Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ENHANCED STETHOSCOPE DEVICES AND METHODS
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] N/A.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The traditional stethoscope is ubiquitously used in the chain of
medical care.
However, in isolation it is only capable of assessing respiration and heart
rate; blood pressure
measurements are possible when the stethoscope is used in conjunction with a
sphygmomanometer. A traditional stethoscope head contains a diaphragm that
mechanically
amplifies audio signals in the 0.01 Hz to 3 kHz range. For medical use,
operators fix the head of
the stethoscope adjacent to the phenomenon being observed (e.g. against the
chest to measure
respiration). The diaphragm transmits the sound coupled into the stethoscope
head from the
features (such as the heart or lungs) into a set of ear pieces. The operator
then interprets this
sound and manually records this measurement. Studies have shown that these
measurements
have a strong dependence on the level of training for the operators, as well
as the audio
environment in which the measurements are taken.
[0003] Electronic stethoscopes have attempted to address the
limitations of traditional
stethoscopes in loud environments, such as the emergency department. They
convert the
mechanical vibrations incident on the diaphragm into electronic signals that
can be readily
amplified and transmitted to the earpiece worn by the operator. However, the
human operator is
still required to interpret the audio signals to deduce physiometric
parameters such as heart rate
and respiration rate.
[0004] In contrast, ultrasound imaging equipment has been developed to
automate some
of this data collection and interpretation. For example, ultrasound imagers
can extract adult
or fetal heart rate from recorded images or Doppler ultrasound. These imagers
measure high
frequency echoes that penetrate and reflect off of tissues within a body. A
number of
strategies have been developed to modulate the frequency of the sound to
perform
tomography using these ultrasound instruments. For example, high frequencies
generate
higher resolution images at shallower depths (e.g. subcutaneous tissue, lungs,
vasculature)
and lower frequencies generate lower resolution images at deeper depths (e.g.
visceral
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organs). Ultrasound is used for a variety of diagnostic imaging purposes
including
examination and monitoring of infection, trauma, bowel obstruction, cardiac
disorder,
pregnancy staging, and fetal health. Though its versatility would make the
ultrasound a
particularly effective tool for use in point-of-care medicine, in the
developing world, in
wilderness expeditions, and in spaceflight, the typically high cost, power-
requirements, and
size of ultrasound equipment have prevented its adoption for many scenarios.
[0005] Furthermore, unlike stethoscopes, current ultrasound imagers
require substantial
training to use, yet still suffer from substantial inter-operator variability.
These limitations
have allowed ultrasound to augment, but not replace, stethoscopes.
SUMMARY
[0006] Owing to the complementary diagnostic information provided by
stethoscopes and
ultrasound systems, there is a need for systems and methods that utilize both
of these
technologies. Ideally, such systems and methods would also measure and
incorporate
information regarding physiological parameters, such as heart rate, blood
pressure, body
temperature, respiration rate, or Sp02 (saturation of hemoglobin with 02).
100071 The systems and methods described herein generally relate to
stethoscopes
providing enhanced functionality over the stethoscopes that are commonly used
by medical
professionals. An enhanced stethoscope device and method for operating the
enhanced
stethoscope are provided. The enhanced stethoscope device generally operates
by providing
stethoscope sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and other sensors to obtain a series
of measurements
about a subject. The series of measurements may be correlated, such as by
machine learning,
to extract clinically relevant information. Also described are systems and
methods for
ultrasonic bean steering by interference of an audio signal with an ultrasonic
signal.
[00081 In a first broad aspect, a stethoscope device may comprise a
stethoscope head. The
audio head may comprise a mechanical diaphragm. The mechanical diaphragm may
receive a
stethoscopic audio signal from an object. The stethoscope device may further
comprise a first
ultrasonic transducer. The first ultrasonic transducer may transmit a first
transmitted
ultrasonic imaging signal to the object at a first frequency and receive a
first received
ultrasonic imaging signal from the object at the first frequency. The
stethoscope device may
further comprise a second ultrasonic transducer. The second ultrasonic
transducer may
transmit a second transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal to the object at a
second frequency
different from the first frequency and receive a second received ultrasonic
imaging signal
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from the object at the second frequency. The first and second ultrasonic
imaging transducers
may transmit and receive simultaneously with one another.
[0009] The frequency of the first transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal
may be selected
from the group consisting of: 100 kHz, 200 kHz, 300 kHz, 400 kHz, 500 kHz, 650
kHz, 700
kHz, 800 kHz, 850 kHz, 900 kHz, 1 MHz, 2 MHz, 3 MHz, 5.5 MHz, 6 MHz, 8 MHz,
and 11
MHz. The frequency of the second transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal may be
in the
frequency range of 0.5 Mhz ¨30 MHz. The frequency of the first received
ultrasonic imaging
signal may be selected from the group consisting of: 100 kHz, 200 kHz, 300
kHz, 400 kHz,
500 kHz, 650 kHz, 700 kHz, 800 kHz, 850 kHz, 900 kHz, 1 MHz, 2 MHz, 3 MHz, 5.5
MHz,
6 MHz, 8 MHz, and 11 MHz. The frequency of the second received ultrasonic
imaging signal
may be in the frequency range of 0.5 Mhz ¨ 30 MHz. The frequency of the first
transmitted
ultrasonic imaging signal may be in the frequency range of 0.5 MHz ¨ 30 MHz
and the
frequency of the second transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal may be in the
frequency range
of 0.5 MHz ¨ 30 MHz and may be distinct from the frequency of the first
transmitted
ultrasonic imaging signal. The frequency of the first received ultrasonic
imaging signal may
be in the frequency range of 0.5 MHz ¨ 30 MHz and the frequency of the second
received
ultrasonic imaging signal may be in the frequency range of 0.5 MHz ¨ 30 MHz
and may be
distinct from the frequency of the first received ultrasonic imaging signal.
[0010] The first received ultrasonic imaging signal may be normalized by
the second
received ultrasonic imaging signal.
[0011] The first ultrasonic transducer may comprise an element selected
from the group
consisting of: a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) element, a polyvinylidine
fluoride (PVDF)
element, a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducer (PMUT) element,
and a
capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) element. The second
ultrasonic
transducer may comprise an element selected from the group consisting of: a
PZT element, a
PVDF element, a PMUT element, and a CMUT element.
[0012] The first ultrasonic transducer may have a bandwidth that
partially overlaps with
the bandwidth of at least one other ultrasonic imaging sensor.
[0013] The stethoscope device may comprise a housing coupled to one or
more of the
stethoscope head, the first ultrasonic transducer, and the second ultrasonic
transducer. One or
more of the stethoscope head, the first ultrasonic transducer, and the second
ultrasonic
transducer may be detachably coupled to the housing. One or more of the
stethoscope head,
the first ultrasonic transducer, and the second ultrasonic transducer may be
physically
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coupled to the housing. One or more of the stethoscope head, the first
ultrasonic transducer,
and the second ultrasonic transducer may be functionally coupled to the
housing.
[0014] The stethoscope device may further comprise a non-stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic
sensor for detecting a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal. The non-
stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor may be selected from the group consisting of: a non-
stethoscopic audio
sensor, a temperature sensor, an optical sensor, an electrical sensor, and an
electrochemical
sensor. The non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor may be configured to
detect a signal
originating from the group consisting of: a body temperature, a respiration
rate, a respiration
quality, a respiration pathology, a blood pressure level, a blood glucose
concentration level, a
blood gas concentration level, and a blood oxygenation saturation (sp02)
level.
100151 The stethoscope head may be functionally coupled to the first and
second
ultrasonic transducers.
[0016] The stethoscope device may comprise a battery. The stethoscope
device may
comprise a power connector for receiving electrical power. The stethoscope
device may
comprise an inductive power coil for receiving electrical power. The
stethoscope device may
comprise an inductive power coil for transmitting and receiving data.
[0017] The stethoscope device may comprise a control for operating the
device in one or
more of a stethoscopic mode, an ultrasonic imaging mode, or a non-
stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic mode. The control may comprise a user interface. The user interface
may be
configured to provide a user with feedback based on the stethoscopic signal,
the ultrasonic
signal, or the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal. The user interface may
comprise a
touchscreen device.
[0018] The stethoscope device may comprise a wireless networking
modality. The
wireless networking modality may be configured to communicate the stethoscopic
audio
signal, received ultrasonic signal, or non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal
to a peripheral
device.
[0019] The stethoscope device may comprise a microphone and speaker. The
microphone
and speaker may enable communication between an operator of the enhanced
stethoscope
device and the enhanced stethoscope device.
[0020] In a second broad aspect, a stethoscope device may comprise a
stethoscope head.
The stethoscope head may comprise a mechanical diaphragm. The mechanical
diaphragm
may receive a stethoscopic audio signal from an object. The stethoscope device
may further
comprise an ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer may transmit a
transmitted
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ultrasonic imaging signal to the object and receive a received ultrasonic
imaging signal from
the object. The stethoscope device may further comprise a non-stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic
sensor. The non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor may detect a non-
stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic signal from the object.
100211 The stethoscope device may comprise a housing coupled to the
stethoscope head,
the ultrasonic transducer, and the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor.
One or more of the
stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, and the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor
may be detachably coupled to the housing. One or more of the stethoscope head,
the
ultrasonic transducer, and the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor may be
physically
coupled to the housing. One or more of the stethoscope head, the ultrasonic
transducer, and
the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor may be functionally coupled to the
housing.
[00221 The received ultrasonic imaging signal received from the object
may be a
scattered signal of the transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal.
10023] The non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor may be selected from
the group
consisting of: a non-stethoscopic audio sensor, a temperature sensor, an
optical sensor, an
electrical sensor, a chemical sensor, and an electrochemical sensor. The non-
stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic sensor may be configured to detect a signal corresponding with
one or more
of: a body temperature, a respiration rate, a respiration volume, a
respiration quality, a
respiratory pathology, a blood pressure level, a blood glucose concentration,
a blood gas
concentration level, and a blood oxygenation saturation (sp02) level.
[0024] The ultrasonic transducer may be attached to the stethoscope head.
[00251 The stethoscope device may comprise a rechargeable or non-
rechargeable battery.
The stethoscope device may comprise a power connector for receiving electrical
power. The
stethoscope device may comprise an inductive power coil for receiving
electrical power. The
stethoscope device may comprise an inductive power coil for transmitting and
receiving data.
[0026] The stethoscope device may comprise a control for operating the
device in one or
more of a stethoscopic mode, an ultrasonic imaging mode, a non-stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic
mode. The control may comprise a user interface. The user interface may be
configured to
provide a user with feedback based on the stethoscopic signal, ultrasonic
signal, or non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal. The user interface may comprise a
display. The display
may display a 2-dimensional representation of a sample being imaged. The user
interface
may comprise a touchscreen device.
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[0027] The stethoscope device may comprise a wireless networking
modality. The
wireless networking modality may be configured to communicate the stethoscopic
audio
signal, received ultrasonic signal, or non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal
to a peripheral
device.
[0028] The stethoscope device may comprise a microphone and speaker. The
microphone
and speaker may enable communication between an operator of the enhanced
stethoscope
device and the enhanced stethoscope device.
100291 In a third broad aspect, a stethoscope device may comprise a
stethoscope head.
The stethoscope head may comprise a mechanical diaphragm. The mechanical
diaphragm
may receive a stethoscopic audio signal from an object. The stethoscope device
may further
comprise an ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer may transmit a
transmitted
ultrasonic imaging signal to the object and receive a received ultrasonic
imaging signal from
the object. The stethoscope device may further comprise a model. The model may
correlate
the stethoscopic audio signal and the received ultrasonic imaging signal.
100301 The stethoscope device may comprise a housing coupled to the
stethoscope head
and ultrasonic transducer. One or both of the stethoscope head and the
ultrasonic transducer
may be detachably coupled to the housing. One or both of the stethoscope head
and the
ultrasonic transducer may be physically coupled to the housing. One or both of
the
stethoscope head and ultrasonic transducer may be functionally coupled to the
housing.
[0031] The stethoscope device may comprise a non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor
for detecting a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal. The non-stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic
sensor may be selected from the group consisting of: a non-stethoscopic audio
sensor, a
temperature sensor, an optical sensor, an electrical sensor, a chemical sensor
and an
electrochemical sensor. The non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor may be
configured to
detect a signal corresponding with from one or more of: a body temperature, a
respiration
rate, a blood pressure level, and a blood oxygenation saturation (sp02) level.
10032] The model may correlate a first signal selected from the group
consisting of: (a) a
stethoscopic audio signal, (b) an ultrasonic imaging signal, and (c) a non-
ultrasonic signal;
with a second signal selected from the group consisting of: (x) a stethoscopic
audio signal, (y)
an ultrasonic imaging signal, and (z) a non-ultrasonic signal; thereby
generating an extracted
feature parameter.
[0033] The model may correlate the first and second signals by:
convolving the first
signal with a first weighting function to form a first weighted signal;
convolving the second
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signal with a second weighting function to form a second weighted signal; and
performing
auto-correlation or cross-correlation on the first and second weighted signals
to generate the
extracted feature parameter.
[0034] The model may correlate the first and second signals by:
transforming the first and
second signals, respectively, with one or more of (i) a Fourier transfatin,
(ii) a Z-transform,
(iii) a wavelet transform, (iv) a cosine series, (v) a sine series, or (vi) a
Taylor series; to form
first and second transformed signals, respectively; and cross-correlating or
auto-correlating
the first and second transformed signals to generate a feature parameter.
[0035] The model may correlate the first and second signals by: encoding
the first and
second signals; and mapping the first and second signals to a set of features
using a machine
learning technique. The machine learning technique may be selected from the
group
consisting of: a Diabolo network, a neural network, and a sparse dictionary.
[0036] The ultrasonic transducer may be attached to the head of the
stethoscope.
100371 The stethoscope device may comprise a rechargeable or non-
rechargeable battery.
The stethoscope device may comprise a power connector for receiving electrical
power. The
stethoscope device may comprise an inductive power coil for receiving
electrical power. The
stethoscope device may comprise an inductive power coil for transmitting and
receiving data.
10038] The stethoscope device may comprise a control for operating the
device in one or
more of a stethoscopic mode, an ultrasonic imaging mode, or a non-
stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic mode. The control may comprise a user interface. The user interface
may be
configured to provide a user with feedback based on one or more of the
stethoscopic signal,
the ultrasonic signal, or the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal. The
user interface may
comprise a touchscreen device.
100391 The stethoscope device may comprise a wireless networking
modality. The
wireless networking modality may be configured to communicate one or more of
the
stethoscopic audio signal, the received ultrasonic signal, or the non-
stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic signal to a peripheral device.
[0040] The stethoscope device may comprise a microphone and speaker. The
microphone
and speaker may enable communication between an operator of the enhanced
stethoscope
device and the enhanced stethoscope device.
[0041] In a fourth broad aspect, a stethoscope device may comprise a
stethoscope head.
The stethoscope head may comprise a mechanical diaphragm. The mechanical
diaphragm
may receive a stethoscopic audio signal from an object. The stethoscope device
may further
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comprise an ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer may transmit a
transmitted
ultrasonic imaging signal to the object and receive a received ultrasonic
imaging signal from
the object. The stethoscope device may further comprise an audio transducer.
The audio
transducer may transmit an audio signal to the object. The stethoscope device
may further
comprise an interference circuit. The interference circuit may interfere the
transmitted
ultrasonic imaging signal with the audio signal to steer the ultrasonic
imaging signal to the
object.
100421 The stethoscope device may comprise a housing coupled to one or
more of the
stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, the audio transducer, and the
interference circuit.
One or more of the stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, the audio
transducer, and the
interference circuit may be detachably coupled to the housing. One or more of
the
stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, the audio transducer, arid the
interference circuit
may be physically coupled to the housing. One or more of the stethoscope head,
the
ultrasonic transducer, the audio transducer, and the interference circuit may
be functionally
coupled to the housing.
[0043] The interference circuit may interfere the transmitted ultrasonic
imaging signal
with the audio signal based on a model of the object response to the audio
signal. The model
may correlate the ultrasonic imaging signal with the audio signal and generate
an extracted
feature parameter.
[0044] The model may correlate the ultrasonic imaging signal and the
audio signal by:
convolving the ultrasonic imaging signal with a first weighting function to
form a weighted
ultrasonic imaging signal; convolving the audio signal with a second weighting
function to
form a weighted audio signal; and performing auto-correlation or cross-
correlation on the
weighted ultrasonic imaging signal and the weight audio signal to generate a
feature
parameter.
[0045] The model may correlate the ultrasonic imaging signal and the
audio signal by:
transforming the ultrasonic imaging and audio signals, respectively, with one
or more of (i) a
Fourier transform, (ii) a Z-transform, (iii) a wavelet transform, (iv) a
cosine series, (v) a sine
series, or (vi) a Taylor series; to form transformed ultrasonic imaging and
transformed audio
signals, respectively; and cross-correlating or auto-correlating the
transformed ultrasonic
imaging signal and the transformed audio signal to generate a feature
parameter.
[0046] The model may correlate the ultrasonic imaging signal and the
audio signal by:
encoding the ultrasonic imaging signal and the audio signal; and mapping the
ultrasonic
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imaging signal and the audio signal to a set of features using a machine
learning technique.
The machine learning technique may be selected from the group consisting of: a
Diabolo
network, a neural network, and a sparse dictionary.
[0047] The stethoscope device may comprise a non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor
for detecting a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal. The non-stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic
sensor may be selected from the group consisting of: a non-stethoscopic audio
sensor, a
temperature sensor, an optical sensor, an electrical sensor, a chemical
sensor, and an
electrochemical sensor. The non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor may be
configured to
detect a signal corresponding with the group consisting of: a body
temperature, a respiration
rate, a respiration quality, a respiration pathology, a blood pressure leve],
a blood glucose
concentration level, a blood gas concentration level, and a blood oxygenation
saturation
(sp02) level.
[0048] The ultrasonic transducer may be detachably or non-detachably
attached to the
head of the stethoscope. The ultrasonic transducer may be attached to an
acoustic matching
layer. The ultrasonic transducer may be detachably or non-detachably attached
to the head of
the stethoscope.
[0049] The stethoscope device may comprise a rechargeable or non-
rechargeable battery.
The stethoscope device may comprise a power connector for receiving electrical
power. The
stethoscope device may comprise an inductive power coil for receiving
electrical power. The
stethoscope device may comprise an inductive power coil for transmitting and
receiving data.
10050] The stethoscope device may comprise a control for operating the
device in one or
more of a stethoscopic mode, an ultrasonic imaging mode, and a non-
stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic mode. The control may comprise a user interface. The user interface
may be
configured to provide a user with feedback based on one or more of the
stethoscopic signal,
the ultrasonic signal, and the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal. The
user interface may
comprise a touchscreen device.
10051] The stethoscope device may comprise a wireless networking
modality. The
wireless networking modality may be configured to communicate one or more of
the
stethoscopic audio signal, the received ultrasonic signal, and the non-
stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic signal to a peripheral device.
[0052] The stethoscope device may comprise a microphone and speaker. The
microphone
and speaker may enable communication between an operator of the enhanced
stethoscope
device and the enhanced stethoscope device.
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[0053] In a fifth broad aspect, a method may comprise receiving a
stethoscopic audio
signal from an object. The stethoscopic audio signal may be received by a
stethoscope head
comprising a mechanical diaphragm_ The method may further comprise
transmitting a first
transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal to the object at a rust frequency and
receiving a first
received ultrasonic imaging signal from the object at the first frequency. The
first ultrasonic
imaging signal may be transmitted and received by a first ultrasonic
transducer. The method
may further comprise transmitting a second transmitted ultrasonic imaging
signal to the
object at a second frequency different from the first frequency and receiving
a second
received ultrasonic imaging signal from the object at the second frequency.
The second
ultrasonic imaging signal may be transmitted and received by a second
ultrasonic transducer.
The first and second ultrasonic transducers may transmit and receive
simultaneously with one
another.
[0054] The frequency of the first transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal
may be selected
from the group consisting of: 100 kHz, 200 kHz, 300 kHz, 400 kHz, 500 kHz, 650
kHz, 700
kHz, 800 kHz, 850 kHz, 900k Hz, 1 MHz, 2 MHz, 3 MHz, 5.5 MHz, 6 MHz, 8 MHz,
and 11
MHz; and the frequency of the second transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal may
be in the
frequency range of 0.5 Mhz ¨ 30 MHz. The frequency of the first transmitted
ultrasonic
imaging signal may be selected from the group consisting of: 100 kHz, 200 kHz,
300 kHz,
400 kHz, 500 kHz, 650 kHz, 700 kHz, 800 kHz, 850 kHz, 900 kHz, 1 MHz, 2 MHz, 3
MHz,
5.5 MHz, 6 MHz, 8 MHz, and 11 MHz; and the frequency of the second transmitted
ultrasonic imaging signal may be in the frequency range of 0.5 Mhz ¨ 30 MHz.
The
frequency of the first received ultrasonic imaging signal may be selected from
the group
consisting of: 100 kHz, 200 kHz, 300 kHz, 400 kHz, 500 kHz, 650 kHz, 700 kHz,
800 kHz,
850 kHz, 900 kHz, 1 MHz, 2 MHz, 3 MHz, 5.5 MHz, 6 MHz, 8 MHz, and 11 MHz; and
the
frequency of the second received ultrasonic imaging signal may be in the
frequency range of
0.5 Mhz ¨ 30 MHz. The frequency of the first transmitted ultrasonic imaging
signal may be
in the frequency range of 0.5 MHz ¨30 MHz and the frequency of the second
transmitted
ultrasonic imaging signal may be in the frequency range of 0.5 MHz ¨ 30 MHz
and is distinct
from the frequency of the first transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal. The
frequency of the
first received ultrasonic imaging signal may be in the frequency range of 0.5
MHz ¨ 30 MHz
and the frequency of the second received ultrasonic imaging signal may be in
the frequency
range of 0.5 MHz ¨ 30 MHz and is distinct from the frequency of the first
received ultrasonic
imaging signal.
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[0055] The first received ultrasonic imaging signal may be normalized by
the second
received ultrasonic imaging signal.
[0056] The first ultrasonic transducer may comprise an element selected
from the group
consisting of: a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) element, a polyvinylidine
fluoride (PVDF)
element, a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducer (PMUT) element,
and a
capacitive micromachinect ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) element; and the second
ultrasonic
transducer may comprise an element selected from the group consisting of: a
PZT element, a
PVDF element, a PMUT element, and a CMUT element.
[0057] The first ultrasonic transducer may have a bandwidth that
partially overlaps with
the bandwidth of at least one other ultrasonic imaging sensor.
[0058] The method may further comprise coupling a housing to one or more
of the
stethoscope head, the first ultrasonic transducer, and the second ultrasonic
transducer. One or
more of the stethoscope head, the first ultrasonic transducer, and the second
ultrasonic
transducer may be detachably coupled to the housing. One or more of the
stethoscope head,
the first ultrasonic transducer, and the second ultrasonic transducer may be
physically
coupled to the housing. One or more of the stethoscope head, the first
ultrasonic transducer,
and the second ultrasonic transducer may functionally coupled to the housing.
[0059] The method may further comprise detecting a non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic
signal_ The non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal may be detected by a non-
stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic sensor. The non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor may be
selected from the
group consisting of: a non-stethoscopic audio sensor, a temperature sensor, an
optical sensor,
an electrical sensor, and an electrochemical sensor. The non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic
sensor may be configured to detect a signal originating from the group
consisting of: a body
temperature, a respiration rate, a respiration quality, a respiration
pathology, a blood pressure
level, a blood glucose concentration level, a blood gas concentration level,
and a blood
oxygenation saturation (sp02) level.
100601 The stethoscope head may be functionally coupled to the first and
second
ultrasonic transducers.
[0061] The method may further comprise providing power to the stethoscope
head, first
ultrasonic imaging transducer, and second ultrasonic imaging transducer. The
power may be
provided by a battery. The power may be provided by a power connector for
receiving
electrical power. The power may be provided by an inductive power coil for
receiving
electrical power.
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[0062] The method may further comprise transmitting and receiving data.
Transmitting
and receiving data may be performed by an inductive power coil for
transmitting and
receiving data.
[0063] The method may further comprise operating the device in one or
more of a
stethoscopic mode, an ultrasonic imaging mode, or a non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic mode.
Operation of the device may be performed by a control. The control may
comprise a user
interface. The user interface may be configured to provide a user with
feedback based on the
stethoscopic signal, the ultrasonic signal, or the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic signal. The
user interface may comprise a touchscreen device.
[0064] The method may further comprise communicating the stethoscopic
audio signal,
received ultrasonic signal, or non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal to a
peripheral device.
The communication may be by a wireless networking modality.
[0065] The method may further comprise enabling communication between an
operator
of the stethoscope device and the stethoscope device. The communication may be
enabled by
a microphone and speaker.
[0066] In a sixth broad aspect, a method may comprise receiving a
stethoscopic audio
signal from an object. The stethoscopic audio signal may be received by a
stethoscope
comprising a mechanical diaphragm. The method may further comprise
transmitting a
transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal to the object and receiving a received
ultrasonic
imaging signal from the object. The ultrasonic imaging signal may be
transmitted and
received by an ultrasonic transducer. The method may further comprise
detecting a non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal from the object. The non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic
signal may be detected by a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor.
100671 The method may further comprise coupling a housing to the
stethoscope head, the
ultrasonic transducer, and the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor. One or
more of the
stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, and the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor
may be detachably coupled to the housing. One or more of the stethoscope head,
the
ultrasonic transducer, and the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor may be
physically
coupled to the housing. One or more of the stethoscope head, the ultrasonic
transducer, and
the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor may be functionally coupled to the
housing.
[0068] The received ultrasonic imaging signal received from the object
may be a
scattered signal of the transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal.
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[0069] The non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor may be selected from
the group
consisting of: a non-stethoscopic audio sensor, a temperature sensor, an
optical sensor, an
electrical sensor, a chemical sensor, and an electrochemical sensor. The non-
stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic sensor may be configured to detect a signal corresponding with
one or more
of: a body temperature, a respiration rate, a respiration volume, a
respiration quality, a
respiratory pathology, a blood pressure level, a blood glucose concentration,
a blood gas
concentration level, and a blood oxygenation saturation (sp02) level.
100701 The ultrasonic transducer may be attached to the stethoscope head.
[0071] The method may further comprise providing power to the stethoscope
head, first
ultrasonic imaging transducer, and second ultrasonic imaging transducer. The
power may be
provided by a battery. The power may be provided by a power connector for
receiving
electrical power. The power may be provided by an inductive power coil for
receiving
electrical power.
[0072] The method may further comprise transmitting and receiving data.
Transmitting
and receiving data may be performed by an inductive power coil for
transmitting and
receiving data.
[0073] The method may further comprise operating the device in one or
more of a
stethoscopic mode, an ultrasonic imaging mode, or a non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic mode.
Operation of the device may be performed by a control. The control may
comprise a user
interface. The user interface may be configured to provide a user with
feedback based on the
stethoscopic signal, the ultrasonic signal, or the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic signal. The
user interface may comprise a touchscreen device.
[0074] The method may further comprise communicating the stethoscopic
audio signal,
received ultrasonic signal, or non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal to a
peripheral device.
The communication may be by a wireless networking modality.
[0075] The method may further comprise enabling communication between an
operator
of the stethoscope device and the stethoscope device. The communication may be
enabled by
a microphone and speaker.
[0076] In a seventh broad aspect, a method may comprise receiving a
stethoscopic audio
signal from an object. The stethoscopic audio signal may be received by a
stethoscope
comprising a mechanical diaphragm. The method may further comprise
transmitting a
transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal to the object and receiving a received
ultrasonic
imaging signal from the object. The ultrasonic imaging signal may be
transmitted and
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received by a ultrasonic transducer. The method may further comprise
correlating the
stethoscopic audio signal and the received ultrasonic imaging signal. The
stethoscopic audio
signal and received ultrasonic imaging signal may be correlated by a model.
[0077] The method may further comprise coupling a housing to the
stethoscope head and
ultrasonic transducer. One or both of the stethoscope head and the ultrasonic
transducer may
be detachably coupled to the housing. One or both of the stethoscope head and
the ultrasonic
transducer may be physically coupled to the housing. One or both of the
stethoscope head and
ultrasonic transducer may be functionally coupled to the housing.
[0078] The method may further comprise detecting a non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic
signal. The non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal may be detected by a non-
stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic sensor. The non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor may be
selected from the
group consisting of: a non-stethoscopic audio sensor, a temperature sensor, an
optical sensor,
an electrical sensor, a chemical sensor and an electrochemical sensor. The non-
stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic sensor may be configured to detect a signal corresponding with
from one or
more of: a body temperature, a respiration rate, a blood pressure level, and a
blood
oxygenation saturation (sp02) level.
[0079] The model may correlate a first signal selected from the group
consisting of: (a) a
stethoscopic audio signal, (b) an ultrasonic imaging signal, and (c) a non-
ultrasonic signal;
with a second signal selected from the group consisting of: (x) a stethoscopic
audio signal, (y)
an ultrasonic imaging signal, and (z) a non-ultrasonic signal; thereby
generating an extracted
feature parameter.
[0080] The model may correlate the first and second signals by:
convolving the first
signal with a first weighting function to form a first weighted signal;
convolving the second
signal with a second weighting function to form a second weighted signal; and
performing
auto-correlation or cross-correlation on the first and second weighted signals
to generate the
extracted feature parameter.
10081] The model may correlate the first and second signals by: transfoi
ming the first and
second signals, respectively, with one or more of (i) a Fourier transform,
(ii) a Z-transform,
(iii) a wavelet transform, (iv) a cosine series, (v) a sine series, or (vi) a
Taylor series; to form
first and second transformed signals, respectively; and cross-correlating or
auto-correlating
the first and second transformed signals to generate a feature parameter.
[0082] The model may correlate the first and second signals by: encoding
the first and
second signals; and mapping the first and second signals to a set of features
using a machine
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learning technique. The machine learning technique may be selected from the
group
consisting of: a Diabolo network, a neural network, and a sparse dictionary.
[0083] The ultrasonic transducer may be attached to the head of the
stethoscope.
[0084] The method may further comprise providing power to the stethoscope
head, first
ultrasonic imaging transducer, and second ultrasonic imaging transducer. The
power may be
provided by a battery. The power may be provided by a power connector for
receiving
electrical power. The power may be provided by an inductive power coil for
receiving
electrical power.
[0085] The method may further comprise transmitting and receiving data.
Transmitting
and receiving data may be performed by an inductive power coil for
transmitting and
receiving data.
[0086] The method may further comprise operating the device in one or
more of a
stethoscopic mode, an ultrasonic imaging mode, or a non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic mode.
Operation of the device may be performed by a control. The control may
comprise a user
interface. The user interface may be configured to provide a user with
feedback based on the
stethoscopic signal, the ultrasonic signal, or the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic signal. The
user interface may comprise a touchscreen device.
100871 The method may further comprise communicating the stethoscopic
audio signal,
received ultrasonic signal, or non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal to a
peripheral device.
The communication may be by a wireless networking modality.
10088] The method may further comprise enabling communication between an
operator
of the stethoscope device and the stethoscope device. The communication may be
enabled by
a microphone and speaker.
100891 In an eighth broad aspect, a method may comprise receiving a
stethoscopic audio
signal from an object. The stethoscopic audio signal may be received by a
stethoscope
comprising a mechanical diaphragm. The method may further comprise
transmitting a
transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal to the object and receiving a received
ultrasonic
imaging signal from the object. The ultrasonic imaging signal may be
transmitted and
received by an ultrasonic transducer. The method may further comprise
transmitting an audio
signal to the object. The audio signal may be transmitted by an audio
transducer. The method
may further comprise interfering the transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal
with the audio
signal to steer the ultrasonic imaging signal to the object. The transmitted
ultrasonic imaging
signal may be interfered with the audio signal by an interference circuit.
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[0090] The method may further comprise coupling a housing to one or more
of the
stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, the audio transducer, and the
interference circuit.
One or more of the stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, the audio
transducer, and the
interference circuit may be detachably coupled to the housing. One or more of
the
stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, the audio transducer, and the
interference circuit
may be physically coupled to the housing. One or more of the stethoscope head,
the
ultrasonic transducer, the audio transducer, and the interference circuit may
be functionally
coupled to the housing.
[0091] The interference circuit may interfere the transmitted ultrasonic
imaging signal
with the audio signal based on a model of the object response to the audio
signal. The model
may correlate the ultrasonic imaging signal with the audio signal and
generates an extracted
feature parameter.
[0092] The model may correlate the ultrasonic imaging signal and the
audio signal by:
convolving the ultrasonic imaging signal with a first weighting function to
form a weighted
ultrasonic imaging signal; convolving the audio signal with a second weighting
function to
form a weighted audio signal; and performing auto-correlation or cross-
correlation on the
weighted ultrasonic imaging signal and the weight audio signal to generate a
feature
parameter.
[0093] The model may correlate the ultrasonic imaging signal and the
audio signal by:
transforming the ultrasonic imaging and audio signals, respectively, with one
or more of (i) a
Fourier transform, (ii) a Z-transform, (iii) a wavelet transform, (iv) a
cosine series, (v) a sine
series, or (vi) a Taylor series; to form transformed ultrasonic imaging and
transformed audio
signals, respectively; and cross-correlating or auto-correlating the
transformed ultrasonic
imaging signal and the transformed audio signal to generate a feature
parameter. The model
may correlate the ultrasonic imaging signal and the audio signal by: encoding
the ultrasonic
imaging signal and the audio signal; and mapping the ultrasonic imaging signal
and the audio
signal to a set of features using a machine learning technique. The machine
learning
technique may be selected from the group consisting of: a Diabolo network, a
neural network,
and a sparse dictionary.
The method may further comprise detecting a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic
signal. The
non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal may be detected by a non-stethoscopic,
non-
ultrasonic sensor. The non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor may be selected
from the
group consisting of: a non-stethoscopic audio sensor, a temperature sensor, an
optical sensor,
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an electrical sensor, a chemical sensor, and an electrochemical sensor. The
non-stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic sensor may be configured to detect a signal corresponding with
the group
consisting of: a body temperature, a respiration rate, a respiration quality,
a respiration
pathology, a blood pressure level, a blood glucose concentration level, a
blood gas
concentration level, and a blood oxygenation saturation (sp02) level.
[0094] The ultrasonic transducer may be detachably or non-detachably
attached to the
head of the stethoscope. The ultrasonic transducer may be attached to an
acoustic matching
layer.
[0095] The method may further comprise providing power to the
stethoscope head, first
ultrasonic imaging transducer, and second ultrasonic imaging transducer. The
power may be
provided by a battery. The power may be provided by a power connector for
receiving
electrical power. The power may be provided by an inductive power coil for
receiving
electrical power.
[0096] The method may further comprise transmitting and receiving
data. Transmitting
and receiving data may be performed by an inductive power coil for
transmitting and
receiving data.
[0097] The method may further comprise operating the device in one or
more of a
stethoscopic mode, an ultrasonic imaging mode, or a non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic mode.
Operation of the device may be performed by a control. The control may
comprise a user
interface. The user interface may be configured to provide a user with
feedback based on the
stethoscopic signal, the ultrasonic signal, or the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic signal. The
user interface may comprise a touchscreen device.
[0098] The method may further comprise communicating the stethoscopic
audio signal,
received ultrasonic signal, or non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal to a
peripheral device.
The communication may be by a wireless networking modality.
[0099] The method may further comprise enabling communication between
an operator of
the stethoscope device and the stethoscope device. The communication may be
enabled by a
microphone and speaker.
[00100] In yet another aspect, there is provided a stethoscope device
comprising: a
stethoscope head comprising a mechanical diaphragm for receiving a
stethoscopic audio signal
from an object; a first ultrasonic transducer for transmitting a first
transmitted ultrasonic
imaging signal to the object at a first frequency and receiving a first
received ultrasonic imaging
signal from the object at the first frequency; and a second ultrasonic
transducer for transmitting
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a second transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal to the object at a second
frequency different
from the first frequency and receiving a second received ultrasonic imaging
signal from the
object at the second frequency; wherein the first and second ultrasonic
transducers transmit and
receive simultaneously with one another.
100100a1 In yet another aspect, there is provided a method comprising: using a
stethoscope
head comprising a mechanical diaphragm to receive a stethoscopic audio signal
from an object;
using a first ultrasonic transducer to transmit a first transmitted ultrasonic
imaging signal to the
object at a first frequency and receiving a first received ultrasonic imaging
signal from the
object at the first frequency; and using a second ultrasonic transducer to
transmit a second
transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal to the object at a second frequency
different from the first
frequency and receiving a second received ultrasonic imaging signal from the
object at the
second frequency; wherein the first received ultrasonic imaging signal is
normalized by the
second received ultrasonic imaging signal; wherein the stethoscope head and
the first and
second ultrasonic transducers comprise a single stethoscope device, and
wherein the first and
second ultrasonic transducers transmit and receive simultaneously with one
another.
[0010014 In yet another aspect, there is provided a blood pressure measurement
device
comprising: an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting a transmitted ultrasonic
imaging signal to
a blood vessel and receiving a received ultrasonic imaging signal from the
blood vessel; and an
audio transducer for transmitting an audio signal to the blood vessel, wherein
the audio signal is
configured to interfere with the received ultrasonic imaging signal based on a
model of the
blood vessel response to the audio signal, and wherein the model correlates
the received
ultrasonic imaging signal with the audio signal to generate a blood pressure
measurement.
[00100e] In yet another aspect, there is provided a blood pressure measurement
device
comprising: at least one ultrasonic transducer for transmitting a transmitted
ultrasonic imaging
signal to a blood vessel and receiving a received ultrasonic imaging signal
from the blood
vessel; and an optic sensor directed toward the blood vessel.
[00100d] In yet another aspect, there is provided method of non-destructive
testing of
infrastructure, comprising: emitting a transmitted audio signal from an audio
transducer toward
an object; receiving a reflected audio signal from the object with a non-
stethoscopic audio
sensor; and comparing the transmitted audio signal to the reflected audio
signal.
[00101] Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will
become readily
apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description,
wherein only
illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described. As
will be realized,
the present disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments, and its
several details are
capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing
from
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the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded
as illustrative in
nature, and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00102] The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity
in the appended
claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present
invention will be
obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth
illustrative
embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the
accompanying
drawings (also "Figure" and "FIG." herein), of which:
[00103] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a stethoscope device comprising a
stethoscope
head.
[00104] Figure 2A schematically illustrates a stethoscope head comprising a
mechanical
diaphragm and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers.
[00105] Figure 2B schematically illustrates simultaneous actuation of the
plurality of
ultrasonic transducers.
[00106] Figure 3A schematically illustrates actuation of a first ultrasonic
transducer of the
plurality of ultrasonic transducers at a first time point.
[00107] Figure 3B schematically illustrates actuation of a second ultrasonic
transducer of the
plurality of ultrasonic transducers at a second time point.
[00108] Figure 3C schematically illustrates actuation of a third ultrasonic
transducer of the
plurality of ultrasonic transducers at a third time point.
[00109] Figure 3D schematically illustrates actuation of a fourth ultrasonic
transducer of the
plurality of ultrasonic transducers at a fourth time point.
[00110] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a method of forming ultrasonic
images from a
plurality of ultrasonic transducers. ___________________________
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[00111] Figure 5A schematically illustrates a side view of a stethoscope head
comprising a
mechanical diaphragm, a plurality of ultrasound transducers, and a plurality
of non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensors.
[00112] Figure 5B schematically illustrates a perspective view of a
stethoscope head
comprising a mechanical diaphragm, a plurality of ultrasound transducers, and
a plurality of
non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensors.
[00113] Figure 6A schematically illustrates a top view of a stethoscope head
comprising a
body, an impedance matching substrate, and a user interface.
[00114] Figure 6B schematically illustrates a side view of a stethoscope head
comprising a
body, an impedance matching substrate, and a user interface.
[00115] Figure 6C schematically illustrates a bottom view of a stethoscope
head
comprising a body, an impedance matching substrate, and a user interface.
[00116] Figure 7 schematically illustrates use of a stethoscope head
comprising a user
interface in an interactive imaging mode.
1001171 Figure 8 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a machine learning
system
comprising a pre-processing module and a machine learning module.
[00118] Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary multi-layer autoencoder configured
to convert a
set of pre-processed physiological information from the pre-processing module
into minimal
physiological data.
[00119] Figure 10 illustrates a flowchart representing a process by which
minimal
physiological data may be extracted from the input to an autoencoder.
[00120] Figure 11 schematically illustrates a method for extracting features
from a
stethoscopic audio signal obtained by a mechanical diaphragm, an ultrasonic
signal obtained
by an ultrasonic transducer, and one or more non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic
signals
obtained by a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor.
[00121] Figure 12 shows how information from the stethoscope device may be
transmitted
to information systems.
[00122] Figure 13 shows how information from the stethoscope device may be
utilized by
different individuals or institutions.
100123] Figure 14 shows an exemplary digital processing device programmed or
otherwise
configured to operate the stethoscope devices and methods described herein.
[00124] Figure 15 depicts the use of an enhanced stethoscope device for
monitoring blood
pressure.
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[00125] Figure 16 illustrates a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) correlation
for
determining a physiometric parameter associated with ultrasonic and optical
measurement of
a blood bolus.
[00126] Figure 17 illustrates a method for receiving a stethoscopic audio
signal,
simultaneously transmitting first and second ultrasonic imaging signals, and
receiving first
and second ultrasonic imaging signals.
[00127] Figure 18 illustrates a method for receiving a stethoscopic audio
signal,
transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic imaging signal, and detecting a non-
stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic imaging signal.
[00128] Figure 19 illustrates a method for receiving a stethoscopic audio
signal,
transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic imaging signal, and correlating the
stethoscopic
audio signal and the ultrasonic imaging signal.
[00129] Figure 20 illustrates a method for receiving a stethoscopic audio
signal,
transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic imaging signal, transmitting an audio
signal, and
interfering the transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal and the audio signal to
steer the
ultrasonic imaging signal.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00130] While various embodiments of the invention are shown and described
herein, it
will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided
by way of
example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions may occur to
those skilled in
the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that
various alternatives
to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed.
[00131] Where values are described as ranges, it will be understood that such
disclosure
includes the disclosure of all possible sub-ranges within such ranges, as well
as specific
numerical values that fall within such ranges irrespective of whether a
specific numerical
value or specific sub-range is expressly stated.
[00132] As used herein, like characters refer to like elements.
[001331 The term "subject," as used herein, generally refers to an animal,
such as a
mammalian species (e.g., human) or avian (e.g., bird) species, or other
organism, such as a
plant. The subject can be a vertebrate, a mammal, a mouse, a primate, a simian
or a human.
Animals may include, but are not limited to, farm animals, sport animals, and
pets. A subject
can be a healthy or asymptomatic individual, an individual that has or is
suspected of having
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a disease (e.g., cancer) or a pre-disposition to the disease, or an individual
that is in need of
therapy or suspected of needing therapy. A subject can be a patient.
[00134] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used
herein have the
same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which the
claimed
subject matter belongs. It is to be understood that the foregoing general
description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not
restrictive of
any subject matter claimed. In this application, the use of the singular
includes the plural
unless specifically stated otherwise. It must be noted that, as used in the
specification and the
appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural
referents unless the
context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, the use of "or" means
"and/or" unless
stated otherwise. Furthermore, use of the term "including" as well as other
forms, such as
"include", "includes," and "included," is not limiting.
[00135] The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes
only and are not
to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.
1001361 FIG. I schematically illustrates a stethoscope device comprising a
stethoscope
head. The stethoscope device 100 may comprise a head 110, tubing 120, and one
or two ear
pieces 130. The head may comprise a mechanical diaphragm, as described herein.
The
mechanical diaphragm may be configured to mechanically amplify audio signals.
For
instance, the mechanical diaphragm may amplify audio signals that have a
frequency within a
range from about 0.01 Hz to about 3 kHz. The head may be placed in contact
with or in
proximity to a sample to be examined, such as a patient's chest, stomach, limb
such as an arm
or leg, or any other body part of the patient. The mechanical diaphragm may
amplify audio
signals associated with one or more biological processes occurring within the
patient. For
instance, the mechanical diaphragm may amplify audio signals associated with a
patient's
heartbeat, breathing, blood flow, digestion, or any other biological process
that produces
audio signals. The head may further comprise one or more non-stethoscopic
audio sensors, as
described herein.
[00137] The tubing may direct audio signals that are amplified by the
mechanical
diaphragm of the head to the one or two ear pieces. The tubing may comprise
hollow tubing.
The hollow tubing may be filled with air. The tubing may be flexible.
[00138] The one or two ear pieces may be worn within one or two ears of a user
of the
stethoscope device. A user may be a doctor, nurse, emergency medical
technician, field
medic, or any other medical professional. In some cases, a user may be a
person without
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formal medical training, such as a friend or relative of a patient or a
patient himself or herself.
The one or two ear pieces may direct amplified audio signals from the
mechanical diaphragm
to one or two ears of the user. In this manner, the user may listen directly
to the audio signals
captured and amplified by the mechanical diaphragm.
[00139] FIG. 2A schematically illustrates a stethoscope head 110 comprising a
mechanical
diaphragm 200 and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 210A-D. The mechanical
diaphragm
may be implemented on a surface of the stethoscope head or within the
stethoscope head. The
plurality of ultrasonic transducers may be implemented on a surface of the
stethoscope head
or within the stethoscope head. Though depicted as four ultrasonic transducers
in FIG. 2A,
the plurality of ultrasonic transducers may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, 12, 13, 14,
15, 16, or more than 16 ultrasonic transducers. Each ultrasonic transducer of
the plurality of
ultrasonic transducers may be a lead zirconate titante (PZT) transducer, a
polyvinylidine
fluoride (PVD) transducer, a piezoelectric micromachine ultrasound transducer
(PMUT), or a
capacitive micromachine ultrasonic transducer (PMUT), or any other ultrasonic
transducer.
Each ultrasonic transducer of the plurality may be of the same type. One or
more ultrasonic
transducer of the plurality may be of a different type than other ultrasonic
transducer of the
plurality.
[00140] The stethoscope device may further comprise a housing (not shown in
FIG. 1 or
FIG. 2A). The housing may be coupled to one or more of the stethoscope head,
the first
ultrasonic transducer, and the second ultrasonic transducer. The housing may
be detachably
coupled to one or more of the stethoscope head, the first ultrasonic
transducer, and the second
ultrasonic transducer. The housing may be physically coupled to one or more of
the
stethoscope head, the first ultrasonic transducer, and the second ultrasonic
transducer. The
housing may be functionally coupled to one or more of the stethoscope head,
the first
ultrasonic transducer, and the second ultrasonic transducer.
[00141] Each ultrasonic transducer of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers
may be
configured to transmit a transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal to an object.
Each ultrasonic
transducer of the plurality may be configured to transmit a transmitted
ultrasonic imaging
signal having a frequency of about 100 kHz, about 200 kHz, about 300 kHz,
about 400 kHz,
about 500 kHz, about 650 kHz, about 700 kHz, about 800 kHz, about 850 kHz,
about 900
kHz, about 1 MHz, about 2 MHz, about 3 MHz, about 5.5 MHz, about 6 MHz, about
8 MHz,
about 11 MHz, about 15 MHz, about 20 MHz, about 25 MHz, or about 30 MHz. Each
ultrasonic transducer of the plurality may be configured to transmit a
transmitted ultrasonic
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imaging signal having a frequency that is within a range defmekl by any two of
the preceding
values.
[00142] Each ultrasonic transducer of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers
may be
configured to receive a received ultrasonic imaging signal from an object.
Each ultrasonic
transducer of the plurality may be configured to receive a received ultrasonic
imaging signal
having a frequency of about 100 kHz, about 200 kHz, about 300 kHz, about 400
kHz, about
500 kHz, about 650 kHz, about 700 kHz, about 800 kHz, about 850 kHz, about 900
kHz,
about 1 MHz, about 2 MHz, about 3 MHz, about 5.5 MHz, about 6 MHz, about 8
MHz,
about 11 MHz, about 15 MHz, about 20 MHz, about 25 MHz, or about 30 MHz. Each
ultrasonic transducer of the plurality may be configured to receive a received
ultrasonic
imaging signal having a frequency that is within a range defined by any two of
the preceding
values.
[00143] Each ultrasonic transducer of the plurality may be configured both
to transmit and
to receive. Each ultrasonic transducer of the plurality may be configured to
transmit
transmitted ultrasonic imaging signals or receive received ultrasonic imaging
signals at a
frequency that is the same as one or more of the frequencies transmitted or
received by other
ultrasonic transducer of the plurality. Each ultrasonic transducer of the
plurality may be
configured to transmit transmitted ultrasonic imaging signals or receive
received ultrasonic
imaging signals at a frequency that is different from all of frequencies
transmitted or received
by all other ultrasonic transducer of the plurality. Each of the ultrasonic
transducer of the
plurality may be configured to transmit or receive at the same time as one or
more other
ultrasonic transducer of the plurality.
[00144] For instance, a first transmitted imaging signal of a first ultrasonic
transducer of
the plurality may have a frequency of about 100 kHz, about 200 kHz, about 300
kHz, about
400 kHz, about 500 kHz, about 650 kHz, about 700 kHz, about 800 kHz, about 850
kHz,
about 900 kHz, about 1 MHz, about 2 MHz, about 3 MHz, about 5.5 MHz, about 6
MHz,
about 8 MHz, or about 11 MHz. A second transmitted imaging signal of a second
ultrasonic
transducer of the plurality may have a frequency that is in a range from about
0.5 MHz to
about 30 MHz. A first received imaging signal of a first ultrasonic transducer
of the plurality
may have a frequency of about 100 kHz, about 200 kHz, about 300 kHz, about 400
kHz,
about 500 kHz, about 650 kHz, about 700 kHz, about 800 kHz, about 850 kHz,
about 900
kHz, about 1 MHz, about 2 MHz, about 3 MHz, about 5.5 MHz, about 6 MHz, about
8 MHz,
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or about 11 MHz. A second received imaging signal of a second ultrasonic
transducer of the
plurality may have a frequency that is in a range from about 0.5 MHz to about
30 MHz.
[00145] In another example, a first transmitted imaging signal of a first
ultrasonic
transducer of the plurality may have a frequency that is in a range from about
0.5 MHz to
about 30 MHz. A second transmitted imaging signal of a second ultrasonic
transducer of the
plurality may have a frequency that is in a range from about 0.5 MHz to about
30 MHz, but
that is different from the frequency of the first transmitted imaging signal.
A first received
imaging signal of a first ultrasonic transducer of the plurality may have a
frequency that is in
a range from about 0.5 MHz to about 30 MHz. A second received imaging signal
of a second
ultrasonic transducer of the plurality may have a frequency that is in a range
from about 0.5
MHz to about 30 MHz, but that is different from the frequency of the first
received imaging
signal
[00146] A third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth,
eleventh, twelfth,
thirteenthõ fourteenth, fifteenth, or sixteenth transmitted imaging signal of
a third, fourth,
fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenthõ
fourteenth, fifteenth,
or sixteenth ultrasonic transducer, respectively, may have a frequency that is
about 100 kHz,
about 200 kHz, about 300 kHz, about 400 kHz, about 500 kHz, about 650 kHz,
about 700
kHz, about 800 kHz, about 850 kHz, about 900 kHz, about 1 MHz, about 2 MHz,
about 3
MHz, about 5.5 MHz, about 6 MHz, about 8 MHz, or about 11 MHz. The third,
fourth, fifth,
sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenthõ
fourteenth, fifteenth, or
sixteenth transmitted imaging signal may have a frequency that is within a
range described by
any two of the preceding values. The third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh,
eighth, ninth, tenth,
eleventh, twelfth, thirteenthõ fourteenth, fifteenth, or sixteenth transmitted
imaging signal
may have a value that is in a range from about 0.5 MHz to about 30 MHz. The
third, fourth,
fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenthõ
fourteenth, fifteenth,
or sixteenth transmitted imaging signal may have a frequency that is different
from one or
more of the frequencies of the first and second transmitted imaging signals.
[00147] A third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth,
eleventh, twelfth,
thirteenthõ fourteenth, fifteenth, or sixteenth received imaging signal of a
third, fourth, fifth,
sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenthõ
fourteenth, fifteenth, or
sixteenth ultrasonic transducer, respectively, may have a frequency that is
about 100 kHz,
about 200 kHz, about 300 kHz, about 400 kHz, about 500 kHz, about 650 kHz,
about 700
kHz, about 800 kHz, about 850 kHz, about 900 kHz, about 1 MHz, about 2 MHz,
about 3
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MHz, about 5.5 MHz, about 6 MHz, about 8 MHz, or about 11 MHz. The third,
fourth, fifth,
sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenthõ
fourteenth, fifteenth, or
sixteenth received imaging signal may have a frequency that is within a range
described by
any two of the preceding values. The third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh,
eighth, ninth, tenth,
eleventh, twelfth, thirteenthõ fourteenth, fifteenth, or sixteenth received
imaging signal may
have a value that is in a range from about 0.5 MHz to about 30 MHz. The third,
fourth, fifth,
sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth,
fourteenth, fifteenth, or
sixteenth received imaging signal may have a frequency that is different from
one or more of
the frequencies of the first and second transmitted imaging signals.
[00148] Each ultrasonic transducer of the plurality of transducers may
transmit transmitted
ultrasonic imaging signals or receive received ultrasonic imaging signals
within a bandwidth.
The first ultrasonic transducer may have a first bandwidth and the second
ultrasonic
transducer may have a second bandwidth. The first bandwidth and the second
bandwidth may
overlap. The first bandwidth and the second bandwidth may partially overlap.
The first
bandwidth and the second bandwidth may not overlap. Similarly, the third,
fourth, fifth, sixth,
seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenthõ fourteenth,
fifteenth, or sixteenth
ultrasonic transducers may have third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth,
ninth, tenth,
eleventh, twelfth, thirteenthõ fourteenth, fifteenth, or sixteenth bandwidths,
respectively.
Any one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth,
ninth, tenth, eleventh,
twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, or sixteenth bandwidths may
overlap one another.
Any one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth,
ninth, tenth, eleventh,
twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, or sixteenth bandwidths may
partially overlap one
another. Any one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh,
eighth, ninth, tenth,
eleventh, twelfth, thirteenthõ fourteenth, fifteenth, or sixteenth bandwidths
may not overlap
one another.
[00149] The received imaging signals may be subjected to pre-processing
operations. For
instance, a first received imaging signal may form a basis for normalizing
other received
imaging signals. A second received imaging signal may be normalized by the
first received
imaging signal. A third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth,
eleventh, twelfth,
thirteenthõ fourteenth, fifteenth, or sixteenth received imaging signal may be
normalized by
the first received imaging signal.
[00150] FIG. 2B schematically illustrates simultaneous actuation of the
plurality of
ultrasonic transducers. The stethoscope device may comprise a transmit (Tx)
generator 220.
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The Tx generator may be a Tx beamformer. The Tx generator may be configured to
operate
any one of ultrasonic transducers 210A-D to transmit a first, second, third,
or fourth
transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal, respectively. The Tx generator may
operate any two or
more of the first, second, third, or fourth ultrasonic imaging transducers
simultaneously. The
stethoscope device may further comprise an image synthesis module 230. The
image
synthesis module may comprise a receive (Rx) beamformer. The Rx beamformer may
be
configured to operate any one of ultrasonic transducers 210A-D to receive a
first, second,
third, or fourth received ultrasonic imaging signal, respectively. The image
synthesis module
may subject the received ultrasonic imaging signals to an ultrasonic image
reconstruction
operation. For instance, the image synthesis module may subject the received
ultrasonic
imaging signals to a delay and sum operation. The image synthesis module may
subject the
received ultrasonic imaging signals to any ultrasonic image reconstruction
operation. Though
shown as operating four ultrasonic imaging transducers in FIG. 2B, the Tx
generator may be
configured to operate fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh,
twelfth, thirteenth,
fourteenth, fifteenth, or sixteenth ultrasonic transducers to transmit fifth,
sixth, seventh,
eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, or
sixteenth transmitted
ultrasonic imaging signals, respectively. The Tx generator may operate any two
or more of
the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth,
eleventh, twelfth,
thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, or sixteenth ultrasonic imaging transducers
simultaneously.
Similar, the Rx beamformer may be configured to operate fifth, sixth, seventh,
eighth, ninth,
tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, or sixteenth
ultrasonic transducers to
transmit fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth,
thirteenth, fourteenth,
fifteenth, or sixteenth transmitted ultrasonic imaging signals, respectively.
1001511 The Tx generator may be configured to operate any one of the first,
second, third,
fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth,
thirteenth, fourteenth,
fifteenth, or sixteenth ultrasonic transducers to transmit in sequence. FIG. 3
shows operation
of the ultrasonic transducers in sequence. As depicted in FIG. 3, an
ultrasonic transducer that
is transmitting a transmitted ultrasonic signal at a given time is indicated
by a solid box. An
ultrasonic transducer that is not transmitting at a given time is indicated by
a dashed box.
100152] FIG. 3A schematically illustrates actuation of a first ultrasonic
transducer of the
plurality of ultrasonic transducers at a first time point. During the first
point in time,
ultrasonic imaging transducer 210A may transmit a first transmitted ultrasonic
imaging
signal. During the first point in time, ultrasonic imaging transducers 210B,
210C, and 210D
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may not transmit. During the first point in time, ultrasonic imaging
transducers 210B, 210C,
and 210D may be operated in a receive mode, so as to receive second, third,
and fourth
received ultrasonic imaging signals, respectively.
[00153] Figure 3B schematically illustrates actuation of a second ultrasonic
transducer of
the plurality of ultrasonic transducers at a second time point. The second
point in time may be
different from the first point in time. During the second point in time,
ultrasonic imaging
transducer 210B may transmit a second transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal.
During the
second point in time, ultrasonic imaging transducers 210A, 210C, and 210D may
not
transmit. During the second point in time, ultrasonic imaging transducers
210A, 210C, and
210D may be operated in a receive mode, so as to receive first, second, and
fourth received
ultrasonic imaging signals, respectively.
[00154] Figure 3C schematically illustrates actuation of a third ultrasonic
transducer of the
plurality of ultrasonic transducers at a third time point. The third point in
time may be
different from the first point in time and the second point in time. During
the third point in
time, ultrasonic imaging transducer 210C may transmit a third transmitted
ultrasonic imaging
signal. During the third point in time, ultrasonic imaging transducers 210A,
210B, and 210D
may not transmit. During the third point in time, ultrasonic imaging
transducers 210A, 210B,
and 210D may be operated in a receive mode, so as to receive first, second,
and fourth
received ultrasonic imaging signals, respectively.
[00155] Figure 3D schematically illustrates actuation of a fourth ultrasonic
transducer of
the plurality of ultrasonic transducers at a fourth time point. The fourth
point in time may be
different from the first point in time, the second point in time, and the
third point in time.
During the fourth point in time, ultrasonic imaging transducer 210D may
transmit a fourth
transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal. During the fourth point in time,
ultrasonic imaging
transducers 210A, 210B, and 210C may not transmit. During the fourth point in
time,
ultrasonic imaging transducers 210A, 210B, and 210C may be operated in a
receive mode, so
as to receive first, second, and third received ultrasonic imaging signals,
respectively.
[00156] The ultrasonic imaging transducers may be operated in any order. For
instance,
any one of ultrasonic imaging transducers 210B, 210C, and 210D may be operated
in a
transmit mode at the first point in time while the other ultrasonic imaging
transducers are
operated in a receive mode at the first point in time. Any one of ultrasonic
imaging
transducers 210A, 210C, and 210D may be operated in a transmit mode at the
second point in
time while the other ultrasonic imaging transducers are operated in a receive
mode at the
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second point in time. Any one of ultrasonic imaging transducers 210A, 210B,
and 210D may
be operated in a transmit mode at the third point in time while the other
ultrasonic imaging
transducers are operated in a receive mode at the third point in time. Any one
of ultrasonic
imaging transducers 210A, 210B, and 210C may be operated in a transmit mode at
the fourth
point in time while the other ultrasonic imaging transducers are operated in a
receive mode at
the fourth point in time.
[00157] Any two of the ultrasonic imaging transducers may be operated in a
transmit
mode at any given point in time while any other two of the ultrasonic imaging
transducers are
operated in a receive mode at that point in time. Any three of the ultrasonic
imaging
transducers may be operated in a transmit mode at any given point in time
while the other
ultrasonic imaging transduces is operated in a receive mode at that point in
time.
[00158] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a method of forming ultrasonic images
from a
plurality of ultrasonic transducers. The method may utilize measurements from
a plurality of
ultrasonic imaging sensors. The method may utilize single-pixel and multi-
pixel image
processing techniques. In the single-pixel case, an n-th ultrasonic imaging
measurement
(where n is a positive integer) may be input to a signal processing unit. The
signal processing
unit may apply any ultrasonic signal processing procedure to the n-th
ultrasonic imaging
measurement. The signal processing unit may output a signal processed
measurement to an
image processing unit and to a single-pixel feature extraction unit. The image
processing unit
may apply any ultrasonic image processing procedure. The single-pixel feature
extraction
unit may apply any ultrasonic single-pixel feature extraction procedure. The
single-pixel
feature extraction unit may output an extracted feature to an operator.
[00159] In the multi-pixel case, an m-th and an (m+1)-th (where m and m+1 are
positive
integers) ultrasonic imaging measurement may be input to a multi-pixel image
synthesis unit
and to a multi-pixel feature extraction unit. The image synthesis unit may
apply any
ultrasonic image synthesis procedure. The multi-pixel feature extraction unit
may apply any
ultrasonic multi-pixel feature extraction procedure. The multi-feature
extraction unit may
output an extracted feature to an operator.
[00160] In the multi-pixel case, image processing methods such as 2-
dimensional
smoothing filters, Harr filters, Gaussian filters, and integrators may be used
to improve the
recorded image. Furthermore, each pixel may be filtered in the time-domain to
accentuate
signal features. A single or multiple Butterworth, Chebyshev, and elliptic
filters can be used
to suppress noise and enhance feature extraction.
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[00161] FIG. 17 illustrates a method 1700 for receiving a stethoscopic audio
signal,
simultaneously transmitting first and second ultrasonic imaging signals, and
receiving first
and second ultrasonic imaging signals.
[00162] In a first operation 1710, a stethoscopic audio signal is received
from an object.
The stethoscopic audio signal may be received by a stethoscope head comprising
a
mechanical diaphragm, as described herein.
[00163] In a second operation 1720, a first transmitted ultrasonic imaging
signal is
transmitted to the object at a first frequency. The first transmitted
ultrasonic imaging signal
may be transmitted by a first ultrasonic transducer, as described herein.
[00164] In a third operation 1730, a first received ultrasonic imaging signal
is received
from the object. The first received ultrasonic imaging signal may be received
by a first
ultrasonic transducer, as described herein.
[00165] In a fourth operation 1740, a second transmitted ultrasonic imaging
signal is
transmitted to the object at a second frequency. The second transmitted
ultrasonic imaging
signal may be transmitted by a second ultrasonic transducer, as described
herein. The second
transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal may be transmitted simultaneously with
the first
transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal, as described herein.
[00166] In a fifth operation 1750, a second received ultrasonic imaging signal
is received
from the object. The second received ultrasonic imaging signal may be received
by a second
ultrasonic transducer, as described herein. The second received ultrasonic
imaging signal may
be rerPived simultaneously with the first transmitted ultrasonic imaging
signal, as described
herein.
[00167] The method 1700 may further comprise an operation (not shown in FIG.
17) of
detecting a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal. The non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic
signal may be detected by a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor, as
described herein.
[00168] The method 1700 may be implemented by any of the devices described
herein,
such as the devices described herein with respect to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3,
or FIG. 4.
[00169] Many variations, alterations, and adaptations based on the method 1700
provided
herein are possible. For example, the order of the operations of the method
1700 may be
changed, some of the operations removed, some of the operations duplicated,
and additional
operations added as appropriate. Some of the operations may be performed in
succession.
Some of the operations may be performed in parallel. Some of the operations
may be
performed once. Some of the operations may be performed more than once. Some
of the
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operations may comprise sub-operations. Some of the operations may be
automated and some
of the operations may be manual.
[00170] FIG. 5A schematically illustrates a side view of a stethoscope head
comprising a
mechanical diaphragm, a plurality of ultrasound transducers, and a plurality
of non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensors. The stethoscope device may comprise the
mechanical
diaphragm 200 and plurality of ultrasonic transducers 210A-L) described
herein.
[00171] FIG. 5B schematically illustrates a perspective view of a stethoscope
head
comprising a mechanical diaphragm, a plurality of ultrasound transducers, and
a plurality of
non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensors. In addition to the mechanical
diaphragm and the
plurality of ultrasonic transducers, the stethoscope head may comprise one or
more non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensors. The non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic
sensors may detect
one or more non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signals. As shown in FIG. 5B, may
comprise a
first light source 510 and a first photodetector 520. The first light source
may be a light
emitting diode (LED) or a laser. The laser may be a semiconductor laser, such
as a vertical
cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). The first photodetector may be a
photodiode, an
avalanche photodiode, a photodiode array, a spectrometer, a charge coupled
device (CCD)
camera, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera, or any other
photodetector.
[00172] The first light source and first photodetector may be configured to
operate as a
first pulse oximeter. The pulse oximeter may be configured to operate as a
reflectance pulse
oximeter. The first light source may direct light to the subject's skin, such
as to the skin of the
subject's fingertip, finger, hand, arm, or any other location on the subject's
skin. The light
may be reflected by the subject's skin and detected by the first light
detector. Different
wavelengths of light incident on the subject's skin may be absorbed to
different extents. The
absorption of the different wavelengths may be indicative of the subject's
oxygen saturation
(spOz).
100173] The stethoscope head may further comprise a second light source and a
second
photodetector. The second light source and second photodetector may be similar
to the first
light source and the first photodetector, respectively. The second light
source and second
photodetector may be configured to operate as a second pulse oximeter. The
second pulse
oximeter may be similar to the first pulse oximeter. In some cases, the first
light source, first
photodetector, the second light source, and the second photodetector may be
configured to
operate as a single pulse oximeter. For instance, the first and second light
sources may each
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emit first and second monochromatic light, respectively, having different
wavelengths. The
first and second photodetectors may measure the absorbance of the first and
second
monochromatic light, respectively. The measurements may allow a determination
of the
subject's sp02.
[00174] The stethoscope head may comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
12, 13, 14, 15,
16, or more than 16 non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensors. Each non-
stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor may be any one of a non-stethoscopic audio sensor, a
temperature sensor, an
optic sensor, an electrical sensor, or an electrochemical sensor. The non-
stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor may detect a signal corresponding to a subject's body
temperature, a
subject's respiration rate, a subject's respiration quality, a subject's
respiration pathology, a
subject's blood pressure, a subject's blood glucose concentration, or a
subject's blood
oxygenation saturation (sp02).
[00175] Figure 6A schematically illustrates a top view of a stethoscope head
comprising a
body, an impedance matching substrate, and a user interface. The stethoscope
head 110 may
comprise the mechanical diaphragm and the one or more ultrasonic transducers
described
herein. The stethoscope head may further comprise an impedance matching
substrate 600.
The impedance matching substrate may be composed of an impedance matching
material.
The impedance matching material may increase the efficiency with which any one
of the
first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth,
eleventh, twelfth,
thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, or sixteenth transmitted or received
ultrasonic imaging
signals are passed between the corresponding ultrasonic transducer and a
sample under
examination.
[00176] Figure 6B schematically illustrates a side view of a stethoscope head
comprising a
body, an impedance matching substrate, and a user interface. On a top layer,
the stethoscope
head may comprise the impedance matching substrate 600.
[00177] In a middle layer, the stethoscope head may comprise a body 610. The
body may
comprise a battery. The battery may allow one or more of the components of the
stethoscope
device described herein to operate without access to an external power source.
The body may
comprise a power connector. The power connector may be configured to receive
electrical
power from an external power source, such as an electrical outlet. The power
connector may
allow one or more of the components of the stethoscope device described herein
to operate
while powered by an external power source. The power connector may allow the
battery to be
charged, either while one or more of the components described herein are in
operation or
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while the stethoscope device is not in use. The power connector may be an
inductive power
coil.
[00178] In a bottom layer, the stethoscope head may comprise a control 620, as
described
herein.
100179] FIG. 6C schematically illustrates a bottom view of a stethoscope head
comprising
a body, an impedance matching substrate, and a user interface. The control 620
may allow the
stethoscope device to be operated in a variety of modes. For instance, the
control may allow
the stethoscope device to be operated in a stethoscope mode. The stethoscope
mode may
allow a user to use the stethoscope device as a traditional stethoscope,
providing the user the
ability to listen to sounds associated with biological processes through the
stethoscope while
one or more of the non-stethoscopic sensors (such as the plurality of
ultrasonic transducers or
any one of the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensors) are powered off or
operating in a
standby mode. The control may allow the stethoscope device to be operated in
an ultrasonic
imaging mode. The ultrasonic imaging mode may allow a user to use the
stethoscope device
as an ultrasonic imaging device, providing the user the ability to ultrasonic
images of an
internal structure of a subject. In the ultrasonic imaging mode, one or more
of the non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensors may be powered off or operating in a
standby mode. In
the ultrasonic imaging mode, all of the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic
sensors may be
powered on. The control may allow the stethoscope device to be operated in a
non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic mode. The non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic mode
may allow a
user to use the stethoscope device to obtain any non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor data
described herein from a subject. In the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic mode,
one or more of
the ultrasonic transducers may be powered off or operating in a standby mode.
In the
ultrasonic imaging mode, all of the ultrasonic transducers may be powered on.
The
stethoscope device may be operated in a mode in which more than one sensor
component
(such as the mechanical diaphragm, one or more ultrasonic transducers, and one
or more non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensors) are operated together to obtain
stethoscopic, ultrasonic,
and non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor data simultaneously or in any
possible sequence.
[00180] The control may comprise a user interface. The user interface may be
configured
to provide a user with feedback based on one or more of a stethoscopic signal,
an ultrasonic
imaging signal, or a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal described herein.
The user
interface may comprise a display. The user interface may display one or more
of a
stethoscopic signal, an ultrasonic imaging signal, or a non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic signal
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described herein. For instance, the user interface may display a heart rate
630 of a subject that
may be detected by a heart rate sensor described herein. The user interface
may display a
graph 640 of the subject's heart rate over time. The user device may display
an ultrasonic
image or a representation of any non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal
obtained by any non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor described herein.
[00181] The user interface may comprise a touchscreen device. The touchscreen
device
may function as a display, as described herein. The touchscreen device may
also allow a user
to direct commands to the stethoscope device. For instance, the touchscreen
device may
allow a user of the stethoscope device to select any one of the operating
modes of the
stethoscope device described herein.
[00182] The stethoscope device may further comprise a networking modality. The
networking modality may be a wired networking modality. For instance, the
stethoscope
device may comprise an Ethernet adaptor or any other wired networking
modality. The
networking modality may be a wireless networking modality. The wireless
networking
modality may comprise an inductive power coil for transmitting and receiving
data. The
stethoscope device may comprise a wireless transceiver. For instance, the
stethoscope device
may comprise a Wi-Fi transceiver such as an 802.11a transceiver, 802.11b
transceiver,
802.11g transceiver, 802.11n transceiver, 802.11ac transceiver, 802.11ad
transceiver,
802.11af transceiver, 802.11ah transceiver, 80.211ai transceiver, 802.11aj
transceiver,
802.11aq transceiver, 802.11ax transceiver, 802.1lay transceiver, or any other
Wi-Fi
transceiver. The wireless networking modality may comprise a cellular
transceiver such as a
code division multiple access (CDMA) transceiver, a global system for mobiles
(GSM)
transceiver, a third-generation (3G) cellular transceiver, a fourth-generation
(4G) cellular
transceiver, a long-term evolution (LTE) cellular transceiver, a fifth-
generation (.5G) cellular
transceiver, or any other cellular transceiver. The wireless networking
modality may
comprise a Bluetooth transceiver. The wireless networking modality may
comprise any other
wireless networking modality. The wireless networking modality may be
configured to
communicate one or more of a stethoscopic signal, a received ultrasonic
signal, or a non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal described herein to a peripheral device.
For instance, the
wireless networking modality may be configured to communicate one or more of
the signals
to a smartphone, smartwatch, or other smart device, a tablet, a laptop, or
other computing
device, or a server, such as a cloud-based server.
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[00183] The stethoscope device may comprise a microphone and a speaker. The
microphone and speaker may enable communication between a user of the
stethoscope device
and the stethoscope device itself. The speaker may allow a user to receive the
results of one
or more of a stethoscopic measurement, an ultrasonic imaging measurement, or a
non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic measurement via an audio announcement from the
stethoscope
device. The microphone may allow a user to provide commands to the stethoscope
device
orally. The microphone may be coupled to a natural language processing system
to parse
commands spoken by the user to the stethoscope device.
[00184] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates use of a stethoscope head comprising
a user
interface in an interactive imaging mode. The stethoscope device may be used
to search for a
pulse of a subject. When the stethoscope device fails to detect a strong pulse
signal, the
stethoscope device may indicate to a user that the stethoscope head should be
moved to a
different location. The display 520 may indicate that a heart rate 530 is yet
to be determined.
The display may comprise an indicator 800 that the stethoscope head should be
moved in a
particular direction. For instance, the display may show an arrow pointing in
the direction
that the stethoscope head should be moved.
[00185] FIG. 18 illustrates a method 1800 for receiving a stethoscopic audio
signal,
transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic imaging signal, and detecting a non-
stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic imaging signal.
[00186] In a first operation 1810, a stethoscopic audio signal is received
from an object.
The stethoscopic audio signal may be received by a stethoscope head comprising
a
mechanical diaphragm, as described herein.
[00187] In a second operation 1820, a transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal is
transmitted
to the object. The transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal may be transmitted by
an ultrasonic
transducer, as described herein.
[00188] In a third operation 1830, a received ultrasonic imaging signal is
received from the
object. The received ultrasonic imaging signal may be received by an
ultrasonic transducer,
as described herein.
[00189] In a fourth operation 1840, a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal
is detected.
The non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal may be detected by a non-
stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor, as described herein.
[00190] The method 1800 may be implemented by any of the devices described
herein,
such as the devices described herein with respect to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, or FIG.
7.
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[00191] Many variations, alterations, and adaptations based on the method 1800
provided
herein are possible. For example, the order of the operations of the method
1800 may be
changed, some of the operations removed, some of the operations duplicated,
and additional
operations added as appropriate. Some of the operations may be performed in
succession.
Some of the operations may be performed in parallel. Some of the operations
may be
performed once. Some of the operations may be performed more than once. Some
of the
operations may comprise sub-operations. Some of the operations may be
automated and some
of the operations may be manual.
[00192] Any one of the stethoscopic signals, ultrasonic imaging signals, or
non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signals described herein may be correlated using
a model. For
instance, the stethoscope device described herein may correlate a first and
second signal. The
first signal may be a stethoscopic signal, an ultrasonic imaging signal, or a
non-stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic signal. The second signal may be a stethoscopic signal, an
ultrasonic imaging
signal, or a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal. The first and second
signals may be
correlated to generate one or more extracted feature parameters. Third,
fourth, fifth, sixth,
seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth,
fifteenth, or sixteenth
signals may each be a stethoscopic signal, an ultrasonic imaging signal, or a
non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal and may be further correlated with the
first and second
signals to generate one or more extracted feature parameters. The extracted
feature
parameters may be indicative of one or more physiological parameters, such as
a heart rate,
blood pressure, blood oxygenation, or any other physiological parameter
described herein.
[00193] The model may correlate the first and second signals by first
convolving each of
the first and second signals with a weighting function. The first signal may
be convolved by a
first weighting function to form a first weighted signal. The second signal
may be convolved
by a second weighting function to form a second weighted signal. The first and
second
weighted signals may then be correlated (such as by auto-correlation or cross-
correlation) to
generate the extracted feature parameters. The model may convolve third,
fourth, fifth, sixth,
seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth,
fifteenth, or sixteenth
signals with third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth,
eleventh, twelfth,
thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, or sixteenth weighting functions,
respectively, to form third,
fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth,
thirteenth, fourteenth,
fifteenth, or sixteenth weighted signals, respectively. The third, fourth,
fifth, sixth, seventh,
eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, or
sixteenth weighted
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signals may be correlated with the first and second weighted signals to
generate the extracted
feature parameters.
[00194] The model may correlate the first and second signals by applying a
mathematical
transformation to each of the first and second signals. For instance, each of
the first and
second imaging signals may be transformed by a Fourier transform, a Fourier
integral
transform, a Fourier series transform, a Z-transform, a wavelet transform, a
cosine series
transform, a sine series transform, a Taylor series transform, a Laurent
series transform, a
Laplace transform, a fladannard transform, or any other mathematical
transform. The first
signal may be transformed by a first mathematical transform to form a first
transformed
signal. The second signal may be transformed by a second mathematical
transform to form a
second transformed signal. The first and second transformed signals may then
be correlated
(such as by auto-correlation or cross-correlation) to generate the extracted
feature parameters.
The model may transform third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth,
tenth, eleventh,
twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, or sixteenth signals with third,
fourth, fifth, sixth,
seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth,
fifteenth, or sixteenth
mathematical transforms, respectively, to form third, fourth, fifth, sixth,
seventh, eighth,
ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, or
sixteenth transformed
signals, respectively. The third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth,
ninth, tenth, eleventh,
twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, or sixteenth transformed signals
may be correlated
with the first and second transformed signals to generate the extracted
feature parameters.
100195] The model may correlate the first and second signals by encoding and
mapping
the first and second signals to a set of extracted features using a machine
learning technique.
The model may correlate third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth,
tenth, eleventh,
twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, or sixteenth signals with the
first and second
transformed signals by encoding and mapping the first, second, third, fourth,
fifth, sixth,
seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth,
fifteenth, or sixteenth
signals to a set of extracted features using a machine learning technique. The
model may
correlate any number of transformed signals.
[00196] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a machine learning
system
comprising a pre-processing module and a machine learning module. The machine
learning
system 800 may comprise a pre-processing module 810 and a machine learning
module (also
referred to as an approximator or an approximation module) 820. The components
within the
machine learning system may be operatively connected to one another via a
network or any
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type of communication link that allows transmission of data from one component
to another.
The machine learning system may be implemented using software, hardware, or a
combination of software and hardware in one or more of the components of the
systems and
methods described herein.
[00197] Physiological information 802 may be collected using one or more of
the
mechanical diaphragm, ultrasonic imaging transducers, or non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic
sensors of the stethoscope device described herein. The pre-processing module
810 may be
configured to subject the physiological information to pre-processing. The pre-
processing
module may remove artifacts produced, for instance, by the mechanical
diaphragm, ultrasonic
imaging transducers, or non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensors. The pre-
processing module
may correct the microscope images for mechanical noise, such as movement of
the
stethoscope device. The pre-processing module may correct for non-uniform
detection
sensitivities of the ultrasonic transducers. The pre-processing module may
apply smoothing
filters to reduce sensor noise from any one of the mechanical diaphragm,
ultrasonic imaging
transducers, or non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensors. The pre-processing
module may
apply any noise reduction or signal enhancement methods to increase the signal-
to-noise
ration of any signals obtained by the mechanical diaphragm, ultrasonic imaging
transducers,
or non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensors. The pre-processing module may be
configured to
output pre-processed physiological information 804.
[00198] The machine learning module 820 may be configured to process the pre-
processed
physiological information 804 to extract a meaningful representation of the
physiological
information. For example, the machine learning module may generate a set of
minimal
physiological data 106 from the pre-processed physiological information. The
minimal
physiological data may correspond to a highly compressed meaningful
representation of a
stream of physiological information. The minimal physiological data may
correspond to one
or more clinically relevant feature parameters described herein, such as a
body temperature, a
respiration rate, a respiration quality, a respiration pathology, a blood
pressure, a blood
glucose concentration, a blood gas concentration, a blood oxygenation
saturation (sp02), or
any other clinically relevant feature parameters.
100199] In the machine learning module, a new representation for the
physiological data
may be found where the new representation has characteristics such as low
dim.ensionality,
sparse coding, and/or invariance to certain noise or signal transformations.
For example, the
approximator may find representations that are insensitive (or less sensitive)
to signal
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transformations that occur when the stethoscope device moves relative to
signal sources, such
as due to mild mechanical disturbance. The machine learning module may account
for
changes in the sensor responses over time, for instance due to aging of
components in the
stethoscope device, fluctuations in transmitted ultrasonic power delivered to
the sample, and
other phenomena which alter the signals detected by the stethoscope device
over time. In
each of the above cases, one or more deterministic transformations may be
applied to the
physiological data, and depending on the representational scheme selected by
the
approximator, these transformations may or may not result in a change in the
output of the
machine learning system. By training the approximator to respond invariantly
in the face of
predictable and deterministic perturbations to its input, these low-level
changes may be made
invisible to the high-level output of the machine learning system.
[00200] The above objectives may be achieved by applying one or more machine
learning
methods that decompose their input according to a self-learned (unsupervised)
set of bases,
while incorporating certain constraints or priors in said decomposition. Some
of the
constraints used may include constraints which are aware of facts about the
underlying
physiological state space.
[00201] The machine learning module may also be implemented by explicitly
modeling
the data stream using probabilistic graphic models and using matrix methods
such as L1/L2
lasso regularization (for finding sparse solutions) or eigenvector based
approaches to find low
rank approximations of the matrix. The machine learning module may also be
implemented
using neural networks such as autoencoders, stacked autoencoders, denoising
autoencoders,
deep belief networks, etc.
[00202] The approximation stage may be implemented as a multi-layered neural
network
where the output of each hidden layer of a plurality of hidden layers attempts
to reconstruct
the input from the preceding layer with some constraint imposed or where its
input has been
either corrupted or transformed in a way to favor invariant representation.
This may include
so-called "deep belief networks" or "stacked auto-encoders". The inner layers
may be
constrained by means of limiting what values their weights may take, or by
limiting how
quickly or tightly their weights may settle towards the optimum as a form of a
regularization
strategy, etc. The multiple inner layers may lead to increasing degrees of
abstraction and
invariance to small perturbations of the signal. The layers may be updated
separately,
allowing for changes in physiological information over time to be learned by
retraining of a
low-level layer while the output of the higher level layers remain the same.
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[00203] The training phase to determine the parameters for the algorithm
implemented at
this stage may occur offline, but use of the approximator may be in real time.
Updating of
weights/coefficients may then occur regularly and while the approximator is in
use.
[00204] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary multi-layer autoencoder configured to
convert a
set of pre-processed physiological information from the pre-processing module
into minimal
physiological data, in accordance with some embodiments. The machine learning
module 820
may comprise an encoder 830 and a decoder 850. The machine learning module may
be
configured to output minimal physiological data 840. The minimal physiological
data may
correspond to the inner-most layer of the autoencoder.
[00205] In some embodiments, the encoder may further comprise a plurality of
encoding
layers. Each encoding layer may comprise a plurality of nodes bearing a
plurality of
numerical weights. Similarly, the decoder may further comprise a plurality of
decoding
layers. Each decoding layer may comprise a plurality of nodes bearing a
plurality of
numerical weights. The innermost layer of the machine learning module may be
the minimal
physiological data. The minimal physiological data may comprise a plurality of
nodes
bearing numerical weights. The minimal physiological data may specify an
abstract yet
meaningful representation of physiological information within the machine
learning
architecture shown. In some embodiments, the machine learning module may
comprise an
autoencoder, such that the output of the decoder is identical to and provided
as the input to
the encoder. In some embodiments, the autoencoder may be a multi-layer
autoencoder.
1002061 The encoder may be configured to receive an input comprising the set
of pre-
processed physiological information 804 from the pre-processing module. The
set of pre-
processed physiological information may be arranged as a vector S. The first
layer of the
encoder may be configured to reduce the dimensionality of the set of pre-
processed
physiological information by applying a transformation to the vector S. In
some
embodiments, the transformation may be a linear transformation. In other
embodiments, the
transformation may be a nonlinear transformation. The transformation may
produce an output
vector T having reduced dimensionality relative to the vector S, based on a
function o, a
matrix W of weights at each node in the layer, and another vector b:
T = a(WS + b) (Equation 1)
[00207] The vector T may then be input to the second layer. Each successive
encoding
layer may apply matrix transformations of the same form as Equation (1), with
a successive
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reduction in dimensionality at each layer until the innermost layer (the
minimal physiological
data) is reached.
[00208] The decoder may be configured to undo the abovementioned reduction in
dimensionality in order to calculate the accuracy of the matrices of weights
applied at each
layer of the encoder. The minimal physiological data may be input to the first
layer of the
decoder, which may apply a linear transformation to increase dimensionality.
Each
successive decoding layer may apply further matrix transformations, until an
output S' from
the encoding layer of the same dimensionality as the original input set S is
reached.
[00209] The initial weights of each node in each layer of the encoder,
decoder, and
minimal physiological data may be selected based on any predetermined
procedure. The
series of matrix transformations may be applied to map the input S at the
first encoding layer
to the output S' at the final decoding layer. An error function, such as an Li
error or an 1.
error, may be calculated from S and S'. An algorithm, such as backpropagation,
may then be
applied to update the weights at each node in each layer of the encoder,
decoder, and minimal
physiological data. The algorithm may be applied iteratively until the error
function assessed
at the output of the decoder reaches a minimum value.
[00210] In some embodiments, sparsity restraints may be applied on some or all
of the
layers in the machine learning module.
[00211] The machine learning module may be configured to distill a dataset
having high
dimensionality into a minimal set of numerical values that still maintains the
essential
features of the dataset without redundancy. This set of numerical values then
forms the
minimal physiological data corresponding to a given set of physiological
information.
[00212] In some embodiments, the autoencoder can be designed in multiple
layers in order
to improve its robustness against changes in the stethoscope system. This may
also allow
specific layers to be retrained in isolation to reduce the computational
overhead of adapting
the system to changing recording conditions (e.g., physical changes to or
variations in sensors
of the stethoscope system).
[00213] Accordingly, the machine learning system described herein may serve as
a
pipeline for processing physiological data comprising information from
numerous
physiological processes. The system may transform the image data to a higher-
level symbol
stream which represents salient features of the physiological data.
[00214] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart representing a process by which
minimal
physiological data may be extracted from the input to an autoencoder, in
accordance with
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some embodiments. The encoder 830 (of FIG. 9) may accept as input a vectorized
set of pre-
processed physiological information 804 from the pre-processing module 810
(see FIG. 8).
The initial weights 1002 of each node in each layer of the encoder 830,
minimal
physiological data 840, and decoder 850 may be selected according to any
preferred
procedure. The encoder may apply a set of linear transformations 1004, one
linear
transformation at each encoding layer, to calculate a first-pass linear
minimal physiological
data 840. Each linear transformation at each layer of the encoder may reduce
the
dimensionality of the information passed to the next layer of the encoder.
[00215] The decoder may apply a further set of linear transformations 1006,
one linear
transformation at each decoding layer. Each linear transformation at each
layer of the decoder
may increase the dimensionality of the information passed to the next layer of
the decoder.
The final layer of the decoder may produce a test code given by the weights of
the nodes of
the final layer of the decoder. The test code may be of the same
dimensionality as the input to
the decoder.
[00216] The values of the test code and the values of the input to the encoder
may be
compared through an error function in order to calculate an error. The error
function may be
the Li error, given by the sum of absolute differences between the test code
and the input to
the encoder. The error function may be the L2 error or the Euclidean error,
given by the sum
of the squared differences between the test code and the input to the encoder.
The error
function may be an LN error, or a generalized Euclidean error of arbitrary
dimensionality N.
The error function may be any other error function. The error function may be
the same for
each iteration. The error function may change between successive iterations.
[00217] The error calculated from the test code and the input to the encoder
may be
compared to a condition. The condition may be based on a predetermined
threshold. If the
error satisfies the condition, the minimal physiological data may be accepted
1014 and the
value of the minimal physiological data may be output 806. If the error fails
to satisfy the
condition, the weights of each node in each layer of the encoder 830,
physiological data 840,
and decoder 850 may be updated 1014 according to any preferred procedure. At
this point,
the procedure may proceed iteratively until the condition is satisfied. The
condition may be
defined such that that the error is smaller than a predetermined threshold
value. The condition
may also be defined such that the error is the smaller than any one of
previously calculated
errors. In some embodiments, the condition may remain the same for each
iteration. In other
embodiments, the condition may change between successive iterations. The
procedure and
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iterations may be configured to end when the condition is met. In some
embodiments, when
the condition is met, the physiological population data from the current
iteration will be
output.
[00218] Although particular reference is made to autoencoding methods, other
machine
learning techniques including various supervised machine learning techniques,
various semi-
supervised machine learning techniques, and/or various unsupervised machine
learning
techniques may be implemented in the in the machine learning module. The
machine learning
techniques may be trainable. The machine learning techniques may be trainable
by
interaction with a human trainer (supervised machine learning), by self-
training
(unsupervised machine learning), or by a combination of the two (semi-
supervised machine
learning). For instance, the machine learning module may utilize alternating
decision trees
(ADTree), Decision Stumps, functional trees (FT), logistic model trees (LMT),
logistic
regression, Random Forests, linear classifiers, neural networks, sparse
dictionaries, Diabolo
networks, or any machine learning algorithm or statistical algorithm known in
the art. One or
more algorithms may be used together to generate an ensemble method, wherein
the
ensemble method may be optimized using a machine learning ensemble meta-
algorithm such
as a boosting (e.g., AdaBoost, LPBoost, TotalBoost, BrownBoost, MadaBoost,
LogitBoost,
etc.) to reduce bias and/or variance. Machine learning analyses may be
performed using one
or more of many programming languages and platforms known in the art, such as
R, Weka,
Python, and/or Matlab, for example.
1002191 FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a method for extracting features
from a
stethoscopic audio signal obtained by a mechanical diaphragm, an ultrasonic
signal obtained
by an ultrasonic transducer, and one or more non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic
signals
obtained by a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor. The method may utilize
any one of the
techniques described herein with respect to FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10 to
apply an encoder
and decoder to a series of sensor data. The sensor data may comprise a time
series of sensor
values fl(t) associated with a stethoscope sensor (such as the mechanical
diaphragm
described herein), a time series of sensor values 12(t) associated with a
first ultrasound sensor,
a time series of sensor values f3(t) associated with a first photodiode, and
so on. In general,
the sensor data may comprise n time series of sensor values, where n is a
positive integer.
Each time series of sensor values may be associated with any one of the
stethoscope,
ultrasonic, or non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensors described herein. Each
time series
may be passed to an autoencoder, progress through a correlator (also referred
to as a set of
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inner layers) and a decoder, and output extracted features. For instance, the
autoencoder,
correlator, and decoder may output extracted features related to a heart rate,
blood pressure,
blood oxygenation, or any other clinically relevant feature described herein.
[00220] FIG. 19 illustrates a method 1900 for receiving a stethoscopic audio
signal,
transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic imaging signal, and correlating the
stethoscopic
audio signal and the ultrasonic imaging signal.
[00221] In a first operation 1910, a stethoscopic audio signal is received
from an object.
The stethoscopic audio signal may be received by a stethoscope head comprising
a
mechanical diaphragm, as described herein.
[00222] In a second operation 1920, a transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal is
transmitted
to the object. The transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal may be transmitted by
an ultrasonic
transducer, as described herein.
[00223] In a third operation 1930, a received ultrasonic imaging signal is
received from the
object. The received ultrasonic imaging signal may be received by an
ultrasonic transducer,
as described herein.
[00224] In a fourth operation 1940, the stethoscopic audio signal and the
received
ultrasonic imaging signal are correlated. The stethoscopic audio signal and
the received
ultrasonic imaging signal may be correlated by a model, as described herein.
[00225] The method 1900 may further comprise an operation (not shown in FIG.
19) of
detecting a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal. The non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic
signal may be detected by a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor, as
described herein.
[00226] The method 1900 may be implemented by any of the devices described
herein,
such as the devices described herein with respect to FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10,
or FIG. 11.
1002271 Many variations, alterations, and adaptations based on the method 1900
provided
herein are possible. For example, the order of the operations of the method
1900 may be
changed, some of the operations removed, some of the operations duplicated,
and additional
operations added as appropriate. Some of the operations may be performed in
succession.
Some of the operations may be performed in parallel. Some of the operations
may be
performed once. Some of the operations may be performed more than once. Some
of the
operations may comprise sub-operations. Some of the operations may be
automated and some
of the operations may be manual.
[00228] The stethoscope device described herein may be configured to perform
beamsteering of a transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal by interfering a
transmitted ultrasonic
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imaging signal with an audio signal. The stethoscope head may comprise an
audio transducer
for transmitting an audio signal to a subject. The stethoscope head may
comprise an
interference circuit for interfering a transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal
with the audio
signal. The interference circuit may steer the ultrasonic imaging signal to an
object. The
audio transducer or interference circuit may be detachably coupled to a
housing of the
stethoscope head. The audio transducer or interference circuit may be
physically coupled to a
housing of the stethoscope head. The audio transducer or interference circuit
may be
functionally coupled to a housing of the stethoscope head.
[00229] The interference circuit may interfere the transmitted ultrasonic
imaging signal
with the audio signal based on a model of the object's response to the audio
signal. The
model may be similar to any model described herein. The model may correlate
the ultrasonic
imaging signal with the audio signal to generate an extracted feature
parameter. The model
may correlate the ultrasonic signal with the audio signal by convolving the
ultrasonic and
audio signals with first and second weighting functions, respectively, to form
weighted
ultrasonic and weighted audio signals, respectively. The weighted ultrasonic
and weighted
audio signals may be correlated by performing auto-correlation or cross-
correlation on the
weighted signals. The model may correlate the ultrasonic signal with the audio
signal by
transforming (as by an integral Fourier transform, Fourier series transform, Z-
transform,
wavelet transform, cosine series transform, sine series transform, Taylor
series transform,
Laurent series transform, Laplace transform, Hadamard transform, or any other
mathematical
transform) the ultrasonic and audio signals to form transformed ultrasonic and
transformed
audio signals, respectively. The transformed ultrasonic and transformed audio
signals may be
correlated by performing auto-correlation or cross-correlation on the
transformed signals. The
model may correlated the ultrasonic signal and audio signal by encoding and
mapping the
ultrasonic and audio signals to a set of features using a machine learning
technique. The
machine learning technique may be a neural network, sparse dictionary, Diabolo
network, or
any other machine learning technique described herein.
[00230] FIG. 20 illustrates a method 2000 for receiving a stethoscopic audio
signal,
transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic imaging signal, transmitting an audio
signal, and
interfering the transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal and the audio signal to
steer the
ultrasonic imaging signal.
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[00231] In a first operation 2010, a stethoscopic audio signal is received
from an object.
The stethoscopic audio signal may be received by a stethoscope head comprising
a
mechanical diaphragm, as described herein.
[00232] In a second operation 2020, a transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal is
transmitted
to the object. The transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal may be transmitted by
an ultrasonic
transducer, as described herein.
[00233] In a third operation 2030, a received ultrasonic imaging signal is
received from the
object. The received ultrasonic imaging signal may be received by an
ultrasonic transducer,
as described herein.
[00234] In a fourth operation 2040, an audio signal is transmitted to the
object. The audio
signal may be transmitted by an audio transducer, as described herein.
[00235] In a fifth operation 2050, transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal is
interfered with
the audio signal to steer the ultrasonic imaging signal. The transmitted
ultrasonic imaging
signal and the audio signal may be interfered by an interference circuit, as
described herein.
1002361 The method 2000 may further comprise an operation (not shown in FIG.
20) of
detecting a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal. The non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic
signal may be detected by a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor, as
described herein.
[00237] The method 2000 may be implemented by any of the devices described
herein.
[00238] Many variations, alterations, and adaptations based on the method 2000
provided
herein are possible. For example, the order of the operations of the method
2000 may be
changed, some of the operations removed, some of the operations duplicated,
and additional
operations added as appropriate. Some of the operations may be performed in
succession.
Some of the operations may be performed in parallel. Some of the operations
may be
performed once. Some of the operations may be performed more than once. Some
of the
operations may comprise sub-operations. Some of the operations may be
automated and some
of the operations may be manual.
100239] FIG. 12 shows how information from the stethoscope device 100 may be
transmitted to information systems. As described herein, the stethoscope
device may have the
ability to transmit or receive information. The stethoscope device may
transmit information,
such as the sensor data or extracted features, to a variety of information
systems. The
information may be transmitted to an external display for easy visualization,
stored in an
institutional database (such as a database associated with a doctor's office,
hospital, or
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network of offices or hospitals), or to a cloud-based health system. The
information may thus
be accessed by institutions that have an interest in the information.
[00240] FIG. 13 shows how information from the stethoscope device 100 may be
utilized
by different individuals or institutions. The information from the stethoscope
device may be
transmitted to a cloud server. The cloud server may apply algorithms to the
information. The
information may be stored in a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
(HIPAA)
Act-compliant database. The information may be accessed by a nurse, a
physician (such as a
consulting physician), an emergency medical technician, or another medical
professional
The information may be accessed by a parent of a patient, for instance.
Digital Processing Device
[00241] The systems, apparatus, and methods described herein may include a
digital
processing device, or use of the same. The digital processing device may
include one or more
hardware central processing units (CPU) that carry out the device's functions.
The digital
processing device may further comprise an operating system configured to
perform
executable instructions. In some instances, the digital processing device is
optionally
connected to a computer network, is optionally connected to the Internet such
that it accesses
the World Wide Web, or is optionally connected to a cloud computing
infrastructure. In other
instances, the digital processing device is optionally connected to an
intranet. In other
instances, the digital processing device is optionally connected to a data
storage device.
[00242] In accordance with the description herein, suitable digital processing
devices may
include, by way of non-limiting examples, server computers, desktop computers,
laptop
computers, notebook computers, sub-notebook computers, netbook computers,
netpad
computers, set-top computers, media streaming devices, handheld computers,
Internet
appliances, mobile smartphones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants,
video game
consoles, and vehicles. Those of skill in the art will recognize that many
smartphones are
suitable for use in the system described herein. Those of skill in the art
will also recognize
that select televisions, video players, and digital music players with
optional computer
network connectivity are suitable for use in the system described herein.
Suitable tablet
computers may include those with booklet, slate, and convertible
configurations, known to
those of skill in the art.
[00243] The digital processing device may include an operating system
configured to
perform executable instructions. The operating system may be, for example,
software,
including programs and data, which may manage the device's hardware and
provides services
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for execution of applications. Those of skill in the art will recognize that
suitable server
operating systems may include, by way of non-limiting examples, FreeBSD,
OpenBSD,
NetBSD , Linux, Apple Mac OS X Server , Oracle Solaris , Windows Server ,
and
Novell NetWare . Those of skill in the art will recognize that suitable
personal computer
operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples, Microsoft Windows
, Apple
Mac OS X , UNIX , and UNIX-like operating systems such as GNU/Linux . In some
cases,
the operating system is provided by cloud computing. Those of skill in the art
will also
recognize that suitable mobile smart phone operating systems include, by way
of non-limiting
examples, Nokia Symbian OS, Apple i0S , Research In Motion BlackBerry OS ,
Google Android , Microsoft Windows Phone OS, Microsoft Windows Mobile OS,
Linux , and Palm Web0S . Those of skill in the art will also recognize that
suitable media
streaming device operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples,
Apple TV ,
Roku , Boxee , Google TV , Google Chromecast , Amazon Fire , and Samsung
HomeSyne . Those of skill in the art will also recognize that suitable video
game console
operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples, Sony PS3 , Sony
PS4 ,
Microsoft Xbox 360 , Microsoft Xbox One, Nintendo Wii , Nintendo Wii U ,
and
Ouya .
[00244] In some instances, the device may include a storage and/or memory
device. The
storage and/or memory device may be one or more physical apparatuses used to
store data or
programs on a temporary or permanent basis. In some instances, the device is
volatile
memory and requires power to maintain stored information. In other instances,
the device is
non-volatile memory and retains stored information when the digital processing
device is not
powered. In still other instances, the non-volatile memory comprises flash
memory. The non-
volatile memory may comprise dynamic random-access memory (DRAM). The non-
volatile
memory may comprise ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM). The non-
volatile
memory may comprise phase-change random access memory (PRAM). The device may
be a
storage device including, by way of non-limiting examples, CD-ROMs, DVDs,
flash memory
devices, magnetic disk drives, magnetic tapes drives, optical disk drives, and
cloud
computing based storage. The storage and/or memory device may also be a
combination of
devices such as those disclosed herein.
[00245] The digital processing device may include a display to send visual
information to
a user. The display may be a cathode ray tube (CRT). The display may be a
liquid crystal
display (LCD). Alternatively, the display may be a thin film transistor liquid
crystal display
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(TFT-LCD). The display may further be an organic light emitting diode (OLED)
display. In
various cases, on OLED display is a passive-matrix OI .FD (PMOLED) or active-
matrix
OLED (AMOLED) display. The display may be a plasma display. The display may be
a
video projector. The display may be a combination of devices such as those
disclosed herein.
[00246] The digital processing device may also include an input device to
receive
information from a user. For example, the input device may be a keyboard. The
input device
may be a pointing device including, by way of non-limiting examples, a mouse,
trackball,
track pad, joystick, game controller, or stylus. The input device may be a
touch screen or a
multi-touch screen. The input device may be a microphone to capture voice or
other sound
input. The input device may be a video camera or other sensor to capture
motion or visual
input. Alternatively, the input device may be a KinectTM, Leap Motion'TM, or
the like. In
further aspects, the input device may be a combination of devices such as
those disclosed
herein.
Non-transitory computer readable storage medium
[00247] In some instances, the systems, apparatus, and methods disclosed
herein may
include one or more non-transitory computer readable storage media encoded
with a program
including instructions executable by the operating system of an optionally
networked digital
processing device. In further instances, a computer readable storage medium is
a tangible
component of a digital processing device. In still further instances, a
computer readable
storage medium is optionally removable from a digital processing device. A
computer
readable storage medium may include, by way of non-limiting examples, CD-ROMs,
DVDs,
flash memory devices, solid state memory, magnetic disk drives, magnetic tape
drives,
optical disk drives, cloud computing systems and services, and the like. In
some cases, the
program and instructions are permanently, substantially permanently, semi-
permanently, or
non-transitorily encoded on the media.
Computer Program
[00248] The systems, apparatus, and methods disclosed herein may include at
least one
computer program, or use of the same. A computer program includes a sequence
of
instructions, executable in the digital processing device's CPU, written to
perform a specified
task. In some embodiments, computer readable instructions are implemented as
program
modules, such as functions, objects, Application Programming Interfaces
(APIs), data
structures, and the like, that perform particular tasks or implement
particular abstract data
types. In light of the disclosure provided herein, those of skill in the art
will recognize that a
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computer program, in certain embodiments, is written in various versions of
various
languages.
[00249] The functionality of the computer readable instructions may be
combined or
distributed as desired in various environments. A computer program may
comprise one
sequence of instructions. A computer program may comprise a plurality of
sequences of
instructions. In some instances, a computer program is provided from one
location. In other
instances, a computer program is provided from a plurality of locations. In
additional cases, a
computer program includes one or more software modules. Sometimes, a computer
program
may include, in part or in whole, one or more web applications, one or more
mobile
applications, one or more standalone applications, one or more web browser
plug-ins,
extensions, add-ins, or add-ons, or combinations thereof.
Web Application
[00250] A computer program may include a web application. In light of the
disclosure
provided herein, those of skill in the art will recognize that a web
application, in various
aspects, utilizes one or more software frameworks and one or more database
systems. In
some cases, a web application is created upon a software framework such as
Microsoft
.NET or Ruby on Rails (RoR). In some cases, a web application utilizes one or
more database
systems including, by way of non-limiting examples, relational, non-
relational, object
oriented, associative, and XML database systems. Sometimes, suitable
relational database
systems may include, by way of non-limiting examples, Microsoft SQL Server,
mySQLTM,
and Oracle . Those of skill in the art will also recognize that a web
application, in various
instances, is written in one or more versions of one or more languages. A web
application
may be written in one or more markup languages, presentation definition
languages, client-
side scripting languages, server-side coding languages, database query
languages, or
combinations thereof. A web application may be written to some extent in a
markup language
such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Extensible Hypertext Markup Language
(XHTML), or eXtensible Markup Language (XML). In some embodiments, a web
application is written to some extent in a presentation definition language
such as Cascading
Style Sheets (CSS). Aweb application may be written to some extent in a client-
side scripting
language such as Asynchronous Javascript and XML (AJAX), Flash Actionscript,
Javascript, or Silverlight . A web application may be written to some extent
in a server-side
coding language such as Active Server Pages (ASP), ColdFusion , Perl, JavaTM,
JavaServer
Pages (JSP), Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP), PythonTM, Ruby, Tcl, Smalltalk,
WebDNA , or
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Groovy. Sometimes, a web application may be written to some extent in a
database query
language such as Structured Query Language (SQL). Other times, a web
application may
integrate enterprise server products such as IBM Lotus Domino . In some
instances, a web
application includes a media player element. In various further instances, a
media player
element utilizes one or more of many suitable multimedia technologies
including, by way of
non-limiting examples, Adobe Flash , HTML 5, Apple QuickTime , Microsoft
Silverlight , JavaTM, and Unity .
Mobile Application
[00251] A computer program may include a mobile application provided to a
mobile
digital processing device. In some cases, the mobile application is provided
to a mobile
digital processing device at the time it is manufactured. In other cases, the
mobile application
is provided to a mobile digital processing device via the computer network
described herein.
[00252] In view of the disclosure provided herein, a mobile application is
created by
techniques known to those of skill in the art using hardware, languages, and
development
environments known to the art. Those of skill in the art will recognize that
mobile
applications are written in several languages. Suitable programming languages
include, by
way of non-limiting examples, C, C++, C#, Objective-C, JavaTM, Javascript,
Pascal, Object
Pascal, PythonTM, Ruby, VB.NET, WML, and XHTML/HTML with or without CSS, or
combinations thereof.
[00253] Suitable mobile application development environments are available
from several
sources. Commercially available development environments include, by way of
non-limiting
examples, AirplaySDK, alcheMo, Appcelerator , Celsius, Bedrock, Flash Lite,
.NET
Compact Framework, Rhom*obile, and WorkLight Mobile Platform. Other development
environments are available without cost including, by way of non-limiting
examples,
Lazarus, MobiFlex, MoSync, and Phonegap. Also, mobile device manufacturers
distribute
software developer kits including, by way of non-limiting examples, iPhone and
iPad (i0S)
SDK, AndroidTM SDK, BlackBerry SDK, BREW SDK, Palm OS SDK, Syrnbian SDK,
webOS SDK, and Windows" Mobile SDK.
[00254] Those of skill in the art will recognize that several commercial
forums are
available for distribution of mobile applications including, by way of non-
limiting examples,
Apple App Store, AndroidTM Market, BlackBerry App World, App Store for Palm
devices,
App Catalog for web0S, Windows Marketplace for Mobile, Ovi Store for Nokia
devices,
Sarnsung Apps, and Nintendo DSi Shop.
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Standalone Application
[00255] A computer program may include a standalone application, which is a
program
that is run as an independent computer process, not an add-on to an existing
process, e.g., not
a plug-in. Those of skill in the art will recognize that standalone
applications are often
compiled. A compiler is a computer program(s) that transforms source code
written in a
programming language into binary object code such as assembly language or
machine code.
Suitable compiled programming languages include, by way of non-limiting
examples, C,
C++, Objective-C, COBOL, Delphi, Eiffel, JavaTM, Lisp, PythonTM, Visual Basic,
arid VB
.NET, or combinations thereof. Compilation is often performed, at least in
part, to create an
executable program. A computer program may include one or more executable
complied
applications.
Web Browser Plug-in
[00256] The computer program may include a web browser plug-in. In computing,
a plug-
in is one or more software components that add specific functionality to a
larger software
application. Makers of software applications support plug-ins to enable third-
party developers
to create abilities which extend an application, to support easily adding new
features, and to
reduce the size of an application. When supported, plug-ins enable customizing
the
functionality of a software application. For example, plug-ins are commonly
used in web
browsers to play video, generate interactivity, scan for viruses, and display
particular file
types. Those of skill in the art will be familiar with several web browser
plug-ins including,
Adobe Flash Player, Microsoft Silverlight , and Apple QuickTime . In some
embodiments, the toolbar comprises one or more web browser extensions, add-
ins, or add-
ons. In some embodiments, the toolbar comprises one or more explorer bars,
tool bands, or
desk bands.
[00257] In view of the disclosure provided herein, those of skill in the art
will recognize
that several plug-in frameworks are available that enable development of plug-
ins in various
programming languages, including, by way of non-limiting examples, C++,
Delphi, JavaTM,
PHP, PythonTM, and VB .NET, or combinations thereof.
[00258] Web browsers (also called Internet browsers) may be software
applications,
designed for use with network-connected digital processing devices, for
retrieving,
presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web.
Suitable web
browsers include, by way of non-limiting examples, Microsoft Internet
Explorer , Mozilla
Firefox , Google Chrome, Apple Safari , Opera Software Opera , and KDE
Konqueror.
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In some embodiments, the web browser is a mobile web browser. Mobile web
browsers (also
called mircrobrowsers, mini-browsers, and wireless browsers) are designed for
use on mobile
digital processing devices including, by way of non-limiting examples,
handheld computers,
tablet computers, netbook computers, subnotebook computers, smartphones, music
players,
personal digital assistants (PDAs), and handheld video game systems. Suitable
mobile web
browsers include, by way of non-limiting examples, Google Android browser,
RIM
BlackBerry Browser, Apple Safari , Palm Blazer, Palm Web0S Browser,
Mozilla
Firefox for mobile, Microsoft Internet Explorer Mobile, Amazon Kindle
Basic Web,
Nokia Browser, Opera Software Opera Mobile, and Sony PSPTM browser.
Software modules
[00259] The systems and methods disclosed herein may include software, server,
and/or
database modules, or use of the same. In view of the disclosure provided
herein, software
modules may be created by techniques known to those of skill in the art using
machines,
software, and languages known to the art. The software modules disclosed
herein may be
implemented in a multitude of ways. A software module may comprise a file, a
section of
code, a programming object, a programming structure, or combinations thereof.
A software
module may comprise a plurality of files, a plurality of sections of code, a
plurality of
programming objects, a plurality of programming structures, or combinations
thereof. In
various aspects, the one or more software modules comprise, by way of non-
limiting
examples, a web application, a mobile application, and a standalone
application. In some
instances, software modules are in one computer program or application. In
other instances,
software modules are in more than one computer program or application. In some
cases,
software modules are hosted on one machine. In other cases, software modules
are hosted on
more than one machine. Sometimes, software modules may be hosted on cloud
computing
platforms. Other times, software modules may be hosted on one or more machines
in one
location. In additional cases, software modules are hosted on one or more
machines in more
than one location.
Databases
[00260] The methods, apparatus, and systems disclosed herein may include one
or more
databases, or use of the same. In view of the disclosure provided herein,
those of skill in the
art will recognize that many databases are suitable for storage and retrieval
of analytical
information described elsewhere herein. In various aspects described herein,
suitable
databases may include, by way of non-limiting examples, relational databases,
non-relational
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databases, object oriented databases, object databases, entity-relationship
model databases,
associative databases, and XML databases. A database may be internet-based. A
database
may be web-based. A database may be cloud computing-based. Alternatively, a
database may
be based on one or more local computer storage devices.
Services
[00261] Methods and systems described herein may further be performed as a
service. For
example, a service provider may obtain a sample that a customer wishes to
analyze. The
service provider may then encodes the sample to be analyzed by any one of the
methods
described herein, performs the analysis and provides a report to the customer.
The customer
may also perform the analysis and provides the results to the service provider
for decoding. In
some instances, the service provider then provides the decoded results to the
customer. In
other instances, the customer may receive encoded analysis of the samples from
the provider
and decodes the results by interacting with softwares installed locally (at
the customer's
location) or remotely (e.g. on a server reachable through a network).
Sometimes, the
softwares may generate a report and transmit the report to the costumer.
Exemplary
customers include clinical laboratories, hospitals, industrial manufacturers
and the like.
Sometimes, a customer or party may be any suitable customer or party with a
need or desire
to use the methods provided herein.
Server
[00262] The methods provided herein may be processed on a server or a computer
server,
as shown in FIG. 14). The server 1401 may include a central processing unit
(CPU, also
"processor") 1405 which may be a single core processor, a multi core
processor, or plurality
of processors for parallel processing. A processor used as part of a control
assembly may be a
microprocessor. The server 1401 may also include memory 1410 (e.g. random
access
memory, read-only memory, flash memory); electronic storage unit 1415 (e.g.
hard disk);
communications interface 1420 (e.g. network adaptor) for communicating with
one or more
other systems; and peripheral devices 1425 which includes cache, other memory,
data
storage, and/or electronic display adaptors. The memory 1410, storage unit
1415, interface
1420, and peripheral devices 1425 may be in communication with the processor
1405 through
a communications bus (solid lines), such as a motherboard. The storage unit
1415 may be a
data storage unit for storing data. The server 1401 may be operatively coupled
to a computer
network ("network") 1430 with the aid of the communications interface 1420. A
processor
with the aid of additional hardware may also be operatively coupled to a
network. The
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network 1430 may be the Internet, an intranet and/or an extranet, an intranet
and/or extranet
that is in communication with the Internet, a telecommunication or data
network. The
network 1430 with the aid of the server 1401, may implement a peer-to-peer
network, which
may enable devices coupled to the server 1401 to behave as a client or a
server. The server
may be capable of transmitting and receiving computer-readable instructions
(e.g.,
device/system operation protocols or parameters) or data (e.g., sensor
measurements, analysis
of sensor measurements, etc.) via electronic signals transported through the
network 1430.
Moreover, a network may be used, for example, to transmit or receive data
across an
international border.
[00263] The server 1401 may be in communication with one or more output
devices 1435
such as a display or printer, and/or with one or more input devices 1440 such
as, for example,
a keyboard, mouse, or joystick. The display may be a touch screen display, in
which case it
functions as both a display device and an input device. Different and/or
additional input
devices may be present such an enunciator, a speaker, or a microphone. The
server may use
any one of a variety of operating systems, such as for example, any one of
several versions of
Windows , or of MacOS , or of Unix , or of Linux .
[00264] The storage unit 1415 may store files or data associated with the
operation of a
device, systems or methods described herein.
[00265] The server may communicate with one or more remote computer systems
through
the network 1430. The one or more remote computer systems may include, for
example,
personal computers, laptops, tablets, telephones, Smart phones, or personal
digital assistants.
[00266] A control assembly may include a single server 1401. In other
situations, the
system may include multiple servers in communication with one another through
an intranet,
extranet and/or the Internet.
[00267] The server 1401 may be adapted to store device operation parameters,
protocols,
methods described herein, and other information of potential relevance. Such
information
may be stored on the storage unit 1415 or the server 1401 and such data is
transmitted
through a network.
EXAMPLES
[00268] The devices and methods described herein may be used to obtain a
variety of
information from a sample. The sample may be a living sample, such as a human
or a non-
human animal subject, such as non-human primates, horses, livestock such as
bovines or
sheep, dogs, cats, birds, mice, or any other animal. The systems and methods
described herein
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may be used to detect or diagnose a variety of health conditions in a human or
non-human
subject. For instance, the systems and methods may be used to detect injuries
or conditions
associated with one or more of the brain, heart, lungs, stomach, small
intestine, large
intestine, liver, kidney, colon, or any other internal organ of a human or non-
human subject.
The systems and methods may be used to detect injuries or conditions
associated with one or
more of a bone (such as a broken bone), connective tissue (such as a cartilage
tear), or blood
vessel (such as an aneurysm).
1002691 The devices and methods described herein may be utilized to determine
the
presence of tumors, fractured bones, ruptured vasculature, lacerated organs,
or free
abdominal fluid within a human or non-human subject. Furthermore, the devices
and methods
may be utilzied to identify any of the following conditions in a human or non-
human subject:
venipuncture, central line placement, gallstones, pneumothorax, pleural
effusion, pneumonia,
cardiac function, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, bladder volume,
bowel obstruction,
organ structure functional abnormalities, peritonsillar abscess, superficial
or deep space
abscess, cellulitis, fluid status, inferior vena cava collapse, carotid
intimal thickness, carotid
artery dissection, abdominal aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, and
pregnancy.
[00270] FIG. 15 depicts the use of an enhanced stethoscope device for
monitoring
blood pressure. The stethoscope device may be any stethoscope device described
herein. In
particular, the stethoscope device may comprise a first ultrasonic transducer,
a light source,
and a light detector. The stethoscope device may optionally comprise a second
ultrasonic
transducer. The first ultrasonic transducer may operate in a Tx mode. The
second ultrasonic
transducer may operate in a receive mode. The stethoscope device may be placed
above the
skin of a subject (such as skin in a subject's arm). As a bolus of blood
travels through an
artery beneath the skin of the subject, the stethoscope device may transmit an
ultrasonic
signal from the first ultrasonic transducer and an optical signal from the
light source. The
ultrasonic signal or the optical signal may be scattered, dispersed, or
reflected from the bolus.
The scattered, dispersed, or reflected ultrasonic signal or optical signal may
be detector by the
second ultrasonic transducer or the light detector, respectively. The
intensity of the scattered,
dispersed, or reflected ultrasonic signal or optical signal may be compared to
the intensity of
the transmitted ultrasonic signal or the transmitted optical signal,
respectively. These
measurements may yield a velocity of the blood bolus as measured by the
ultrasonic imaging
signal and the optical signal, respectively. The velocity of the blood bolus
as measured by the
ultrasonic imaging signal may be normalized by the velocity of the blood bolus
as measured
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by the optical signal, or vice versa. These values may be synthesized and
correlated to
determine one or more physiometric parameters of the subject, such as the
subject's heart
rate, blood pressure, or respiration, as described herein with respect to FIG.
16.
[00271] FIG. 16 illustrates a multi-input multi-output (MIMO)
correlation for
determining a physiometric parameter associated with ultrasonic and optical
measurement of
a blood bolus. The MIMO correlation may utilize any of the modeling techniques
described
herein, such as any machine learning or statistical model described herein.
The MIMO
correlation may produce a unique correlation between the ultrasonic imaging
signal and the
optical signal. The unique correlation may allow for the extraction of any
physiometric
information described herein. The MIMO correlation may allow for the
extraction of signals
that may otherwise be obfuscated by noise.
[00272] The devices and methods described herein may be utilized for
applications in
fields outside of the medical fields described above. For instance, the
devices and methods
may be used to provide information about the internal conditions of mechanical
systems, such
as the engines or transmissions of vehicles. The stethoscope functionality may
be used to
detect abnormalities in the mechanical processes of an engine or transmission.
The ultrasonic
functionality may be used to image the engine or transmission to determine if
it has sustained
internal damage. The non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensors may provide
additional
information about the state of the engine or transmission, such as its
temperature.
[00273] The devices and methods may be used for non-destructive testing
of
infrastructure. For instance, the devices and methods may be used to examine
the internal
structure of concrete (in streets or highways, bridges, buildings, or other
structures) to
determine whether the concrete or metal rebar within the concrete has been
damaged. The
devices and methods may be used to examine the internal structures of
pipelines to determine
whether they are damaged and may represent a threat to life, property, or the
environment.
[00274] The devices and methods described herein may be utilized to
examine the
internal structures of other building materials, such as stone, brick, wood,
sheetrock, thermal
insulating, plastic piping, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping, fiberglass, or
paint.
[00275] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown
and
described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such
embodiments are
provided by way of example only. It is not intended that the invention be
limited by the
specific examples provided within the specification. While the invention has
been described
with reference to the aforementioned specification, the descriptions and
illustrations of the
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embodiments herein are not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Numerous
variations,
changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without
departing from
the invention. Furthermore, it shall be understood that all aspects of the
invention are not
limited to the specific depictions, configurations or relative proportions set
forth herein which
depend upon a variety of conditions and variables. It should be understood
that various
alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be
employed in
practicing the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the invention
shall also cover any
such alternatives, modifications, variations or equivalents. It is intended
that the following
claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures
within the scope of
these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.
FURTHER ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION
Aspect 1. A stethoscope device comprising:
a stethoscope head comprising a mechanical diaphragm for receiving a
stethoscopic audio signal from an object;
a first ultrasonic transducer for transmitting a first transmitted ultrasonic
imaging signal to the object at a first frequency and receiving a first
received ultrasonic
imaging signal from the object at the first frequency; and
a second ultrasonic transducer for transmitting a second transmitted
ultrasonic
imaging signal to the object at a second frequency different from the first
frequency and
receiving a second received ultrasonic imaging signal from the object at the
second
frequency, wherein
the first and second ultrasonic transducers transmit and receive
simultaneously
with one another.
Aspect 2. The stethoscope device of aspect 1, wherein the frequency of the
first transmitted
ultrasonic imaging signal is selected from the group consisting of: 100 kHz,
200 kHz, 300
kHz, 400 kHz, 500 kHz, 650 kHz, 700 kHz, 800 kHz, 850 kHz, 900 kHz, 1 MHz, 2
MHz, 3
MHz, 5.5 MHz, 6 MHz, 8 MHz, and 11 MHz; and the frequency of the second
transmitted
ultrasonic imaging signal is in the frequency range of 0.5 Mhz ¨ 30 MHz.
Aspect 3. The stethoscope device of aspect 1 or 2, wherein the frequency of
the first received
ultrasonic imaging signal is selected from the group consisting of: 100 kHz,
200 kHz, 300
kHz, 400 kHz, 500 kHz, 650 kHz, 700 kHz, 800 kHz, 850 kHz, 900 kHz, 1 MHz, 2
MHz, 3
MHz, 5.5 MHz, 6 MHz, 8 MHz, and 11 MHz; and the frequency of the second
received
ultrasonic imaging signal is in the frequency range of 0.5Mhz ¨ 30MHz.
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Aspect 4. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-3, wherein the
frequency of the first
transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal is in the frequency range of 0.5 MHz ¨
30 MHz and the
frequency of the second transmitted ullrasonic imaging signal is in the
frequency range of 0.5
MHz ¨ 30 MHz and is distinct from the frequency of the first transmitted
ultrasonic imaging
signal.
Aspect 5. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-4, wherein the
frequency of the first
received ultrasonic imaging signal is in the frequency range of 0.5 MHz ¨ 30
MHz and the
frequency of the second received ultrasonic imaging signal is in the frequency
range of 0.5
MHz ¨ 30 MHz and is distinct from the frequency of the first received
ultrasonic imaging
signal.
Aspect 6. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-5, wherein the first
received
ultrasonic imaging signal is normalized by the second received ultrasonic
imaging signal.
Aspect 7. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-6, wherein the
frequency of the first
received ultrasonic imaging signal is in the frequency range of 0.5 MHz ¨ 30
MHz and the
frequency of the second received ultrasonic imaging signal is in the frequency
range of 0.5
MHz ¨ 30 MHz and is distinct from the frequency of the first received
ultrasonic imaging
signal.
Aspect 8. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-7, wherein the first
ultrasonic
transducer comprises an element selected from the group consisting of: a lead
zirconate
titanate (PZT) element, a polyvinylidine fluoride (PVDF) element, a
piezoelectric
micromachined ultrasound transducer (PMUT) element, and a capacitive
micromachined
ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) element; and the second ultrasonic transducer
comprises an
element selected from the group consisting of: a PZT element, a PVDF element,
a PMUT
element, and a CMUT element.
Aspect 9. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-8, wherein the first
ultrasonic
transducer has a bandwidth that partially overlaps with the bandwidth of at
least one other
ultrasonic imaging sensor.
Aspect 10. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-9, further
comprising a housing
coupled to one or more of the stethoscope head, the first ultrasonic
transducer, and the second
ultrasonic transducer.
Aspect 11. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-10, wherein one or
more of the
stethoscope head, the first ultrasonic transducer, and the second ultrasonic
transducer is
detachably coupled to the housing.
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Aspect 12. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-11, wherein one or
more of the
stethoscope head, the first ultrasonic transducer, and the second ultrasonic
transducer is
physically coupled to the housing.
Aspect 13. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-12, wherein one or
more of the
stethoscope head, the first ultrasonic transducer, and the second ultrasonic
transducer is
functionally coupled to the housing.
Aspect 14. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-13, further
comprising: a non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor for detecting a non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic signal.
Aspect 15. The stethoscope device of aspect 14, wherein the non-stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic
sensor is selected from the group consisting of: a non-stethoscopic audio
sensor, a
temperature sensor, an optical sensor, an electrical sensor, and an
electrochemical sensor.
Aspect 16. The stethoscope device of aspect 14 or 15, wherein the non-
stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor is configured to detect a signal originating from the group
consisting of: a
body temperature, a respiration rate, a respiration quality, a respiration
pathology, a blood
pressure level, a blood glucose concentration level, a blood gas concentration
level, and a
blood oxygenation saturation (sp02) level.
Aspect 17. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-16, wherein the
stethoscope head
is functionally coupled to the first and second ultrasonic transducers.
Aspect 18. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-17, further
comprising a battery.
Aspect 19. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-18, further
comprising a power
connector for receiving electrical power.
Aspect 20. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-19, further
comprising an
inductive power coil for receiving electrical power.
Aspect 21. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-20, further
comprising an
inductive power coil for transmitting and receiving data.
Aspect 22. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-21, further
comprising a control
for operating the device in one or more of a stethoscopic mode, an ultrasonic
imaging mode,
or a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic mode.
Aspect 23. The stethoscope device of aspect 22, wherein the control comprises
a user
interface.
Aspect 24. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-23, wherein the user
interface is
configured to provide a user with feedback based on the stethoscopic signal,
the ultrasonic
signal, or the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal.
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Aspect 25. The stethoscope device of aspect 24, wherein the user interface
comprises a
touchscreen device.
Aspect 26. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-25, further
comprising a wireless
networking modality.
Aspect 27. The stethoscope device of aspect 26, wherein the wireless
networking modality is
configured to communicate the stethoscopic audio signal, received ultrasonic
signal, or non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal to a peripheral device.
Aspect 28. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 1-27, further
comprising a
microphone and speaker.
Aspect 29. The stethoscope device of aspect 28, wherein the microphone and
speaker enable
communication between an operator of the stethoscope device and the
stethoscope device.
Aspect 30. A stethoscope device comprising:
a stethoscope head comprising a mechanical diaphragm for receiving a
stethoscopic audio signal from an object;
an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting a transmitted ultrasonic imaging
signal to the object and receiving a received ultrasonic imaging signal from
the object; and
a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor for detecting a non-stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic signal from the object.
Aspect 31. The stethoscope device of aspect 30, further comprising a housing
coupled to the
stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, and the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor.
Aspect 32. The stethoscope device of aspect 30 or 31, wherein one or more of
the stethoscope
head, the ultrasonic transducer, and the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic
sensor is detachably
coupled to the housing.
Aspect 33. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 30-32, wherein one or
more of the
stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, and the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor is
physically coupled to the housing.
Aspect 34. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 30-33, wherein one or
more of the
stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, and the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor is
functionally coupled to the housing.
Aspect 35. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 30-34, wherein the
received
ultrasonic imaging signal received from the object and is a scattered signal
of the transmitted
ultrasonic imaging signal.
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Aspect 36. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 30-35, wherein the non-
stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic sensor is selected from the group consisting of: a non-
stethoscopic audio
sensor, a temperature sensor, an optical sensor, an electrical sensor, a
chemical sensor, and an
electrochemical sensor.
Aspect 37. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 30-36, wherein the non-
stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic sensor is configured to detect a signal corresponding with one
or more of: a
body temperature, a respiration rate, a respiration volume, a respiration
quality, a respiratory
pathology, a blood pressure level, a blood glucose concentration, a blood gas
concentration
level, and a blood oxygenation saturation (sp02) level.
Aspect 38. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 30-37, wherein the
ultrasonic
transducer is attached to the stethoscope head.
Aspect 39. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 30-38, further
comprising a
rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery.
Aspect 40. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 30-39, further
comprising a power
connector for receiving electrical power.
Aspect 41. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 30-40, further
comprising an
inductive power coil for receiving electrical power.
Aspect 42. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 30-41, further
comprising an
inductive power coil for transmitting and receiving data.
Aspect 43. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 30-42, further
comprising a control
for operating the device in one or more of a stethoscopic mode, an ultrasonic
imaging mode,
a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic mode.
Aspect 44. The stethoscope device of aspect 43, wherein the control comprises
a user
interface.
Aspect 45. The stethoscope device of aspect 44, wherein the user interface is
configured to
provide a user with feedback based on the stethoscopic signal, ultrasonic
signal, or non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal.
Aspect 46. The stethoscope device of aspect 44 or45, wherein the user
interface comprises a
display.
Aspect 47. The stethoscope device of aspect 46, wherein the display displays a
2-dimensional
representation a sample being imaged.
Aspect 48. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 44-47, wherein the
user interface
comprises a touchscreen device.
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Aspect 49. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 30-48, further
comprising a wireless
networking modality.
Aspect 50. The stethoscope device of aspect 49, wherein the wireless
networking modality is
configured to communicate the stethoscopic audio signal, received ultrasonic
signal, or non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal to a peripheral device.
Aspect 51. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 30-50, further
comprising a
microphone and speaker.
Aspect 52. The enhanced stethoscope device of aspect 51, wherein the
microphone and
speaker enable communication between an operator of the enhanced stethoscope
device and
the enhanced stethoscope device.
Aspect 53. A stethoscope device comprising:
a stethoscope head comprising a mechanical diaphragm for receiving a
stethoscopic audio signal from an object;
an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting a transmitted ultrasonic imaging
signal to the object and receiving a received ultrasonic imaging signal from
the object; and
a model for correlating the stethoscopic audio signal and the received
ultrasonic imaging signal.
Aspect 54. The stethoscope device of aspect 53, further comprising a housing
coupled to the
stethoscope head and ultrasonic transducer.
Aspect 55. The stethoscope device of aspect 53 or 54, wherein one or both of
the stethoscope
head and the ultrasonic transducer is detachably coupled to the housing.
Aspect 56. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 53-55, wherein one or
both of the
stethoscope head and the ultrasonic transducer is physically coupled to the
housing.
Aspect 57. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 53-56, wherein one or
both of the
stethoscope head and ultrasonic transducer is functionally coupled to the
housing.
Aspect 58. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 53-57, further
comprising: a non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor for detecting a non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic signal.
Aspect 59. The stethoscope device of aspect 58, wherein the non-stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic
sensor is selected from the group consisting of: a non-stethoscopic audio
sensor, a
temperature sensor, an optical sensor, an electrical sensor, a chemical sensor
and an
electrochemical sensor.
Aspect 60. The stethoscope device of aspect 58 or 59, wherein the non-
stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor is configured to detect a signal corresponding with from one
or more of: a
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body temperature, a respiration rate, a blood pressure level, and a blood
oxygenation
saturation (sp02) level.
Aspect 61. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 53-60, wherein the
model correlates
a first signal selected from the group consisting of: (a) a stethoscopic audio
signal, (b) an
ultrasonic imaging signal, and (c) a non-ultrasonic signal; with a second
signal selected from
the group consisting of: (x) a stethoscopic audio signal, (y) an ultrasonic
imaging signal, and
(z) a non-ultrasonic signal; thereby generating an extracted feature
parameter.
Aspect 62. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 53-61, wherein the
model correlates
the first and second signals by:
convolving the first signal with a first weighting function to form a first
weighted signal;
convolving the second signal with a second weighting function to form a
second weighted signal; and
performing auto-correlation or cross-correlation on the first and second
weighted signals to generate the extracted feature parameter.
Aspect 63. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 53-62, wherein the
model correlates
the first and second signals by:
transforming the first and second signals, respectively, with one or more of
(i)
a Fourier transform, (ii) a Z-transform, (iii) a wavelet transform, (iv) a
cosine series, (v) a
sine series, or (vi) a Taylor series; to form first and second transformed
signals, respectively;
and
cross-correlating or auto-correlating the first and second transformed signals
to generate a feature parameter.
Aspect 64. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 53-63, wherein the
model correlates
the first and second signals by:
encoding the first and second signals; and
mapping the first and second signals to a set of features using a machine
learning technique.
Aspect 65. The stethoscope device of aspect 64, wherein the machine learning
technique is
selected from the group consisting of: a Diabolo network, a neural network,
and a sparse
dictionary.
Aspect 66. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 53-65, wherein the
ultrasonic
transducer is attached to the head of the stethoscope.
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Aspect 67. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 53-66, further
comprising a
rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery.
Aspect 68. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 53-67, further
comprising a power
connector for receiving electrical power.
Aspect 69. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 53-68, further
comprising an
inductive power coil for receiving electrical power.
Aspect 70. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 53-69, further
comprising an
inductive power coil for transmitting and receiving data.
Aspect 71. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 53-70, further
comprising a control
for operating the device in one or more of a stethoscopic mode, an ultrasonic
imaging mode,
or a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic mode.
Aspect 72. The stethoscope device of aspect 71, wherein the control comprises
a user
interface.
Aspect 73. The stethoscope device of aspects 72, wherein the user interface is
configured to
provide a user with feedback based on one or more of the stethoscopic signal,
the ultrasonic
signal, or the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal.
Aspect 74. The stethoscope device of aspect 72 or 73, wherein the user
interface comprises a
touchscreen device.
Aspect 75. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 53-74, further
comprising a wireless
networking modality.
Aspect 76. The stethoscope device of aspect 75, wherein the wireless
networking modality is
configured to communicate one or more of the stethoscopic audio signal, the
received
ultrasonic signal, or the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal to a
peripheral device.
Aspect 77. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 53-76, further
comprising a
microphone and speaker.
Aspect 78. The stethoscope device of aspects 77, wherein the microphone and
speaker enable
communication between an operator of the enhanced stethoscope device and the
enhanced
stethoscope device.
Aspect 79. A stethoscope device comprising:
a stethoscope head comprising a mechanical diaphragm for receiving a
stethoscopic audio signal from an object;
an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting a transmitted ultrasonic imaging
signal to the object and receiving a received ultrasonic imaging signal from
the object;
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an audio transducer for transmitting an audio signal to the object; and
an interference circuit for interfering the transmitted ultrasonic imaging
signal
with the audio signal to steer the ultrasonic imaging signal to the object.
Aspect 80. The stethoscope device of aspect 79, further comprising a housing
coupled to one
or more of the stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, the audio
transducer, and the
interference circuit.
Aspect 81. The stethoscope device of aspect 79 or 80, wherein one or more of
the stethoscope
head, the ultrasonic transducer, the audio transducer, and the interference
circuit is detachably
coupled to the housing.
Aspect 82. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 79-81, wherein one or
more of the
stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, the audio transducer, and the
interference circuit
is physically coupled to the housing.
Aspect 83. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 79-82, wherein one or
more of the
stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, the audio transducer, and the
interference circuit
is functionally coupled to the housing.
Aspect 84. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 79-83, wherein the
interference
circuit interferes the transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal with the audio
signal based on a
model of the object response to the audio signal.
Aspect 85. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 79-84, wherein the
model correlates
the ultrasonic imaging signal with the audio signal and generates an extracted
feature
parameter.
Aspect 86. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 79-85, wherein the
model correlates
the ultrasonic imaging signal and the audio signal by:
convolving the ultrasonic imaging signal with a first weighting function to
form a weighted
ultrasonic imaging signal;
convolving the audio signal with a second weighting function to form a
weighted audio signal; and
performing auto-correlation or cross-correlation on the weighted ultrasonic
imaging signal and the weight audio signal to generate a feature parameter.
Aspect 87. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 79-86, wherein the
model correlates
the ultrasonic imaging signal and the audio signal by:
transforming the ultrasonic imaging and audio signals, respectively, with one
or more of (i) a Fourier transform, (ii) a Z-transform (iii) a wavelet
transform, (iv) a cosine
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series, (v) a sine series, or (vi) a Taylor series; to form transformed
ultrasonic imaging and
transformed audio signals, respectively; and
cross-correlating or auto-correlating the transformed ultrasonic imaging
signal
and the transformed audio signal to generate a feature parameter.
Aspect 88. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 79-87, wherein the
model correlates
the ultrasonic imaging signal and the audio signal by:
encoding the ultrasonic imaging signal and the audio signal; and
mapping the ultrasonic imaging signal and the audio signal to a set of
features
using a machine learning technique.
Aspect 89. The stethoscope device of aspect 88, wherein the machine learning
technique is
selected from the group consisting of: a Diabolo network, a neural network,
and a sparse
dictionary.
Aspect 90. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 79-89, further
comprising a non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor for detecting a non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic signal.
Aspect 91. The stethoscope device of aspect 90, wherein the non-stethoscopic,
non-ultrasonic
sensor is selected from the group consisting of: a non-stethoscopic audio
sensor, a
temperature sensor, an optical sensor, an electrical sensor, a chemical
sensor, and an
electrochemical sensor.
Aspect 92. The stethoscope device of aspect 90 or 91, wherein the non-
stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor is configured to detect a signal corresponding with the
group consisting of:
a body temperature, a respiration rate, a respiration quality, a respiration
pathology, a blood
pressure level, a blood glucose concentration level, a blood gas concentration
level, and a
blood oxygenation saturation (sp02) level.
Aspect 93. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 79-92, wherein the
ultrasonic
transducer is detachably or non-detachably attached to the head of the
stethoscope.
Aspect 94. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 79-93, wherein the
ultrasonic
transducer is attached to an acoustic matching layer.
Aspect 95. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 79-94, wherein the
ultrasonic
transducer is detachably or non-detachably attached to the head of the
stethoscope.
Aspect 96. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 79-95, further
comprising a
rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery.
Aspect 97. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 79-96, further
comprising a power
connector for receiving electrical power.
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Aspect 98. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 79-97, further
comprising an
inductive power coil for receiving electrical power.
Aspect 99. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 79-98, further
comprising an
inductive power coil for transmitting and receiving data.
Aspect 100. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 79-99, further
comprising a control
for operating the device in one or more of a stethoscopic mode, an ultrasonic
imaging mode,
and a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic mode.
Aspect 101. The stethoscope device of aspect 100, wherein the control
comprises a user
interface.
Aspect 102. The stethoscope device of aspect 101, wherein the user interface
is configured to
provide a user with feedback based on one or more of the stethoscopic signal,
the ultrasonic
signal, and the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal.
Aspect 103. The stethoscope device of aspect 101 or 102, wherein the user
interface
comprises a touchsere,en device.
Aspect 104. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 79-103, further
comprising a
wireless networking modality.
Aspect 105. The stethoscope device of aspect 104, wherein the wireless
networking modality
is configured to communicate one or more of the stethoscopic audio signal, the
received
ultrasonic signal, and the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal to a
peripheral device.
Aspect 106. The stethoscope device of any one of aspects 79-105, further
comprising a
microphone and speaker.
Aspect 107. The stethoscope device of aspect 106, wherein the microphone and
speaker
enable communication between an operator of the stethoscope device and the
stethoscope
device.
Aspect 108. A method comprising:
receiving a stethoscopic audio signal from an object;
transmitting a first transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal to the object at a
first
frequency and receiving a first received ultrasonic imaging signal from the
object at the first
frequency; and
transmitting a second transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal to the object at a
second frequency different from the first frequency and receiving a second
received
ultrasonic imaging signal from the object at the second frequency, wherein
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the first and second ultrasonic transducers transmit and receive
simultaneously
with one another.
Aspect 109. The method of aspect 108, wherein the stethoscopic audio signal is
received by a
stethoscope head comprising a mechanical diaphragm, the first ultrasonic
imaging signal is
transmitted and received by a first ultrasonic transducer, and the second
ultrasonic imaging
signal is transmitted and received by a second ultrasonic transducer.
Aspect 110. The method of aspect 108 or 109, wherein the frequency of the
first transmitted
ultrasonic imaging signal is selected from the group consisting of: 100 kHz,
200 kHz, 300
kHz, 400 kHz, 500 kHz, 650 kHz, 700 kHz, 800 kHz, 850 kHz, 900 kHz, 1 MHz, 2
MHz, 3
MHz, 5.5 MHz, 6 MHz, 8 MHz, and 11 MHz; and the frequency of the second
transmitted
ultrasonic imaging signal is in the frequency range of 0.5 Mhz ¨ 30 MHz.
Aspect 111. The method of any one of aspects 108-110, wherein the frequency of
the first
received ultrasonic imaging signal is selected from the group consisting of:
100 kHz, 200
kHz, 300 kHz, 400 kHz, 500 kHz, 650 kHz, 700 kHz, 800 kHz, 850 kHz, 900 kHz, 1
MHz, 2
MHz, 3 MHz, 5.5 MHz, 6 MHz, 8 MHz, and 11 MHz; and the frequency of the second
received ultrasonic imaging signal is in the frequency range of 0.5Mhz ¨
30MHz.
Aspect 112. The method of any one of aspects 108-111, wherein the frequency of
the first
transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal is in the frequency range of 0.5 MHz ¨
30 MHz and the
frequency of the second transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal is in the
frequency range of 0.5
MHz ¨ 30 MHz and is distinct from the frequency of the first transmitted
ultrasonic imaging
signal
Aspect 113. The method of any one of aspects 108-112, wherein the frequency of
the first
received ultrasonic imaging signal is in the frequency range of 0.5 MHz ¨30
MHz and the
frequency of the second received ultrasonic imaging signal is in the frequency
range of 0.5
MHz ¨ 30 MHz and is distinct from the frequency of the first received
ultrasonic imaging
signal.
Aspect 114. The method of any one of aspects 108-113, wherein the first
received ultrasonic
imaging signal is normalized by the second received ultrasonic imaging signal.
Aspect 115. The method of any one of aspects 108-114, wherein the frequency of
the first
received ultrasonic imaging signal is in the frequency range of 0.5 MHz ¨ 30
MHz and the
frequency of the second received ultrasonic imaging signal is in the frequency
range of 0.5
MHz ¨ 30 MHz and is distinct from the frequency of the first received
ultrasonic imaging
signaL
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Aspect 116. The method of any one of aspects 109-115, wherein the first
ultrasonic
transducer comprises an element selected from the group consisting of: a lead
zirconate
titanate (PZT) element, a polyvinylidine fluoride (PVDF) element, a
piezoelectric
micromachined ultrasound transducer (PMUT) element, and a capacitive
micromachined
ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) element; and the second ultrasonic transducer
comprises an
element selected from the group consisting of: a PZT element, a PVDF element,
a PMUT
element, and a CMUT element.
Aspect 117. The method of any one of aspects 109-116, wherein the first
ultrasonic
transducer has a bandwidth that partially overlaps with the bandwidth of at
least one other
ultrasonic imaging sensor.
Aspect 118. The method of any one of aspects 109-117, further comprising
coupling a
housing to one or more of the stethoscope head, the first ultrasonic
transducer, and the second
ultrasonic transducer.
Aspect 119. The method of aspect 118, wherein one or more of the stethoscope
head, the first
ultrasonic transducer, and the second ultrasonic transducer is detachably
coupled to the
housing.
Aspect 120. The method of aspect 118 or 119, wherein one or more of the
stethoscope head,
the first ultrasonic transducer, and the second ultrasonic transducer is
physically coupled to
the housing.
Aspect 121. The method of any one of aspects 118-120, wherein one or more of
the
stethoscope head, the first ultrasonic transducer, and the second ultrasonic
transducer is
functionally coupled to the housing.
Aspect 122. The method of any one of aspects 108-121, further comprising:
detecting a non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal.
Aspect 123. The method of aspect 122, wherein the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic signal is
detected by a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor.
Aspect 124. The method of aspect 123, wherein the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor
is selected from the group consisting of: a non-stethoscopic audio sensor, a
temperature
sensor, an optical sensor, an electrical sensor, and an electrochemical
sensor.
Aspect 125. The method of aspect 123 or 124, wherein the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic
sensor is configured to detect a signal originating from the group consisting
of: a body
temperature, a respiration rate, a respiration quality, a respiration
pathology, a blood pressure
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level, a blood glucose concentration level, a blood gas concentration level,
and a blood
oxygenation saturation (sp02) level.
Aspect 126. The method of any one of aspects 109-125, wherein the stethoscope
head is
functionally coupled to the first and second ultrasonic transducers.
Aspect 127. The method of any one of aspects 108-126, further comprising
providing power
to the stethoscope head, first ultrasonic imaging transducer, and second
ultrasonic imaging
transducer.
Aspect 128. The method of aspect 127, wherein the power is provided by a
battery.
Aspect 129. The method of aspect 127 or 128, wherein the power is provided by
a power
connector for receiving electrical power.
Aspect 130. The method of any one of aspects 127-129, wherein the power is
provided by an
inductive power coil for receiving electrical power.
Aspect 131. The method of any one of aspects 108-130, further comprising
transmitting and
receiving data.
Aspect 132. The method of aspect 131, wherein transmitting and receiving data
is performed
by an inductive power coil for transmitting and receiving data.
Aspect 133. The method of any one of aspects 108-132, further comprising
operating the
device in one or more of a stethoscopic mode, an ultrasonic imaging mode, or a
non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic mode.
Aspect 134. The method of aspect 133, wherein operation of the device is
performed by a
control.
Aspect 135. The method of aspect 134, wherein the control comprises a user
interface.
Aspect 136. The method of aspect 135, wherein the user interface is configured
to provide a
user with feedback based on the stethoscopic signal, the ultrasonic signal, or
the non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal.
Aspect 137. The method of aspect 135 or 136, wherein the user interface
comprises a
touchscreen device.
Aspect 138. The method of any one of aspects 108-137, further comprising
communicating
the stethoscopic audio signal, received ultrasonic signal, or non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic
signal to a peripheral device.
Aspect 139. The method of aspect 138, wherein the communication is by a
wireless
networking modality.
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Aspect 140. The method of any one of aspects 108-139, further comprising
enabling
communication between an operator of the stethoscope device and the
stethoscope device.
Aspect 141. The method of aspect 140, wherein the communication is enabled by
a
microphone and speaker.
Aspect 142. A method comprising:
receiving a stethoscopic audio signal from an object;
transmitting a transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal to the object and
receiving
a received ultrasonic imaging signal from the object; and
detecting a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal from the object.
Aspect 143. The method of aspect 142, wherein the stethoscopic audio signal is
received by a
stethoscope comprising a mechanical diaphragm, the ultrasonic imaging signal
is transmitted
and received by a ultrasonic transducer, and the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic signal is
detected by a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor.
Aspect 144. The method of aspect 143, further comprising coupling a housing to
the
stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, and the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor.
Aspect 145. The method of aspect 143 or 144, wherein one or more of the
stethoscope head,
the ultrasonic transducer, and the non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor is
detachably
coupled to the housing.
Aspect 146. The method of any one of aspects 143-145, wherein one or more of
the
stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, and the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor is
physically coupled to the housing.
Aspect 147. The method of any one of aspects 144-146, wherein one or more of
the
stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, and the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor is
functionally coupled to the housing.
Aspect 148. The method of any one of aspects 142-147, wherein the received
ultrasonic
imaging signal received from the object and is a scattered signal of the
transmitted ultrasonic
imaging signal.
Aspect 149. The method of any one of aspects 143-148, wherein the non-
stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor is selected from the group consisting of: a non-stethoscopic
audio sensor, a
temperature sensor, an optical sensor, an electrical sensor, a chemical
sensor, and an
electrochemical sensor.
Aspect 150. The method of any one of aspects 143-149, wherein the non-
stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor is configured to detect a signal corresponding with one or
more of: a body
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temperature, a respiration rate, a respiration volume, a respiration quality,
a respiratory
pathology, a blood pressure level, a blood glucose concentration, a blood gas
concentration
level, and a blood oxygenation saturation (sp02) level.
Aspect 151. The method of any one of aspects 143-150, wherein the ultrasonic
transducer is
attached to the stethoscope head.
Aspect 152. The method of any one of aspects 142-151, further comprising
providing power
to the stethoscope head, first ultrasonic imaging transducer, and second
ultrasonic imaging
transducer.
Aspect 153. The method of aspect 152, wherein the power is provided by a
battery.
Aspect 154. The method of aspect 152 or 153, wherein the power is provided by
a power
connector for receiving electrical power.
Aspect 155. The method of any one of aspects 152-154, wherein the power is
provided by an
inductive power coil for receiving electrical power.
Aspect 156. The method of any one of aspects 142-155, further comprising
transmitting and
receiving data.
Aspect 157. The method of aspect 156, wherein transmitting and receiving data
is performed
by an inductive power coil for transmitting and receiving data.
Aspect 158. The method of any one of aspects 142-157, further comprising
operating the
device in one or more of a stethoscopic mode, an ultrasonic imaging mode, or a
non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic mode.
Aspect 159. The method of aspect 158, wherein operation of the device is
performed by a
control.
Aspect 160. The method of aspect 159, wherein the control comprises a user
interface.
Aspect 161. The method of aspect 160, wherein the user interface is configured
to provide a
user with feedback based on the stethoscopic signal, the ultrasonic signal, or
the non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal.
Aspect 161. A method comprising:
receiving a stethoscopic audio signal from an object;
transmitting a transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal to the object and
receiving
a received ultrasonic imaging signal from the object; and
correlating the stethoscopic audio signal and the received ultrasonic imaging
signal.
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Aspect 162. The method of aspect 161, wherein the stethoscopic audio signal is
received by a
stethoscope comprising a mechanical diaphragm, the ultrasonic imaging signal
is transmitted
and received by a ultrasonic transducer, and the stethoscopic audio signal and
received
ultrasonic imaging signal are correlated by a model.
Aspect 163. The method of aspect 162, further comprising coupling a housing to
the
stethoscope head and ultrasonic transducer.
Aspect 164. The method of aspect 163, wherein one or both of the stethoscope
head and the
ultrasonic transducer is detachably coupled to the housing.
Aspect 165. The method of aspect 163 or 164, wherein one or both of the
stethoscope head
and the ultrasonic transducer is physically coupled to the housing.
Aspect 166. The method of any one of aspects 163-165, wherein one or both of
the
stethoscope head and ultrasonic transducer is functionally coupled to the
housing.
Aspect 167. The method of any one of aspects 161-166, further comprising
detecting a non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal.
Aspect 168. The method of aspect 167, wherein the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic signal is
detected by a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor.
Aspect 169. The method of aspect 168, wherein the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor
is selected from the group consisting of: a non-stethoscopic audio sensor, a
temperature
sensor, an optical sensor, an electrical sensor, a chemical sensor and an
electrochemical
sensor.
Aspect 170. The method of aspect 168 or 169, wherein the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic
sensor is configured to detect a signal corresponding with from one or more
of: a body
temperature, a respiration rate, a blood pressure level, and a blood
oxygenation saturation
(sp02) level.
Aspect 171. The method of any one of aspects 161-170, wherein the model
correlates a first
signal selected from the group consisting of: (a) a stethoscopic audio signal,
(b) an ultrasonic
imaging signal, and (c) a non-ukrasonic signal; with a second signal selected
from the group
consisting of: (x) a stethoscopic audio signal, (y) an ultrasonic imaging
signal, and (z) a non-
ultrasonic signal; thereby generating an extracted feature parameter.
Aspect 172. The method of any one of aspects 161-171, wherein the model
correlates the first
and second signals by:
convolving the first signal with a first weighting function to form a first
weighted signal;
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convolving the second signal with a second weighting function to form a
second weighted signal; and
performing auto-correlation or cross-correlation on the first and second
weighted signals to generate the extracted feature parameter.
Aspect 173. The method of any one of aspects 161-172, wherein the model
correlates the first
and second signals by:
transforming the first and second signals, respectively, with one or more of
(i)
a Fourier transform, (ii) a Z-transform, (iii) a wavelet transform, (iv) a
cosine series, (v) a
sine series, or (vi) a Taylor series; to form first and second transformed
signals, respectively;
and
cross-correlating or auto-correlating the first and second transformed signals
to generate a feature parameter.
Aspect 174. The method of any one of aspects 161-173, wherein the model
correlates the first
and second signals by:
encoding the first and second signals; and
mapping the first and second signals to a set of features using a machine
learning technique.
Aspect 175. The method of aspect 175, wherein the machine learning technique
is selected
from the group consisting of: a Diabolo network, a neural network, and a
sparse dictionary.
Aspect 176. The method of any one of aspects 161-175, wherein the ultrasonic
transducer is
attached to the head of the stethoscope.
Aspect 177. The method of any one of aspects 162-176, further comprising
providing power
to the stethoscope head, first ultrasonic imaging transducer, and second
ultrasonic imaging
transducer.
Aspect 178. The method of aspect 177, wherein the power is provided by a
battery.
Aspect 179. The method of aspect 177 or 178, wherein the power is provided by
a power
connector for receiving electrical power.
Aspect 180. The method of any one of aspects 177-179, wherein the power is
provided by an
inductive power coil for receiving electrical power.
Aspect 181. The method of any one of aspects 161-180, further comprising
transmitting and
receiving data.
Aspect 182. The method of aspect 181, wherein transmitting and receiving data
is performed
by an inductive power coil for transmitting and receiving data.
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Aspect 183. The method of any one of aspects 161-182, further comprising
operating the
device in one or more of a stethoscopic mode, an ultrasonic imaging mode, or a
non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic mode.
Aspect 184. The method of aspect 183, wherein operation of the device is
performed by a
control.
Aspect 185. The method of aspect 184, wherein the control comprises a user
interface.
Aspect 186. The method of aspect 185, wherein the user interface is configured
to provide a
user with feedback based on the stethoscopic signal, the ultrasonic signal, or
the non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal.
Aspect 187. The method of aspect 185 or 186, wherein the user interface
comprises a
touchscreen device.
Aspect 188. The method of any one of aspects 161-187, further comprising
communicating
the stethoscopic audio signal, received ultrasonic signal, or non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic
signal to a peripheral device.
Aspect 189. The method of aspect 188, wherein the communication is by a
wireless
networking modality.
Aspect 190. The method of any one of aspects 161-189, further comprising
enabling
communication between an operator of the stethoscope device and the
stethoscope device.
Aspect 191. The method of aspect 190, wherein the communication is enabled by
a
microphone and speaker.
Aspect 192. A method comprising:
receiving a stethoscopic audio signal from an object;
transmitting a transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal to the object and
receiving
a received ultrasonic imaging signal from the object;
transmitting an audio signal to the object; and
interfering the transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal with the audio signal to
steer the ultrasonic imaging signal to the object.
Aspect 193. The method of aspect 192, wherein the stethoscopic audio signal is
received by a
stethoscope comprising a mechanical diaphragm, the ultrasonic imaging signal
is transmitted
and received by a ultrasonic transducer, the audio signal is transmitted by an
audio
transducer, and the transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal is interfered with
the audio signal by
an interference circuit.
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Aspect 194. The method of aspect 193, further comprising coupling a housing to
one or more
of the stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, the audio transducer, and
the interference
circuit.
Aspect 195. The method of aspect 194, wherein one or more of the stethoscope
head, the
ultrasonic transducer, the audio transducer, and the interference circuit is
detachably coupled
to the housing.
Aspect 196. The method of aspect 194 or 195, wherein one or more of the
stethoscope head,
the ultrasonic transducer, the audio transducer, and the interference circuit
is physically
coupled to the housing.
Aspect 197. The method of any one of aspects 194-196, wherein one or more of
the
stethoscope head, the ultrasonic transducer, the audio transducer, and the
interference circuit
is functionally coupled to the housing.
Aspect 198. The method of any one of aspects 193-197, wherein the interference
circuit
interferes the transmitted ultrasonic imaging signal with the audio signal
based on a model of
the object response to the audio signal
Aspect 199. The method of any one of aspects 192-198, wherein the model
correlates the
ultrasonic imaging signal with the audio signal and generates an extracted
feature parameter.
Aspect 200. The method of any one of aspects 192-199, wherein the model
correlates the
ultrasonic imaging signal and the audio signal by:
convolving the ultrasonic imaging signal with a first weighting function to
form a weighted
ultrasonic imaging signal;
convolving the audio signal with a second weighting function to form a
weighted audio signal; and
performing auto-correlation or cross-correlation on the weighted ultrasonic
imaging signal and the weight audio signal to generate a feature parameter.
Aspect 201. The method of any one of aspects 192-200, wherein the model
correlates the
ultrasonic imaging signal and the audio signal by:
transforming the ultrasonic imaging and audio signals, respectively, with one
or more of (i) a
Fourier transform, (ii) a Z-transform, (iii) a wavelet transform, (iv) a
cosine series, (v) a sine
series, or (vi) a Taylor series; to form transformed ultrasonic imaging and
transformed audio
signals, respectively;;
and cross-correlating or auto-correlating the transformed ultrasonic imaging
signal and the
transformed audio signal to generate a feature parameter.
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Aspect 202. The method of any one of aspects 192-201, wherein the model
correlates the
ultrasonic imaging signal and the audio signal by:
encoding the ultrasonic imaging signal and the audio signal; and
mapping the ultrasonic imaging signal and the audio signal to a set of
features
using a machine learning technique.
Aspect 203. The method of aspect 202, wherein the machine learning technique
is selected
from the group consisting of: a Diabolo network, a neural network, and a
sparse dictionary.
Aspect 204. The method of any one of aspects 192-203, further comprising
detecting a non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal.
Aspect 205. The method of aspect 204, wherein the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic signal is
detected by a non-stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic sensor.
Aspect 206. The method of aspect 205, wherein the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic sensor
is selected from the group consisting of: a non-stethoscopic audio sensor, a
temperature
sensor, an optical sensor, an electrical sensor, a chemical sensor, and an
electrochemical
sensor.
Aspect 207. The method of aspect 205 or 206, wherein the non-stethoscopic, non-
ultrasonic
sensor is configured to detect a signal corresponding with the group
consisting of: a body
temperature, a respiration rate, a respiration quality, a respiration
pathology, a blood pressure
level, a blood glucose concentration level, a blood gas concentration level,
and a blood
oxygenation saturation (sp02) level.
Aspect 208. The method of any one of aspects 193-207, wherein the ultrasonic
transducer is
detachably or non-detachably attached to the head of the stethoscope.
Aspect 209. The method of any one of aspects 193-208, wherein the ultrasonic
transducer is
attached to an acoustic matching layer.
Aspect 210. The method of any one of aspects 193-209, wherein the ultrasonic
transducer is
detachably or non-detachably attached to the head of the stethoscope.
Aspect 211. The method of any one of aspects 192-210, further comprising
providing power
to the stethoscope head, first ultrasonic imaging transducer, and second
ultrasonic imaging
transducer.
Aspect 212. The method of aspect 211, wherein the power is provided by a
battery.
Aspect 213. The method of aspect 211 or 212, wherein the power is provided by
a power
connector for receiving electrical power.
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Aspect 214. The method of any one of aspects 211-213, wherein the power is
provided by an
inductive power coil for receiving electrical power.
Aspect 215. The method of any one of aspects 192-214, further comprising
transmitting and
receiving data.
Aspect 216. The method of aspect 215, wherein transmitting and receiving data
is performed
by an inductive power coil for transmitting and receiving data.
Aspect 217. The method of any one of aspects 192-216, further comprising
operating the
device in one or more of a stethoscopic mode, an ultrasonic imaging mode, or a
non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic mode.
Aspect 218. The method of aspect 217, wherein operation of the device is
performed by a
control.
Aspect 219. The method of aspect 218, wherein the control comprises a user
interface.
Aspect 220. The method of aspect 219, wherein the user interface is configured
to provide a
user with feedback based on the stethoscopic signal, the ultrasonic signal, or
the non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic signal.
Aspect 221. The method of aspect 219 or 220, wherein the user interface
comprises a
touchscreen device.
Aspect 222. The method of any one of aspects 192-221, further comprising
communicating
the stethoscopic audio signal, received ultrasonic signal, or non-
stethoscopic, non-ultrasonic
signal to a peripheral device.
Aspect 223. The method of aspect 222, wherein the communication is by a
wireless
networking modality.
Aspect 224. The method of any one of aspects 192-223, further comprising
enabling
communication between an operator of the stethoscope device and the
stethoscope device.
Aspect 225. The method of aspect 224, wherein the communication is enabled by
a
microphone and speaker.
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