Abdominal sonar system and apparatus

摘要

An abdominal sonar includes an ultrasound transducer array with a plurality of ultrasound transducers. The abdominal sonar further includes at least one additional ultrasound transducer. A digital signal processor is communicatively connected to the plurality of ultrasound transducers and the at least one additional ultrasound transducer. The digital signal processor individually operates the plurality of ultrasound transducers and the at least one additional ultrasound transducer. The digital signal processor receives reflected ultrasound signals back from each of the plurality of ultrasound transducers and the at least one additional ultrasound transducer and converts the received reflected ultrasound signals into an audio signal. A system for monitoring a pregnancy includes an ultrasound transducer array and at least one additional ultrasound transducer. A digital signal processor is communicatively connected to the ultrasound transducer array and the at least one ultrasound transducer. The digital signal processor converts received raw fetal heart and uterine activity waveforms into an audio signal. A wireless transmitter broadcasts the received audio signal. A wireless receiver receives the broadcast audio signal. A patient monitor extracts the raw fetal heart and uterine activity waveforms from the audio signal and processes the waveforms to obtain an indication of fetal heart rate and an indication of uterine activity.

主权项

1. An abdominal sonar for use with a pregnant patient, the abdominal sonar comprising:
an ultrasound transducer array comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducers; at least one additional ultrasound transducer; a digital signal processor communicatively connected to the plurality of ultrasound transducers of the ultrasound transducer array and communicatively connected to the at least one additional ultrasound transducer, the digital signal processor individually operates the plurality of ultrasound transducers of the ultrasound transducer array to each produce at least one ultrasound tone signal and operates the at least one additional ultrasound transducer to produce at least one ultrasound chirp signal, receives reflected ultrasound signals back from each of the plurality of ultrasound transducers and the at least one additional ultrasound transducer, and down converts the received ultrasound signals from the plurality of ultrasound transducers into a first audio signal in a range of audible frequencies, and modulates the ultrasound signals from the at least one additional ultrasound transducer into a second audio signal in the range of audible frequencies, and the digital signal processor mixes the first audio signal and the second audio signal into a combined audio signal in the range of audible frequencies and a wireless transmitter communicatively connected to the digital signal processor, the wireless transmitter receives the combined audio signal from the digital signal processor and broadcasts the received combined audio signal; wherein the ultrasound tone signals of the plurality of ultrasound transducers are used to monitor fetal heart rate and the at least one ultrasound chirp signal of the at least one additional ultrasound transducer is used to monitor uterine contractions.