Patent ID: 7024001
Filing Date: 2006-04-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A portable stethoscope comprising: (a) a probe section for noninvasively irradiating a diseased part with near-infrared light, the probe having radiation and light-receiving fibers; (b) a control device connected to the probe section via a lead wire, the control device including a semiconductor laser light source connected to the radiation fiber, an optical detector connected to the light-receiving fiber, a controller for detecting a change in cerebral circulation blood flow on the basis of data output from the probe section, and a sound source device for converting the change in cerebral circulation blood flow to sound pulses; and (c) a pair of lead wires and receivers connected to the sound source device of the control device, wherein (d) auscultation is performed on the basis of the sound pulses from the sound source device in order to diagnose a change in cerebral function.