A method for measuring sound from vortices in the carotid artery comprising: first and second quality control provisions, wherein the quality control compares detected sounds to pre-determined sounds, and upon confirmation of the quality control procedures, detecting sounds generated by the heart and sounds from vortices in the carotid artery for at least 30 seconds.

A method for measuring sound from vortices in the carotid artery comprising: first and second quality control provisions, wherein the quality control compares detected sounds to pre-determined sounds, and upon confirmation of the quality control procedures, detecting sounds generated by the heart and sounds from vortices in the carotid artery for at least 30 seconds.

A method for determining proper placement of a sensor pod on a patient comprising: performing a first quality control procedure on a detection device, wherein said detection device comprises a base unit, at least two sensor pods, a computer system implementing appropriate software, and a display; wherein the first quality control procedure generates a tone from a speaker embedded within said base unit and wherein each of said sensor pods measures and compares the measured sound to a predetermined measurement in real-time; wherein a sensor pod is determined to have met quality control if said sound is within 10% of the predicted measurements; performing a second quality control procedure on said sensor pods, wherein said sensor pods measure sounds on a patient; wherein the system, once engage, detects sounds from the sensor pods and compares the detected sounds in real-time to a predicted sound based on the fluid flow vessel; and wherein said method provides for an audio or visual alarm when said sensor pod is not detecting the predicted sounds, indicating an improper location for the sensor pod.

A method for determining proper placement of a sensor pod on a patient comprising: performing a first quality control procedure on a detection device, wherein said detection device comprises a base unit, at least two sensor pods, a computer system implementing appropriate software, and a display; wherein the first quality control procedure generates a tone from a speaker embedded within said base unit and wherein each of said sensor pods measures and compares the measured sound to a predetermined measurement in real-time; wherein a sensor pod is determined to have met quality control if said sound is within 10% of the predicted measurements; performing a second quality control procedure on said sensor pods, wherein said sensor pods measure sounds on a patient; wherein the system, once engage, detects sounds from the sensor pods and compares the detected sounds in real-time to a predicted sound based on the fluid flow vessel; and wherein said method provides for an audio or visual alarm when said sensor pod is not detecting the predicted sounds, indicating an improper location for the sensor pod.

A system and method is provided for monitoring the fetal position and/or orientation of the fetus of an expectant mother. An acoustic sensor array is positioned over the belly. The pattern of acoustic sensor signals is processed to determine a fetal orientation and/or to determine movement over time of the fetus.

A system and method is provided for monitoring the fetal position and/or orientation of the fetus of an expectant mother. An acoustic sensor array is positioned over the belly. The pattern of acoustic sensor signals is processed to determine a fetal orientation and/or to determine movement over time of the fetus.

An ostomy bag can include one or more sensors for measuring one or more metrics. An ostomy wafer can also include one or more sensors for measuring one or more metrics. The sensors can be temperature sensors and/or capacitive sensors, for example, and the metrics can include bag fill, leakage, skin irritation, and phase of stoma output, among others.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to the determination of local environmental air quality by processing data from a local device sensing a user's respiration-vocalization. In an illustrative example, respiration-vocalization for a CPAP user may be sensed by an airflow and/or air pressure sensor. Respiratory disturbance events, such as coughing, for example, may be detected. The sensed events, converted to respiration-vocalization data, may be collected to estimate the environmental air quality and/or particle density around the user. Some examples may estimate specific allergen concentrations by correlating user respiration-vocalization data with the respiration-vocalization data from users/patients with known airborne particle sensitivities. In some embodiments, regional environmental air quality data may be compared with respiration-vocalization data to produce local environmental air quality results. Various results may advantageously indicate specific allergen conditions in an area based on monitoring of a population of users of CPAP machines or other devices in widespread use.

A wireless stethoscope provides a method of listening, recording and diagnosis of heart, lung, abdominal, vascular and other visceral organs sounds in place of a standard stethoscope. Simultaneous transfer of data occurs from the wireless stethoscope to an earpiece and a computing device, or an electronic medical records system, for recording, transmitting and analyzing information obtained from physical examination to provide a provisional diagnosis. A digital membrane portion has the capability to transmit sounds and subtle vibrations. The device measures acoustic transmissions that may include airborne transmission, impact transmission and flanking transmission. The device is capable of transmitting sound directly through an earbud port or to provide analog data for digital conversion and transmission of digital information. Further, the device includes sound wave control and noise reduction. The device can be switched from a bell to a membrane mode.

A multichannel stethographic device includes a plurality of individual stethoscopes that may be embedded in a foam pad or surface mounted on a thin flexible substrate. Additional stethoscopes for the heart and thorax may also be utilized. The system may include a signal conditioning circuit, wireless DAQ module, and software (algorithms). The systems may be configured to identify and diagnose various disease conditions such as pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, congestive heart failure (CHF), interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and vocal cord dysfunction (VCD).