Apparatus and method for detecting very low frequency acoustic signals
US6575916B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 24, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 10, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 24, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/0002
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
There is disclosed an apparatus and method for detecting very low frequency acoustic signals. The apparatus comprises a sensor that is capable of detecting low frequency acoustic signals in the frequency range of one tenth Hertz to thirty Hertz. The sensor comprises a chamber having portions that form a cavity and a low frequency microphone placed within the cavity. An alternate embodiment of the invention comprises a chamber having portions that form a resonant cavity, a low frequency microphone placed within the resonant cavity, and a membrane that covers the resonant cavity. Low frequency acoustic signals that are incident on the membrane cause the membrane to move and amplify the acoustic signals within the resonant cavity. The sensor provides information concerning physiological conditions, such as respiration and cardiac activity. The sensor in a physiological condition monitor does not need to be directly coupled to the skin of the person being monitored.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.