The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 17, 2015
Filed:
Jun. 10, 2008
Colin Edward Sullivan, Balmain, AU;
Colin Edward Sullivan, Balmain, AU;
Sonomedical Pty. Ltd., Balmain, New South Wales, AU;
Abstract
A sensor system comprises a mat () for placement over a patient's mattress including a number of sensors () located in the mat. The sensors include a sensor housing (), a sound vibration sensing element in the form of a PVDF membrane (), and means for amplifying sensed sounds. The PVDF membrane is coated/covered with a typically latex, impedance matching layer (). The sensor automatically provides for auscultation, in which the patient's own weight, from the patient lying on the bed, compresses their thorax against the membrane, compressing also the patient's clothing, bed sheet and mattress cover material between the two. The recoil in the mattress opposes the body mass, thus compressing the membrane against the thorax. The impedance matching layer on top of the membrane transmits fine breath sounds through to the membrane as the latex does not weaken or attenuate the fine breath sounds but transmits them to the PVDF membrane. However being flexible, it is not uncomfortable to lie on.