Method of determining lung condition indicators

Abstract

A method and a microprocessor controlled device for use in medical evaluation of the pulmonary system. The method and device incorporate two different non invasive evaluative techniques. Passive auscultation provides indicators of lung condition. Active auscultation, a different evaluative technique, provides information or indications generally not available or provided from passive auscultation. Combining the information from both techniques greatly improves the ability to provide effective medical treatment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. ______, of Wilkinson et al., entitled “Method And Apparatus For Determining Conditions Of Biological Tissues,” and filed on ______ and U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 272,494 of Wilkinson et al., filed on Oct. 15, 2002, which is a continuation of Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT / AU01 / 00465, filed on Apr. 20, 2001, which claims priority to Australian Provisional Application Nos. AU PQ7040 and AU PR4333, filed on Apr. 20, 2000 and Apr. 10, 2001, respectively. U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 272,494, was published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003 / 0120182 A1. The present application is also related to U.S. application Ser. No. ______, of Wilkinson et al, filed on Apr. 21, 2005 as a continuation of aforementioned U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 272,494, and entitled “Apparatus And Method For Lung Analysis.” The present application is also related to Australian...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] Yet another aspect of the invention is a device for evaluating the condition of a lung. The device comprises an emitting transducer that injects a signal having audible frequencies through the lung, one or more receiving transducers that receive the injected signal, and a processing unit that monitors the injected signal. The processing unit determines a first set of indicators of the condition of the lung from the injected signal. The processing unit also monitors naturally occurring breath sounds of the lung and determines a second set of indicators of the condition of the lung. It then compares the first and second set of indicators and provides a third set of indicators comprising the overlap of a portion of the first and second indicators respectively, thereby providing a set of indicators of lung condition based upon both the injected signal and the naturally occurring breath sounds.

Problems solved by technology

However, ultrasonic techniques are not very effective in tissues in which there is a substantial quantity of gas, such as the lung.

Among infants, respiratory failure is a common problem requiring support and is usually treated with a period of mechanical ventilation.

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