interface 28 and a network port interface 29 . Patient site computer 14 and specialist site computer 22 communicate with each other via the Internet 1. Briefly, the bioacoustic sensors 12 communicate with each other via the patient site computer 14, the specialist site computer 22, and the Internet 1 to allow a clinician or other medical professional remote from the patient site to hear audio from the patient site at the patient site in substantially real time. Body sounds sensed by the patient. This transmission is "substantially real-time" because some delay is caused by signal processing and transmission between the stethoscopes at the patient site and specialist site. Other sounds and information, such as voice signals, may also be transmitted between bioacoustic sensors 12 in substantially real time.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an electronic stethoscope 12 , a bioacoustic sensor suitable for use in the telemedicine system 10 . The electronic stethoscope 12 includes: earplugs 30a, 30b; ear tubes 32a, 32b; and a main tube 34. Main tube 34 is connected to a main housing or chest piece 36 which supports at least one sensor 38 (not visible in FIG. 2 ). Sensor 38 is configured to sense sounds produced by substances of biological origin, such as sounds produced by the heart, lungs, vocal cords, or other organs or tissues of the body. In some embodiments, the sensor 38 may be used to pick up the voice sound of the user of the electronic stethoscope 12 at the patient and/or specialist site. Other components that may be located within or on the main housing 36 include power supplies, microprocessors, signal processing circuits (eg, digital signal processors), keyboards, graphical user interfaces, and communication devices (eg, radios). Additionally, the main housing 36 may include power management circuitry, such as in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. .2008/0232604, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The signal processing circuitry of electronic stethoscope 12 may be configured to perform a variety of functions, ranging from simple to complex. For example, the signal processing circuitry may be configured to perform relatively complex analyzes of the bioacoustic signals received from the sensors 38, such as body sound signature matching. The signal processing circuitry may perform various forms of statistical analysis on the signals generated by the sensors 38 . In such configurations, the signal processing circuitry may include a digital signal processor (DSP). As another example, the signal processing circuitry may perform selective frequency filtering to enhance different types of body sounds sensed by electronic stethoscope 12 . The signal processing circuitry is also configured to convert the signal generated by the transducer 38 into an acoustic signal transmitted through the ear tubes 32a, 32b for accurate and realistic reproduction of body sounds through the earplugs 30a, 30b. In some embodiments, electronic stethoscope 12 is configured to generate acoustic signals, such as U.S. Patent No. 6,134,331 entitled "Electronic Stethoscope" (electronic stethoscope), U.S. Patent No. 7,006,638 entitled "Electronic Stethoscope" (electronic stethoscope) , and/or U.S. Patent No. 7,130,429 entitled "Method and an Apparatus for Processing Auscultation Signals" (method and apparatus for processing auscultation signals), each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In some embodiments, the sensor 38 of the electronic stethoscope is configured to modulate or generate an electrical signal in response to deformation of the transducer. Suitable transducers are combinations of piezoelectric materials (organic and/or inorganic piezoelectric materials) (e.g., piezoelectric films), piezoresistive materials, strain gauges, capacitive or inductive elements, linear variable differential transformers, and Those transducers of other materials or elements that modulate or generate electrical signals. Sensor 38 may be planar or non-planar, such as in the case of curved or corrugated configurations. Suitable piezoelectric materials include polymer films, polymer foams, ceramics, composites, or combinations thereof. Sensor 38 may incorporate transducer arrays of the same or different transducer types and/or different transducer materials, all of which may be connected in series, individually, or in a multilayer configuration. Suitable transducers incorporating multiple sensing elements with different characteristics and/or sensors with customizable sensing characteristics are disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2007/0113649 and 2007/0113654, the aforementioned patent applications Each of these is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Sensor 38 may be implemented using techniques other than those employing electromagnetic energy or high voltage materials. For example, the sound to be translated can move a cantilever with a highly reflective surface, and a laser or beam of light shining on the surface can be modulated. The intensity or other characteristic of the modulated light can be received by a photodetector which outputs an electrical signal for analysis. As another example, one or more accelerometers may be used to sense sound signals and generate electrical signals corresponding to the sound signals.

The electronic stethoscope 12 also includes a user interface 40 . User interface 40 may include a number of mode and/or status indicators, and mode and/or control switches. Switches may include, for example, volume or gain control switches and mode selection switches. Indicators may provide an indication of the selected filter mode or other information such as battery and communication link status. Such communication link status indications may be based on error detection (eg, CRC and other methods described below) performed by computers 14, 22 and/or electronic stethoscope 12 at the patient or specialist site. In a preferred embodiment, only the occurrence of errors is logged and not their absence. For example, if the specialist site computer 22 and/or the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 identify an error, the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 may send a signal to the specialist site computer 22 that the data received by the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 is different from that of the patient site electronic stethoscope. 12 sent data. This indication may then be provided through the user interface 40, thereby showing the clinician at the specialist site that the sound heard through the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 is not a true reproduction of the body sound signal sensed through the patient site electronic stethoscope 12. As used herein, the term "true reproduction" refers to a digitally exact reproduction.

The electronic stethoscope 12 also includes an integrated communication system for wireless transmission of signals with the patient site computer 14 or the specialist site computer 22 . For example, information obtained by the electronic stethoscope 12 during auscultation may be transmitted to the computer 14,22. Computers 14, 22 may process information to provide various output data, such as visual, graphical and/or audible representations of information (e.g., heart rate indications, S1-S4 heart sounds) and/or diagnostic information related to abnormalities Cardiac, pulmonary, or other organ function (eg, phonocardiogram, spectrogram, heart murmurs (eg, those due to valvular regurgitation or stenosis), respiratory disturbances (eg, pneumonia or pulmonary edema)), or other organ lesions.

A communication system may be used to establish a radio frequency (RF) communication link between electronic stethoscope 12 and computer 14 or 22 or other external device (e.g., personal computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), cell phone, netbook, etc.), as will be described below. described in more detail. The communication link may be implemented using a short-range wireless communication interface, such as conforming to known communication standards (such as the Bluetooth standard, IEEE 802 standards (such as IEEE 802.11), ZigBee or similar specifications (such as those based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard), or other public or proprietary wireless protocols). For example, in some embodiments, the communication system is a Class 1 or Class 2 Bluetooth radio. Wireless communication can be accomplished in a manner that utilizes one or several of the following forms of energy: electromagnetic radiation, optical (including near-infrared), and acoustic (including high frequencies beyond the limit of average hearing). In some embodiments, a communication system is used to establish a secure communication link between the electronic stethoscope 12 and the computer.

In some embodiments, an antenna (not shown) for the wireless communication system is integrated into the main housing 36 . To improve the communication link with the electronic stethoscope 12, an aperture 42 may be formed in the metal main housing 36 and covered with a more electromagnetically transmissive material. For example, the aperture 42 may be covered with a polymeric member. A flashing light source (eg, LED) may be mounted in the aperture to indicate that the connection between electronic stethoscope 12 and the computer is active, and to remind the user of electronic stethoscope 12 not to cover aperture 42 . A return signal strength indicator may be included on the user interface 40 to provide the user with the strength of the communication link when establishing a connection with the computer. In some embodiments, a small parabolic reflector is placed below the antenna to reflect signals transmitted from the antenna that are normally lost within the patient's tissue, and to gather signals received from the computer that are captured by the antenna. In an alternative embodiment, the antenna is mounted within one of the ear tubes 32a, 32b or main tube 34 to position the antenna higher and improve line of sight to the computer. The antenna may include multiple branches that may be mounted on both sides of the ear tubes 32a, 32b to allow unobstructed signal communication in different body orientations.

Electronic stethoscope 12 may also include a wired connection port 44 to allow a wired connection between electronic stethoscope 12 and computer 14 or 22 or other external device (eg, personal computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), cell phone, netbook, etc.). Conductors (either electrical or optical) may be connected between the wired connection port 44 of the electronic stethoscope 12 and appropriate connectors on the external device. The wired connection port 44 of the electronic stethoscope 12, as well as any necessary interface circuitry, may be configured to communicate information according to a number of protocols, such as FireWire ^™ (IEEE 1394), USB, or other communication protocols. Additionally, the connection port 44 may be configured to connect to a docking station that interfaces the electronic stethoscope 12 with the computer 14 or 22 . Attachment of the electronic stethoscope 12 to the cable or docking station may trigger the automatic launch of control/application software on the computer 14 or 22 and/or allow sound or data files stored on the electronic stethoscope 12 to be uploaded or synchronized to the computer 14 or 22. When connected, recharging energy may also be delivered to the electronic stethoscope 12 through the wired connection port 44 .

An acoustic transducer or microphone 48 may also be integrated into the top side of the main housing 36 (ie, the side facing away from the sensor 38 ). Microphone 48 may be used to receive ambient sound from the area surrounding microphone 48 . For example, microphone 48 may be used in addition to or instead of sensor 38 to pick up the voice sound of the user of electronic stethoscope 12 at the patient and/or specialist site.

In some embodiments, electronic stethoscope 12 includes an integrated electronic storage medium that allows a user to store speech sources, body sounds, or other recordings in electronic stethoscope 12 for later review. The electronic storage medium may also include voice recognition data for identifying the user or owner of the stethoscope and language recognition data for recognizing voice commands so that the electronic stethoscope 12 can be modified in response to the voice commands. Certain settings (eg, power, volume). Speech recognition voice commands can also be used to transfer speech feeds, body sounds, or other records or files to a patient medical records database. In some embodiments, the electronic stethoscope is configured to transcribe the content of the speech signal into a medical record or other data file (eg, patient medical record), as described, for example, in US Patent No. 7,444,285 (Forbes). The speech source may also be stored with the soundtrack relating to the sensed body sounds so that the body sounds and the speech source can be played simultaneously through the earbuds 30a, 30b. In some embodiments, user interface 40 allows a user to scroll through body and speech sources stored on electronic storage media for selection and playback. Microphone 48 may also be used to effectively reduce ambient noise to remove unwanted ambient noise from recorded body and speech signals.

Referring back to FIG. 1 , electronic stethoscope 12 at the patient site may connect or pair with patient site computer 14 via secure wireless interface 26 to establish a secure network connection between patient site electronic stethoscope 12 and patient site computer 14 . Similarly, the electronic stethoscope 12 at the specialist site may be connected or paired with the specialist site computer 22 via a secure wireless interface 28 to establish a secure network connection between the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 and the specialist site computer 22 . Although a single electronic stethoscope 12 is shown at each of the patient site and the specialist site, it should be understood that multiple electronic stethoscopes 12 may be connected to the patient site computer 14 and/or the specialist site computer 22 . In some embodiments, the electronic stethoscope 12 is paired with its corresponding computer 14, 22 via a personal area network (PAN). An example of a PAN is a Bluetooth network where a pairing code is established on one of the electronic stethoscope 12 and computer 14 or 22 and sent to the other of the electronic stethoscope 12 and computer 14 or 22 . In some embodiments, an optional wireless headset is also connected or paired with the expert site computer 22 or stethoscope 12 via the secure wireless interface 28 .

In addition, a secure connection is established between the network port interfaces 27, 29 of the computers 14, 22 respectively through the Internet 1 so that the electronic stethoscopes 12 can communicate with each other through a secure network connection. For example, the network port interfaces 27, 29 may exchange certificates, obtain authentication, or establish secure network keys to establish a secure connection. Data may be encrypted by computers 14, 22 before being sent over the Internet 1. The secure network key can then be used to decrypt the data upon receipt. In some embodiments, network port interfaces 27, 29 allow applications on computers 14 and 22 to interface with wireless interfaces 26, 28 remotely located on the Internet 1.

In an alternative embodiment, electronic stethoscopes 12 are configured to communicate directly with each other (ie, without interfacing with computers 14 and 22 ) via a secure connection. For example, each electronic stethoscope 12 may be configured to have a unique Internet Protocol (IP) address, and the electronic stethoscopes 12 may establish relationships with each other directly using a wireless fidelity (WiFi) connection or other wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth pairing, cellular connection) secure connection between. As another example, a patient site and/or a specialist site may include multiple electronic stethoscopes 12 that communicate with each other locally.

When the electronic stethoscopes 12 are connected over the secure network connection, signals may be sent between the electronic stethoscopes 12 or between the electronic stethoscopes 12 and the computers 14, 22 in substantially real time. For example, body sounds may be transmitted in substantially real-time from an electronic stethoscope at the patient site to earbuds 30a, 30b at the specialist site. Additionally body sounds can be reproduced substantially in real time through microphones connected to the computers 14 , 22 . In some embodiments, the electronic stethoscope 12 at the patient site and the specialist site are substantially identical such that body and other sounds are reproduced substantially identically in the earbuds 30a, 30b at the patient site and the specialist site. Additionally, sound may be recorded and stored by one of the electronic stethoscopes 12 and then played (either from memory in the electronic stethoscope 12 or from one of the computers 14, 22) to all networked electronic stethoscopes 12 substantially simultaneously. In some embodiments, signals transmitted by the patient site electronic stethoscope 12 to the patient site computer 14 and transmitted over the Internet 1 are packetized and enumerated by the patient site electronic stethoscope 12 and error checked at the expert site to ensure Authentic sound quality and reliable reproduction at the site electronic stethoscope 12. Error checking may be performed via each element in the telemedicine system 10 (i.e., patient site computer 14, specialist site computer 22, and specialist site electronic stethoscope 12) to further ensure accurate transmission of data from patient site electronic stethoscope 12 . Error checking may be any applicable data transmission checking technique including, but not limited to, cyclic redundancy check (CRC), checksum, horizontal and vertical redundancy checks, hash functions, repetition codes, and the like. The system can also be used in conjunction with, for example, a sample throughput measurement by performing the sample throughput measurement to determine excess or insufficient data in a communication link. In short, the sound packets obtained from the electronic stethoscope 12 at the patient site are directly forwarded (ie, mirrored) to the electronic stethoscope 12 at the specialist site via the Internet 1 .

In a preferred embodiment, the telemedicine system 10 includes error checking and authentication independent of the underlying communication system or network (eg, Bluetooth, TCP/IP) protocol. Independent error checking may be performed at any component of the telemedicine system 10 to further ensure that the signal is a true reproduction of the auscultation sounds obtained from the electronic stethoscope 12 at the patient site. In certain preferred embodiments, outages serving the underlying system are categorized by duration and severity, with all errors resulting in the sending of the following communication (via one or more components of the telemedicine system) to the user: the signal is not for real reproduction. For example, the patient site component may send a packet signal or other signal to the specialist site system component every 500 milliseconds. An interruption in the underlying communication system or network of more than 500 milliseconds can result in dropped packets/signals and a resulting indication (eg, by a color change of the indicator) of degraded audio quality at the expert site.

In addition, ambient sound (eg, speech signals) may be received by sensor 38 and may be transmitted between electronic stethoscopes 12 in substantially real-time, simultaneously with, or alternately with body sounds. In an alternative embodiment, electronic stethoscope 12 may receive voice communications and other ambient sounds through microphone 48 for processing and transmission to a remote site. Body sound information flows continuously from patient site electronic stethoscope 12 to specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 , while ambient sound flows bi-directionally between patient site electronic stethoscope 12 and specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 . Patient site electronic stethoscope 12 , specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 , patient site computer 14 , and specialist site computer 22 may each include one or more ring buffers to ensure a continuous flow of information between electronic stethoscopes 12 . In some embodiments, ambient sounds are μ-law encoded and superimposed on body sounds produced by electronic stethoscope 12 at the patient site. Thus, a clinician at a patient site may, for example, hear body sounds from the patient while receiving voice instructions from a specialist at the specialist site. This allows the specialist at the specialist site to have a substantially on-the-ground experience with the patient. Because the clinician at the patient site receives the sound through the earbuds 30a, 30b, the clinician at the patient site and the specialist at the specialist site can consult privately rather than, for example, having an earbud attached to the patient site computer 14. Expert site communication output for microphone. Signal processing may be employed to optimize the sound quality of speech signals provided through the earbuds 30a, 30b.

The speech and auscultation sounds reproduced through the earbuds 30a, 30b of the electronic stethoscope 12 at the patient site and the specialist site can be controlled locally at each electronic stethoscope 12 . Auscultation and voice signals may be provided to the earbuds 30a, 30b simultaneously but on separate channels, allowing the clinician to independently control the volume of auscultation sounds and voice communications. This allows the clinician to optimize the relative volume of auscultation and ambient sounds, thereby providing a balanced output to the clinician's earbuds 30a, 30b that is tailored to the clinician's preferred requirements. Each electronic stethoscope 12 may also include a selective speech enhancement filter that enhances, for example, specific frequency bands of the speech signal to aid in ambient noise reduction.

In some embodiments, the transmission of voice signals can be selectively controlled when the stethoscope is connected via a secure network connection. For example, when connected, body sounds can be continuously transmitted from the patient site to the specialist site, while voice signals and other ambient sounds are only transmitted between sites when the clinician chooses to transmit voice signals. For example, in some embodiments, electronic stethoscope 12 uses selective frequency filtering during auscultation to suppress frequency bands that characterize speech signals. In such an embodiment, the clinician may initiate transmission of the speech signal by substantially disabling frequency filtering or modifying filter settings (ie, allowing reproduction and transmission of certain frequency bands that characterize only the speech signal). In some embodiments, the transmission of the voice signal is initiated when the clinician presses a button on the user interface 40 . Electronic stethoscope 12 may be configured such that a voice signal is transmitted when a button on user interface 40 is pressed and held (similar to a hand-held transceiver or walkie-talkie). Alternatively, electronic stethoscope 12 may be configured such that the voice signal transmission mode is activated when the button is pressed and released, and is deactivated when the button is subsequently pressed and released again.

Electronic stethoscope 12 may include integrated software memory that initially stores software for patient site software interface 16 and/or specialist site software interface 24 . For example, software may be included with each electronic stethoscope 12 when the electronic stethoscopes 12 are sold to consumers. When electronic stethoscope 12 is paired with computer 14 or 22 , electronic stethoscope 12 may be configured to automatically download software stored in software memory to computer 14 or 22 . When the software is installed on the computer 14, 22, the software allows the electronic stethoscope 12 to interact with the computer 14, 22, for example, by sending information and signals from the electronic stethoscope 12 to the computer 14, 22 and by The control signals of 14 and 22 are provided to the electronic stethoscope 12 .

Patient site remote video application 56 and server site remote video application 58 are also shown in FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, cameras are connected to patient site computer 14 and/or specialist site computer 22 to allow video communication between the patient site and specialist site via remote video applications 56 and 58 . This allows, for example, a specialist at the specialist site to see the positioning of the sensor 38 relative to the patient at the patient site and to provide the patient site with feedback on the positioning of the sensor 38 . As another example, a video camera may be used in conjunction with the microphone 48 on each of the electronic stethoscopes 12 to provide a video session between the patient site and the specialist site.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a computer 60 suitable for use as patient site computer 14 and/or specialist site computer 22 . Computer 60 includes processor 62 , display 64 , camera 66 , keyboard 68 , mouse 70 , and communications adapter 72 . Processor 62 is also configured to connect to the Internet to facilitate communication between the patient site and the specialist site. Processor 62 is shown as a laptop computer, but alternatively the processor may be a desktop computer or may have any other form. Additionally, although a separate display 64 is shown, a laptop computer display could also be used. Additionally, other input devices (eg, trackballs, joysticks, etc.) can be integrated into the computer 60 that can be used in the telemedicine system 10 .

Processor 62 receives input control signals from keyboard 68 and mouse 70 and provides video signals to display 64 . Additionally, processor 62 sends signals to and receives signals from electronic stethoscope 12 via communications adapter 72 . In some embodiments, communication adapter 72 is a Bluetooth adapter suitable for short-range (eg, up to 10m) and medium-range (eg, up to 100m) secure communications. Keyboard 68 and mouse 70 may be used to set a security mode, etc. to initiate a secure connection with electronic stethoscope 12, as described above. Communication adapter 72 may be positioned high on the wall, as shown, to improve line of sight and communication link between electronic stethoscope 12 and communication adapter 72 .

Camera 66 communicates with processor 62 to capture video of the patient or specialist site. The processor 62 then interfaces via the remote video application 56 or 58 over the Internet 1 to provide live video feedback to the patient site or specialist site. As shown, a camera 66 may be mounted on top of the display 64 to provide video communication between the patient site and the specialist site, as described above. Camera 66 may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with processor 62 to allow camera 66 to be moved around the patient or specialist site (eg, to capture video of the location of sensor 38 on the patient). In some embodiments, keyboard 68 and/or mouse 70 may be used at one site to control the operation (eg, zoom in, focus, position, etc.) of camera 66 at another site. This allows, for example, a specialist at the specialist site to control the video being captured at the patient site.

FIG. 4 is a screenshot of an embodiment of a user interface 80 that may be displayed on a display 64 at a patient site during a telemedicine procedure. The user interface 80 includes a data display module 82 , a video conferencing module 84 , and a stethoscope control module 86 . A user of patient site computer 14 may interact with the user interface on display 64 using keyboard 68 , mouse 70 , and/or other input devices. For example, a user may use mouse 70 to select a button or drop-down menu element on user interface 80 .

The data display module 82 is a graphical representation of periodic body sounds produced by the patient and sensed by the sensor 38 at the patient site. Signals generated by sensor 38 are processed by an electronic stethoscope processor and provided to patient site computer 14 via an integrated antenna. Processor 62 then processes these signals and converts them into an appropriate form for display on data display module 82 . The graph may be updated periodically or substantially in real time while the clinician holds electronic stethoscope 12 on the patient's body. The scale used or axes in the graph can be manipulated using the radio buttons 88 on the data display module.

In some embodiments, the electronic stethoscope processor divides the signal generated by sensor 38 into multiple channels. For example, an electronic stethoscope processor may convert the sensed body sounds into a data signal representing the sensed body sounds, and send the data signal to the patient site computer 14 on the first channel, and may convert the sensed body sounds into acoustic signals , and send the acoustic signal to the earbuds 30a, 30b on the second channel. Alternatively, the signals generated by the sensors 38 may be sent directly to the patient site computer 14 for conversion into data signals for the display processor 62 .

The video conferencing module 84 displays the video being captured by the camera 66 at the expert's site. For example, this allows the clinician at the patient site to see the specialist at the specialist site, and allows the specialist to indicate the preferred positioning of the sensor 38 relative to the patient at the patient site. The video conferencing module 84 also includes a toolbar 90 having a plurality of video session controls. For example, toolbar 90 may include buttons to control the volume of sound received from the expert site and the positioning of video conferences on user interface 80 . Toolbar 90 may also include interfaces and tools for starting and ending a video conference.

The stethoscope control module 86 may include a number of selectable controls and settings for the electronic stethoscope 12 at the patient site. These setting items can be selected to control the patient site electronic stethoscope 12 mode, volume, power state, recording settings, and the like. In some embodiments, these setting items may also be selected through the user interface 40 on the electronic stethoscope 12 . The stethoscope control module 86 may also include options for controlling other modules on the user interface 80 . The stethoscope control module 86 may also include optional options for communication settings between the electronic stethoscope 12 and the patient site computer 14 . For example, stethoscope control module 86 may allow adjustment of packet settings for electronic stethoscope 12 or check and repair of connection settings between electronic stethoscope 12 and patient site computer 14 .

FIG. 5 is a screenshot of an embodiment of a user interface 100 that may be displayed on a display 64 at a specialist site during a telemedicine procedure. Similar to user interface 80 , user interface 100 includes a data display module 102 , a video conferencing module 104 , and a stethoscope control module 106 . A user of expert site computer 22 may interact with the user interface on display 64 using keyboard 68, mouse 70, and/or other input devices. For example, a user may use mouse 70 to select a button or drop-down menu element on user interface 100 .

The data display module 102 is a graphical representation of periodic body sounds produced by the patient and sensed by the sensor 38 at the patient site. Signals generated by sensor 38 are processed by an electronic stethoscope processor, provided to patient site computer 14 , and sent to specialist site computer 22 . The expert site computer processor 62 then processes these signals and converts them into an appropriate form for display on the data display module 102 . The graph may be updated periodically or substantially in real time as a clinician at the patient site holds the electronic stethoscope 12 on the patient's body. The scale used or axes in the graph can be manipulated using the radio buttons 108 on the data display module.

The video conferencing module 104 displays the video being captured by the camera 66 at the patient site. For example, this allows a specialist at the specialist site to see the positioning of the sensor 38 relative to the patient at the patient site. The video conferencing module 104 also includes a toolbar 110 having a plurality of video session controls. For example, toolbar 110 may include buttons that control the volume of sounds received from the patient site and the positioning of video conferencing on user interface 100 . Toolbar 110 may also include interfaces and tools for starting and ending a video conference. The toolbar 110 may also include controls to adjust the camera position at the patient site.

The stethoscope control module 106 may include a number of selectable controls and settings for the electronic stethoscope 12 at the patient site and/or specialist site. These settings can be selected to control patient and/or specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 modes, filtering, volume, power status, recording settings, and the like. For example, the stethoscope control module 106 may include an interface to control mode and filter settings on the electronic stethoscope 12 at the patient site. The stethoscope control module 106 may also be configured to allow control of certain settings on the patient site electronic stethoscope 12 while leaving other settings only locally controlled. For example, the stethoscope control module 106 may provide volume control of only the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12, while the volume of the patient site electronic stethoscope 12 may only be controlled at the patient site (e.g., via the stethoscope control module 86 or the volume control on the patient site electronic stethoscope 12). User Interface 40). In some embodiments, the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 may also be configured to allow the user interface 40 on the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 to control settings of the patient site electronic stethoscope 12 when connected over a secure network. The specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 can also be configured to control substantially all settings on the patient site electronic stethoscope 12 (ie, have local controls at the patient site substantially disabled), while still allowing the patient site to control the volume. This local control ensures that the volume can be adjusted according to the user's preferences at each location.

In an alternative embodiment, the clinician at the specialist site may set the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 to the desired settings and then send the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 settings to the patient site electronic stethoscope in one transmission 12 (eg, via the specialist site computer 22 and the patient site computer 14) to update settings on the patient site electronic stethoscope 12.

The stethoscope control module 106 may also include optional options for communication settings between the patient site electronic stethoscope 12 and the patient site computer 14 and/or between the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 and the specialist site computer 22 . For example, stethoscope control module 106 may allow adjustment of packet settings for electronic stethoscope 12 or check and repair of connection settings between electronic stethoscope 12 and specialist site computer 22 .

The user interface 100 shown and described is exemplary only and other configurations of user interfaces may be used. In an exemplary alternative configuration shown in FIG. 6, the user interface 100 may include a first graphical user interface 112 that is a feature-enhanced image of the housing 36 on the electronic stethoscope 12 at the specialist site, It has a control portion 114 that includes each of the buttons on the user interface 40 of the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 and other interfaces. Each button on control section 114 is selectable to cause the same function on expert site electronic stethoscope 12 as pressing the corresponding button on user interface 40 . A user interface similar to user interface 112 may also be displayed on user interface 80 to provide on-screen function control for electronic stethoscope 12 at the patient site.

When the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 is connected and synchronized with the patient site electronic stethoscope 12, the user interface 100 may display a single graphical user interface that is a feature-enhanced image of the housing 36 on the patient site electronic stethoscope 12, which includes the patient Each of the buttons on the user interface 40 of the station electronic stethoscope 12 and other interfaces. This same graphical user interface 112 may also be displayed on user interface 80 . When the patient site electronic stethoscope and specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 are connected, each button on the graphical user interface 112 is selectable at either the patient site or the specialist site to provide the same function on the patient site electronic stethoscope 12 as pressing the patient site stethoscope The corresponding button on the user interface 40 of the same. Graphical user interface 112 provides the clinician at the specialist site with an interface through which certain settings of electronic stethoscope 12 at the patient site can be controlled (eg, modes, filters, etc.).

The graphical user interface 112 may also include a plurality of connect buttons 116 that may be used to control the connection between the specialist site computer and the connected electronic stethoscope 12 . For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the connect buttons 116 include a "Disconnect Stethoscope" button, a "Disconnect Remote" button, and a "Talk Remote" button, which allow the local expert site to electronically The stethoscope 12 is disconnected from the specialist site computer 22, the "disconnect remote" button allows the specialist site computer 22 to be disconnected from the patient site electronic stethoscope 12 (and the desynchronization of the patient site electronic stethoscope 12 and the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12), so The "remote talk" button is activated between the electronic stethoscope 12 at the specialist site and the electronic stethoscope 12 at the patient site. The “Disconnect Remote” and “Talk Remote” buttons may be disabled or may not appear on the graphical user interface 112 when the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 is not connected to the patient site electronic stethoscope 12 .

Additionally, the graphical user interface 112 may include an options menu 117 that allows the user to control various options associated with the connected electronic stethoscope 12 . For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 , the options menu 117 includes a drop-down menu that allows the clinician to scroll through stethoscopes connected to the specialist site computer 22 . This triggers activation of the active electronic stethoscope 12 on the graphical user interface 112, allowing the clinician to modify settings for each of the connected stethoscopes.

The graphical user interface 112 may also include visual and/or audio indications to indicate that the sounds heard by the clinician at the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 are true reproductions of the sounds from the patient site electronic stethoscope 12 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 , the graphical user interface 112 includes a fidelity gauge 118 labeled "Stream Integrity" that includes a fidelity indicator 119 . The fidelity indicator 119 changes color to indicate whether a realistic sound reproduction is produced at the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 . For example, the fidelity indicator 119 is displayed in green when the sound is a true reproduction and in red when the sound is not a true reproduction. This indication may be based on error detection (eg, CRC) performed by specialist site computer 22 and/or specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 . Error detection may also be performed by patient site computer 14 and/or patient site electronic stethoscope 12 . For example, if the specialist site computer 22 and/or the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 identify an error, the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 may send a signal to the specialist site computer 22 that the data received by the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 is different from that of the patient site electronic stethoscope. 12 sent data. This indication may then be provided through the user interface 100 to show the clinician at the specialist site that the sound heard through the specialist site electronic stethoscope 12 is not a true reproduction of the body sound signal sensed through the patient site electronic stethoscope 12. The specialist site electronic stethoscope 12, the patient site electronic stethoscope 12, and/or the user interface 80 may also provide an indication of realistic sound reproduction. In an alternative embodiment, the absence of errors is reported to system components.

Although electronic stethoscope 12 has been described with reference to a stethoscope having a chestpiece, main tube, and binaural pieces connected to eartips, electronic stethoscopes for use in telemedicine system 10 may have other configurations. For example, FIG. 7 shows a wireless chest piece 120 , and FIGS. 8 and 9 show a wireless headset 122 that may be used in connection with the telemedicine system 10 .

Wireless chestpiece 120 is constructed substantially similar to chestpiece 36 described above with reference to FIG. 2 , and interacts with elements of telemedicine system 10 in substantially the same manner as electronic stethoscope 12 . Specifically, the wireless chestpiece 120 is configured to interface with the computers 14, 22 via a secure network connection. Components that may be provided in chestpiece 120 include power supplies, signal processing circuits, and communication interfaces. A sensor 124 (not shown) is supported at one end of the wireless chest piece 120 , and an antenna 126 is mounted at an end of the wireless chest piece 120 opposite the sensor 124 . Sensor 124 may have characteristics and configurations similar to those described above with reference to sensor 38 . The wireless chestpiece 120 may also include electrodes (not shown) for inductive or capacitive recharging of the power source (described below) when coupled to a wireless headset. The wireless chestpiece 120 may also include one or more magnets configured to attract one or more magnets in the wireless headset 122, thereby enabling a secure connection between the chestpiece and the headset. Release way to attach.

In some embodiments (not shown), the antenna is integrated into the housing as described above. In the illustrated embodiment, the antenna 126 is configured to pivot or rotate about a pivot 128 to allow the antenna 126 to be positioned for the highest signal connection during use. The antenna 126 may also be positioned to minimize headroom during storage. In some embodiments, the antenna 126 is a high performance antenna for a large signal range (eg, greater than 100m), thereby maximizing the mobility of the wireless chestpiece 120 .

Wireless headset 122 is configured to receive signals from electronic stethoscopes, biosensors, or other sources via a secure and/or network connection. Components that may be provided in the headset 122 include a power supply, signal processing circuitry, antenna, and communication interface, all of which are similar to the modules and components integrated into the chestpiece 36 described above. Additional components that may reside in the headset 122 include a user interface, a control module, and a microphone.

The wireless headset 122 may have various configurations, including on-ear and in-ear designs. In the embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9, the wireless headset 122 includes ear tips 130a, 130b for in-ear use. In some embodiments, the earbuds 130a, 130b are substantially identical to the earbuds 30a, 30b in FIG. 2 to provide consistent sound quality to the user between the electronic stethoscope 12 and the wireless headset 122. As shown in FIG. 9 , the wireless headset 122 includes a control housing 140 , ear tubes 132 a , 132 b and a prong tube 135 . Control housing 140 may include a power supply, signal processing circuitry, antenna, communication system, user interface, control module, and microphone.

If provided, the headset communication system may be used between a wireless headset and an electronic stethoscope chest piece, a biosensor, a computer, or any other external device configured for wireless communication (e.g., a personal computer, personal digital assistant (PDA) PDA), tablet computer, mobile phone, netbook, digital music player, etc.) to establish a radio frequency (RF) communication link. As used herein, a paired or pairable device means any article configured to communicate wirelessly with a wireless headset. The communication link may be implemented using a short-range wireless communication interface, such as conforming to known communication standards (such as the Bluetooth standard, IEEE 802 standards (such as IEEE 802.11), ZigBee or similar specifications (such as those based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard), or other public or proprietary wireless protocols). For example, in some embodiments, the communication system is a Class 1 or Class 2 Bluetooth radio. In some embodiments, a communication system is employed to establish a secure communication link between the wireless headset 122 and the pairable device.

In some embodiments, the signal transmitted by the paired device to the wireless headset 122 is packetized and enumerated by the paired device, and error checking or other verification is performed at the wireless headset 122 to ensure true sound quality and reliable reproduction. Error checking may use any suitable data transmission checking technique, including but not limited to those described above. As detailed above, error checking may be a checking performed in addition to the underlying communication protocol.

In particularly useful embodiments, wireless headset 122 may act as a network interface and/or a personal area network (PAN) hub (eg, a Bluetooth host or other wireless network access point). As a network interface, wireless headset 122 may establish an authentication code (eg, Bluetooth PIN/pairing code, wireless network password, etc.) that is entered on or otherwise sent by the desired pairable device. Alternatively, the desired pairable device may establish an authentication code, which may then be entered on or otherwise transmitted by the wireless headset 122 . Thus, the wireless headset 122 can function as both a network host and a network client. Wireless headset 122 may include an integrated electronic storage medium that allows storage and retrieval of the identity and/or location of the paired device with which the headset last established a communication link.

In another aspect, a wireless headset may be paired with a device via communication and verification of data representing movement of the headset and device (ie, an acceleration profile). For example, the wireless headset 122 and the pairable device may each include an accelerometer (e.g., a two-axis or three-axis accelerometer or multiple single-axis accelerometers) configured to create acceleration based on data representing movement of the respective device. feature map. The acceleration profile, or portions thereof, may be used as an authentication code for network interface communications. In one implementation of the pairing method, the wireless headset 122 and the pairable device can be held and moved (e.g., rotated, shaken, etc.) in unison, which will generate similar (if not identical) The acceleration characteristic map. Alternatively, the headset 122 and the pairable device may independently move along the same path and at the same speed. In one aspect, wireless headset 122 may broadcast an acceleration profile/authentication code. The pairable device may then, via the processor or other component, verify that the headset acceleration profile matches the acceleration profile of the pairable device. In other implementations, the desired pairable device may transmit an acceleration profile, which may then be entered or otherwise transmitted to the wireless headset 122 for verification.

Feature map matching can be achieved by comparing all or part of the acceleration feature maps. In one exemplary embodiment, matching includes comparing the absolute magnitude of the acceleration experienced by each device. As another example, time series of "zero crossings" (eg, changes in direction of acceleration of a sensor) are compared and verified. In other implementations, time series and magnitudes are compared. The similarity required for matching (ie, the degree of qualification or the occurrence of differences between signatures) can be tuned to the specific application, but is usually at least the standard for Bluetooth pairing. It should also be understood that at least a portion of the acceleration profile may also be used to authenticate and pair two or more pairable devices.

Due at least in part to the use of the wireless headset as a network interface, the paired device may be the wireless chestpiece 120 or any other stethoscope chestpiece (including the chestpiece 36 described above) that includes a communication module. For example, the biosensor may be that described in co-pending attorney docket no. 66786US002, filed June 5, 2012, entitled "ENHANCED AUSCULTATORY SENSOR AND ANALYSIS FORPATIENT DIAGNOSIS" Combination ECG/PCG sensor. In a particularly suitable embodiment, the headset 122 is communicatively coupled to a paired device via a Bluetooth network connection.

The control housing 140 may include, among other components, a user interface 142 and a control module. The control housing 140 may also include one or more of a power supply, signal processing circuitry, an antenna, and a communication interface. In alternative embodiments, one or more of the aforementioned components may be integrated into the fork tube 135 . User interface 142 may include similar functionality to user interface 40 and may include a number of mode and/or status indicators and mode and/or control switches. Switches may include, for example, volume or gain control switches and mode selection switches. Indicators may provide an indication of, for example, battery or communication link status. Similar to the indicator on the chestpiece 36, the indicator may indicate a true reproduction of the sound from the paired device.

The wireless headset 122 may also include a control module disposed within the control housing 140 . The control module may include a number of selectable controls and settings for the paired device (typically an electronic stethoscope or biosensor). These settings can be selected to control the mode, filtering, volume, power status, recording settings, etc. of the paired device. The headset control module may also include selectable options for communication settings between the wireless headset 122 and a paired device. For example, the headset control module may allow adjusting packet settings for a paired electronic stethoscope or checking and repairing connection settings between the electronic stethoscope and wireless headset 122 . In some implementations, the control housing 140 can be movable (e.g., rotatable) relative to the ear tubes 132a, 132b to reduce the overall bulk of the wireless headset 122 and to protect certain portions of the control housing 140. components for easy storage or grabbing. Additionally, one of the prong tube 135 or the control housing 140 may include an interior volume sufficient to hold portions of the ear tubes 132a, 132b. For example, ear tubes or portions thereof may be moved along rails into the housing to create a reduced wireless headset 122 profile.

The wireless headset 122 may also include a microphone 134 for receiving speech sounds from the user. In FIG. 8, the microphone 134 is attached to an adjustable support 136 that allows the microphone 134 to be repositioned relative to the user. As shown in FIG. 9 , the microphone is partially disposed within the control housing 140 . Other suitable locations are also contemplated, such as the headset prong 135 or the outer surface of the control housing 140 . The signal received by the microphone 134 may be superimposed on the body sound received by the wireless headset 122 and/or sent via a communication link, as described above. Microphone 134 may also allow a user to communicate verbally with, for example, a headset on a paired electronic stethoscope instead of or in addition to transmitting body sounds.

The wireless headset 122 may also include a mechanism for releasably retaining the wireless chestpiece 120 or other paired device. Various modes of connection may be employed between the headset and the chestpiece. For example, and according to the illustrated embodiment, the wireless headset 122 includes a magnet 150 configured to attract a magnet or magnetized material on a paired device to allow a releasable attachment therebetween. Alternatively, various mechanical means may be employed to releasably secure the chestpiece or biosensor to the wireless headset 122, such as arranging mechanical fasteners and/or using other types of fasteners (e.g., hooks/ loop fasteners, clips, etc.). Rails, guides, etc. structures may also be used to specifically orient the releasably attached components relative to the prong tube, ear tube, or any other surface of the headset.

In certain implementations, recharging power may also be delivered to the chestpiece or biosensor via a releasable connection to the wireless headset 122 . For example, wireless headset 122 may include a wired connection port. Alternatively, the ear tube or prong tube may include exposed electrodes coupled to the headphone power supply. For example, attachment of the wireless chestpiece 120 in a predetermined orientation may couple one or more electrodes to each component. This coupling completes the circuit, resulting in current/energy being delivered to the wireless chestpiece. Alternatively, this circuit can also be used to charge the wireless headset 122 from a battery or other power source on the biosensor. In some implementations, the current state of charge or power of the wireless headset can be sent to the chestpiece or biosensor, and vice versa. Depending on the relative charge/remaining power, the wireless headset 122 may choose to receive or transmit power.

The wireless headset 122 may also include a pressure adjustment mechanism. The pressure adjustment mechanism allows the user to adjust the distance between the ear tubes 132a and 132b. When pulled apart prior to insertion into a user's ear, the ear tubes 132a, 132b are generally biased to return to the configuration shown in FIG. 9 . This ensures that the earbuds 130a, 130b are acoustically coupled to the user's ear drums for optimal delivery of body sound. Such biasing may be unnecessary or uncomfortable to the user when coupled to a paired device. Thus, the pressure adjustment mechanism may prevent the ear tubes 132a, 132b from fully returning to the original configuration. In some implementations, the pressure adjustment mechanism includes a rack and pinion type system disposed in the fork tube 135 . Additional adjustment mechanisms include adjustable springs or systems for varying the attractive force between corresponding magnetic materials. In other implementations, the pressure adjustment mechanism includes a spool and tightening system, similar to the system disclosed in US Patent Publication No. 2006/0156517. These adjustable systems may allow the user to specify the distance between the ear tubes 130a and 130b and the consequent pressure experienced in the ear canal during use.

In addition to the alternative configurations of the electronic stethoscopes used in the telemedicine system 10, the connections between the electronic stethoscopes may also have alternative configurations. For example, FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a telemedicine system 150 according to an alternative embodiment. The telemedicine system 150 includes a sensing electronic stethoscope 12 a , a plurality of networked electronic stethoscopes 12 b , 12 c , . . . , 12 n , and a network interface or hub 152 . The electronic stethoscopes 12a - 12n are in wireless communication with the network interface 152 . Electronic stethoscopes 12a-12n may be substantially similarly configured and have substantially similar characteristics as electronic stethoscope 12 described above in FIG. 2 . It should be understood that electronic stethoscope 12 n represents the nth networked electronic stethoscope 12 and should not be construed as limiting or limiting the number of networked electronic stethoscopes 12 connected to network interface 152 . In some embodiments, network interface 152 is configured as a wearable, handheld or portable device. In other suitable embodiments, the network interface is integrated with the wireless headset.

Network interface 152 is configured to establish a secure connection with electronic stethoscopes 12a-12n. In some embodiments, electronic stethoscopes 12a-12n are paired with network interface 152 via a personal area network (PAN). An example of a PAN is a Bluetooth network where a pairing code is established on the network interface 152 and sent to each electronic stethoscope 12a-12n for a secure connection to the network interface 152. In some implementations, it may be eligible to establish a single pair at a time. When connected, the sensing electronic stethoscope 12a can be used to sense patient body sounds, and the networked diagnostics 12b-12n can be used to listen and sense patient body sounds sensed by the electronic stethoscope 12a substantially in real time. Additionally, other sounds, such as voice prompts, may be received on the sensor 38 or microphone 48 of one of the electronic stethoscopes 12a-12n and delivered to each of the networked electronic stethoscopes 12a-12n. In an alternative embodiment, the electronic stethoscopes 12a-12n are networked directly with each other (ie, without engaging the intervening network interface 152).

In an example embodiment, the teacher's electronic stethoscope 12 and one or more students' electronic stethoscopes 12 may be networked through the network interface 152 . A doctor or student can be selected to sense the patient's body voice, while other networked users listen to the patient's body voice through their respective electronic stethoscopes 12 . Additionally, the sounds stored in the teacher's electronic stethoscope 12 (or another networked storage device) may be played back to all networked electronic stethoscopes 12 substantially simultaneously. The physician can also provide voice commands or prompts through the sensor 38 or microphone 48 on the main housing 36, which are provided through the earpieces of the student's electronic stethoscope 12 simultaneously with the sensed body sounds. Thus, if a doctor's electronic stethoscope is being used to sense body sounds, the doctor can indicate the location and use of the electronic stethoscope 12a when the student listens to the networked electronic stethoscopes 12b-12n. If the students' electronic stethoscopes are being used to sense body sounds, the doctor can provide instructions and guidance to each of the students through the sensor 38 or the microphone 48 . Additionally, each of the students with electronic stethoscopes 12 networked to the network interface 152 can take turns sensing body sounds while the physician provides them with individual instruction.

In other embodiments, the networked stethoscope is connected to a computer or other external device (eg, cell phone, PDA), as described above. Auscultation sounds and voice signals of the networked stethoscope can be reproduced substantially in real time through a microphone connected to a computer or other external device. In some embodiments, body sounds may be downloaded from an electronic storage medium or other online database (eg, a website) to a computer or external device via a network connection and streamed to a networked stethoscope, and/or reproduced via a microphone in substantially real time.

In another example implementation, the physician's wireless headset 122 and one or more students' electronic stethoscopes or biosensors may be networked via a network interface. A doctor or student can be selected to sense the patient's body voice while other networked users listen to the patient's body voice through their respective electronic stethoscope headsets. In some implementations, it may be preferred that the physician's wireless headset is paired with a single student's stethoscope or biometric sensor. The physician may also provide voice instructions or prompts via the microphone 132 that are provided through the earpieces of the student's electronic stethoscope 12 simultaneously with the sensed body sounds. Thus, if a doctor's electronic stethoscope is being used to sense body sounds, the doctor can indicate the location and use of his electronic stethoscope or biosensor when the student listens to the networked electronic stethoscope 12b-12n. If the students' electronic stethoscopes are being used to sense body sounds, the doctor can provide instructions and guidance to each of the students via the microphone 132 . Additionally, each of the students with an electronic stethoscope 12 networked to the network interface can take turns sensing body sounds while the doctor provides them with individual instruction.

In summary, certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to a telemedicine system comprising a first electronic stethoscope comprising a housing, a transducer, and a headset, the The housing is configured for hand manipulation by a clinician relative to the patient, the transducer is supported by the housing and configured to sense an auscultation signal from the patient at a first position, the headset is connected to the housing and is Audio is configured to deliver audio corresponding to the auscultation signal through earpieces on the headset. The telemedicine system also includes a second electronic stethoscope including a housing, transducer, and headphones substantially similar to those of the first electronic stethoscope. The first electronic stethoscope is configured to convert the auscultation signal into a digital signal representative of the auscultation signal, and to wirelessly transmit the digital signal to the second location via the secure digital network. The second electronic stethoscope is configured to receive a digital signal representing the auscultation signal via a secure digital network at a second location, convert the digital signal into an audio frequency corresponding to the auscultation signal, and substantially Audio is delivered in real time through the earpiece on the headset of the second electronic stethoscope.

Various modifications and additions may be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the above-described embodiments refer to specific features, the scope of the invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not contain all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that come within the scope of the claims and all equivalents thereof.

Claims (31)

1. a bioacoustic sensor system, comprising:

Shell, described shell is configured to hand-held manipulation;

Transducer, described transducer by described outer casing supporting, and senses auscultative signal in first position;

Headband receiver, described headband receiver is configured to send the audio frequency corresponding with described auscultative signal by the ear piece on described headband receiver; With

Processor, described processor is arranged in the housing, and be configured to described auscultative signal be converted to the first digital signal representing described auscultative signal, and substantially in real time described first digital signal be wirelessly transmitted to described headband receiver via digital network from described bioacoustic sensor along with at described first position sensing auscultatory sound; The audio frequency corresponding with described auscultative signal wherein received by described headband receiver is that the numercal of described auscultatory sound sensed in described first position is accurately copied.

2. bioacoustic sensor system according to claim 1, wherein said receive MUT is at the environment audio frequency of described first position, and wherein said processor is also configured to described environment audio frequency be converted to the second digital signal representing described environment audio frequency, and via described digital network by described second digital signal with described first radio transmission of digital signals to described headband receiver.

3. bioacoustic sensor system according to claim 1, wherein said processor is communicated by secure personal LAN via radiofrequency signal.

4. bioacoustic sensor system according to claim 1, also comprises:

First antenna, described first antenna is configured to connect to come described first digital signal of wireless transmission from electronic stethoscope via secure digital.

5. bioacoustic sensor system according to claim 1, wherein said headband receiver comprises the second antenna.

6. bioacoustic sensor system according to claim 1, wherein said processor is also configured to carry out the signal of wireless receiving from described headband receiver via described digital network.

7. bioacoustic sensor system according to claim 6, wherein said signal comprises control signal.

8. bioacoustic sensor system according to claim 1, wherein said shell comprises wireless chest piece.

9. bioacoustic sensor system according to claim 1, wherein said headband receiver comprises network interface.

10. bioacoustic sensor system according to claim 9, wherein said network interface comprises PAN (Personal Area Network) hub.

11. bioacoustic sensor systems according to claim 9, wherein said network interface is configured to the device being couple to pairing communicatedly, and the device of described pairing is selected from personal computer, tablet PC, personal digital assistant, mobile phone, smart phone, digital music player and their combination.

12. bioacoustic sensor systems according to claim 1, wherein said headband receiver comprises pressure regulating mechanism.

13. bioacoustic sensor systems according to claim 1, wherein said shell remains in described headband receiver to releasably via securing member.

14. bioacoustic sensor systems according to claim 13, wherein said headband receiver comprises two syrinxs, and wherein said securing member is arranged on one or more syrinxs of described syrinx.

15. bioacoustic sensor systems according to claim 13, wherein said headband receiver comprises breeches pipe and controls shell, described control shell is couple to described breeches pipe, and wherein said securing member is positioned in described breeches pipe, described control shell or their combination.

16. bioacoustic sensor according to claim 13, wherein said shell comprises power supply, and is wherein remained in described headband receiver by described shell and make circuit complete, makes described power supply headset can transmit electric energy.

17. electronic stethoscopes according to claim 1, wherein said headband receiver comprises breeches pipe and two syrinxs, described breeches pipe comprises internal volume, and can moving between the first location and the second location at least partially of at least one syrinx, being received at least partially in described internal volume wherein at syrinx described in the described second position.

18. 1 kinds of remote medical-treatment systems, comprising:

Local bioacoustic sensor, described local bioacoustic sensor is configured to sense auscultative signal from patient, and described signal is converted to the digital signal representing auscultative signal;

Network interface, described local bioacoustic sensor is connected to one or more additional electron stethoscope via secure digital network by described network interface, each electronic stethoscope in wherein said one or more additional electron stethoscope is configured to receive via described secure digital network the described digital signal representing described auscultative signal, and convert described digital signal to the audio frequency corresponding with described auscultative signal, wherein substantially send described audio frequency by the ear piece be couple on the wireless head-band earphone of at least one electronic stethoscope in described one or more additional electron stethoscope in real time along with by described bioacoustic sensor sensing auscultatory sound,

Wherein said network interface is wearable PAN (Personal Area Network) hub, and wherein said local bioacoustic sensor is connected via PAN (Personal Area Network) with each in one or more additional electron stethoscope and is connected to described PAN (Personal Area Network) hub.

19. remote medical-treatment systems according to claim 18, the described audio frequency being wherein delivered to the described wireless head-band earphone of at least one electronic stethoscope in described one or more additional electron stethoscope is that the numercal of described auscultatory sound sensed by local electronic stethoscope is accurately copied.

20. remote medical-treatment systems according to claim 19, wherein said local bioacoustic sensor is also configured to via described network interface wireless receiving from the stethoscopic signal of described one or more additional electron.

21. remote medical-treatment systems according to claim 18, wherein said PAN (Personal Area Network) hub is arranged in the stethoscopic wireless head-band earphone of additional electron.

22. remote medical-treatment systems according to claim 18, wherein said local bioacoustic sensor is couple to wireless head-band earphone communicatedly, and described PAN (Personal Area Network) hub is arranged in local wireless head-band earphone.

23. 1 kinds of wireless head-band earphones for auscultation, described headband receiver comprises:

First syrinx and the second syrinx, described first syrinx and described second syrinx are configured to send the audio frequency corresponding with acoustic signal by the first ear piece of the correspondence on described headband receiver with the second ear piece;

Breeches pipe, described breeches pipe is couple to the first syrinx and the second syrinx;

Communication system, described communication system is configured to substantially receive digital signal via digital network from bioacoustic sensor in real time, wherein said communication system comprises PAN (Personal Area Network) hub, and wherein said communication system can be connected via PAN (Personal Area Network) with described bioacoustic sensor and is connected to described PAN (Personal Area Network) hub.

24. wireless head-band earphones according to claim 23, wherein said PAN (Personal Area Network) hub comprises blueteeth network.

25. wireless head-band earphones according to claim 23, wherein said PAN (Personal Area Network) hub comprises wireless network access point.

26. wireless head-band earphones according to claim 23, also comprise pressure regulating mechanism, and described pressure regulating mechanism can regulate between the first position and the second position.

27. wireless head-band earphones according to claim 21, wherein communication interface is configured to the device being couple to pairing communicatedly, and the device of described pairing is selected from personal computer, is configured to the medical treatment transducer of radio communication, tablet PC, personal digital assistant, mobile phone, smart phone, digital music player and their combination.

28. 1 kinds for setting up the method for communication between two, described method comprises:

There is provided first device, described first device has the first communication system being configured to set up wireless communication link and the mobile first sensor generating acceleration signature figure be configured in response to described first device;

There is provided the second device, described second device has the second communication system being configured to set up wireless communication link and mobile the second sensor generating acceleration signature figure be configured in response to described second device;

Mobile described first device and described second device, make the first acceleration signature figure generated by described first sensor at least be similar to the second acceleration signature figure generated by described second sensor;

Verify that described first acceleration signature figure mates described second acceleration signature figure; And

Between described first device and described second device, set up network connect.

29. methods according to claim 28, wherein said first device is headband receiver, and described second device is bioacoustic sensor.

30. methods according to claim 28, the step wherein moving described first device and described second device comprises holds two devices and as one man moves described two devices.

31. methods according to claim 28, wherein said first sensor and described second sensor comprise accelerometer.