Education and demonstration – Anatomy – physiology – therapeutic treatment – or surgery... – Simulation of body sound
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-12
2001-04-24
Cheng, Joe H. (Department: 3713)
Education and demonstration
Anatomy, physiology, therapeutic treatment, or surgery...
Simulation of body sound
C434S262000, C434S267000, C381S067000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220866
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to anatomical simulation devices, and, more particularly to an electronic auscultation system and method for simulating sounds arising from organs for use in training personnel in the medical arts.
2. Description of Related Art
Mankind has benefited greatly from the contributions of science and technology on advances in the medical arts. Such advances are largely responsible the existence and expansion of high quality, affordable health care throughout the world. One area of the medical arts that has benefited significantly from the influence of science and technology is in the field of medical personnel training where the use of technologically advanced patient simulators provides students with anatomically realistic simulation devices for use in training and medical study.
A number of simulation devices are known in the medical arts. For example, simulation devices are commonly used for CPR training, and in phlebotomy for training personnel in vein-puncture techniques. In addition, the background art reveals auscultation simulation devices. Some devices of the background art utilize a conventional stethoscope to detect sounds generated by speakers located within a manikin torso shell. The quality of sound, however, is effected by external noise, produced by motors and mechanical switches associated with the device.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,665,087, issued to Poylo in 1972, discloses a manikin audio system for use in producing simulated anatomical sounds in an area of a manikin under auscultation. Poylo discloses a relatively unsophisticated electromechanical audio simulation system that relies on a plurality of micro switches positioned in various physical areas for auscultation, which, when actuated, each activate the generation of an audio signal from a one of a plurality of synchronized magnetic storage mediums. A modified stethoscope is electrically connected to the magnetic signal producing apparatus and contains a transducer for producing an audio signal to the ear piece of the stethoscope. The pressure applied on an auscultation area will actuate one of the plurality of micro switches thereby selecting the associated audio signal that is electrically transmitted to the stethoscope transducer which generates an audio signal. The Poylo manikin, however, includes a number of disadvantages inherent with the use of micro switches and electromechanical magnetic media that limit the usefulness of the device.
Accordingly, there exists a need for an anatomical simulation device, including an electronic auscultation system and method for simulating sounds arising from organs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An electronic auscultation system and method for simulating sounds arising from organs. The apparatus and method includes a patient simulating manikin torso and a plurality of electromagnetic transmitters having antenna coils positioned in predetermined locations, beneath the torso surface, in areas where the monitoring of anatomical sounds is desired. Each transmitter is electrically connected to at least one computer sound card which, upon activation, generates signals from prerecorded sound files. A stethoscope is adapted for receiving signals transmitted by the antenna coil(s) and for converting the signals into sounds, heard by the stethoscope wearer, which sounds are free from external or unwanted noise. The stethoscope includes a bell end piece having a signal receiving antenna coil which is disposed such that the receiving antenna coil is in coaxial alignment with the transmitting antenna coil thereby forming a linear transformer when the bell is properly positioned with respect to the manikin torso. Once received, the signal is amplified and amplitude limited prior to demodulation and reproduction in stereoscope ear pieces of the stethoscope. Accordingly, the sounds heard by the stethoscope wearer are linked to a plurality physical locations on the manikin torso so that the sounds heard by the user are anatomically accurate representations of sounds that would be heard on an actual patient using a conventional stethoscope in the same physical locations.
The present invention may use any suitable carrier frequency acceptable within the regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, and may incorporate either a frequency modulated format or an amplitude modulated format. A plurality of transmitters may be electrically connected to a single computer sound board, each transmitter may be connected to its own sound board, or multiple sound boards may be connected to multiple transmitters.
In an alternate embodiment, a regionally located transmitter may be surrounded by a plurality of location identifying devices. In this embodiment, the stethoscope is capable of receiving signals while the bell is positioned some distance from the transmitter. In this embodiment, the appropriate signal to transmit depends on the specific stethoscope location as determined by the position identifying devices which may comprise switches activated by a magnet in the stethoscope, or an active transponder. When the stethoscope activates one of the location devices, the location device triggers the appropriate sound file to be played back to the stethoscope. As is apparent, this embodiment includes the benefit of providing many specific sound locations while requiring only a single transmitter.
In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3665087 (1972-05-01), Poylo
patent: 3769526 (1973-10-01), Krause
patent: 3947974 (1976-04-01), Gordon et al.
patent: 5509810 (1996-04-01), Schertz et al.
patent: 5513992 (1996-05-01), Refait
patent: 5718227 (1998-02-01), Witlin et al.
patent: 5812678 (1998-09-01), Scalise et al.
patent: 5853292 (1998-12-01), Eggert et al.
Amend Greg J.
Tinker Craig S.
Cheng Joe H.
Eagle Simulation, Inc.
Malin Haley & DiMaggio, P.A.
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