U.S. patent application number 15/640908 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-16 for non-resistive contact electrosonic sensor systems.
The applicant listed for this patent is RESCON LTD. Invention is credited to Thomas Andrew DAWSON.
Application Number | 20170325778 15/640908 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47362479 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170325778 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DAWSON; Thomas Andrew |
November 16, 2017 |
NON-RESISTIVE CONTACT ELECTROSONIC SENSOR SYSTEMS
Abstract
A method of correlating sonic activity with electric activity in
an entity of interest includes interrogating, via a sonic sensor
device, the physical structure, shape and/or form of an object in
the entity of interest, interrogating, via an electric field
sensor, the electric and/or magnetic potential associated with the
object or the physical displacement of the geo-electric field by
the object while avoiding resistive contact with other portions of
the entity of interest, and linking results from the sonic sensor
device to results from the electric field sensor.
Inventors: |
DAWSON; Thomas Andrew;
(Medstead, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
RESCON LTD |
CRONDALL |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
47362479 |
Appl. No.: |
15/640908 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13527862 |
Jun 20, 2012 |
9693752 |
|
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15640908 |
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61572303 |
Jun 21, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 7/00 20130101; A61B
7/026 20130101; A61B 5/6844 20130101; A61B 5/6886 20130101; A61B
5/04005 20130101; A61B 2562/066 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 7/02 20060101
A61B007/02; A61B 7/00 20060101 A61B007/00; A61B 5/04 20060101
A61B005/04 |
Claims
1. A method of correlating sonic activity with electric activity in
an entity of interest, comprising: (a) interrogating, via a sonic
sensor device, the physical structure, shape and/or form of an
object in an entity of interest; (b) interrogating, via an electric
field sensor, the electric and/or magnetic potential associated
with the object or the physical displacement of the geo-electric
field by the object while avoiding resistive contact with other
portions of the entity of interest; and (c) linking results from
the sonic sensor device to results from the electric field
sensor.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the entity of interest is a
living organism, and wherein the object in the entity of interest
is a biological tissue.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of interrogating the
electric and/or magnetic potential associated with the object or
the physical displacement of the geo-electric field by the object
while avoiding resistive contact with other portions of the entity
of interest includes interrogating the electric and/or magnetic
potential associated with the biological tissue or the physical
displacement of the geo-electric field by the biological tissue
while avoiding resistive contact with any external surface of the
organism.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising a step of maintaining
the electric field sensor at a distance of at least one micrometer
from all external surfaces of the organism while carrying out the
interrogating steps.
5-8. (canceled)
9. The method of claim 2, wherein the object is a muscle.
10. The method of claim 2, wherein the object is a nerve.
11. The method of claim 2, further comprising a preliminary step of
implanting or temporarily placing the electric field sensor within
the entity of interest at a location of at least one micrometer
away from the object.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of providing a
plurality of electric field sensors around a central sonic sensor
device.
13. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of arranging
the sonic sensor device and the electric field sensor together
within a single housing.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the sonic sensor device and the
electric field sensor are not physically attached to each
other.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the interrogating steps are
carried out simultaneously.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the interrogating steps are
carried out at different times.
17. A non-resistive contact electrosonic sensor system for
correlating sonic activity with electric activity in an entity of
interest, comprising: (a) a sonic sensor device for interrogating
the physical structure, shape and/or form of an object in an entity
of interest; (b) an electric field sensor for interrogating the
electric and/or magnetic potential associated with the object or
the physical displacement of the geo-electric field by the object
while avoiding resistive contact with other portions of the entity
of interest; and (c) control circuitry for linking results from the
sonic sensor device to results from the electric field sensor.
18. The electrosonic sensor system of claim 17, wherein the sonic
sensor device is adapted to interrogate the physical structure,
shape and/or form of a biological tissue in a living organism of
interest, and the electric field sensor is adapted to interrogate
the electric and/or magnetic potential associated with the
biological tissue or the physical displacement of the geo-electric
field by the biological tissue while avoiding resistive contact
with other portions of the organism.
19. The electrosonic sensor system of claim 18, wherein the
electric field sensor is adapted to interrogate the electric and/or
magnetic potential associated with the biological tissue or the
physical displacement of the geo-electric field by the biological
tissue while avoiding resistive contact with any external surface
of the organism.
20. The electrosonic sensor system of claim 19, wherein the
electric field sensor is adapted to interrogate the electric and/or
magnetic potential associated with the biological tissue or the
physical displacement of the geo-electric field by the biological
tissue while maintaining a distance of at least one micrometer from
all external surfaces of the organism.
21. The electrosonic sensor system of claim 17, wherein the
electric field sensor includes a plurality of electric field
sensors for interrogating the electric and/or magnetic potential
associated with the object or the physical displacement of the
geo-electric field by the object while avoiding resistive contact
with other portions of the entity of interest, and wherein the
plurality of electric field sensors is arranged around the sonic
sensor device.
22. The electrosonic sensor system of claim 17, wherein the sonic
sensor device and the electric field sensor are disposed within a
single housing.
23. The electrosonic sensor system of claim 17, wherein the sonic
sensor device includes an acoustic sensor.
24. The electrosonic sensor system of claim 17, wherein the sonic
sensor device includes an ultrasonic device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a U.S. nonprovisional patent
application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e)
to, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/572,303, filed
Jun. 21, 2011, which provisional patent application is incorporated
by reference herein.
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
[0002] All of the material in this patent document is subject to
copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States
and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the
facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the
patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records
but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are
reserved.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Field of the Present Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to non-resistive
contact electrosonic sensor systems, and, in particular, to
non-resistive contact sensors and sensor systems including devices
and installations for detecting sonar signatures and electric or
magnetic potentials.
Background
[0004] Auscultation is a widely used diagnostic procedure that
provides a high degree of diagnostic power, is readily available,
is non-invasive and can be performed at a relatively low cost.
Typically, auscultation is performed using a stethoscope that
acquires and conveys sounds or vibrations from the surface of a
patient's body to an examiner's ear. More recently electronic
stethoscopes have started replacing their mechanical counterparts.
Electronic stethoscopes are typically based on a transducer that is
capable of converting sounds or vibrations into electrical signals
that are then amplified. Additionally, the detection capabilities
of electronic stethoscopes are not limited to the constraints of
human hearing. The effectiveness of human hearing varies
substantially as a function of frequency and amplitude of the
sounds to be detected. As a result, human hearing provides limited
diagnostic capabilities because certain low frequency and/or low
amplitude sounds that are useful for diagnostic purposes may be
undetectable by humans. Electronic stethoscopes in combination with
recent advances in signal processing and other technologies have
resulted in the development of systems that can automatically
acquire and analyze biological sounds or vibrations. Applications
for electronic stethoscopes vary widely and include, for example,
phonocardiology, phonopneumography and phonogastroenterology. In
addition ultrasound stethoscopes have also been developed in
response to the need to interrogate cardiac and breath sounds in
environments where there may be high levels of ambient noise which
can reach up to 110 dB during medical evacuation in a UH-60,
BlackHawk helicopter.
[0005] Unfortunately, these solutions do not provide information on
the electrical integrity of the heart or surrounding tissues.
Traditionally resistive contact sensors are used which require
electrical contact with the surface of individuals for effective
transduction of the biological surface potential into an electronic
format.
[0006] Combinations of acoustic stethoscopes and contact electrodes
have been developed within the same device to effect the combined
interrogation of structural and electrical function of the
myocardium. This strategy however does not allow the flexibility
that is needed in real life situations and the need for direct
contact with the skin with the electrodes can be limiting
especially when skin integrity is compromised secondary to injury
or disease. Furthermore, resistive contact electrodes draw current
away from the source, thus corrupting the signal, making
reconstruction more technically challenging.
[0007] The problems with contemporary technologies may be
summarized as follows. Sonar or other sonic sensing does not
provide electrical information, and the results are corrupted by
external acoustic and other sonic noise. Electric sensing, such as
that involved in electrocardiograms, electromyograms,
electroencephalograms, and the like, requires resistive contact,
measuring the surface electric potential of the organism. In
emergency situations, or when the surface is compromised, this
approach can make it difficult to efficiently get a clear signal.
Also, due to the resistive contact, the signal is drawn away from
the source, making signal reconstruction difficult. Finally,
existing electric and sonar and other sonic combinations require
resistive contact, thus measuring only the surface potential and
drawing the signal away from the source. In view of these problems,
a need exists for an improved combination of electric and acoustic
sensing.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to methods by which sensors
are combined in a novel fashion and the sensor data is utilized for
detecting properties of an entity and entities (biological or
otherwise). For biological entities the invention is the
combination of a sonar sensor or sensors with an electric field
sensor or sensors for the measurement of the structural and
functional characteristics of organs and other structures where the
electric field sensor does not have resistive contact with the
surface of the organism, conferring multiple advantages. More
particularly, the invention relates to sensors and sensor systems
including devices and installations for assemblies for detecting
sonar signatures in combination with electric potentials associated
with a displacement signature within the geomagnetic field, and/or
specific components and/or structures that are a component of that
entity or entities. Specifically there is no resistive contact
between the entity and the signal transduction component of the
electric field sensor or sensors. Where the signals are amplified
and combined to provide synergistic information about the
properties of the entity. Other sensor types may be added in to
provide further information such as for the identification of that
entity.
[0009] Broadly defined, the present invention according to one
aspect is a method of correlating sonic activity with electric
activity in an entity of interest, including: interrogating, via a
sonic sensor device, the physical structure, shape and/or form of
an object in an entity of interest; interrogating, via an electric
field sensor, the electric and/or magnetic potential associated
with the object or the physical displacement of the geo-electric
field by the object while avoiding resistive contact with other
portions of the entity of interest; and linking results from the
sonic sensor device to results from the electric field sensor.
[0010] In a feature of this aspect, the entity of interest is a
living organism, and wherein the object in the entity of interest
is a biological tissue.
[0011] In a further feature, the step of interrogating the electric
and/or magnetic potential associated with the object or the
physical displacement of the geo-electric field by the object while
avoiding resistive contact with other portions of the entity of
interest includes interrogating the electric and/or magnetic
potential associated with the biological tissue or the physical
displacement of the geo-electric field by the biological tissue
while avoiding resistive contact with any external surface of the
organism. In a still further feature, the method further includes a
step of maintaining the electric field sensor at a distance of at
least one micrometer from all external surfaces of the organism
while carrying out the interrogating steps.
[0012] In another further feature, the object is a liver.
[0013] In another further feature, the object is a kidney.
[0014] In another further feature, the object is a heart.
[0015] In another further feature, the object is a brain.
[0016] In another further feature, the object is a muscle.
[0017] In another further feature, the object is a nerve.
[0018] In another further feature, the method further includes a
preliminary step of implanting or temporarily placing the electric
field sensor within the entity of interest at a location of at
least one micrometer away from the object.
[0019] In another feature of this aspect, the method further
includes a step of providing a plurality of electric field sensors
around a central sonic sensor device.
[0020] In another feature of this aspect, the method further
includes a step of arranging the sonic sensor device and the
electric field sensor together within a single housing.
[0021] In another feature of this aspect, the sonic sensor device
and the electric field sensor are not physically attached to each
other.
[0022] In another feature of this aspect, the interrogating steps
are carried out simultaneously.
[0023] In another feature of this aspect, the interrogating steps
are carried out at different times.
[0024] Broadly defined, the present invention according to another
aspect is a non-resistive contact electrosonic sensor system for
correlating sonic activity with electric activity in an entity of
interest, including: a sonic sensor device for interrogating the
physical structure, shape and/or form of an object in an entity of
interest; an electric field sensor for interrogating the electric
and/or magnetic potential associated with the object or the
physical displacement of the geo-electric field by the object while
avoiding resistive contact with other portions of the entity of
interest; control circuitry for linking results from the sonic
sensor device to results from the electric field sensor.
[0025] In a feature of this aspect, the sonic sensor device is
adapted to interrogate the physical structure, shape and/or form of
a biological tissue in a living organism of interest, and the
electric field sensor is adapted to interrogate the electric and/or
magnetic potential associated with the biological tissue or the
physical displacement of the geo-electric field by the biological
tissue while avoiding resistive contact with other portions of the
organism.
[0026] In a further feature, the electric field sensor is adapted
to interrogate the electric and/or magnetic potential associated
with the biological tissue or the physical displacement of the
geo-electric field by the biological tissue while avoiding
resistive contact with any external surface of the organism. In a
still further fearture, the electric field sensor is adapted to
interrogate the electric and/or magnetic potential associated with
the biological tissue or the physical displacement of the
geo-electric field by the biological tissue while maintaining a
distance of at least one micrometer from all external surfaces of
the organism.
[0027] In another feature of this aspect, the electric field sensor
includes a plurality of electric field sensors for interrogating
the electric and/or magnetic potential associated with the object
or the physical displacement of the geo-electric field by the
object while avoiding resistive contact with other portions of the
entity of interest, and wherein the plurality of electric field
sensors is arranged around the sonic sensor device.
[0028] In another feature of this aspect, the sonic sensor device
and the electric field sensor are disposed within a single
housing.
[0029] In another feature of this aspect, the sonic sensor device
includes an acoustic sensor.
[0030] In another feature of this aspect, the sonic sensor device
includes an ultrasonic device.
[0031] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] Further features, embodiments, and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description with reference to the drawings, wherein:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a non-resistive contact
electrosonic sensor system in accordance with one or more preferred
embodiments of the present invention
[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the general
operation of either of the sensors (acoustic or electric field) of
FIG. 1;
[0035] FIGS. 3A and 3B are a top and side view of a non-resistive
contact electrosonic sensor system arranged in the form of a
stethoscope;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the use of the
stethoscope-type system of FIGS. 3A and 3B for correlating heart
sounds with electrical activity of myocardium;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a non-resistive contact
electrosonic sensor system for use in the structural and functional
visualization of a nerve in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a non-resistive contact
electrosonic sensor system for use in the structural and functional
visualization of muscle in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a non-resistive contact
electrosonic sensor system for use in imaging fluid flowing through
a conduit in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0040] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a non-resistive contact
electrosonic sensor system for use in combining structural,
electrical and fluid dynamic information for more complete imaging
in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a non-resistive contact
electrosonic sensor system using an array of acoustic sensors and
EFSs to produce a three-dimensional image of an internal organ, all
in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a multi-unit non-resistive
contact electrosonic sensor system for use in monitoring people or
other entities in a room in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the physical
implementation of a non-resistive contact electrosonic sensor
system in accordance with one or more preferred embodiments of the
present invention;
[0044] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the mother processing unit of
FIG. 11;
[0045] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of one of the sensor units of
FIG. 11;
[0046] FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an array expansion
of the mother processing unit and sensor units of FIGS. 11-13 for
possible use in a phone; and
[0047] FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a still-larger array
expansion of the mother processing unit and sensor units of FIGS.
11-13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by
one having ordinary skill in the relevant art ("Ordinary Artisan")
that the present invention has broad utility and application.
Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being
"preferred" is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated
for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may
be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a
full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. As should be
understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality
of the above-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further
incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed
features. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations,
variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be
implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall
within the scope of the present invention.
[0049] Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein
in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be
understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of
the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of
providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention.
The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not
intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent
protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be
defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not
intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present
invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found
herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
[0050] Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of
steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are
illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be
understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may
be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order,
the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being
carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an
indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or
methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences
and orders while still falling within the scope of the present
invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent
protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the
appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.
[0051] Additionally, it is important to note that each term used
herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand
such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein.
To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein--as understood
by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such
term--differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition
of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as
understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.
[0052] Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, 6, no claim
element is intended to be read in accordance with this statutory
provision unless the explicit phrase "means for" or "step for" is
actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory
provision is intended to apply in the interpretation of such claim
element.
[0053] Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein,
"a" and "an" each generally denotes "at least one," but does not
exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise.
Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having an apple" describes "a
picnic basket having at least one apple" as well as "a picnic
basket having apples." In contrast, reference to "a picnic basket
having a single apple" describes "a picnic basket having only one
apple."
[0054] When used herein to join a list of items, "or" denotes "at
least one of the items," but does not exclude a plurality of items
of the list. Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having cheese or
crackers" describes "a picnic basket having cheese without
crackers," "a picnic basket having crackers without cheese," and "a
picnic basket having both cheese and crackers." Finally, when used
herein to join a list of items, "and" denotes "all of the items of
the list." Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having cheese and
crackers" describes "a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the
picnic basket further has crackers," as well as describes "a picnic
basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has
cheese."
[0055] Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals
represent like components throughout the several views, one or more
preferred embodiments of the present invention are next described.
The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its implementations, or uses.
[0056] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a non-resistive contact
electrosonic sensor system 10 in accordance with one or more
preferred embodiments of the present invention. As shown therein,
the non-resistive contact electrosonic sensor system 10 includes
one or more sonic sensor devices 20 in combination with one or more
dielectric or electric field sensors 30. Appropriate control
circuitry and/or control logic 12 is also provided.
[0057] As used herein, the term "sonic" should be understood to
mean or refer to the propagation of mechanical waves in gases,
liquids, and solids, and includes vibration, sound, ultrasound, and
infrasound. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "sonic sensor"
or "sonic sensor device" should be understood to mean or refer to a
sensor or sensor device that is capable of detecting or sensing
vibration, sound, ultrasound and/or infrasound mechanical
waves.
[0058] Each sonic sensor device 20 includes a sonar transducer or
the like that is adapted to detect a sound generated by a source 54
in an entity or entities 50 of interest. In many preferred
embodiments, each entity 50 is a living organism and each source 54
is a biological tissue in that entity, such as a liver, a kidney, a
mucous membrane or a brain, but it will be appreciated that in at
least some embodiments, the entity 50 and/or source 54 could be
something else, as described further below. Each sonic sensor may
be disposed within a separate housing, or may be housed with other
sensors or control circuitry/logic 12. The purpose of the sonic
sensor or sensors is for interrogation of the physical structure,
shape, and form of the source or sources 54 by either passive or
active methods. Each sensor may be used to locate and determine the
characteristics of a structure and its reference point's
relationship to the placement of one or more electric field sensor.
This can be used for more accurate placement and/or more accurate
identification of the electric field signal source or sources. This
information in turn provides useful data that may lead to more
accurate metrics and may act as an aid to spatial
reconstruction.
[0059] The electric field sensor (sometimes referred to herein as
an "EFS") is provided for interrogation of the electric and/or
magnetic potential associated with structures or the physical
displacement of the geo-electric field by an entity. The electric
field sensor does not have resistive contact with the entity that
is being monitored. By not having resistive contact, the electric
potentials associated with the internal structures (internal organs
of a human, for example), as opposed to the electric potentials
associated with the surface (such as the human's skin), can be
measured. Furthermore, by not having resistive contact, the
geomagnetic displacement signature of the entity can be
measured.
[0060] In at least some embodiments, the electric field sensor
signal transduction is preferably separated by at least 1
micrometer from the surface of the entity and/or from the source.
In some embodiments, the electric potential sensor can be implanted
or temporarily placed within the entity with the requirement of a
membrane or structure separating the signal transduction component
of the sensor from the tissue of interest or other source.
[0061] The signal transduction for the sonic sensor device or
devices can occur at the surface 52 of the entity 50 or source 54,
at an internal layer of the entity 50 or source 54, at a distance
from the entity 50 or source 54, or any combination thereof. The
amplified electric field sensor has high impedance input, where
signal transduction is separated by at least 1 micrometer from the
surface 52 of the entity 50 and/or from the source 54.
[0062] Although in the non-resistive contact electrosonic sensor
system 10 of FIG. 1 the sonic sensor 20 is integrated with the
electric field sensor 30, it will be appreciated that in accordance
with at least some aspects of the present invention, the sensors
20,30 are not necessarily tethered to one another spatially or
temporally. For example, an ultrasound probe may be used as a sonic
sensor 20 to identify a structure for the best placement of
electric field sensors 30. The placement area is marked and the
ultrasound probe 20 is withdrawn. The electric field sensors 30 are
then placed on the placement area and data is collected. In this
use case the sonic sensor 20 and electric field sensor 30 are not
tethered in time or space.
[0063] Sonar and other sonic sensors 20, both passive and active,
inform on physical shape and distance, while electric field sensors
30 inform on electric or magnetic characteristics and distance. By
combining the sensors, synergistic and cross-validating information
is obtained, thereby adding a new level of functionality. More
effective structural and functional imaging reconstruction may be
achieved.
[0064] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the general
operation of either of the sensors 20,30 (sonic or electric field)
of FIG. 1. For either sensor type, the entity of interest 50 serves
as the source of the signals of interest 22,32. In at least some
embodiments, there is a requirement for the dielectric (electric
field sensor 30) to have no resistive contact. The signal 22,32 is
amplified. The respective signal 22,32 may be subject to positive
feedback for further amplification and refinement of the signal or
negative feedback to optimize the gain of the signal.
[0065] In accordance with one aspect of the invention a sonic
sensor 20 is used to identify and characterize a target structure
and any other structures that may interfere with the electric or
magnetic field. The electric field sensor 30 is used to
characterize the electric or magnetic field properties of the
target and other structures. As noted previously, the sensors 20,30
may be physically coupled or separate.
[0066] The combination of one or more sonic sensors with one or
more electric field sensors in the manner described herein has
applicability in a variety of embodiments and contexts. For
example, FIGS. 3A and 3B are a top and side view of a non-resistive
contact electrosonic sensor system 110 arranged in the form of a
stethoscope. As shown therein, such a system 110 may include a
central sonic sensor 20 surrounded by four EFSs 30. The
stethoscope-type system 110 of FIGS. 3A and 3B has a high level of
clinical functionality and may be used, for example, to correlate
heart sounds with electrical activity of myocardium, thereby
facilitating the assessment of a heart 54 through clothing, wound
dressings, fur, and the like 60. The electrical activity of the
myocardium as illustrated as depolarization vectors where a wave of
depolarization flows from one area of the heart to the next during
normal cardiac electrical systole, thus producing "depolarization
vectors." FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the use of the
stethoscope-type system 110 of FIGS. 3A and 3B for such a purpose.
This electric field stethoscope 110 can measure electric potentials
through clothing, wound dressings, fur and/or any other impediment
60 to resistive contact and usefully combined with acoustic or
ultrasound signals to provide valuable information about the status
of an individual, animal or a non-biological entity. Notably,
because such a device 110 does not require skin contact, it is
particularly suitable for use over an area of skin 52 that has been
compromised due to injury or the like and may be covered may be a
wound dressing 60.
[0067] The combined sensors 20,30 can be used for visualization and
location of a nerve 54 for accurate acquisition of electric
potential signature. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a
non-resistive contact electrosonic sensor system 210 for use in the
structural and functional visualization of a nerve 254 in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The
ultrasound or other sonic device images the nerve 254, using known
and established principles of clinical ultrasound, determining the
best anatomic location for placement of at least a pair of electric
field sensors EFS1,EFS2 without resistive contact. The sonic sensor
20 determines the distance from the target 254 and also determines
characteristics of tissue 56 overlying the target 254. The breadth
or thickness b.sub.i of adipose tissue 56, which has higher
electrical impedance, is determined at various locations by
ultrasound. Three particular thicknesses in the arrangement of FIG.
5 are represented by b.sub.1, b.sub.2, and b.sub.3, but it will be
apparent that any number of thicknesses may be determined; i.e.,
that the thickness of the tissue 56 may be characterized in as much
detail as desired. For optimal placement, the EFSs 30 are placed in
an area where the nerve 254 is closest to the surface 252, and
ideally each electric field sensor 30 is close to the same distance
from each other (i.e., where d.sub.EFS1 is approximately equal to
d.sub.EFS2). Furthermore sensor placement ideally occurs at a place
where the adipose tissue 56 is relatively minimal and is close to
the same thickness at different sensor locations (i.e., where
b.sub.EFS1 is approximately equal to b.sub.EFS2). This information
helps aids in interpretation of the electric field signal and also
the placement of the electric field sensors 30.
[0068] The electric field signal output is a voltammetric signature
recorded as the difference between the recording and the reference
electrode/s where the reference electrodes would generally be
orthogonal to both recording electrodes. (In at least some
embodiments, the electric field sensors 30 would be recording
electrodes, and the reference electrodes would be orthogonal to
them.) Using this approach, the nerve conduction velocity may be
obtained. The target voltammetric signature can be determined by
subtracting known noise and by restricting bandwidth to known
frequencies of the signal of interest. A further use of the sonic
sensor 20 during this phase is for the detection of muscle
movement, thereby aiding in the subtraction or cancelation of the
muscle noise component of the signal.
[0069] To optimize the outcome, studies comparing normal
individuals to those with known nerve conduction problems may be
done so that patterns of nerve damage using this new technique
could be recognized. This approach has advantages for the diagnosis
of nerve damage or compromise by comparing to normal neural signal
activity in control populations. Currently nerve damage is
diagnosed with invasive fine needle nerve conduction studies. This
technology can allow non-perturbative diagnosis saving considerable
time and money and preventing negative side effects associated with
invasive studies.
[0070] Another advantage would be for compartment pressure testing
where nerves may be compromised through high internal compartment
pressures. Diagnosis of this would be by comparing normal
population with individuals with the known condition. Pattern
analysis and comparison of the data results in pattern
identification leading to pattern recognition software developed
especially for this purpose. Currently diagnosis of high
compartment pressures involves invasive procedures where a catheter
is inserted into the compartment and the pressure is read through a
pressure transducer. This technology may replace that technology as
a diagnostic device. The technology, especially when implanted,
could also be used to record neural output to control a prosthetic
or other device as when a nerve has been severed or there is the
desire to control a distant machine for any reason. The technology
could also be used for recording the neural output from the
autonomic nervous system for diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of
a variety of conditions including emotional stress, depression,
post traumatic stress disorder, epilepsy. For biofeedback this
technology could be used to optimize performance through feedback
control of autonomic outputs.
[0071] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a non-resistive contact
electrosonic sensor system 310 for use in the structural and
functional visualization of muscle 354 in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention. Using this system, cardiac,
skeletal or smooth muscle 354 may be visualized and the
visualization may be correlated with movement and electrical and
magnetic activity. This is useful for investigating correlations
between structural and neural muscle damage. It is entirely
non-invasive and provides information that may help diagnose and
monitor a variety of conditions including infarction of the bowel,
myocardial infarction, muscle trauma, muscular dystrophies and
neurodegenerative conditions. As described above, this may also be
able to be used for diagnosis of compartment syndrome. With high
compartmental pressure muscles become starved of oxygen and that
will change the electrical signature. Therefore the change in
electric signature may be used to diagnose the characteristic
decrease in perfusion of muscles that occurs with compartment
syndrome, replacing the need for invasive compartment pressure
testing.
[0072] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a non-resistive contact
electrosonic sensor system 410 for use in imaging fluid 454 flowing
through a conduit 455 in accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention. It will be appreciated that a fluid, especially
one flowing through a material that differs in impedance from that
of the fluid, generates an electromagnetic signature. Sonic sensing
can be used to pick up characteristics of fluids 454 and conduit
walls 455 through active sonar or other sonic sensing while
electric field sensing can be used to pick up this electromagnetic
signature. This has use for diagnosing and monitoring blood flow
and may be useful for triaging of casualties, or monitoring vessel
blockage and/or compromise. This may replace current technologies,
many of which are invasive.
[0073] It will be appreciated that although the system 410
illustrated in FIG. 7 may be particularly suitable for biological
purposes, but it could also be used for non-biological purposes
such as for identification of underground fluid reserves or for
rivers.
[0074] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a non-resistive contact
electrosonic sensor system 510 for use in combining structural,
electrical and fluid dynamic information for more complete imaging
in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The signature acquisition of the various structures is
described above. Put together the invention may inform on the
electrical activity of the cardiac muscle, the structural integrity
and movement of the cardiac muscle, and the outflow from the
chambers of the heart 554 itself. The combined technology will
provide a high level of clinical information and may inform on
diagnosis, effect of treatment and progression of disease of the
heart 554. The same application can be made to a variety of other
organs within the body including the: lungs, liver, kidneys,
bladder, skin, spleen, pancreas and bowel. The sensor in an array
may also inform on the structure and function of the central spinal
cord and of the brain.
[0075] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a non-resistive contact
electrosonic sensor system 610 using an array 616 of sonic sensors
and EFSs to produce a three-dimensional image of an internal organ,
all in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present
invention. As shown therein, four sonic sensors 20 (black circles)
and twelve EFSs 30 (white circles) are used to gather data
regarding a heart 654. A 3D reconstruction algorithm 614 is then
utilized to produce a three-dimensional image of the heart.
[0076] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a sensor
assembly for use with an entity may include a series of
non-resistive contact electrosonic sensor devices linked together
in a unified system, wherein each electrosonic sensor device is a
combination of at least one sonic sensor with electric field
sensors for the monitoring of entity or entities. For example, FIG.
10 is a schematic diagram of a multi-unit non-resistive contact
electrosonic sensor system 700 for use in monitoring people or
other entities 754 in a room 718 in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated therein, a
plurality of non-resistive contact electrosonic sensor devices 710
are arranged around the room 718. Each such device includes one or
more sonic sensor 20, one or more electrical field sensor 30, or a
combination of both. The sensors 20,30 may be used to distinguish
person X from person Y and person Z by identifying and tracking
their sonic or electric field signature, respectively. In the case
of their sonic signature it may be actively determined from their
shape or passively determined by characteristic features including
voice, breathing and gait recognition. Their electric field
signature may be identified through geomagnetic displacement
information including reconstruction of shape and movement or
characteristic electric field information such as the pattern and
amplitude of their cardiac or respiratory characteristics. This
technology could be used with a variety of other sensors or sensor
systems to support other identifications, such as use with visual
recognition systems. Unlike systems based only on visual
recognition, however, the system of the present invention can sense
remotely and thus could be used to track people 754 through walls
or underground. It could also be used to identify machinery and to
track it. This would be especially useful for equipment that has a
strong electromagnetic presence including communications
equipment.
[0077] In accordance with another aspect of the invention the
electric field sensors could be combined with active technologies
including tomographic techniques where an electric field is passed
through an entity and the output at the other end is characterized
by the electric field sensor or sensors.
[0078] In accordance with another aspect of the invention the sonic
component could be used to detect sounds emitted from an organism
such as breathing or talking and use these either alone or in
combination with non-resistive contact electric field sensors or
other sensor technologies for the diagnosis or monitoring of
medical conditions including sleep apnea, heart failure, pneumonia,
or hemothorax. The diagnosis of heart failure for example, may be
aided by an altered resonant frequency in the bases of the lungs as
vocal and/or breath sounds move through fluid, in combination with
a change in the electric potential signature from the myocardium.
This technology could be incorporated into a mobile phone device or
the like.
[0079] In accordance with another aspect of the invention the
sensors could be combined with a magnetometer or magnetometers to
provide additional information about the entity. A combination
electric field sensor and magnetometer would be useful as it would
provide information about power usage of certain structures as
power is a function of voltage, as measured by an electric field
sensor and current, as measured by a magnetometer. In this case a
sonic sensor or sensors could be used provide further information
about the structure of the device or related objects and relate it
to effects on power usage.
[0080] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the physical
implementation of a non-resistive contact electrosonic sensor
system 810 in accordance with one or more preferred embodiments of
the present invention. In particular, the system 810 is implemented
in the form of a mother processing unit 870 and a plurality of
sensor units 880. Each sensor unit 880 may have additional sensor
units 880 connected thereto, thereby linking a potentially
unlimited number of sensor units 880 back to the mother processing
unit 870.
[0081] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the mother processing unit 870
of FIG. 11. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the mother processing unit
870 includes connectors 871, which are preferably micro USB
connections, for physical connection to the sensor units 880.
Communications from sensor units 880 are linked together by control
logic (CPU) 872. Output communications (typically to a computer or
other computing device 890) may be provided via serial USB
interface 873/micro USB connection 874, bluetooth radio 875, or the
like. An onboard lithium battery 876 and battery charger 877 are
preferably provided for power.
[0082] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of one of the sensor units 880 of
FIG. 11. As shown therein, each sensor unit contains an electric
field sensor 30 and an audio microphone 20, with an A/D converter
34 being provided for the EFS 30 and a codec 24 being provided for
the microphone 20. The electric field sensor 30 is preferably a
commercially-available EPIC (electric potential integrated circuit)
sensor. In addition to the EFS (EPIC) sensor 30 and the microphone
20, a pressure sensor 40 is also preferably provided. The pressure
sensor 40 may be, for example, a cap sense or physical switch-type
sensor. Connectors 881,884, which are preferably micro USB
connections and preferably match those on the mother processing
unit, are provided for both physical connection to the mother
processing unit 870 or to another sensor unit 880. Operation is
controlled by central control logic (CPU) 882.
[0083] The modular nature of each sensor unit 870 permits large
arrays of nearly unlimited size to accommodate a wide variety of
applications. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an array
expansion of the mother processing unit 870 and sensor units 880 of
FIGS. 11-13 for possible use in a phone, and FIG. 15 is a block
diagram illustrating a still-larger array expansion of the mother
processing unit 870 and sensor units 880 of FIGS. 11-13.
[0084] A variety of advantages are offered by one or more
embodiments and/or aspects of the present invention. For example,
there is no requirement for direct contact with the body, which
itself has advantages when the skin integrity is compromised (as
illustrated in FIG. 4), if a sensor is needed for sterile
procedures, for remote monitoring, for electrical safety, in
decreasing potential preparation time, in providing synergistic
source information, in avoiding the need to collect data at the
surface of the entity, and in avoiding invasive procedures.
[0085] Furthermore, a combined sonic and EFS (Electric Field
Sensor) array will be able to: identify, locate and track entities,
gain synergistic information about an entity, increase the
information available for diagnoses, and increase the information
available for carrying out biological structural and functional
imaging.
[0086] For invasive procedures or implants the sensor can be
enveloped in a biocompatible sleeve that: allows multiple reuse of
the sensor, allows the sleeve to be disposed ensuring sterility of
procedures, and allows a completely biocompatible shield to be
placed around the sensor.
[0087] There is minimal interference with the signal being
measured. That is, the technology is non-perturbative. This feature
has the advantage that sensors do not interfere with the target
signal allowing more effective structural and functional signal
reconstruction.
[0088] When under stress, materials such as concrete and rock
produce acoustic (sonic) and electromagnetic signatures. Therefore,
application of the current invention may be used to detect the
structural integrity of critical building structures. Likewise, the
invention may be used to detect strain in rocks or other materials
prior to a potentially catastrophic event such as an
earthquake.
[0089] Based on the foregoing information, it will be readily
understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present
invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many
embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than
those specifically described herein, as well as many variations,
modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from
or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing
descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope
of the present invention.
[0090] Accordingly, while the present invention has been described
herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments,
it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative
and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the
purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the
invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed
to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other
embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent
arrangements; the present invention being limited only by the
claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *