US20070049838A1 - Cordless stethoscope for hazardous material environments - Google Patents

Abstract

A cordless stethoscope for use in hazardous material environments comprising a fluid tight hand held sound sensing device having a stethoscope head for sensing auscultatory sounds, a transmitter for transmitting sounds sensed by the device, a receiver for receiving transmissions from the transmitter and an ear piece for converting the received transmissions into audible sound. The housing is sized and shaped for being grasped by a gloved hand and is fluid tight for decontamination purposes. The sound sensing device may further comprise a microphone for sensing otherwise inaudible voice communications from a patient. The transmitter and receiver preferably operate via radio frequency transmissions to transmit sounds through barriers such as hazardous material suits that may be worn by clinicians during treatment of patients in possible hazardous material situations.

Description

PRIOR HISTORY
• This is a continuation-in-part patent application claiming the benefit of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/644,111, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Aug. 20, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The claimed invention generally relates to stethoscopes. More specifically, the claimed invention relates to cordless or wireless stethoscopes.
• 2. Description of the Prior Art
• The threat of rapidly spreading infectious diseases to many different places around the world with little or no notice has significantly increased as international air travel has become commonplace. This threat coupled with increased concerns about possible biological and chemical attacks have resulted in a general increase in the awareness and preparedness of medical personnel to combat these types of threats. Doctors, nurses and emergency medical technicians typically use hazardous material protection suits, commonly known as HAZMAT suits, to protect themselves against these threats. HAZMAT suits completely isolate the healthcare workers from the surrounding environment forming a protective barrier against biological and chemical agents that may be presented by patients being cared for by the healthcare workers.
• It has come to my attention during preparedness training for dealing with these threats that it is impossible for medical personnel to use a standard stethoscope when wearing a HAZMAT suit without compromising the integrity of the suit. Breaking the protective barrier of the HAZMAT suit defeats the purpose of wearing the suit and places medical personnel at risk. There are devices in the prior art that convey auscultatory information gathered by a stethoscope head in ways other than a standard stethoscope, but it has come to my attention that the prior art does not provide a stethoscope device compatible with hazardous material environments.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,340,350 issued to Simms discloses an electronic stethoscope and holder comprising a chest piece, an earpiece, and a casing for holding the chest piece and earpiece. The chest piece has a radio wave transmitter for transmitting auscultatory sounds from the chest piece to a receiver in the earpiece. This device could be used to transmit auscultatory sounds from the chest piece through a HAZMAT suit to a receiver within an earpiece worn by the suit wearer. However, this device does not address important concerns that are particular to hazardous material environments such as providing a device that is water tight so that it may be easily decontaminated after use in a hazardous material environment or providing a stethoscope head that is easily used while wearing gloves commonly employed by HAZMAT suits.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,544,198 issued to Chong et al. discloses a stethoscope system for self-examination whereby the condition of health of a particular individual can be diagnosed by comparing characteristic sound waves classified by diseases with sound waves generated from various parts of the individual's body. This device could also be used to transmit auscultatory sounds through a HAZMAT suit. However, this system does not provide a self contained and portable stethoscope device that can be used without other support structures in place and does not address the previously mentioned shortcomings that are particular in a hazardous material environment.
• Therefore, there is a need for a stethoscope device designed for use by medical personnel wearing HAZMAT suits in hazardous material environments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• To accomplish the goal of providing a stethoscope device for use in hazardous material environments by personnel wear HAZMAT suits, the claimed invention provides a Cordless Stethoscope for Hazardous Material Environments.
• An objective of the claimed invention is to provide a Cordless Stethoscope for Hazardous Material Environments that can cordlessly transmit information from a stethoscope head to a receiver within a hazardous material protection suit.
• Another objective of the claimed invention is to provide a Cordless Stethoscope for Hazardous Material Environments having a fluid tight housing holding the stethoscope head and transmitter to allow easy decontamination of the stethoscope head.
• A further objective of the claimed invention is to provide a Cordless Stethoscope for Hazardous Material Environments having a housing holding the stethoscope head that is designed to be held by a gloved hand.
• An even further objective of the claimed invention is to provide a Cordless Stethoscope for Hazardous Material Environments having a microphone for picking up verbal communications that may not otherwise be audible through a hazardous material protection suit.
• To achieve these objectives, as well as others that become apparent after reading this specification and viewing the appended drawings, the claimed invention provides a Cordless Stethoscope for Hazardous Material Environments.
• The cordless stethoscope generally comprises a sound sensing device having a stethoscope head and a microphone for sensing and transmitting sounds from a patient, a receiver for receiving the transmissions, and earpieces for converting the received transmissions into audible sound for assessment by the person using the cordless stethoscope.
• The sound sensing device comprises a fluid tight housing, a power source, a stethoscope head, a momentary activation switch, a microphone, a microphone activation switch and a transmitter. The sound sensing device is designed to be completely fluid tight so that the device may be decontaminated after use in a hazardous material environment without damaging the inner components of the device. The overall size and shape of the housing allows a user wearing gloves to compensate for the loss of fine motor skills.
• The receiver generally comprises a receiver housing, a receiver, a receiver power source, an earpiece jack and a receiver volume control. Several different types of transmitters and receivers may be used in the cordless stethoscope, with magnetic induction or radio frequency transmission and reception being the preferred transmission means.
• The cordless stethoscope for hazardous material is used by placing the earpieces within the ears of the user and the receiver within a pocket or clipped onto a belt within the HAZMAT suit worn by the user. The sound sensing device is used by placing the activated device adjacent a patient's body to gather auscultatory information that is transmitted via the transmitter to the receiver where the signal is converted into audible sound by the earpiece for assessment by the user of the cordless stethoscope.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1.FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the sound sensing device.
• FIG. 2.FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of the sound sensing device.
• FIG. 3.FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the sound sensing device.
• FIG. 4.FIG. 4 shows how the sound sensing device is grasped and used.
• FIG. 5.FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the sound sensing device having an optional microphone.
• FIG. 6.FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the receiver.
• FIG. 7.FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of the receiver.
• FIG. 8.FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the cordless stethoscope packaged as a kit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
• Turning now to the drawing figures,FIG. 8 shows the cordless stethoscope for use in hazardousmaterial environments10. Thecordless stethoscope10 generally comprises asound sensing device20 shown inFIGS. 1-4 having astethoscope head30 and amicrophone40 for sensing and transmitting sounds from a patient, areceiver50 for receiving the transmissions, and earpieces60 for converting the received transmissions into audible sound for the person using thecordless stethoscope10.
• Thesound sensing device20 shown inFIGS. 1-4 generally comprises a fluidtight housing70, apower source80, astethoscope head30, amomentary activation switch100, amicrophone40, amicrophone activation switch110 and atransmitter120. Thesound sensing device20 is designed to be completely fluid tight so that thedevice20 may be decontaminated after use in a hazardous material environment without damaging the inner components of thedevice20.
• Heavy gloves are a necessary part of a HAZMAT suit to protect against biological and chemical agents. However, gloves that are commonly used with HAZMAT suits impede the use of fine motor skills involved in handling standard stethoscopes. To alleviate this problem, the fluidtight housing70 shown inFIGS. 1-4 has been designed forusers wearing gloves130. The overall size and shape of thehousing70 allows auser wearing gloves130 to compensate for the loss of fine motor skills.FIG. 3 shows how thesound sensing device20 is typically held during use. Thehousing70 also has a noslip grip140 to provide an improved gripping surface for users wearing heavy gloves and ahand strap ring150 for attaching thesound sensing device20 about the hand of the user to prevent possible drop damage to thedevice20.
• Thehousing70 has ahead opening160 for receiving thestethoscope head30, an activation switch opening170 for receiving themomentary activation switch100, a microphone opening180 for receiving themicrophone40, a microphone switch opening190 for receiving themicrophone switch110 and anindicator opening200 for receiving anindicator light210. Thepower source80, preferably a dry cell battery is located within thehousing70.
• Thestethoscope head30 shown inFIGS. 1, 3 and5 is located within the head opening160 of thehousing70 and is connected in circuit to thepower source80 and thetransmitter120. Thestethoscope head30 comprises adiaphragm220, astethoscope bell230, a first fluidtight cover240, a fluidtight member250 and a lowfrequency response microphone260 for sensing auscultatory sounds created by patient internal biological functions. The fluidtight member250 between thestethoscope head30 and thehead opening160 maintains the fluid tight integrity of thehousing70 and provides shock resistance protection to thestethoscope head30. Theindicator light210 indicates power flow to thestethoscope head30 when themomentary activation switch100 is actuated.
• Themomentary activation switch100 shown inFIGS. 2, 3 and5 is situated within theactivation switch opening170 and is connected in circuit to thestethoscope head30. The lowfrequency response microphone260 of thestethoscope head30 is activated when themomentary activation switch100 is actuated. A second fluidtight cover270 is placed over themomentary activation100 to seal theactivation switch opening170.
• Themicrophone40 is an optional feature of thesound sensing device20 as shown inFIG. 5. Themicrophone40 is used for sensing other communications that may not otherwise be heard by a person wearing a HAZMAT suit. A second fluidtight member280 between themicrophone40 and the microphone opening180 maintains the fluid tight integrity of thehousing70. Themicrophone activation switch110 is connected in circuit to themicrophone40 for activating themicrophone40. A third fluidtight cover290 over the microphone switch seals the microphone switch opening190.
• Thetransmitter120 shown inFIGS. 3 and 5 is located within the fluidtight housing70 and is connected in circuit to thepower source80 for transmitting the first signal and second signal to thereceiver50. Thesound sensing device20 may use several different types of transmitters to effectuate the intended purpose of thecordless stethoscope10. Preferably, thesound sensing device20 uses a radio frequency transmitter to transmit the digital signals to thereceiver50 by way of radio frequency transmission.
• Thereceiver50 shown inFIGS. 6-8 generally comprises a receiver housing300, areceiver module310, areceiver power source320, anearpiece jack340 and areceiver volume control350. Thereceiver module310 may use several different types of receiver to effectuate the intended purpose of thecordless stethoscope10. Preferably, thereceiver module310 uses a radio frequency receiver for receiving the signals transmitted by theradio frequency transmitter120.
• Excellent results have been obtained utilizing a low power wireless data transmitter data transmitter (i.e. a wireless data transceiver module) that generally operates in the 2.4 GHz range or more specifically in the 2,400 to 2,485 MHz range. One such device or module is manufactured by Tecnova with current business address of 1486 St. Paul Avenue, Gurnee, Ill., 60031 and sold under the brand name ZIGRAY, which module requires only a 3.0 volt power source. Transceivers operating in the 2.4 GHz range do not typically interfere with other peripheral hospital medical devices, and thus is one example of a preferred type of transceiver module.
• The earpieces60 convert the signal transmissions transmitted by thetransmitter120 and received by thereceiver module310 into first and second analog signal that are converted into audible sound for the person using thecordless stethoscope10 to hear the auscultatory sound and sound communication gathered by thesound sensing device20. The first and second analog signals may also be cordlessly transmitted from thereceiver50 to the earpieces60.
• The cordless stethoscope forhazardous material environments10 may be sold in a kit type form as shown inFIG. 8 and is used by placing the earpieces60 within the ears of the user and thereceiver50 within a pocket or clipped onto a belt within the HAZMAT suit worn by the user. Thesound sensing device20 is then used as shown inFIG. 4 by placing the activateddevice20 adjacent a patient's body to gather auscultatory information that is transmitted via thetransmitter120 to thereceiver module310 where the signal is converted into audible sound by the earpiece for assessment by the user of thecordless stethoscope10.
• Although the invention has been described by reference to some embodiments it is not intended that the novel device be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure, the following claims and the appended drawings.

Claims (9)

1. A cordless stethoscope system for use in hazardous material environments, the cordless stethoscope system comprising:

a housing, the housing being graspable by a gloved hand and comprising a fluid tight portion, a head opening, an activation switch opening, a microphone opening and a microphone switch opening;

a power source, the power source being housed within the fluid tight portion;

a stethoscope head, the stethoscope head being positioned within the head opening of the housing for sensing auscultatory sounds and having a first fluid tight member, the first fluid tight member being positioned between the stethoscope head and the head opening and connected in circuit to the power source;

a fluid tight cover, the fluid tight cover being positioned over the stethoscope head for sealing the head opening;

a momentary activation switch, the momentary activation switch being positioned within the activation switch opening and connected in circuit to the stethoscope head for activating the stethoscope head when the momentary activation switch is actuated;

a second fluid tight cover, the second fluid tight cover being positioned over the momentary activation switch for sealing the activation switch opening;

a microphone, the microphone being positioned within the microphone opening for sensing sound communications and having a second fluid tight member, the second fluid tight member being positioned between the microphone and the microphone opening and connected in circuit to the power source;

a microphone activation switch, the microphone activation switch being positioned within the microphone switch opening and connected in circuit to the microphone for activating the microphone when the microphone activation switch is actuated;

a third fluid tight cover, the third fluid tight cover being positioned over the microphone switch for sealing the microphone switch opening;

a radio frequency transmitter, the radio frequency transmitter being housed within the fluid tight portion and connected in circuit to the power source for transmitting auscultatory sound data sensed by the stethoscope head and sound communications data sensed by the microphone;

a receiver housing;

a receiver power source, the receiver power source being positioned within the receiver housing;

a radio frequency receiver, the radio frequency receiver being housed within the receiver housing and connected in circuit to the receiver power source for receiving transmitted auscultatory sound data and sound communications data; and

an ear piece, the ear piece being connected in circuit to the radio frequency receiver for converting the auscultatory sound data and sound communications data received by the receiver into audible sound.

2. The cordless stethoscope system ofclaim 1 wherein the housing further comprises an indicator opening and an indicator for indicating power flow to the stethoscope head, the indicator being positioned within the indicator opening and connected in circuit to the power source.

3. The cordless stethoscope system ofclaim 2 wherein the housing further comprises a ring, the ring providing means for attaching the housing to another object.

4. The cordless stethoscope system ofclaim 1 further comprising a no slip grip connected to an outer portion of the housing, the no slip grip thus for enhancing a user's ability to grasp the housing.

5. A sound sensing device for use in hazardous material environments, the device comprising:

a housing, the housing being graspable by a gloved hand and comprising a fluid tight portion, a head opening, an activation switch opening, a microphone opening and a microphone switch opening;

a power source, the power source being housed within the fluid tight portion;

a stethoscope head, the stethoscope head being positioned within the head opening of the housing for sensing auscultatory sounds and having a first fluid tight member, the first fluid tight member being positioned between the stethoscope head and the head opening and connected in circuit to the power source;

a momentary activation switch, the momentary activation switch being positioned within the activation switch opening and connected in circuit to the stethoscope head for activating the stethoscope head when the momentary activation switch is actuated;

a first fluid tight cover, the first fluid tight cover being positioned over the momentary activation switch for sealing the activation switch opening;

a microphone, the microphone being positioned within the microphone opening for sensing sound communications and having a second fluid tight member, the second fluid tight member being positioned between the microphone and the microphone opening and connected in circuit to the power source;

a microphone activation switch, the microphone activation switch being positioned within the microphone switch opening and connected in circuit to the microphone for activating the microphone when the microphone activation switch is actuated;

a second fluid tight cover, the second fluid tight cover being positioned over the microphone switch for sealing the microphone switch opening; and

a radio frequency transmitter, the radio frequency transmitter being housed within the fluid tight portion and connected in circuit to the power source for transmitting the auscultatory sound sensed by the stethoscope head and the sound communications sensed by the microphone.

6. The device ofclaim 5 wherein the housing further comprises an indicator opening and an indicator for indicating power flow to the stethoscope head, the indicator being positioned within the indicator opening and connected in circuit to the power source.

7. The device ofclaim 6 wherein the housing further comprises a ring, the ring providing means for attaching the housing to another object.

8. The device ofclaim 5 further comprising a no slip grip connected to an outer portion of the housing, the no slip grip for enhancing a user's ability to grasp the housing.

9. The device ofclaim 5 usable in combination with a receiver assembly, the receiver assembly comprising a receiver housing, a receiver power source, a radio frequency receiver, and an ear piece, the receiver power source being positioned within the receiver housing, the radio frequency receiver being housed within the receiver housing and connected in circuit to the receiver power source for receiving transmitted auscultatory sound and sound communications, the ear piece being connected in circuit to the radio frequency receiver for converting the auscultatory sound and sound communications transmissions received by the receiver into audible sound.

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