PORTABLE DEVICE FOR INSTANT DIAGNOSIS OF PNEUMOTHORAX

描述(逐字摘自申请人摘要)：气胸是指 空气聚集在肺和胸壁之间的空间。众多人 潜在的原因包括小肺泡或小泡的自发性破裂， 炎症性疾病的进展、诊断或治疗的并发症 治疗程序，外加穿透(例如，刀或子弹)或钝化胸部 创伤(例如，机动车事故)。据估计，超过50,000起案件 每年都会发生。如果有所改善，发病率和死亡率将会降低 气胸的诊断。我们建议开发一项创新技术 使用(Audible)可立即准确地检测到这种情况 频率)声波。(这现在是超声波，而不是一种想象中的技术。) 基本的假设是声音通过胸部结构传播。 当有气胸时，这些变化是不同的 诊断。设想的最终产品将显示一个“肯定”的答案， “否定的，”或(很少)“不确定的”。提议的设备将是便携的， 价格便宜，安全，使用方便。核心方法包括输入一个 声音信号进入口腔，并“倾听”胸壁的变化 通过计算机分析来自“电子听诊器”的信号。它 将由一个声音发生器(“扬声器”)、声学传感器 (“麦克风”)，外加信号处理和显示单元。第一代 商业设备将用于潜伏期患者，并使用笔记本电脑 旨在优化技术并展示其在以下条件下的实用性的研究 可能会有使用限制。考虑到医疗和成本优势， 技术，预计通过购买将具有巨大的商业潜力 急诊科、重症监护室、救护车和军事医疗 单位。 建议的商业应用： 不可用

DESCRIPTION (Verbatim from the Applicant's Abstract): Pneumothorax refers to air accumulation in the space between the lung and the chest wall. The many potential causes include spontaneous rupture of small alveoli or blebs, progression of inflammatory diseases, complications of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, plus penetrating (e.g., knife or bullet) or blunt chest trauma (e.g., motor vehicle accidents). It is estimated that over 50,000 cases occur each year. Morbidity and mortality would be reduced with improved diagnosis of pneumothorax. We propose development of an innovative technology for immediate and accurate detection of this condition using (audible frequency) sound waves. (This is now ultrasound, nor an imagining technology.) The essential hypothesis is that sound travels through chest structures differently when a pneumothorax is present, and that these changes are diagnostic. The envisioned final product would display an answer as "positive," "negative," or (rarely) "indeterminate." The proposed device would be portable, inexpensive, safe, and easy to use. The core method involves inputting an acoustic signal into the mouth, and "listening for" changes at the chest wall with computerized analysis of signals from an "electronic stethoscope." It would consist of a sound generator ("speaker"), acoustic sensors ("microphones"), plus signal processing and display units. The first generation commercial device will be for incubated patients and use a notebook computer studies aimed at optimizing the technique and demonstrating its utility under likely use restrictions. Given the medical and cost advantages of the technology, significant commercial potential is anticipated with purchase by emergency departments, intensive care units, ambulances and military medical units. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: Not Available