Transducer for sensing actual or simulated body sounds
US8275140B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 14, 2008 |
| Grant date | Sep 25, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 2, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2562/0204
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A transducer system is disclosed for detecting actual or simulated body sounds. An audio signal generation and detection system is disclosed for the purposes of simulating the medical examination of a patient or simulating the listening of sounds seeming to emanate from a live or inanimate body. A signal generator sets up a voltage potential at an electrode physically attached to the body, or electrically connected to a body, thereby setting up a voltage potential on a surface area of the body. An electric field potential sensor or a capacitive electrical sensor placed in proximity to the electrode or body surface then detects the voltage potential. The signals produced by the signal generator can represent heart, lung, bowel or other sounds and the electrical sensor can take the physical form of a listening device such as a stethoscope, thereby creating a simulation of listening to body sounds for medical diagnostic purposes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.