Systems and methods for electronic stethoscope wireless auscultation

Inventors

Venkatraman, Subramaniam • Freschl, Dan • Landgraf, Connor • Thompson, Michael • Bora, Niladri

Assignees

Eko Health Inc

Abstract

The present description relates generally to methods and systems for wireless communication between a digital (e.g., electronic) stethoscope and other electronic devices (e.g., computing and listening devices). In one example, a method comprises operating an electronic stethoscope in one of an internal digital mode and a wireless digital mode based on a detected user action. In this way, the electronic stethoscope may be quickly adjusted between projecting sound via integrated speakers and transmitting sound to an external electronic device, enabling efficient remote monitoring of a patient.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to an electronic stethoscope device that can be operated in one of an internal digital mode and a wireless digital mode based on a detected user action. The detected user action is a mechanical configuration change of an output of the electronic stethoscope device, specifically a mechanical and acoustic disconnection of earpieces of the electronic stethoscope device from a body of the electronic stethoscope device at the output.

In the internal digital mode, the electronic stethoscope powers speakers that are electrically connected to the electronic stethoscope device and plays first audio data via the speakers. In response to the mechanical and acoustic disconnection of the earpieces, the device automatically covering and seals the output via a spring-loaded cap and switches from operating in the internal digital mode to operating the electronic stethoscope device in the wireless digital mode.

In the wireless digital mode, switching includes powering off the speakers electrically connected to the electronic stethoscope device, generating audio data via a microphone of the electronic stethoscope device, and initiating wirelessly transmitting the generated audio data to at least one external device in real-time. The at least one external device is configured to wirelessly capture or play the generated audio data in real-time via at least one listening device that is not physically or electronically connected to the electronic stethoscope device.

Claims Coverage

The partial content provides one independent claim (clm-00001). The inventive features focus on switching between internal digital mode and wireless digital mode based on a mechanical and acoustic disconnection event, speaker power control and microphone-based audio data generation, real-time wireless transmission to external devices and real-time playback on listening devices not physically/electronically connected to the stethoscope, and automatically covering and sealing the output via a spring-loaded cap in response to the disconnection.

Across the provided independent claim, the coverage centers on automatic switching between internal digital mode and wireless digital mode triggered by a mechanical and acoustic disconnection of earpieces, including speaker power control, automatic covering and sealing of the output using a spring-loaded cap, microphone-based audio data generation, and real-time wireless transmission for playback on listening devices not physically or electronically connected to the stethoscope.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications