The invention includes a system and method for predicting the performance of production animals by analysis of heart and lung sounds to determine likelihoods the animals will develop BRD or other diseases or ailments. Vital signs of animals are recorded during an adrenergic sympathetic “flight or fight” situation. A cardio-pulmonary rate ratio is determined for each animal by dividing a normalized adjusted heart rate value by a normalized adjusted respiratory value. From the ratios calculated for each animal in a group, a ratio range is established. Ratio values at a lower end of the ratio range indicate higher relative respiration rates and poor lung performance due to disease. Ratio values at an upper end of the range may indicate low cardiac output and an inability to tolerate rapid weight gain. Ratio values at either end of the range may indicate compromised cardio-pulmonary function.

Provided is an auscultation training device having a stethoscope with a headpiece; at least one earpiece; tubing, wherein the tubing has a generally hollow interior and an opening in the wall of the tubing; a speaker inserted into the hollow interior of the tubing, further having a 3.5 mm audio jack wherein the insertion points of the speaker forms an airtight seal with the tubing, and wherein the speaker does not obstruct the hollow interior of the tubing. Further provided is a method for auscultation training using the disclosed device.

Systems and methods are provided for inserting an endoscope through an anatomical cavity to a target site. A speaker is positioned externally proximate to a patient and the endoscope is inserted into the anatomical cavity. A signal is received from at least one sensor positioned near the distal end of the endoscope. The signal is indicative of vibrations induced in internal cavity tissue by the externally positioned speaker. A first anatomical structure in contact with the distal end of the endoscope is identified based on the signal indicative of vibrations induced in the internal cavity tissue by the externally positioned speaker. As the distal end of the endoscope moves from the first anatomical structure into contact with other anatomical structures along a path to the target site, the received signal indicative of induced vibrations changes correspondingly and is used to guide the endoscope to the target site.

An acoustic sensor is configured to provide accurate and robust measurement of bodily sounds under a variety of conditions, such as in noisy environments or in situations in which stress, strain, or movement may be imparted onto a sensor with respect to a patient. Embodiments of the sensor provide a conformable electrical shielding, as well as improved acoustic and mechanical coupling between the sensor and the measurement site.

An infrasonic stethoscope for monitoring physiological processes of a patient includes a microphone capable of detecting acoustic signals in the audible frequency bandwidth and in the infrasonic bandwidth (0.03 to 1000 Hertz), a body coupler attached to the body at a first opening in the microphone, a flexible tube attached to the body at a second opening in the microphone, and an earpiece attached to the flexible tube. The body coupler is capable of engagement with a patient to transmit sounds from the person, to the microphone and then to the earpiece.

Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus related to identification of apnea type. One aspect of the present subject matter provides a method for real-time apnea discrimination. The method includes sensing an impedance-based tidal volume signal to monitor a respiratory cycle of a patient, and detecting a reduction in tidal swing using the sensed impendence to detect an apnea event. When the apnea event is detected, a shape of the sensed signal is compared to a stored signal shape to determine whether the apnea event is primarily an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) event or primarily a central sleep apnea (CSA) event, in various embodiments.

Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus related to identification of apnea type. One aspect of the present subject matter provides a method for real-time apnea discrimination. The method includes sensing an impedance-based tidal volume signal to monitor a respiratory cycle of a patient, and detecting a reduction in tidal swing using the sensed impendence to detect an apnea event. When the apnea event is detected, a shape of the sensed signal is compared to a stored signal shape to determine whether the apnea event is primarily an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) event or primarily a central sleep apnea (CSA) event, in various embodiments.

A system for treating a patient, including a computerized device with a display and a communication interface for communicating with remote mobile devices, one or more sensors for measuring medical parameters of a user, wherein the sensors are controlled by the computerized device and transfer recorded measurements to the computerized device, an application executed on the computerized device; wherein the application allows, a remote practitioner with a remote mobile device to communicate with the computerized device to control the sensors.

A system for treating a patient, including a computerized device with a display and a communication interface for communicating with remote mobile devices, one or more sensors for measuring medical parameters of a user, wherein the sensors are controlled by the computerized device and transfer recorded measurements to the computerized device, an application executed on the computerized device; wherein the application allows, a remote practitioner with a remote mobile device to communicate with the computerized device to control the sensors.

A one-piece diaphragm and ring for a stethoscope chestpiece is disclosed herein. The one-piece diaphragm and ring includes a diaphragm portion having a flat disk shape; and a ring portion connected to an outer periphery of the diaphragm portion, the ring portion being integrally formed with the diaphragm portion, and the ring portion configured to be attached to a rim of a chestpiece body portion. A chestpiece of a stethoscope that includes the one-piece diaphragm and ring is also disclosed herein.