DESC:
F O R M 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10 and rule 13]

1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION: PERSONAL AUSCULTATION DEVICE FOR MEDICAL ANALYSIS (PADMA)

2. APPLICANT (A) NAME: IPKINECT INNOVATIONS PRIVATE LIMITED

(B) ADDRESS: 63, FLOOR 2, A & B,
MUNICIPAL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE,
DAINIK SHIVNERI MARG, WORLI,
MUMBAI, INDIA, 400018

3. NATIONALITY (C) NATIONALITY: INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE NATURE OF THIS INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED
[001] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[002] This invention belongs to the field of a medical diagnostic and communications apparatus comprising an electronic processor, multiple microphones, a signal acquisition module, an audio processor, a storage module, power management module, audio sensor and a communication module for processing stethoscope signals. More particularly, invention deals with a mobile stethoscope attached to a smartphone and connected to a local network at home and to the cloud.
[003] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[004] Cardiovascular diseases CVDs are the main cause of death worldwide. More than 17 million people die of CVDs each year globally. Studies have shown that a large portion of these deaths are preventable.
[005] Hence, proper diagnosis at an early stage is crucial for intervention. Auscultation is the act of listening for sounds within the body. It is done mostly with the help of a stethoscope, making it an integral part of a clinician’s workflow during preliminary analysis.
[006] Problems like regurgitation and stenosis are associated with the aortic, pulmonic, tricuspid and mitral regions within the heart. Preliminary diagnosis of these ailments requires a physician to perform auscultation. A professional examiner positions the collector of a traditional stethoscope to focus audio acquisition in the general direction of the region of interest.
[007] However, the acquired sound, though directional, is not focused to a specific region within the conical extension of the acoustic collector and so, along with the required sounds, noise from surrounding regions is inevitable. Thus, the operation of a traditional stethoscope requires expertise.
[008] They train their listening skills for years to identify pathological sounds from normal sounds. Currently, there is a trend of practitioners shifting their practice with the use of electronic stethoscopes. Recent years have shown a major focus on telemedicine and point of care diagnostics. Internet of Things (IoT) enabled medical devices and the widespread use of smartphone-related solutions promote Telemedicine at point-of-care (PoC) and is helping in monitoring patient conditions in real-time.
[009] The design of these stethoscopes is such that it is still intended to be used by medical professionals. Though electronic stethoscopes provide extra amplification to the minute murmurs but are still susceptible to ambient noise. Furthermore, the bandwidth requirement for high-quality signals limits the use of such IoT enabled stethoscopes in conventional medical practice.
[010] Additionally, as the current healthcare infrastructure would not be able to handle unexpected surges in patients, in situations such as a pandemic, it would be more optimal to perform possible consultations remotely. Integration of smartphone technologies with a stethoscope will enable such remote consultations with ease for both the patient and the clinician. But the fragmented nature of the smartphone market poses the problem of multiple designs for electronic stethoscope attachments for each specific smartphone.
[011] Hence, there is a need to have a universally attachable smartphone-enabled electronic stethoscope with on-board signal processing capabilities. Since the conventional stethoscope is an established device that have been used in clinical practice for over several decades, it is a challenge to promote utility of a device with significantly different design.
[012] Therefore, there is a need in the art to develop an electronic stethoscope integrated with smartphone technologies which will enable remote clinical consultations; and will add benefit to patient, clinician; and to the healthcare ecosystem.
[013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[014] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a medical diagnostic and communications apparatus comprising an electronic processor, multiple microphones, a signal acquisition module, an audio processor, a storage module, power management module, and a communication module for processing and transmitting stethoscope signals.
[015] In an embodiment, invention deals with a mobile stethoscope attached to a smartphone and connected to a local network at home and to the cloud.
[016] According to a non-limiting exemplary aspect of the present invention, the smartphone application can be used to control the mobile stethoscope, and also allows for the analysis, attachment, and further manipulation of the data. The device can be used by a clinician or by a patient itself. User can record the device signal and send it to the cloud securely. Upon authorization, a clinician could then access the recorded signals.
[017] In further embodiment the developed mobile stethoscope can be deployed in a hospital, Primary Healthcare Centre, or at homecare. The design of the system is such that it could be used by any person, including but not limited to, the patient, clinicians and healthcare workers attending to the patient.
[018] In an embodiment the device could be used in places where constant monitoring by a clinician is needed, such as situations where a person is recovering at home from heart surgery. The remote auscultation feature is especially useful in monitoring home quarantined people in the case of an epidemic/pandemic.
[019] In an exemplary embodiment people with chronic diseases that require continuous monitoring could also be given the device to routinely take the recordings and a clinician could remotely monitor their health status.
[020] Such remote auscultation could also be utilized in the time of contagious pandemics by delivering home quarantined subjects with the device enabling a remote doctor to monitor their situation near real-time.
[021] In an embodiment, a medical diagnostic and communications apparatus comprising:
a) a stethoscope/chest piece with a microphone for auscultating a patient and inputting auscultated sounds;
b) electronic processor converter for converting the analog waveform data of the amplified auscultated sounds into digital data;
c) one or more microphones;
d) a signal acquisition module;
e) a storage module for storing data;
f) power management module;
g) audio sensor and a communication module for processing stethoscope signals;
h) a filter for filtering the noise coming from outside the body of a patient from the auscultated sounds inputted through said stethoscope microphone;
i) beam forming technique for better sound quality of the recorded chests sounds by detecting optimal sound source;
j) an audio processor/ amplifier for amplifying the frequency of the auscultated sounds filtered by the said filter;
k) a computer for inputting the digital data of the auscultated sounds converted by the digital converter for comparison, with search operations, with the standard data of the auscultated sounds of various diseases inputted beforehand;
l) a recording device which automatically records the computer output; and
m) a plurality of monitors for displaying.
[022] In an embodiment, a method for transmitting signals for remote auscultation comprising:
providing a portable device containing a processor and a memory to a user;
capturing, using a said portable device, the first plurality of input characteristics of the said user;
computing data of the said user based on said first plurality of input characteristics; and providing a comparison of said data to a standard,
[023] wherein said user is enabled to user can record the device signal and send it to the cloud securely.
[024] In an embodiment, a system comprising:
a portable device to capture a plurality of input characteristics of a user; and
a server system to:
compute data of the said user based on said plurality of input characteristics; and
send for display a comparison of said user data to a clinician,
wherein said clinician is enabled to monitor the data and to provide medication based on the display of said data.
[025] Several aspects of the invention are described below with reference to examples for illustration. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the features of the invention. Furthermore, the features/aspects described can be practiced in various combinations, though only some of the combinations are described herein for conciseness.
[026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[027] Example embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings briefly described below.
[028] FIG. 1 illustrates a rendered image of mobile stethoscope, according to the aspects of present invention.
[029] FIG. 2 illustrates the overall Flow of recorded signals from patient to clinician, according to the aspects of present invention.
[030] FIG. 3 depicts the rendered image of inline stethoscope attachment on a conventional stethoscope, according to the aspects of present invention.
[031] FIG. 4 Illustrates Blown-up diagram of mobile stethoscope (Rendered Image), according to the aspects of present invention.
[032] FIG. 5 Illustrates Spring loaded holder mechanism for attachment to smartphone, according to the aspects of present invention.
[033] FIG. 6 Illustrates the top casing, according to the aspects of present invention.
[034] FIG. 7 Illustrates the bottom casing, according to the aspects of present invention.
[035] FIG. 8 Illustrates the user Registration Block Diagram, according to the aspects of present invention.
[036] FIG. 9 Illustrates the electronic system block diagram, according to the aspects of present invention.
[037] FIG. 10 Illustrates the Detailed Electronic Schematics, according to the aspects of present invention.
[038] FIG. 11 Illustrates the PCB Layout, according to the aspects of present invention.
[039] FIG. 12 Illustrates the Sensor Arrangement System, according to the aspects of present invention.
[040] FIG. 13 Illustrates the Beamforming Schematic (Modified from source: STM32 Datasheet), according to the aspects of present invention.
[041] FIG. 14 Illustrates the Beamforming subsystem architecture schematic (Source: STM32 Architecture), according to the aspects of present invention.
[042] FIG. 15 Illustrates the Blown-up diagram of inline stethoscope, according to the aspects of present invention.
[043] FIG. 16 Illustrates the Block diagram of inline stethoscope attachment, according to the aspects of present invention.
[044] FIG. 17 Illustrates the Waveforms obtained from mobile stethoscope and Child Care device, according to the aspects of present invention.
[045] FIG. 18 Illustrates a block diagram illustrating the details of a digital processing system in which various aspects of the present invention are operative by execution of appropriate execution modules, according to the aspects of present invention.
[046] FIG. 19 Illustrates User Interface Screens, according to the aspects of present invention.
[047] In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number.
[048] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[049] It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[050] The use of “including”, “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. Further, the use of terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.
[051] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. By way of example, “a dosage” refers to one or more than one dosage.
[052] The terms “comprising”, “comprises” and “comprised of” as used herein are synonymous with “including”, “includes” or “containing”, “contains”, and are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, non-recited members, elements or method steps.
[053] All documents cited in the present specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their totality. In particular, the teachings of all documents herein specifically referred to are incorporated by reference.
[054] Example embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying figures.
[055] In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number.
[056] EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[057] In an embodiment, a medical diagnostic and communications apparatus comprising:
n) a stethoscope/chest piece with a microphone for auscultating a patient and inputting auscultated sounds;
o) electronic processor converter for converting the analog waveform data of the amplified auscultated sounds into digital data;
p) one or more microphones;
q) a signal acquisition module;
r) a storage module for storing data;
s) power management module;
t) audio sensor and a communication module for processing stethoscope signals;
u) a filter for filtering the noise coming from outside the body of a patient from the auscultated sounds inputted through said stethoscope microphone;
v) beam forming technique for better sound quality of the recorded chests sounds by detecting optimal sound source;
w) an audio processor/ amplifier for amplifying the frequency of the auscultated sounds filtered by the said filter;
x) a computer for inputting the digital data of the auscultated sounds converted by the digital converter for comparison, with search operations, with the standard data of the auscultated sounds of various diseases inputted beforehand;
y) a recording device which automatically records the computer output; and
z) a plurality of monitors for displaying.
[058] In further embodiment, the said receiver includes means for storing, visually displaying, processing, and analysing said enhanced electrical signal.
[059] In an embodiment, the said chest piece ergonomically shaped for single-hand operation is ergonomically shaped to enable a user to hold said chest piece for auscultation and selecting said operation mode using a single hand.
[060] In an embodiment, the stethoscope is mobile and attached to a smartphone, wherein the smartphone is connected to a local network at home and to the cloud.
[061] In further embodiment, the apparatus can analyze, and further process the data.
[062] In further embodiment, the apparatus is used by a clinician or by a patient.
[063] In an embodiment, a user can record the device signal and send it to the cloud securely.
[064] In an embodiment, a method for transmitting signals for remote auscultation comprising:
[065] providing a portable device containing a processor and a memory to a user;
[066] capturing, using a said portable device, the first plurality of input characteristics of the said user;
[067] computing data of the said user based on said first plurality of input characteristics; and
[068] providing a comparison of said data to a standard,
[069] wherein said user is enabled to user can record the device signal and send it to the cloud securely.
[070] In further embodiment, the signal is transmitted to the remote location using a wireless transceiver, wherein the wireless transceiver is integrated into a multi-function voice communication device.
[071] In an embodiment, a system comprising:
[072] a portable device to capture a plurality of input characteristics of a user; and
[073] a server system to:
[074] compute data of the said user based on said plurality of input characteristics; and
[075] send for display a comparison of said user data to a clinician,
[076] wherein said clinician is enabled to monitor the data and to provide medication based on the display of said data.
[077] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a medical diagnostic and communications apparatus comprising an electronic processor for processing stethoscope signals. More particularly, invention deals with a mobile stethoscope attached to a smartphone and connected to a local network at home and to the cloud.
[078] 1. EXAMPLE ENVIRONMENT:
[079] Inventors have designed a mobile stethoscope (Figure 1) which could be attached to any smartphone. The adjustable design of the stethoscope makes sure that it attaches firmly to most of the smartphone models available in the market.
[080] The device can be connected to the local network at home and thus to the cloud (Figure 2). A smartphone application can be used to control the device. The user, be it a clinician or a patient itself, can place the stethoscope over the chest of the patient. Then once the user presses the record button, the device records the signals and send it to the cloud securely. Once given authorization, a clinician could then access the recorded signals.
[081] In addition to the above-mentioned device, inventors have also developed an electronic stethoscope attachment for conventional stethoscopes (Figure 3). Any practicing clinician can easily attach the input part of the inline attachment to the chest piece tubing and the output end to the earpiece tubing. This will provide enhanced capabilities of an electronic stethoscope to a conventional stethoscope without significant changes in ergonomics. The device has the same IoT capabilities of the mobile stethoscope.
[082] The proposed mobile stethoscope is a universal attachment that could be fixed onto any smartphone (Figure 4). The enclosure utilizes spring-loaded holder design (Figure 5), along a top casing (Figure 6) and a bottom casing (Figure 7). This allows the casing to stretch according to smartphone size.
[083] Once the user attaches the stethoscope on to the smartphone, the device is then switched on. Initially, the stethoscope acts as a Wi-Fi access point and the user can connect to the device through the smartphone application. Upon entering the Wi-Fi credentials of the local network through the application, the stethoscope will be connected to the cloud (Figure 8). Once the user prompt is given to record the data, the user must just place the device onto their chest or heart to record the signal.
[084] The system comprises multiple microphones, a signal acquisition module, an audio processor, a storage module, power management module and a communication module (Figure 9). The circuit schematics (Figure 10) and PCB layouts (Figure 11) are shown in subsequent pages.
[085] During operation, the user is asked to select the target organ (chest or heart or lungs) for auscultation. Once the prompt is given by the user, the communication module communicates with the hardware module. According to the target organ, the Digital Signal Processor (DSP) sets pre-programmed filter parameters. The user is then tasked with simply placing the collector over the required region. The stethoscope then starts with an initial scanning process during which audio sensors (Figure 12) are selected in pairs and their respective output audio waveform are plotted and compared to determine the most optimal pair of sensors to use. The unused sensors are disabled for reduced noise.
[086] Once the functional sensors are determined, Beamforming is implemented (Figure 13). The system uses Beamforming with multiple sensors to have better amplification without compromising on audio quality. It allows the directional focus to minimize noise right at the sensing end of the device. This feature aids the system in targeting specific sites for analysis and enables ease of operation of the device. A variable frequency clock signal is used to skip PDM pulses to synchronize and constructively add the audio profiles (Figure 14) Beamforming subsystem architecture schematic (Source: STM32 Architecture).
[087] Figure 14: Beamforming subsystem architecture schematic (Source: STM32 Architecture).
[088] The frequency of the clock signal is inversely proportional to the distance between the wave fronts of the two sensors. Thus, by varying the clock frequency, the angle of acquisition may be varied. The DSP then separates respiratory-related sounds from heartbeats. Finally, the signals are then stored to the onboard storage. Once the recording is complete, the communication module securely transmits the data to the cloud. The other vital parameters could then be extracted, such as heartrate, breath rate and presence of clinically relevant wheezes and crackles.
[089] The inline stethoscope attachment contains most of the electronic components in the mobile stethoscope (Figure 15). Additionally, it contains an input microphone that will capture the audio signals from the chest piece and a speaker to output the processed audio to the earpiece tubing so the clinician can hear the chest sounds in real-time like a normal conventional stethoscope. The high-level block diagram of the electronic components is shown in the adjacent figure below (Figure 16).
[090] Inventors have tested the device and the sound quality of the system was comparable with an existing model (Childcare) (Figure 17).
[091] As would be appreciated by person skilled in the art, invention provides following advantages,
[092] The unique combination of electronic hardware for acquiring, processing, storing and transmitting the chest sounds.
[093] Adjustable holder mechanism for the stethoscope to be fixed onto any smartphone.
[094] Use of beam-forming technique for better sound quality of the recorded chest sounds by detecting optimal sound source.
[095] A list of closest known systems, their patent number, application filed by, Features are given in the table below.
Name Patent Number Application filed by Features
ACOUSTIC COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR HANDHELD ELECTRONIC
DEVICES US9414155 StratoScientific, Inc.,
Shoreline, WA
• A mounting system for attachment of an acoustic collector
• Uses smartphone inbuilt microphone
ELECTRONIC DEVICE CASE WITH STETHOSCOPE USD746802 StratoScientific, Inc.,
Shoreline, WA
• Mechanical drawings for mobile stethoscope showing the detachable diaphragm
MOBILE DEVICE - BASED STETHOSCOPE SYSTEM US9973847 EKO DEVICES, INC.,
Berkeley, CA
• Inline to stethoscope device
• Recording, analyzing and transmitting sound
• Optional pairing with a smartphone for analyzing and manipulation of the recording

[096] Additionally, the table below for comparison of features between existing system and the developed system (Table 1).
[097] 2. HARDWARE
[098] Digital Processing System
[099] Figure 18 is a block diagram illustrating the details of a digital processing system in which various aspects of the present invention are operative by execution of appropriate execution modules, firmware or hardware components. Digital processing system 500 may correspond to any of monitoring devices 120a-120c or server system 150.
[0100] Digital processing system 500 may contain one or more processors (such as a central processing unit (CPU) 501), random access memory (RAM) 502, secondary memory 503, graphics controller 506, display unit 507, network interface 508, and input interface 509. All the components except display unit 507 may communicate with each other over communication path 505 which may contain several buses as is well known in the relevant arts. The components of FIG. 9 are described below in further detail.
[0101] CPU 501 may execute instructions stored in RAM 502 to provide several features of the present invention. CPU 501 may contain multiple processing units, with each processing unit potentially being designed for a specific task. Alternatively, CPU 501 may contain only a single general-purpose processing unit. RAM 502 may receive instructions from secondary memory 503 using communication path 505.
[0102] Graphics controller 506 generates display signals (e.g., in RGB format) to display unit 507 based on data/instructions received from CPU 501. Display unit 507 contains a display screen to display the images defined by the display signals. Input interface 509 may correspond to a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., touch-pad, mouse), which enable the various inputs to be provided.
[0103] Network interface 508 provides connectivity to a network (e.g., using Internet Protocol), and may be used to communicate with other connected systems. Network interface 508 may provide such connectivity over a wire (in the case of TCP/IP based communication) or wirelessly (in the case of WIFI, Bluetooth based communication).
[0104] Secondary memory 503 may contain hard drive 503a, flash memory 503b, and removable storage drive 503c. Secondary memory 503 may store the data and, which enable digital processing system 500 to provide several features in accordance with the present invention.
[0105] Some or all of the data and instructions may be provided on removable storage unit 504, and the data and instructions may be read and provided by removable storage drive 503c to CPU 501. Floppy drive, magnetic tape drive, CD-ROM drive, DVD Drive, Flash memory, removable memory chip (PCMCIA Card, EPROM) are examples of such removable storage drive 503c.
[0106] Removable storage unit 64 may be implemented using storage format compatible with removable storage drive 503c such that removable storage drive 63c can read the data and instructions. Thus, removable storage unit 504 includes a computer readable storage medium having stored therein computer software (in the form of execution modules) and/or data.
[0107] However, the computer (or machine, in general) readable storage medium can be in other forms (e.g., non-removable, random access, etc.). These “computer program products” are means for providing execution modules to digital processing system 500. CPU 501 may retrieve the software instructions (forming the execution modules) and execute the instructions to provide various features of the present invention described above.
[0108] Digital processing system may correspond to each of user system: local system or remote and server noted above. Digital processing system may contain one or more processors (such as a central processing unit (CPU)), random access memory (RAM), secondary memory, graphics controller (GPU), primary display unit, network interfaces like (LAN, Wi-Fi), and input interfaces (not shown).
[0109] CPU executes instructions stored in RAM to provide several features of the present invention. CPU may contain multiple processing units, with each processing unit potentially being designed for a specific task. Alternatively, CPU may contain only a single general purpose processing unit. RAM may receive instructions from secondary/system memory.
[0110] Graphics controller (GPU) generates display signals (e.g., in RGB format) to primary display unit based on data/instructions received from CPU. Primary display unit contains a display screen (e.g. monitor, touchscreen enabled monitor) to display the images defined by the display signals. Input interfaces may correspond to a keyboard, a pointing device (e.g., touch-pad, mouse), a touchscreen, etc. which enable the various inputs to be provided. Network interface provides connectivity to a network (e.g., using Internet Protocol), and may be used to communicate with other connected systems. Network interface may provide such connectivity over a wire (in the case of TCP/IP based communication) or wirelessly (in the case of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth based communication).
[0111] Secondary memory may contain hard drive (mass storage), flash memory, and removable storage drive. Secondary memory may store the data (e.g., the specific requests sent, the responses received, etc.) and executable modules, which enable the digital processing system to provide several features in accordance with the present invention.
[0112] Some or all of the data and instructions may be provided on a removable storage unit (SD card), and the data and instructions may be read and provided by removable storage drive to CPU. Floppy drive, magnetic tape drive, CD-ROM drive, DVD Drive, Flash memory, removable memory chip (PCMCIA Card, EPROM) are other examples of such removable storage drive.
[0113] Software Architecture:
[0114] Removable storage unit may be implemented using storage format compatible with removable storage drive such that removable storage drive can read the data and instructions. Thus, removable storage unit includes a computer readable storage medium having stored therein executable modules and/or data. However, the computer (or machine, in general) readable storage medium can be in other forms (e.g., non-removable, random access, etc.). CPU may retrieve the executable modules and execute them to provide various features of the present invention described above.
[0115] 3. USER INTERFACE:
[0116] Following figures show the user interface model for automated hand hygiene compliance monitoring system.
[0117] Sample User Interfaces
[0118] Following Screens depict sample user interfaces that enable users to access and analyze the hand wash compliance data. The tool can be either used as a standalone application or accessed through a web interface as seen. User Interface Screens are shown in Figure 19.
[0119] 4. USES OF THE INVENTION:
[0120] The developed mobile stethoscope can be deployed to any scenario where auscultation is required. Hence, anywhere conventional stethoscopes are used, the proposed device could be used in place of it.
[0121] This could be in a hospital, Primary Healthcare Centre, or at homecare. The design of the system is such that it could be used by any person, including but not limited to, the patient, clinicians and healthcare workers attending to the patient.
[0122] Additionally, the device could be used in places where constant monitoring by a clinician is needed, such as situations where a person is recovering at home from heart surgery. The remote auscultation feature is especially useful in monitoring home quarantined people in the case of an epidemic/pandemic.
[0123] 5. BEST MODE TO PRACTICE THE INVENTION:
[0124] The best mode to commercialize the system is to first establish the presence of the device with clinical practice by clinicians and health care workers.
[0125] The clinician could utilize the device to directly upload the recordings to the patient’s electronic health record. The clinician may then recommend the device to reduce in-hospital checkups for recurring patients or to reduce the time spent in hospital for recovering patients. The device could then be sold as retail from pharmacies.
[0126] People with chronic diseases that require continuous monitoring could also be given the device to routinely take the recordings and a clinician could remotely monitor their health status.
[0127] Such remote auscultation could also be utilized in the time of contagious pandemics by delivering home quarantined subjects with the device enabling a remote doctor to monitor their situation near real-time.
[0128] Additionally, with government funding, the system could be deployed to many Primary Healthcare Centers to enable Telemedicine. A patient in a remote village could thus get a consultation from a specialist in an urban hospital.
[0129] Merely for illustration, only representative number/type of graph, chart, block, and sub-block diagrams were shown. Many environments often contain many more block and sub-block diagrams or systems and sub-systems, both in number and type, depending on the purpose for which the environment is designed.
[0130] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.
[0131] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
[0132] It should be understood that the figures and/or screen shots illustrated in the attachments highlighting the functionality and advantages of the present invention are presented for example purposes only. The present invention is sufficiently flexible and configurable, such that it may be utilized in ways other than that shown in the accompanying figures.
[0133] It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS

I/ We Claim,

1) A medical diagnostic and communications apparatus comprising:
a) a stethoscope/chest piece with a microphone for auscultating a patient and inputting auscultated sounds;
b) electronic processor converter for converting the analog waveform data of the amplified auscultated sounds into digital data;
c) one or more microphones;
d) a signal acquisition module;
e) a storage module for storing data;
f) power management module;
g) audio sensor and a communication module for processing stethoscope signals;
h) a filter for filtering the noise coming from outside the body of a patient from the auscultated sounds inputted through said stethoscope microphone;
i) beam forming technique for better sound quality of the recorded chests sounds by detecting optimal sound source;
j) an audio processor/ amplifier for amplifying the frequency of the auscultated sounds filtered by the said filter;
k) a computer for inputting the digital data of the auscultated sounds converted by the digital converter for comparison, with search operations, with the standard data of the auscultated sounds of various diseases inputted beforehand;
l) a recording device which automatically records the computer output; and
m) a plurality of monitors for displaying.
2) The medical diagnostic and communications apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receiver includes means for storing, visually displaying, processing, and analyzing said enhanced electrical signal.
3) The medical diagnostic and communications apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said chest piece ergonomically shaped for single-hand operation is ergonomically shaped to enable a user to hold said chest piece for auscultation and selecting said operation mode using a single hand.
4) The medical diagnostic and communications apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stethoscope is mobile and attached to a smartphone, wherein the smartphone is connected to a local network at home and to the cloud.
5) The medical diagnostic and communications apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus can analyze, and further process the data.
6)The medical diagnostic and communications apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is used by a clinician or by a patient.
7) The medical diagnostic and communications apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a user can record the device signal and send it to the cloud securely.
8) A method for transmitting signals for remote auscultation comprising:
providing a portable device containing a processor and a memory to a user;
capturing, using a said portable device, the first plurality of input characteristics of the said user;
computing data of the said user based on said first plurality of input characteristics; and
providing a comparison of said data to a standard,
wherein said user is enabled to user can record the device signal and send it to the cloud securely.
9) The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the signal is transmitted to the remote location using a wireless transceiver, wherein the wireless transceiver is integrated into a multi-function voice communication device.
10) A system comprising:
a portable device to capture a plurality of input characteristics of a user; and
a server system to:
compute data of the said user based on said plurality of input characteristics; and
send for display a comparison of said user data to a clinician,
wherein said clinician is enabled to monitor the data and to provide medication based on the display of said data.

Dated this 17th day of April
Signature:
Name: Dr Lipika Sahoo
Registration Number: IN/PA 2467
Agent for Applicant