A support structure for active noise control systems is provided. The support structure may be used with active noise control systems in enclosed spaces such as a neonatal incubator.

Provided are methods and apparatus for enhancing a signal-to-noise ratio. In an example, provided is an apparatus configured to modify audio to better match the way the human brain processes audio by modifying the audio to a form which takes advantage of human echolocation capabilities. When humans listen to audio, they subconsciously listen for an echo and thus subconsciously focus on listening to, and for, meaningful information in audio. The focus causes humans to ignore noise in the audio, which results in enhancing a signal-to-noise ratio.

A noise cancelation device, and a method, for suppressing noise patterns emitted from a body of a user are disclosed. The noise cancelation device comprises in some embodiments at least one sensor for sensing noise patterns produced by the body of the user and generating noise data indicative thereof, noise cancelling circuitry configured and operable to process the noise data generated by the at least one sensor and generate anti-noise signals therefrom, and at least one acoustic transducer for producing audio outputs from the generated anti-noise signals. The noise cancelation device is configured to be attached to the body of the user, either on or adjacent a body part from which the noise patterns are being emitted.

An electronic stethoscope device can be integrated into a conventional stethoscope to digitize auscultated sounds from the body of a patient. The device can be switched off so that the conventional stethoscope can be used as a standard stethoscope. When the device is switched on, the digitized auscultated sounds can be modified to remove the noise. Such modified sounds can be sent wirelessly from the electronic stethoscope device to a peripheral device that can receive such wireless signals, such as computer, cell phone, or cloud application, where the data can be viewed and manipulated further as desired.

Communication apparatus and devices for surgical robotic systems are described. The communication apparatus can include a user console in communication with a communication device having a surgical tool. The communication device can include a microphone to convert a sound input into an acoustic input signal. The communication device can transmit the acoustic input signal to the user console for reproduction as a sound output for a remote operator. The surgical tool can include an endoscope having several microphones mounted on a housing. The surgical tool can be a sterile barrier having a microphone and a drape. The microphone(s) of the surgical tools can face a surrounding environment such that a tableside staff is a source of the sound input that causes the sound output, and a surgeon and the tableside staff can communicate in a noisy environment. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Methods and systems for actively and adaptively cancelling the noise and vibration generated by medical devices. A method includes receiving data from one or more sensors of a medical device. The method includes determining a signature signal for the medical device based at least on the data. The signature signal is a representation of one or more physical byproducts of the medical device, and one or more environmental conditions of a physical environment proximate to the medical device. The method incudes determining an inverted signal based on the signature signal, the inverted signal configured to mask the signature signal. The method includes generating a physical representation of the inverted signal by one or more electrical or electromechanical components of the medical device, and masking the signature signal with the inverted signal.

Systems and methods are provided for an infant incubator having features for active noise cancellation, including enclosure designs, positioning systems, and error sensor selection.

Active auscultation may be used to determine organ (e.g., lung or heart) characteristics of users. An acoustic or piezo-electric signal (e.g., a pulse, a tone, and/or a broadband pulse) may be projected into an animal (typically human) body or thorax. The signal interacts with the body, or lungs, and in some cases may induce resonance within the body/lungs. A resultant signal may be emitted from the body which may be analyzed to determine, for example, a lung's resonant frequency or frequencies and/or how the sound is otherwise absorbed, reflected, or modified by the body. This information may be indicative of lung characteristics such as lung capacity, a volume of air trapped in the lungs, and/or the presence of COPD.

Methods and systems for actively and adaptively deconstructively interfering with noise and vibration generated by medical devices. A method includes receiving, via user input, information associated with a configuration of the medical device or a physical environment proximate to the medical device. The method includes determining a signature signal for the medical device based at least on the information and sensor data from a sensor of the medical device configured to sense a characteristic of the physical environment proximate to the medical device, the signature signal representing physical attributes of the physical environment; and determining an inverted signal based on the signature signal. The method includes generating a physical representation of the inverted signal by one or more electrical or electromechanical components of the medical device, the physical representation of the inverted signal deconstructively interfering with the physical attributes of the environment represented by the signature signal.

Active auscultation may be used to determine organ (e.g., lung or heart) characteristics of users. An acoustic or piezo-electric signal (e.g., a pulse, a tone, and/or a broadband pulse) may be projected into an animal (typically human) body or thorax. The signal interacts with the body, or lungs, and in some cases may induce resonance within the body/lungs. A resultant signal may be emitted from the body which may be analyzed to determine, for example, a lung's resonant frequency or frequencies and/or how the sound is otherwise absorbed, reflected, or modified by the body. This information may be indicative of lung characteristics such as lung capacity, a volume of air trapped in the lungs, and/or the presence of COPD.