Patent Publication Number: US-2013252219-A1

Title: Auscultation training apparatus and method

Description:
This patent claims priority from U.S. Ser. No. 61/614,001 titled AUSCULTATION TRAINING APPARATUS AND METHOD, filed on Mar. 22, 2012 which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     A. Field of the Invention 
     This invention generally relates to apparatuses and processes for providing instruction, testing or grading of a person&#39;s knowledge, skill, discipline, or mental or physical ability, and demonstrating characteristics relating to an imitation of a noise made by the body. 
     B. Description of Related Art 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,866 discloses an ELECTRONIC AUSCULTATION SYSTEM FOR PATIENT SIMULATOR for simulating sounds arising from human organs for use in an anatomical simulation device including a patient simulating mannequin torso, a plurality of electro-magnetic transmitters having antenna coils positioned in predetermined locations relative to said torso beneath the torso surface and each transmitter being connected to one or more computer sound cards which, upon activation, generate signals from prerecorded sound data which generates the appropriate sounds of human organs based on the transmitter location. The system utilizes a simulated stethoscope that includes a receiver and/or sensing triggering devices so that the stethoscope can determine particular areas on the torso to define the appropriate sound generated such that the system knows where the stethoscope is. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment of this invention, an auscultation apparatus may be used by an associated operator. The auscultation apparatus may comprise: a first living body-like structure; a sensor sheet comprising: a sheet portion that is physically flexible; and, a plurality of sensors mounted to and supported by the sheet portion; a processor that: comprises a plurality of sound files and is in electric communication with the plurality of sensors; and, an auscultation device comprising: a receiver, a sound supplying component and a sensor activator component. The auscultation apparatus may be operable by applying the sensor sheet to the first living body-like structure and positioning the sensor activator component near one of the plurality of sensors to cause the one of the plurality of sensors to communicate electrically with the processor to transmit a sound from one of the sound files to the receiver to communicate the sound to the sound supplying component to provide the sound to the associated operator. 
     According to another embodiment of this invention, an auscultation apparatus may be used with an associated living body-like structure by an associated operator. The auscultation apparatus may comprise: a sensor sheet comprising: a sheet portion that is physically flexible and applyable to the associated living body-like structure; and, a plurality of sensors mounted to and supported by the sheet portion; a processor that: comprises a plurality of sound files and is in electric communication with the plurality of sensors; and, an auscultation device comprising: a receiver, a sound supplying component and a sensor activator component. The auscultation apparatus may be operable by applying the sensor sheet to the associated living body-like structure and positioning the sensor activator component near one of the plurality of sensors to cause the one of the plurality of sensors to communicate electrically with the processor to transmit a sound from one of the sound files to the receiver to communicate the sound to the sound supplying component to provide the sound to the associated operator. 
     According to yet another embodiment of this invention, a method may comprise the steps of: (A) providing a first living body-like structure; (B) providing an auscultation apparatus comprising: ( 1 ) a sensor sheet comprising: a sheet portion that is physically flexible; and, a plurality of sensors mounted to and supported by the sheet portion; ( 2 ) a processor that: comprises a plurality of sound files and is in electric communication with the plurality of sensors; and, ( 3 ) an auscultation device comprising: a receiver, a sound supplying component and a sensor activator component; (C) applying the sensor sheet to the first living body-like structure; (D) equipping an operator with the auscultation device; and, (E) positioning the sensor activator component near one of the plurality of sensors to cause the one of the plurality of sensors to communicate electrically with the processor to transmit a sound from one of the sound files to the receiver to communicate the sound to the sound supplying component to provide the sound to the operator. 
     Benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a sensor sheet shown in top view in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the sensor sheet being applied to a living body-like structure. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention, wherein a sensor sheet is positioned in a cavity of a living body-like structure that is a mannequin. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, and wherein like reference numerals are understood to refer to like components,  FIG. 1  shows a plan view of an embodiment of the invention. An auscultation apparatus  10  may include a sensor sheet  12 , a processor  14 , and an auscultation device  16 . The sensor sheet  12  may include a sheet portion  18  and a plurality of sensors  22  mounted to and supported by the sheet portion  18 . It is noted that less than all of the sensors  18  are referenced in  FIG. 1  to maintain the clarity of the drawing. The sensors  22  may be embedded in the sheet portion  18  or may be positioned at an exposed surface of the sheet portion  18 . 
     The sheet portion  18  may be a plastic, elastomeric/rubber, or any other material permitting physical flexibility. In operation, the sheet portion  18  may be mounted or applied to a living body-like structure. The physical flexibility of the sheet portion  18  may permit it to conform to a surface of the living body-like structure to which it is mounted or applied. By “living body-like structure” it is meant a structure that is, or is similar to, a living animal body or a living human body. In one embodiment the living body-like structure may be a humanoid mannequin, or a portion thereof. In another embodiment, the living body-like structure may be an actual deceased human body. In yet another embodiment, the living body-like structure may be an actual living human body. In still other embodiments, the living body-like structure may be any animal mannequin, deceased animal body, or actual living animal body. If the living body-like structure does not at least approximate an actual living body structure, it will be of limited value in training students. The sheet portion  18  can accommodate and conform around the shape of the living body-like structure. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the sheet portion  18  may be placed over the front upper torso of a living body-like structure  24 .  FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of the invention in which a sheet portion  18   a  extends around an inner cavity  26   a  of a living body-like structure  24   a  that is a portion of a mannequin.  FIG. 2  shows that the sheet portion  18  may be relatively thin to enhance conformance with the mating surface on the living body-like structure. The sheet portion  18  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  has a maximum width W and a maximum thickness T. In one embodiment, the ratio W/T is at least 5.0. In another embodiment, the ratio W/T is at least 10.0. In another embodiment, shown, the ratio W/T is at least 15.0. It is noted that the perimeter of the sheet portion  18  can define any desired shape. 
     The sensor sheet  12  may be connected to the living body-like structure ( 24  or  24   a ) in one or more different ways. Releasable adhesive may be applied to one side of the sensor sheet  12 , for example. The adhesive can have binding strength sufficient to keep the sensor sheet  12  in place during use, but also permit removing the sensor sheet  12  so that the sensor sheet  12  may be used with more than one living body-like structure. Hook and loop fasteners can also be used with embodiments of the invention. Alternatively, an embodiment of the invention could be permanently attached to a living body-like structure, such as to a mannequin. 
     Each of the sensors  22  may be in electric communication with the processor  14 . A wire harness  30  is shown connecting the processor  14  and the sensors  22  for electric communication in the exemplary embodiment. The processor  14  of the exemplary embodiment of the invention may be a controller as referenced at  120  in U.S. Pub. No. 2009/0117527 (“the &#39;527 publication”), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The exemplary embodiment  10  can function similarly to the system disclosed in the &#39;527 publication. For example, a user such as a medical trainee, can place at least one sound supplying component, such as two ear-pieces, of the auscultation device  16  near or in his/her ears and place a sensor activator component, such as bell  20  of the auscultation device  16  against the living body-like structure. The one or more sensors  22  nearest the sensor activator component  20  will communicate this proximity to the processor  14 . In response to a signal from one or more of the sensors  22 , the processor  14  can select a sound file from a database  28 . 
     Embodiments of the invention can incorporate databases having any appropriate data structure such as, without limitation, lists, hash tables, or hierarchical, relational, or network models. In some embodiments the database can include a group of sound files stored together on, for instance, a CD-ROM or flash memory. The database may be stored on any appropriate machine memory means including, without limitations, volatile or nonvolatile memories, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic media such as tapes or hard drives, optical media such as CD-ROMs, and the like or any combination thereof. 
     The processor  14  can transmit a particular sound file to a receiver in the auscultation device which communicates the corresponding sound to the sound supplying component so that the operator can hear the sound. In one embodiment, the processor  14  transmits the sound file wirelessly to the receiver in the auscultation device  16 . The auscultation device  16  of the exemplary embodiment may be a stethoscope as set forth in the &#39;527 publication. In one embodiment, a sound generating device in the bell of the stethoscope can direct a sound wave against a diaphragm mounted on the bell. The diaphragm will then vibrate and the user will hear the sound. It is noted that other methods of communicating sound to the user may be applied in other embodiments of the invention. 
     Various approaches to wireless communication may be applied in embodiments of the invention. For example, radio or infrared protocols may be applied. Other protocols include, by way of example and not limitation, WiFi, Bluetooth® (Bluetooth is a registered certification mark of Bluetooth Sig Inc., Bellevue, Wash.), and ZigBee® (ZigBee is a registered trademark of ZigBee Alliance Corp., San Ramon, Calif.). It is noted that embodiments of the invention can include hardwired connections between the processor  14  and the auscultation device  16 . Some such connections include, without limitation, serial bus, parallel bus, SCSI, I2C (inter-integrated circuit), SPI (serial peripheral interface), and the like or any combination thereof. 
     Sensors  22  may be positioned proximate to the heart region, the lung region, and any of a variety of visceral or thoracic regions. The sensors  22  may be selected to sense any one of a variety of conditions. For example, the sensors  22  may be engaged (or turned on) by the application of physical contact. Such physical conduct may, for example, create a pressure sensed by pressure sensors. Such sensors could be applied in the operating environment shown in  FIG. 3 , for example. Alternatively, the sensors  22  may be engaged (or turned on) by the application of a magnetic field. Such sensors could be applied in the operating environment shown in  FIG. 4 , in which the stethoscope would be positioned along an outer surface of the mannequin  24   a  and not within the cavity  26   a . Other approaches to proximity detection may be applied, such as RFID chips, bar codes, binary magnet codes, or UV/IR light. 
     The living body-like structure  24 , when a mannequin, may already incorporate an auscultation system; embodiments of the invention may be applied to render outdated mannequins useful again. Embodiments of the invention can also be applied to enhance the capabilities of mannequins currently in use. For example, embodiments of the invention can provide improved audio transmissions and also deliver additional sounds. 
     Numerous embodiments have been described herein. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof Further, the “invention” as that term is used in this document is what is claimed in the claims of this document. The right to claim elements and/or sub-combinations that are disclosed herein as other inventions in other patent documents is hereby unconditionally reserved. 
     Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed: