Method and an apparatus for processing auscultation signals
US7130429B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 31, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B7/04
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for processing auscultation signals, e.g. embedded in an electronic stethoscope with a digital readout of an estimated heart rate. The apparatus comprises a bias processor for receiving an auscultation signal and providing a biased auscultation signal; said bias processor comprising an envelope detector and an estimator for calculating a signal representative of the beat frequency of the auscultation signal. In one aspect the information in the biased auscultation signal that is in conformity with the repeated information in the auscultation signal is enhanced. This may e.g. be done by calculating the conformity between the biased auscultation and at least a part of the biased auscultation signal. In another aspect of the invention the auscultation signal is biased by means of A-weighing. Preferably the two aspects of the invention are combined.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.