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US 9,028,429 B2Granted
Acoustic sensor assembly
AssigneeMasimo Corporation
InventorsValery G. Telfort, Predrag Pudar, Dimitar Dimitrov, Phi Trang, Ammar Al-Ali
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An acoustic sensor is configured to provide accurate and robust measurement of bodily sounds under a variety of conditions, such as in noisy environments or in situations in which stress, strain, or movement may be imparted onto a sensor with respect to a patient. Embodiments of the sensor provide a conformable electrical shielding, as well as improved acoustic and mechanical coupling between the sensor and the measurement site.
Claims21
An acoustic sensor assembly comprising:
- a frame at least partially defining an open cavity;
- a sensing element configured to output a signal responsive to acoustic vibrations, the sensing element supported by the frame, at least a portion of the sensing element comprising a piezoelectric material that is stretched in tension across the open cavity;
- electrical contacts electrically coupled with the sensing element and configured to convey an electrical signal corresponding to the signal responsive to the acoustic vibrations, the electrical contacts isolated from the open cavity by a physical barrier;
- an acoustic coupler supported by the frame and including an inner protrusion that extends into the open cavity and is positioned to apply pressure to at least the portion of the sensing element that is stretched in tension across the open cavity to push a section of the sensing element into the open cavity both when the acoustic sensor assembly is attached to a medical patient and when the acoustic sensor assembly is not attached to the medical patient, the acoustic coupler configured to transmit acoustic vibrations to the sensing element through the acoustic coupler when the acoustic sensor assembly is attached to the medical patient;
- and an elongate member supported by the frame, the elongate member comprising a spring portion extending at least partially beyond opposite sides of the frame, wherein the elongate member is configured to apply a predetermined force to the frame with the spring portion, wherein the acoustic sensor assembly is pressed against a measurement site of the medical patient when the acoustic sensor assembly is attached to the medical patient.
2 more elements
An acoustic sensor assembly comprising:
- a frame at least partially defining an open cavity;
- a sensing element configured to output a signal responsive to acoustic vibrations, the sensing element supported by the frame, at least a portion of the sensing element comprising a piezoelectric material that is stretched in tension across the open cavity;
- electrical contacts electrically coupled with the sensing element and configured to convey an electrical signal corresponding to the signal responsive to the acoustic vibrations, the electrical contacts isolated from the open cavity by a physical barrier;
- an acoustic coupler supported by the frame and including an inner protrusion that extends into the open cavity and is positioned to apply pressure to at least the portion of the sensing element that is stretched in tension across the open cavity to push a section of the sensing element into the open cavity both when the acoustic sensor assembly is attached to a medical patient and when the acoustic sensor assembly is not attached to the medical patient, the acoustic coupler configured to transmit acoustic vibrations to the sensing element through the acoustic coupler when the acoustic sensor assembly is attached to the medical patient;
- a resilient backbone extending across and beyond opposite sides of the frame;
- and attachment elements provided at outside ends of said backbone, the attachment elements comprising top and bottom portions, wherein the top portion is attached to said backbone, the bottom portion is configured to attach to a medical patient, and wherein the top portion is configured to be inclined with respect to said bottom portion when attached to said medical patient.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.