Patent ID: 6028942
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A stethoscope chestpiece for transducing skin vibrations due to internal physiologic processes of a patient with an increased signal to noise ratio, comprising:a first air cavity adapted to be coupled to skin;diaphragm means with a front side and a rear side, in which the front side of the diaphragm means is coupled to the first air cavity, and the rear side of the diaphragm means is coupled to free air, where the diaphragm means is set back from the patient's skin so that there is no direct physical contact between the front side of the diaphragm means and the patient's skin, so that the only forces available to act on the diaphragm means are due to the air pressure present at the front and rear sides of the diaphragm means, and;transducer means coupled to the diaphragm means, wherein the transducer means outputs a signal in response to the vibration of the diaphragm means, where the vibration of the diaphragm means is due to the air pressure difference between the front and rear sides of the diaphragm means.