Vibro-acoustic transducer
AssigneeColeridge Design Associates LLC
InventorGeoffrey A. BOYD
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In various embodiments, vibro-acoustic transducer arrangements in accordance herewith are optimized for sensing and transducing acoustic phenomena occurring within a patient's body, and manifesting themselves at the skin surface with frequencies ranging from 0.001 Hz to 10 kHz. Strategies for effectively coupling to the skin include judicious mismatching of mechanical impedance, the use of impedance-matching gels or liquids, a shaped (e.g., domed) pickup, material selection, and/or a peripheral leaf-spring arrangement permitting relative movement between inner and peripheral diaphragm portions. The spring stiffness or spring compliance of the leaf springs may be selectively chosen to optimize the frequency response of the sensor.
Claims23
A sensor device comprising:
- a diaphragm having an outer peripheral portion and an inner portion, the inner portion being attached to the outer portion by a plurality of discrete, angularly spaced-apart leaf springs constraining relative movement between the inner portion and the peripheral portion;
- a coil disposed over at least one side of the diaphragm;
- and
- at least one magnet operatively disposed with respect to the coil to cause current to flow through the coil upon relative movement between the inner portion and the peripheral portion.
23-26. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.