MASK AND METHOD FOR USE IN RESPIRATORY MONITORING AND DIAGNOSTICS

摘要

Disclosed herein is a mask to be worn by a subject on its face for use in respiratory monitoring and/or diagnostics. In general, the mask comprises at least one transducer responsive to sound and/or airflow for generating a data signal representative thereof, and a support structure shaped and configured to rest on the subject's face. In one embodiment, the support structure comprises two or more outwardly projecting limbs that, upon positioning the mask, converge into a transducer supporting portion for supporting the at least one transducer at a distance from a nose and mouth area of the subject's face, thereby allowing for monitoring via the at least one transducer of sound and/or airflow produced by the subject while breathing. Also described is a mask comprising a transducer responsive to airflow for generating a signal representative thereof and a support structure shaped and configured to rest on the subject's face and extend outwardly therefrom over a nose and mouth area thereof to provide a transducer supporting portion for supporting the transducer, upon positioning the mask, at a distance from a nose and mouth area of the subject's face and at a preset orientation in relation thereto, thereby allowing for monitoring via the transducer of airflow produced by the subject while breathing. A method is also disclosed for remotely diagnosing a breathing disorder of a subject, as well as a method for monitoring, identifying and/or determining characteristics of an individual's breathing, including breathing phases thereof, using a processed acoustic signal data stream collected and/or recorded waveform data. In one example, the waveform data is collected from or is associated with breathing sounds and other sounds from one or more microphones or other sound wave collecting equivalents thereof.