Patent ID: 6974425

Claim:
A method for determining a resonant frequency of lungs of a patient, comprising the steps of: providing a chamber containing a fluid; placing a hydrophone in said chamber; causing acoustic vibrations at a first frequency and changing a frequency of said acoustic vibrations to a second frequency; recording a first output of said hydrophone as said acoustic vibration frequency is increased; computing a first transfer function of said first output; placing a person in said chamber such that a body of the person is immersed in said fluid; positioning said hydrophone near a chest area of the person; causing acoustic vibrations at said first frequency and changing said frequency of said acoustic vibrations to said second frequency; recording a second output of said hydrophone as said acoustic vibration frequency is increased; computing a second transfer function of said second output; plotting a ratio of said first transfer function to said second transfer function versus said frequency of said acoustic vibrations; and identifying a maximum of said plot as a resonant frequency of said lung.