Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for regional assessment of lung physiology. The system includes a plurality of sound transducers configured to be fixed on a surface of the individual over the thorax. A processor is configured to receive signals generated by the transducers and to determine from the signals a value of a parameter in each of one or more regions of the lungs. The method of the invention includes obtaining signals indicative of pressure waves at locations over the thorax; and determining from the signals a value of a parameter in each of the regions of the lungs.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing sounds originating in at least a portion of an individual's cardiovascular system. N transducers, where N is an integer, are fixed on a surface of the individual over the thorax. The ith transducer is fixed at a location xi and generates an initial signal P(xi,i) indicative of pressure waves at the location xi, for i=1 to N. the signals P(xi,t) are processed so as to generate filtered signals in which at least one component of the signals P(xi,t)not arising from cardiovascular sounds has been removed. The filtered signals may be used for generating an image of the at least portion of the cardiovascular system.

Abstract: A system and computer implemented method for operating a respiratory ventilator ventilating a subject. One or more body signals obtained from the subject indicative of the subject's ventilation are analyzed so as to perform a spirometric assessment of the ventilation. It is then determined whether the spirometric assessment satisfactorily conforms to one or more predetermined spirometric standards. If the spirometric assessment does not satisfactorily conform to the spirometric standard, the operating parameters of the ventilator are adjusted. The invention also provides a system for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A system and method for tissue differentiation. In the method, M acoustic signals si(t), i=1 to M, are obtained from M locations on a body surface. The N signals are subjected to band pass filtering using N band-pass filters, so as to generate NXM signals sij(t), i=1 to M, j=1 to N. K images I1 to IK, where K?N, are then generated using the signals sij(t), i=1 to M, j=1 to N. The pixels are divided into a predetermined number L of categories Cl, l from 1 to L, using the images I1 to IK. For each category Cl, l from 1 to L, and for each pixel p(x,y), A probability pl of assigning the pixel p(x,y) to the category Cl is determined. An image may then be generated using the probabilities pl.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for assessing an interventional pulmonology procedure. A plurality of sound transducers are fixed on a surface of the individual over an individual's respiratory tract that generate signals indicative of pressure waves at the transducers. A processor receives the signals and generates from the signals an image indicative of airflow in at least a portion of the respiratory tract before the interventional pulmonology procedure is carried out. A second image indicative of airflow in at least a portion of the respiratory tract is then generated from the signals after the interventional procedure has been carried out. display the first and second sequences of images simultaneously on a display device. The first and second images are then displayed on a display.

Abstract: A system and computer implemented method for operating a respiratory ventilator ventilating a subject. One or more body signals obtained from the subject indicative of the subject's ventilation are analyzed so as to perform a spirometric assessment of the ventilation. It is then determined whether the spirometric assessment satisfactorily conforms to one or more predetermined spirometric standards. If the spirometric assessment does not satisfactorily conform to the spirometric standard, the operating parameters of the ventilator are adjusted. The invention also provides a system for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method for determining airflow in a portion of a respiratory tract comprising determining a total acoustic energy in a region of a body surface overlying the portion of the respiratory tract. The airflow may be integrated over a time interval in order to determine an air volume that has flowed in the portion of the respiratory tract during the time interval. A graph of the flow rate as a function of the volume may be displayed and analyzed as in spirometry. The invention also provides a system for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method for determining airflow in a portion of a respiratory tract comprising determining a total acoustic energy in a region of a body surface overlying the portion of the respiratory tract. The airflow may be integrated over a time interval in order to determine an air volume that has flowed in the portion of the respiratory tract during the time interval. A graph of the flow rate as a function of the volume may be displayed and analyzed as in spirometry. The invention also provides a system for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A microphone for detecting vibrations at two or more locations on a surface such as a body surface. The microphone comprises two or more vibration sensors, where each vibration sensor has a diaphragm. The diaphragms are arranged in an overlapping array so that vibrations at at least one location on the surface are detectable simultaneously by at least two of the vibration sensors. The invention also provides a system for recording sounds from a surface comprising one or more microphones of the invention and a processor configured to determine a vibration at one or more locations of overlap between the diaphragms.

Abstract: A system and method for tissue differentiation. In the method, M acoustic signals si(t), i=1 to M, are obtained from M locations on a body surface. The N signals are subjected to band pass filtering using N band-pass filters, so as to generate NXM signals sij(t), i=1 to M, j=1 to N. K images I1 to IK, where K?N, are then generated using the signals sij(t), i=1 to M, j=1 to N. The pixels are divided into a predetermined number L of categories Cl, l from 1 to L, using the images I1 to IK. For each category Cl, l from 1 to L, and for each pixel p(x,y), A probability pl of assigning the pixel p(x,y) to the category Cl is determined. An image may then be generated using the probabilities pl.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing respiratory tract sounds in an individual. A plurality of N transducers are fixed over the thorax. The ith transducer is fixed at a location xi, and generates a signal P(xi,t) indicative of pressure waves at the location xi, for i=1 to N. A processor receives the signals P(xi,t) and determines an average acoustic energy {tilde over (P)}(x,t1,t2) at at least one position x over a time interval where {tilde over (P)}is determined in an algorithm involving at least one of the signals P(xi,t).

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing sounds originating in at least a portion of an individual's cardiovascular system. N transducers, where N is an integer, are fixed on a surface of the individual over the thorax. The ith transducer is fixed at a location xi and generates an initial signal P(xi,i) indicative of pressure waves at the location xi, for i=1 to N. the signals P(xi,t) are processed so as to generate filtered signals in which at least one component of the signals P(xi,t)not arising from cardiovascular sounds has been removed. The filtered signals may be used for generating an image of the at least portion of the cardiovascular system.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing respiratory tract sounds in an individual. A plurality of N transducers are fixed over the thorax. The ith transducer is fixed at a location xi, and generates a signal P(xi,t) indicative of pressure waves at the location xi, for i=1 to N. A processor receives the signals P(xi,t) and determines an average acoustic energy {tilde over (P)}(x,t1,t2) at at least one position x over a time interval where {tilde over (P)}is determined in an algorithm involving at least one of the signals P(xi,t).

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing the respiratory tract sounds. The system comprises a plurality of transducers that are placed on the individual's skin over the thorax. A signal analysis module analyzes sound signals recorded by the transducers and produces a first analysis product. A display device displays an image based upon the first analysis product. The image includes a pattern with an overall shape corresponding to that of the respiratory system. Regions in the image that are suspected of having a pathological condition may be indicated.