Wireless stethoscope and method of use thereof

Abstract

A wireless stethoscope is described, having wireless sensors that are enclosed in disposable pads so that the same pads are not used on more than one patient, preventing cross-infection of patients associated with conventional stethoscopes. The present wireless stethoscope also detects pulmonary sounds and cardiac sounds, allowing the user to monitor one or the other without interference. Also described is a method for diagnosing a pulmonary condition using the wireless stethoscope.

1 .- 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A wireless stethoscope system comprising:
 at least one wireless sensor for monitoring bodily sounds, and   at least one receiver for receiving electrical signals transmitted wirelessly from the at least one wireless sensor, wherein the at least one receiver filters the received electrical signals to reduce noise; and   wherein the at least one wireless sensor comprises:
 a microphone comprising a transducer converting bodily sounds into the electrical signals, wherein the converted bodily sounds include at least one of: pulmonary sounds, cardiac sounds, and digestive sounds, and wherein each of the bodily sounds corresponds to one of multiple wavelength ranges; and 
 a transmitter that wirelessly transmits the electrical signals to the at least one receiver, 
   wherein the at least one receiver comprises:
 a filter circuit that reduces back ground noise in the signals received from the wireless sensor. 
   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the microphone is a contact microphone comprising a magnetic transducer, contact plat, and contact pin transferring vibrations to the coil. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the wireless transmission by the transmitter is selected from the group consisting of radio frequency communication signals, infrared communication signals, short-wavelength radio transmissions and IEEE 802.15.1 signals. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the receiver is an electronic device selected from the group consisting of cell phones, smart phones, PDAs and tablet computers. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the electronic device comprises a software application allowing a practitioner to monitor the bodily sounds. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the software application analyzes the bodily sounds and provides or suggests a preliminary diagnosis based upon the bodily sounds. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the receiver is wirelessly interfaced with a central transmitting unit, wherein the transmitter transmits the bodily sounds to the central transmitting unit, and wherein the central transmitting unit is further interfaced with the electronic device. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein the central transmitting unit is interfaced with the at least one receiver. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein the central transmitting unit comprises a software application that allows a practitioner to monitor the bodily sounds from more than one patient. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein the central transmitting unit is further interfaced with at least one storage device. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the bodily sounds are recorded on the at least one storage device. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one wireless sensor is enclosed in or attached to a disposable pad. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the wireless stethoscope system comprises more than one wireless sensor programmed to the at least one receiver. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one wireless sensor comprises a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the filter circuit removes or reduces background noises selected from the group consisting of ambient noises, voices and metallic sounds. 
     
     
         49 . A method for monitoring bodily sounds of a subject, comprising:
 contacting the at least one wireless sensor of  claim 34  with the body of the subject, and   monitoring a bodily sound through the at least one receiver unit of  claim 34 .