Patent ID: 6726635
Filing Date: 2004-04-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting infrasonic cardiac apical impulses of a patient, comprising:a flexible substrate including (i) a flexible skin-contacting surface located on one side of the substrate that is disposable in contact with a skin surface region of a patient defining an infrasonic cardiac apical impulse point, and is movable with the contacted skin surface region in response to a subaudible motion of the contacted skin at the infrasonic cardiac apical impulse point, and (ii) a flexible reflective surface located on an opposite side of the substrate relative to the skin-contacting surface and movable with the skin-contacting surface in response to a subaudible motion of the contacted skin at the infrasonic cardiac apical impulse point; a light source spaced apart from and facing the reflective surface of the substrate that transmits light onto the reflective surface, and wherein the reflective surface reflects light transmitted thereon by the light source; an optical sensor spaced apart from and facing the reflective surface that receives reflected light directed by the reflective surface and generates a first signal indicative of movement of the reflective and skin-contacting surfaces and corresponding to a subaudible motion of the contacted skin at the infrasonic cardiac apical impulse point; and a first circuit coupled to the optical sensor for generating at least one of (i) an audible output and (ii) a visual output, in response to the first signal and indicative of an infrasonic cardiac apical impulse.