Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Detecting sound generated within body
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-30
2003-03-18
Schaetzle, Kennedy (Department: 3762)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Detecting sound generated within body
C181S131000, C600S528000, C381S067000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06533736
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a novel and unique multifunctional wireless medical stethoscope to be used by health care professionals or the like for diagnosing patients and more particularly to a unique and novel multifunctional wireless medical stethoscope that includes a small microchip that operates in a globally available frequency band ensuring communication compatibility worldwide to auscultate human/animal organs and structural sounds for wireless transmission from the patient to an earpiece worn by the user.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The most common stethoscope primarily in use today by almost all health care professionals is the manual stethoscope. The manual stethoscope has had no significant design changes since the late 1800's. The manual stethoscope consists of a listening piece with a diaphragm with sound being transmitted to the practitioners ears via a “Y-tubing”. However, due to this connecting tube, the practitioner is very limited in his proximity to the patient, innately causing the physical sounds transmitted to be less than ideal.
In addition to the manual stethoscope, electronic stethoscopes have been developed which use electronic wires to transmit sound detected at the listening diaphragm to another device that reconverts the transmission to sound. This technology has not substantially changed for over 40 years.
It is evidenced in the prior art that numerous attempts have been made to address the problems associated with the manual and electronic stethoscopes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,555 issued to Shue discloses a type of radio/wire stethoscopic apparatus designed for multiple ausculatation and historical recording of a patient. The circular diaphragm and Y-piece provide an overall structure of the device, which is similar to the manual stethoscope in use today. In addition, sound is received via the circular diaphragm is converted to electrical signals and transmitted through a radio/recorder set and an interface of audio wave control device that is electrically coupled to the unit for enabling the wearer to hear the received sound. Thus, providing for a stethoscope that still provides a restricted amount of distance between him and the patient, inherently providing a unit, unlike the present invention, that does not reflect the most advanced technology available today.
Yet another example is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,241 issued to Tacchi wherein disclosed is patient monitoring apparatus which employs transmitter and receiver units. The practitioner is still physically connected to the patient with this device unlike the present invention which is totally wireless.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,961 issued to Saltzman relates to a soley patient mounted and supported constant monitoring suction stethoscopic and radio transmitter system and remote radio receiver and speaker. This device features a box-like structure which is clipped on to the practitioners shirt thereby acting as a loud speaker, broadcasting the precordial sounds out publicly.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 3,160,708 issued to Andries et al relates to an electronic stethoscope adapted for diagnostic uses and effective to reproduce heart sounds substantially approximating the conventional acoustical stethoscope. This device has no wireless components and unlike the present invention features dated technology.
As observed, none of the previous inventions as described above have been utilized by the medical community. Thus, it is seen that these previous efforts do not provide the benefits intended with the present invention or method, such as providing a wireless stereoscopic apparatus that ultimately delivers exceptional quality and telecommunication capability. The present invention provides a medical/educational stereoscopic device which features practicality and uniqueness, by enabling wireless communication between the patient and health care professional when diagnosing occurs, and consequently provides an apparatus that would be quickly adopted and used successfully by the medical community. Additionally, prior techniques do not suggest the present inventive combination of component elements as disclosed and claimed herein.
Accordingly, it is seen that there is a need for a wireless medical stethoscope designed and configured to offer the most advanced technology available today to the medical community. This medical device is compact, easy to use, and has the advantage of allowing freedom of movement and distance between the practitioners and their patient. There is no connecting tube to limit the practitioners proximity to the patient or to reduce the sound perception. Additionally, the wireless medical stethoscope can be used by health care professionals of all types.
Thus, as will be seen, the present invention achieves its intended purposes, objectives and advantages over the prior art device by accomplishing the needs and objectives as identified herein, through a new, useful and unobvious combination of component elements, which is simple to use, with the utilization of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, assemble, test and by employing only readily available materials.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a novel and unique wireless medical stethoscope that will advance the state of the art of medicine by providing a higher level of patient care. This novel and unique wireless stethoscope device is designed to be compact in size and requiring a minimal amount of components so as to adequately and successfully operate and manipulate the present invention.
To enable a wireless stethoscope, the present invention comprises an auscultation piece, an earpiece, and a holding case for allowing easy storage and transporting capabilities of the auscultating piece and earpiece when not in use. Each component, including the ausultation piece, earpiece, and carrying case are separate structural entities.
Constructionally, the auscultation piece comprises a pyramidal shape have an upper end and a lower end. The upper end is smaller in size than the lower end, thus providing for the pyramidal shape. Located on the side wall of the auscultation piece is a plurality of indentations or grooves. These grooves form the typical finger positioning of the examining physician or practitioner and thus provide for an apparatus that is easy and efficient to use.
Located on the lower end of the auscultation piece is a sound receptor panel or diaphragm for enabling auscultation of the patient. Embedded within the auscultation piece is a conventional radio frequency chip designed and configured for wireless transmission. Preferably, this microchip will operate in a globally available frequency band with a link manager ensuring communication compatibility worldwide, thus increasing the usability and functionality of the stethoscope apparatus of the present invention.
Activation can occur manually by depressing a button located exteriorly on the auscultation piece, or optionally can be voice activated. When not in use the auscultation piece can be coupled to the earpiece for storage. This will provide for the earpiece to be removably secured to the auscultation piece consequently providing for a compact unit, when not in use.
The earpiece structurally includes a frame having a first end, a second end and a middle section sandwiched therebetween. The first end, second end and middle section form a substantially J-shape configuration. It is noted that this frame is fabricated from a durable, yet flexible material, so as to allow for the wearer to adjust the overall structure of the frame so as to enable it to conform to their particular shape. Pivotally secured to the second end is a hearing piece. This hearing piece is conventional in design and thus, is configured to be inserted into the ear of the user for allowing adequate and comfortable listening compabilities. Embedded within the main frame is a link manager receiver device. The link manager receiver is in communication wit
Carnes & Cona
Schaetzle Kennedy
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