PORTABLE DEVICE FOR INSTANT DIAGNOSIS OF PNEUMOTHORAX

描述（来自申请人摘要的逐字描述）：气胸是指 肺和胸壁之间的空间中的空气积聚。的许多 潜在的原因包括小肺泡或大疱的自发破裂， 炎症性疾病的进展、诊断性或 治疗过程，加上穿透（例如，刀或子弹）或钝胸 创伤（例如，机动车事故）。据估计， 每年都会发生。发病率和死亡率将降低， 气胸的诊断我们建议开发一种创新技术 为了使用（声音）立即和准确地检测这种情况， 频率）声波。(This现在是超声波，也不是想象技术。 基本假设是声音通过胸部结构传播 当气胸存在时，这些变化是不同的， 诊断设想中的最终产品将显示一个“肯定”的答案， “阴性”或（很少）“不确定”。“拟议中的设备将是便携式的， 便宜，安全，易于使用。核心方法包括输入一个 声信号进入口中，并“倾听”胸壁的变化 用计算机分析来自“电子听诊器”的信号。“这 将包括一个声音发生器（“扬声器”），声传感器， （“麦克风”），加上信号处理和显示单元。第一代 商业设备将用于孵化的患者，并使用笔记本电脑 研究旨在优化该技术，并证明其实用性， 可能使用限制。考虑到医疗和成本优势， 技术，预计将通过购买获得巨大的商业潜力， 急诊室、重症监护室、救护车和军医 单位 拟定商业应用： 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