Acoustic sensor assembly
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.
1. An acoustic device assembly comprising:
a housing at least partially defining an open cavity;
a piezo element comprising a piezoelectric material, wherein the piezo element is supported by the housing and positioned at least partially within the open cavity; and
an at least partially flexible acoustic coupler supported by the housing and including:
a first portion configured to contact tissue of a user; and
an inner protrusion that extends into the open cavity and is positioned to contact at least a portion of the piezo element in the open cavity.
2. The acoustic device assembly of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic coupler is configured to communicate acoustic vibrations from the tissue and to the piezo element.
3. The acoustic device assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the acoustic coupler includes an outer protrusion disposed on an outside surface of the acoustic coupler.
4. The acoustic device assembly of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic coupler electrically isolates the piezo element from the user when the acoustic device assembly is attached to the user.
5. The acoustic device assembly of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic coupler comprises an elastomer.
6. The acoustic device assembly of claim 1 further comprising:
an elastic portion attached to the housing and extending at least partially beyond opposite sides of the housing, wherein the elastic portion is configured to apply a predetermined force to the housing through stretching of the elastic portion such that the acoustic device assembly is pressed against the tissue of the user when the acoustic device assembly is attached to the user.
7. The acoustic device assembly of claim 6 , wherein the predetermined force is determined at least in part based upon an elasticity of the elastic portion.
8. The acoustic device assembly of claim 6 , wherein the elastic portion at least partially surrounds the housing when the acoustic device assembly is attached to the user.
9. The acoustic device assembly of claim 6 further comprising:
a tape portion configured to be attachable to the user so as to attach the acoustic device assembly to the user, wherein the elastic portion is attached to the tape portion on a topside of the tape portion, and wherein the elastic portion is attached to a topside of the housing.
10. The acoustic device assembly of claim 9 , wherein the elastic portion is attached at a middle point of the topside of the tape portion.
11. The acoustic device assembly of claim 10 , wherein, when the acoustic device assembly is attached to the user, the elastic portion is inclined with respect to the tape portion.
12. The acoustic device assembly of claim 6 , wherein the elastic portion is permanently affixed to the housing.
13. A method comprising:
detecting, by an acoustic device assembly according to claim 1 , acoustic vibrations, wherein the acoustic vibrations are transmitted to the piezo element via the acoustic coupler;
converting, by the piezo element, the acoustic vibrations into an electrical signal; and
outputting the electrical signal.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:
processing the electrical signal by an acoustic monitor to determine one or more physiological parameter measurements of the user of the acoustic device assembly.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:
wherein the one or more physiological parameter measurements include at least one of: heart rate, heart sounds, respiratory rate, expiratory flow, tidal volume, minute volume, apnea duration, breath sounds, riles, rhonchi, stridor, or changes in breath sounds such as decreased volume or change in airflow.