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.

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.

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.

Systems and methods for reducing vibrations perceived by a human due to an artificial heart valve include a vest that is wearable around a torso of the human, a plurality of sensors mounted to the vest, a plurality of vibration-generating actuators mounted to the vest, and a controller. The plurality of sensors detects vibrations in the human generated by the artificial heart valve. The controller is operable to receive signals representing the detected vibrations from the plurality of sensors, and is operable to produce anti-vibration signals that substantially attenuate the detected vibrations. A first sensor of the plurality of sensors is located near a first vibration-generating actuator of the plurality of vibration-generating actuators to form a sensor/actuator set. In the sensor/actuator set, the anti-vibration signals generated by the controller for the first vibration-generating actuator correspond to the vibrations detected by the first sensor.

The present invention provides an elongated active thermo-regulated neonatal transportable incubator (ANTI), having a main longitudinal axis with a proximal end and an opposite distal end comprising adjacent to at least one of the ends a temperature regulating vent (TRV). The TRV is configured to stream air from one end towards the opposite end substantially along the axis, and the ANTI is configured, by means of size and shape, to accommodate the neonate in parallel to the axis. Further the ANTI can be configured by means of size shape and material to at least partially inserted into an MRD having an open bore in its longitudinal axis, further accommodating the neonate parallel to the MRD bore. An incubator with a temperature regulating vent located outside the incubator and its base.

Systems and methods for reducing vibrations perceived by a human due to an artificial heart valve include a vest that is wearable around a torso of the human, a plurality of sensors mounted to the vest, a plurality of vibration-generating actuators mounted to the vest, and a controller. The plurality of sensors detects vibrations in the human generated by the artificial heart valve. The controller is operable to receive signals representing the detected vibrations from the plurality of sensors, and is operable to produce anti-vibration signals that substantially attenuate the detected vibrations. A first sensor of the plurality of sensors is located near a first vibration-generating actuator of the plurality of vibration-generating actuators to form a sensor/actuator set. In the sensor/actuator set, the anti-vibration signals generated by the controller for the first vibration-generating actuator correspond to the vibrations detected by the first sensor.

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.

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.

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.

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.