Abstract:
A dual-sensor stethoscope, or retrofit device for a stethoscope, promotes anti-sepsis and stereoscopy through use of a substantially rigid, generally T-shaped tube for support of dual stethoscope sensors, wherein at least one sensor is electronic. Each sensor may be rotated away from a body independently for use of a single head or rotated into the same general plane for dual-head stereoscopy. A clinician can create a spatial, three-dimensional (3D) antiseptic barrier and avoid the need to carry multiple stethoscopes. During stereoscopy, the use of a common tube or earphones allows the transmission of sound with constructive interference of sound waves. The substantially rigid, generally T-shaped support tube allows a clinician to auscultate with one hand and monitor two locations without transference of pathogens.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/937,929, filed Nov. 9, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,516,814, issued Apr. 14, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The embodiments disclosed herein are drawn generally to a dual-sensor stethoscope that promotes anti-sepsis, stereoscopy, and advanced sound processing. In particular, a stethoscope with dual-sensors on a T-shaped support is disclosed, wherein at least one sensor is electronic. 
     Existing stethoscopes are currently utilized to auscultate or listen to physiologic sounds within the body. Auscultation with existing stethoscopes is currently performed by intermittently applying a stethoscope to the body surface through which the clinician hears various sounds. Intermittent auscultation may be thought of as a relatively benign procedure. However, several disadvantages and hazards are associated with the use of existing stethoscopes. First, patients undergoing surgery may have the sterile field invaded thereby risking infection in order for the clinician to auscultate the chest. To avoid cross-contamination between patients, many clinicians are forced to carry multiple stethoscopes. Additionally, even when a sterile stethoscope is used, it can transfer pathogens from a first location on a patient&#39;s body to a second location during typical auscultation. Furthermore, even in non-surgical environments, transmission of the cold virus is primarily through touch. A clinician&#39;s hand can touch the head of a stethoscope, which then touches a patient and vice versa so as to spread the virus. These issues exist whether the stethoscope uses an acoustic (mechanical) sensor or an electronic sensor. 
     Another disadvantage of known stethoscopes is that patients are frequently awakened and disturbed so that the clinician may apply a cold stethoscope to the patient&#39;s chest to monitor vital signs. Studies have shown serious developmental abnormalities in newborn infants who are frequently disturbed to auscultate heart and lung sounds with known stethoscopes. Another disadvantage of existing stethoscopes is that the quality of sound wave transmission is dependent upon an airtight seal between the stethoscope and the skin, typically requiring the clinician to touch, and possibly contaminate, the sensor. In the absence of an airtight seal, background noise is inadvertently detected and physiologic sound transmission is impaired. Finally, another disadvantage of existing stethoscopes is that most are not capable of generating positive or constructive interference, filtering certain frequencies, or providing other processing of physiologic sound waves. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The disclosed embodiments provide a dual-sensor stethoscope that promotes antisepsis, stereoscopy, and advanced audio processing through use of a substantially rigid, generally T-shaped tube for support of dual stethoscope sensors, wherein at least one sensor is electronic. Each each sensor may be rotated away from a body independently for use of a single head or rotated into the same general plane for dual-sensor use, such as for stereoscopy. In this manner, a clinician can create a spatial, three-dimensional (3D) anti-septic barrier and avoid the need to carry multiple stethoscopes. When two sensors are used for stereoscopy, the use of at least one electronic sensor allows for advanced processing of sound waves. In all cases, the substantially rigid, generally T-shaped support tube allows a clinician to auscultate with one hand. The rigid support tube also allows a clinician to obtain a good seal during auscultation without the need to touch any portion of the stethoscope sensor(s), thus preventing any possible contamination of the sensor from the clinician&#39;s hand. 
     The support tube, and even the sensors (mechanical or electronic), can optionally be disposable to further promote anti-sepsis. The support tube, in various embodiments, can be designed to be retrofitted to any standard stethoscope and use standard stethoscope heads when only a single electronic sensor is employed. Use of a standard stethoscope heads allows the device to take advantage of the ordinary ability of a mechanical stethoscope head with a bell and diaphragm to be “turned off” by rotation of the head. The structure of the support tube can also provide a means to close the sound transmission path or disconnect an electronic sensor when a sensor is rotated away from a patient. 
     In one embodiment, a stethoscope incorporates a rigid, generally T-shaped support tube for connecting a common sound transporting tube with two rotatable sensor-supporting tubes, with at least one electronic sensor. 
     In another embodiment, a rigid, generally T-shaped support tube is disclosed for connection to a common sound transporting tube of a stethoscope at a first end and two stethoscope heads at a second end of a pair of movable rotatable sensor-supporting tubes, with at least one electronic sensor. 
     In a further embodiment, a rigid, generally T-shaped support tube is disclosed for retrofitting to a stethoscope for connecting a common sound transporting tube with two rotatable sensor-supporting tubes, with at least one electronic sensor. 
     In another embodiment, the rigid, generally T-shaped support tube for retrofitting to a stethoscope for connecting a common sound transporting tube with two rotatable head-supporting tubes is formed of disposable material. 
     In another embodiment, rotatable head-supporting tubes on the rigid, generally T-shaped support tube for a stethoscope include detents or locking means for positioning the rotatable head-supporting tubes in predetermined positions. 
     In yet another embodiment, the rigid, generally T-shaped support tube is adapted for use with pediatric stethoscopes and sensors. 
     In a further embodiment, the rigid, generally T-shaped support tube is disposable and includes integral disposable sensors, wherein at least one sensor is electronic. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a stethoscope in a stereoscopic configuration; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment with one head of the stethoscope rotated away to provide a spatial (3D) anti-septic barrier; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment utilizing a three-way stopcock; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment utilizing a ball pivot; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment utilizing a telescoping element; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment that has only one rotatable head; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment for single-hand use. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment with a single electronic sensor. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment with a pair of electronic sensors. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates another embodiment with a pair of electronic sensors. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As used herein, the terms head, sensor or sensor head refer to a stethoscope sensor and its attachment means that may comprise: a mechanical diaphragm, bell, or combination of the two, or an electronic stethoscope sensor incorporating a microphone; the terms rotate and rotatable refer to movement about an actual or virtual pivot point; and the terms tube and tubular refer to any hollow structure for conduction of sound waves or any structure for routing of electronic wiring and is not limited to circular cross-sections. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a stethoscope includes conventional eartips  20  and earpieces  18  connected to common sound conduction tube  16 . In place of a conventional stethoscope head at the end of the tube  16 , a substantially rigid structure is used to mount two sensors  10  to the stethoscope. In use, a clinician can handle the rigid structure to position the sensors  10  and thus avoid contamination of the sensors  10  from any pathogens that may be on the clinician&#39;s hands. In the illustrated configuration of  FIG. 1 , the stethoscope is configured in a position for stereoscopy wherein the stethoscope sensors  10  will transmit sound through common sound conduction tube  16 , which results in constructive interference of sound waves. In an alternate embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a three-way stopcock  13  can be used to select between stereoscopic sensing and sensing from either one or the other sensor head  10 . In this manner, a clinician can selectively listen to two locations on a patient without transferring any pathogens between the two locations. 
     A generally T-shaped support tube includes a first tubular element  14  sized for connecting to common sound conduction tube  16 . When used with conventional stethoscopes, the element  14  will be a tube having the same dimensions as the connection tube of a conventional sensor head. Similarly, when used with pediatric stethoscopes, the element  14  will be a tube having the same dimensions as the connection tube of a pediatric sensor head or can alternately include an adapter element (not shown) to allow connection to a pediatric stethoscope. 
     The T-shaped support tube further includes tube  12  that communicates with element  14  in a central portion and with two rotatable head-supporting tubes  6  at first and second spaced ends of tube  12 . Head-supporting tubes  6 , when used with conventional stethoscope sensors, are dimensioned to allow insertion and connection of conventional sensor heads  10  with bells  8  and/or diaphragms  9 , whether regular and pediatric. Tubes  6  are rotatably attached to tube  12  with rotatable couplings  4  that can be integral or separate from tubes  6 . The rotatable coupling  4  preferably includes or cooperates with a detent or locking means  2  so as to form a substantially rigid support for the sensors  10  that the clinician can grasp and use for obtaining the desired seal or contact of the sensor  10  against the patient. 
     Although the length of tube  12  is illustrated to show a clear distance between the sensor heads  10 , in some embodiments it may be preferable to minimize the length of tube  12  (e.g., only slightly longer than the diameter of each sensor head) in order to allow a clinician to manipulate both sensor heads  10  with a single hand, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Additionally, although tubes  6  are illustrated as being identical, the tubes  6  can also have different lengths or have different diameters to allow the use of variously-sized sensors (e.g., a full-sized sensor and a pediatric sensor) on the same stethoscope. Further, an embodiment may comprise only elements  2 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  12 , and  14  as a separate unit to retro-fit to existing stethoscopes. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , which uses identical reference numbers for identical elements, either sensor head  10 ′ may be rotated into another position to create a spatial, 3D anti-septic barrier. Additionally, conventional sensor heads  10 ′ can be “turned off” in the conventional manner by rotation of the diaphragm/bell unit, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In certain embodiments, such as low-cost or disposable variations with only a single sensor on each head, the sound conduction can be turned off when a sensor head  10  is rotated away from the patient by a suitable design of the couplings  4 . 
     While there is no overriding need to position the sensor head  10 ′ that has been rotated away in a rigid fashion since the clinician will not be exerting any force on the unused head, it still may be preferable to use a detent or locking means  2  to retain the unused sensor head in a predetermined position away from the patient, such as the illustrated 90° position. While it may be preferable to allow both sensor heads  10  to be rotated, it is also possible to use an embodiment in which only one head  10 ′ is rotatable to another position, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     The device can be made of any material suitable for use in a medical environment that has the desired mechanical and acoustic properties, including but not limited to stainless steel, silver, silver-plated metals, rubber, silicone, PVC, polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS, SAN, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyester and combinations thereof. To further the anti-septic function of the device, the materials can also have or be treated to have anti-microbial properties, as is known in the art. 
     In the illustrated embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3 , the longitudinal dimension of the tube  12  determines the separation distance of the sensors  10 . In use, this dimension can be determined based upon the desired separation distance of the sensors for either stereoscopy or alternate auscultation between the two sensors. A clinician can have variously sized devices or tubes  12  to select from, dependant on the desired application, with either the entire T-shaped support or parts thereof being replaceable for different applications. For example, devices for pediatric use will typically be of smaller dimensions. 
     Alternately, various other means can be used for varying the distance between the sensors  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , one or both (not shown) of couplings  4  can be a multi-directional or ball pivot  4 ′ so as to be able to vary the distance between the sensors. A frictional lock  2 ′ can be used to maintain the position of the sensor  10 . Alternately, a re-positional flexible tube could also be used, but would be more difficult to keep in position. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a telescoping element  15  can also be used to vary the distance between the two sensors. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , an embodiment can employ only a single rotatable head  10 ′ for purposes of simplicity. While illustrated as having a telescoping element  15 , such an element is not required. However, if the telescoping element  15  is integrated with the rotatable coupling  4 , the overlapping portions between tube  12  and element  15  can be used as a bearing for the coupling, with the detent or lock  2 ′ moved to the end of element  15 . While only a single telescoping element  15  is illustrated, multiple elements can be used to further expand the range of the sensor separation distance. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 , typical stethoscope bells, heads or sensors  10  include a rigid extension tube that would ordinarily be inserted into the flexible sound conduction tube  16  of a stethoscope, but in the illustrated embodiments are inserted into tubes  6 , which are dimensioned to accommodate the intended sensor  10 . As such, tubes  6  can be dimensions for the rigid extension tubes of either standard adult or pediatric stethoscope heads.  FIG. 7  illustrates an alternate embodiment in which the rigid extension tube is formed to integrally attach to tube  12 , such as might be done for disposable sensors manufactured for use with in the invention. 
       FIGS. 8-10  illustrate embodiments that incorporate at least one electronic sensor. While similar in configuration to the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1 , with identical reference numbers for identical elements, the tube adjustment means for controlling or varying the distance between the dual sensors as illustrated in  FIGS. 4-7  can also be incorporated into the embodiments of  FIGS. 8-10 . The embodiments of  FIGS. 8-10  retain all of the anti-sepsis functionality and constructive interference functionality as described above, but benefits further from the processing capabilities made possible by use of electronic sensor elements. Further, although the electronic signals are shown as being transported by wires, this is not meant as a limitation and wireless (e.g., RF) links can be used wherever wired connections are illustrated. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , an embodiment of a stethoscope includes conventional eartips  20  and earpieces  18  connected to common sound conduction tube  16 . In place of a conventional stethoscope head at the end of the tube  16 , a substantially rigid structure is used to mount two sensors  101 ,  10  to the stethoscope, wherein sensor  101  is electronic and sensor  10  is mechanical. In use, a clinician can handle the rigid structure to position the sensors  101 ,  10  and thus avoid contamination of the sensors  101 ,  10  from any pathogens that may be on the clinician&#39;s hands. In the illustrated configuration of  FIG. 8 , the stethoscope is configured in a position for stereoscopy wherein the stethoscope sensors  101 ,  10  will transmit sound through common sound conduction tube  16 , which results in constructive interference of sound waves. 
     The electronic sensor  101  includes a sound collection element  9 ′ corresponding generally to a mechanical diaphragm, a microphone element  110 , wiring  112 , and connections  114  as needed. Signals from microphone  110  are transmitted to a processor  100  and the processed output is sent to an audio output  120 , such as a speaker, to produce sound waves for conduction to the common sound conduction tube  16 . While illustrated in tube  12 , the audio output  120  can also be located in sensor-support tube  6 . Controls  104  can be provided on the processor, such as sliders (illustrated), dials, or buttons to control volume, frequency range, etc. of the audio output at  120 . 
     Again, the generally T-shaped support tube includes a first tubular element  14  sized for connecting to common sound conduction tube  16 . When used with conventional stethoscopes, the element  14  will be a tube having the same dimensions as the connection tube of a conventional sensor head. Similarly, when used with pediatric stethoscopes, the element  14  will be a tube having the same dimensions as the connection tube of a pediatric sensor head or can alternately include an adapter element (not shown) to allow connection to a pediatric stethoscope. 
     The T-shaped support tube further includes tube  12  that communicates with element  14  in a central portion and with two rotatable sensor-supporting tubes  6  at first and second spaced ends of tube  12 . Sensor-supporting tubes  6 , when used with conventional stethoscope sensors, are dimensioned to allow insertion and connection of conventional sensor heads  10  with bells  8  and/or diaphragms  9 , whether regular and pediatric. Tubes  6  are rotatably attached to tube  12  with rotatable couplings  4  that can be integral or separate from tubes  6 . The rotatable coupling  4  preferably includes or cooperates with a detent or locking means  2  so as to form a substantially rigid support for the sensors  101 ,  10  that the clinician can grasp and use for obtaining the desired seal or contact of the sensor  101  and/or  10  against the patient. 
     Although the length of tube  12  is illustrated to show a clear distance between the sensor heads  101 ,  10 , in some embodiments it may be preferable to minimize the length of tube  12  (e.g., only slightly longer than the diameter of each sensor head) in order to allow a clinician to manipulate both sensor heads  10  with a single hand, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Additionally, although tubes  6  are illustrated as being identical, the tubes  6  can also have different lengths or have different diameters to allow the use of variously-sized sensors (e.g., a full-sized sensor and a pediatric sensor) on the same stethoscope. Further, an embodiment may comprise only elements  2 ,  4 ,  6 ,  101 ,  10 ,  120 ,  12 , and  14  as a separate unit to retro-fit to existing stethoscopes. 
     In use, the processor  100  and controls  104  can be used to vary the volume, frequency range, etc. of the contribution from electronic sensor  101  without requiring the clinician to vary the placement of the sensors  101 ,  10 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 , both sensors  101  are electronic and can be processed by the processor  100  to provide audio output at  120 . With both sensors  101  capable of being processed, the use of a balance control or separate volume controls on controls  104  allows the contribution from each sensor  101  to be adjusted independently so a to provide the basic functionality of the “binary” stopcock of  FIGS. 3-5  as well as variations not possible with such a binary system. Additionally, processing of other variables such as the frequency band allows functionality not available from typical mechanical stethoscopes. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a completely electronic embodiment in which signals from sensors  101  are sent to processor  100  and the processed output sent to a connector on the processor for connection to earphones  130  worn by the clinician (illustrated) or other external audio device such as a speaker (not shown). Earphones  130  or other output can be operated in mono for constructive interference or in stereo for directional listening. This embodiment retains the functionality of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , but eliminates the sound losses from common conduction tube  16 , earpieces  18  and eartips  20 . In such an embodiment, it may be beneficial to optionally provide a handle  118  for easier handling by the clinician. When used, the handle  118  along with the processor and/or the earphones  130  can be reusable, with the remaining elements disposable to further promote anti-sepsis. Further, although not illustrated, the processor  100  can be integrated more into the handle  118  and the handle  118  can optionally have angle adjustment means for better ergonomics. 
     Embodiments of the invention can be incorporated into a complete dual-head antisepsis stethoscope or as a device to convert an ordinary stethoscope into dual-head antisepsis stethoscope. Either type of embodiment can include a connection tube dimensioned to engage a sound conduction tube of the stethoscope; a second tube connected to the connection tube, the second tube having a first end and a second end; a first sensor head-supporting tube coupled to the first end of the second tube; and a second sensor head-supporting tube coupled to the second end of the second tube; wherein at least one of the first and second sensor head-supporting tubes is rotatably coupled relative to the second tube. 
     Further embodiments can optionally include various details, including but not limited to one or more of: having both the first and second sensor head-supporting tubes are rotatably coupled relative to the second tube; having a detent or locking means for restraining movement of the at least one sensor head-supporting tube that is rotatably coupled relative to the second tube; having a stethoscope head integrated into each of the first and second sensor head-supporting tubes; having the device or parts thereof constructed from disposable materials; having the second tube further comprise at least one telescoping element; having the second tube connected to the connection tube at a location between the first and second ends; having a three-way stopcock positioned at the location between the first and second ends where the second tube is connected to the connection tube; and having the connection tube directly connected to one of the first and second sensor head-supporting tubes. 
     A device for providing a dual-sensor anti-sepsis stethoscope with at least one electronic sensor has been described. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed and that the examples and embodiments described herein are in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art of the present invention will recognize that other embodiments using the concepts described herein are also possible. Further, any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” or “the” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.