US 4,301,809 A · Esophageal monitoring apparatus

Abstract

This application discloses an esophageal stethoscope for audibly and electronically monitoring a patient's cardiovascular functions. The stethoscope comprises a flexible tube which is dimensioned to be disposed in the patient's esophagus. Adjacent one end of the tube are a plurality of apertures covered by a thin membrane which allow acoustic waves to enter the tube. The other end of the tube is connected with ear pieces to allow the operator to hear the sounds received at the other end of the tube. Also disposed in the one end of the tube is an accelerometer or other electrokinetic transducer. The accelerometer is connected with a circuit for applying an excitation voltage to the accelerometer so that an analog signal is produced which varies with the acceleration of the accelerometer. A visual display is produced from the analog signal. A computer may operate on the analog signal with various algorithms to produce displays of different cardiovascular functions.

Claims15

Dependent claims

An esophageal stethoscope for audibly and electronically monitoring the caridovascular system of a patient, the stethoscope comprising:

a flexible tube adapted to be disposed in the patient's esophagus;
at least one aperture disposed adjacent one end of the tube;
a sound transmitting membrane disposed adjacent said aperture for permitting sound to be received within the tube;
listening means acoustically connected with said tube for enabling an operator to listen to sound within the tube;
at least one electrokinetic transducer means for producing electric signals which indicate the magnitude and direction of a function of the electrokinetic transducer means' motion during positional cycling of the heart, the electrokinetic transducer means being attached near said flexible tube one end;
signal processing means for operating on said electrical signal to produce at least one representation indicative of a preselected function of the motion of the electrokinetic transducer means, said signal processing means being operatively connected with said electrokinetic transducer means;
and
display means for producing at least one display of said representation, said display means being electrically connected with said signal processing means.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Esophageal monitoring apparatus

Life of this patent

Esophageal monitoring apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15