Patent ReferencesNon-invasive diagnostic method and apparatus Intelligent stethoscope Method and system for analysis of body sounds System for simultaneously producing and synchronizing spectral patterns of heart sounds and an ECG signal Disposable sensing device with contaneous conformance Noise-reducing stethoscope Apparatus and method for noninvasive blood pressure measurement Non-invasive medical monitor system Assembly process for polymer-based acoustic differential-output sensor System and method for noninvasive detection of arterial stenosis InventorAssigneeApplicationNo. 890229 filed on 07/09/1997US Classes:600/485, Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessel600/500, Detecting blood vessel pulsation600/509, Detecting heartbeat electric signal600/526Blood output per beat or time intervalExaminersPrimary: Nasser, Robert L.Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassA61B 005/00AbstractAn apparatus, operation and method for the noninvasive diagnosis of cardiovascular disease or disorder through angiosonospectrography. Through implementation of the present invention physiological signals relating to the heart and associated blood vessels are detected, processed and identified, allowing for the early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease or disorder. An apparatus for diagnosing cardiovascular disease or disorder in accordance with the present invention includes a sensor assembly comprising a housing, and electronic module, a shock dampener, a mounting means, a piezoelectric transducer, an acoustic coupling and a back cover. The sensor assembly is connected to a data acquisition module which in turn is connected to a signal processing means, a remote connection means and a monitor. An improved acoustic coupling is disclosed that provides low-loss acoustic transmission coupling between the skin of the patient and the detector.Other References
Field of SearchMeasuring pressure in heart or blood vesselForce applied against skin to close blood vessel Associated with parturition Vagina or uterus Body pierced by tubular cutter or rod-type punch Detecting heartbeat electric signal Radioactive substance placed within body (e.g., inhaled, implanted, injected, etc.) Detecting arrhythmia Sensitivity to thermal stimulus Detecting body movement attending breathing Vertical variation of PQRST signal waveform (e.g., amplitude of QRS complex, etc.) detected Detecting means associated with exercise machine Entire testing assembly supported on wrist Foot Motorized By fluid injection of radioactive or enhancing agent through body piercing conduit RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCE APPLIED TO BODY FOR THERAPY Sampling nonliquid body material (e.g., bone, muscle tissue, epithelial cells, etc.) Measuring metabolic rate by breath test Signal display or recording Tachycardia or fibrillation detected Pulse indicator Heart Measuring breath flow or lung capacity Respiratory Repeating pressurization cycle Detecting brain electric signal Pressure indicator includes liquid column Halitosis detection Liquid surface forms portion of chamber boundary Collection receptacle placed within body Pulse-induced pressure fluctuation in occluder generates electric signal Body movement (e.g., head or hand tremor, motility of limb, etc.) Applying suction to sample By detecting electrical impedance of body portion Sensitivity of skin to allergens or radiation Plural collection means (e.g., plural reservoirs or plural absorbent pads, etc.) Pressure in inflatable occluder automatically raised above systolic pressure Sensitivity to electric stimulus Sensitivity to impact Ear or testing by auditory stimulus Penetrable seal in liquid flow path to collection reservoir Temperature detection Cutting Detecting sound generated within body Detecting blood vessel pulsation Qualitative or quantitative analysis of breath component Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of body portion Sound generated by successive heartbeat electric signals to represent heart action Detecting muscle electrical signal By detecting volume of body portion Measuring fluid pressure in body Measuring respiratory flow impedance or lung elasticity Measuring anatomical characteristic or force applied to or exerted by body Thermistor-type transducer generating electric signal in response to breath flow Monitoring fertility cycle Variation in duration of segment of PQRST signal waveform (e.g., QRS complex, etc.) detected Mouth, tongue, or jaw Fluid reservoir shielding (e.g., syringe) Flexible collection tube inserted in body Means for controlling liquid flow Applying suction to sample Scraping with edged instrument Capacitor-type transducer Orthogonal heartbeat electric signals combined to form vector signal Magnetic recording Waveform graph-type pulse recorder Switching means for activating different monitoring systems, signal displays, or signal recorders Irrigation Bellows or expansible bag Sensing means inserted in blood vessel Body pierced by tubular cutter or rod-type punch Flexible catheter guide Combined with other radiant or wave energy source (e.g., electromagnetic, thermal, microwave etc.) Breath exhaled into or inhaled from expansible chamber Breath collection Utero-vaginal or pelvic application Valve structure Detecting foreign object or calculus by probing Detecting heartbeat by sensing movement of oscillatable body-supporting means Cathode-ray tube used for display or included in recording means Brushing Mechanical means for drawing liquid into collection reservoir Sensitivity to vibration Gum With feedback of signal to patient Indicator Element rotated by breath flow Esophagus, stomach, or lower alimentary canal Wall of collection reservoir formed of flexible material Fetal heartbeat Occluder structure Locating acupuncture points Detector responsive to movement induced variation in impedance of body to electric current Detecting heartbeat electric signal and diverse cardiovascular characteristic Detecting R portion of signal waveform Testing artificially regulated or assisted heart Eye or testing by visual stimulus Means specifically structured for collecting urine of human female Injecting gas into body canal or cavity Blood output per beat or time interval Detecting heart sound Measuring blood flow in body portion other than heart Liquid collection Detecting signal repetition rate Spine Wiping or dabbing Collector combined with lancet Electric signal generated by sensing means responsive to pulse or Korotkoff sounds Manually supported collector with rigid intake tube (e.g., a hollow needle, etc.) Touch or pain response of skin | |