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 table side staff can communicate in a noisy environment. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for closed-loop sleep protection and/or sleep regulation. According to an aspect, a biosignal parameter and ambient noise are measured. The biosignal parameter is used to determined sleep condition of a subject. The sleep condition is determined based on: (1) one or more of personalized sleep data, (2) historical sleep data collected for a subset of society, or (3) a combination of both. Based on the sleep condition, an arousal threshold is determined. Based on the ambient noise and the determined sleep condition, one or more actions are taken to regulate sleep and avoid sleep disruption by using sound masking or active noise reduction (ANR).

A system for cancelling an internally generated noise includes a processing device disposed on a patient. The processing device includes a sensor configured to record a pulse sound waveform generated by a pulse of the patient and at least one waveform processing circuit configured to output a cancellation sound waveform based on the recorded pulse sound waveform. The system also includes a sound output device coupled to the processing device. The sound output device is configured to output the cancellation sound waveform to cancel or minimize the pulse sound waveform corresponding to the internally generated noise.

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.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for closed-loop sleep protection and/or sleep regulation. According to an aspect, a biosignal parameter and ambient noise are measured. The biosignal parameter is used to determined sleep condition of a subject. The sleep condition is determined based on one or more of personalized sleep data or historical sleep data collected using a subset of society. Based on the sleep condition, an arousal threshold is determined. Based on the ambient noise and the determined sleep condition, one or more actions are taken to regulate sleep and avoid sleep disruption.

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.

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 table side staff can communicate in a noisy environment. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

A method and device for masking noise from a dialysis machine, as an example of a medical device, includes tubing or a fluid container, or both, being connectable to a patient for flowing fluid to or from the patient, and one or more sensors configured to detect one or more patient parameters. The dialysis machine further includes a controller configured to determine a sleep state of the patient based on the one or more patient parameters detected by the plurality of sensors, and adjust a masking sound in response to the sleep state of the patient. The masking sound is activatable in response to noise generated during operation of the dialysis machine.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for closed-loop sleep protection and/or sleep regulation. According to an aspect, a biosignal parameter and ambient noise are measured. The biosignal parameter is used to determined sleep condition of a subject. The sleep condition is determined based on one or more of personalized sleep data or historical sleep data collected using a subset of society, or both. Based on the sleep condition, an arousal threshold is determined. Based on the ambient noise and the determined sleep condition, one or more actions are taken to regulate sleep and avoid sleep disruption by using sound masking or ANR