Stethoscope, stethoscope attachment and collected data analysis method and system

摘要

A device for converting acoustic data collected by a stethoscope into digital data for transmission to a processor for storage and/or comparison with data stored in a database, and to optionally provide computer generated suggestions for diagnosis, is provided in the form of an in-line device interposable between a head of the stethoscope and an acoustic transmission portion of the stethoscope, or is integral with the head, and advantageously has the appearance of an icon of pleasing appearance, for example, a butterfly, in which are incorporated the structural requisites of a functioning stethoscope and/or capabilities for receiving and transmitting to a diagnostician, audio signals gathered from patient examination, and optionally also other data collected at examination and/or following the examination. The butterfly-shaped device, includes a central body advantageously serving as a conduit for transmitting sound received from the patient to the physician or a remote system for analysis and diagnosis.

主权项

1. A method of analyzing data from a stethoscope having a head configured to obtain acoustic chest sounds from a patient's chest, an in-line body defining an acoustic channel between a first end connected to the head, receiving said acoustic chest sounds and transmitting them without any electronic processing to a second end, said stethoscope further including an acoustic sound receiver attached to the second end and arranged to transmit the acoustic chest sounds to the user of the stethoscope, the in-line body further including an electronic microphone generating electronic chest signals corresponding to the digital signal, the in-line body further including a digital camera arranged and constructed to take a digital picture of the patient whose chest is being examined, the method comprising:
Placing the head of the stethoscope against the chest of the patient to obtain acoustic chest sounds; Transmitting the acoustic chest sounds through said in-line body to the acoustic sound receiver to allow the stethoscope user to listen to said acoustic chest sounds; Converting said acoustic chest sounds by said microphone into an acoustic fingerprint of the patient; Taking a digital picture of the patient; assembling a data segment including the digital picture of the patient and the acoustic fingerprint of the patient; transmitting said data segment to a remote analysis server.