Abstract: Apparatus and methods for vibro-acoustic detection of cardiac conditions are disclosed. An example method includes calculating a frequency difference between a first frequency of a first cardiac signal and a second frequency of a second cardiac signal; calculating an amplitude difference between the first cardiac signal and the second cardiac signal; calculating a root-mean-square value based on a difference between the first cardiac signal and the second cardiac signal; calculating a value based on the frequency difference, the amplitude difference, and the root-mean-square value; and detecting a cardiac condition based on the value.

Abstract: A system and method for use in detecting an endotracheal tube location within a body electronically detects indigenous breath sounds emanating from a region of the body and processes the detected indigenous breath sounds to generate a parameter representative of an acoustic characteristic of the body associated with the endotracheal tube location within the body. The system and method generates an output indicative of the endotracheal tube location within the body based on the parameter representative of the acoustic characteristic of the body.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for vibro-acoustic detection of cardiac conditions are disclosed. An example method includes calculating a frequency difference between a first frequency of a first cardiac signal and a second frequency of a second cardiac signal; calculating an amplitude difference between the first cardiac signal and the second cardiac signal; calculating a root-mean-square value based on a difference between the first cardiac signal and the second cardiac signal; calculating a value based on the frequency difference, the amplitude difference, and the root-mean-square value; and detecting a cardiac condition based on the value.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods that use the acoustic characteristics of vascular blood flow to assess vascular conditions are disclosed. An example method for detecting a change in a vascular condition receives sound information associated with blood flowing through a vascular structure and converts the sound information into data associated with a plurality of cardiac cycles. The example method processes the data associated with the plurality of cardiac cycles to determine an acoustic characteristic associated with a current state of the vascular condition and detects the change in the vascular condition based on a difference between the acoustic characteristic associated with the current state of the vascular condition and a baseline acoustic characteristic associated with an earlier state of the vascular condition.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a gastric motility dysfunction acquires acoustic event information associated with a body and compares the acquired acoustic event information to information associated with a healthy condition. The system and method then identifies the gastric motility dysfunction based on the comparison of the acquired acoustic event information to the information associated with the healthy condition.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods that use the acoustic characteristics of vascular blood flow to assess vascular conditions are disclosed. An example method for detecting a change in a vascular condition receives sound information associated with blood flowing through a vascular structure and converts the sound information into data associated with a plurality of cardiac cycles. The example method processes the data associated with the plurality of cardiac cycles to determine an acoustic characteristic associated with a current state of the vascular condition and detects the change in the vascular condition based on a difference between the acoustic characteristic associated with the current state of the vascular condition and a baseline acoustic characteristic associated with an earlier state of the vascular condition.

Abstract: Artificial iris and lens apparatus are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a lens-shaped body having first and second regions. The second region has a lower light transmission characteristic than the first region and at least a portion of the second region is configured to reduce a retinal distortion.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting a vascular condition within a body receives vibrations emitted in response to blood flowing through a vascular structure within the body and converts the received vibrations into vibration information. The system and method generates spectral information from the vibration information, calculates a spectral parameter based on the spectral information and detects the vascular condition based on the spectral parameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing gastrointestinal sounds includes a microphone array to be positioned on a body for producing gastrointestinal sound signals. The signals are digitized and their spectra and duration is determined by a processor. A characterization as to the state of the gastrointestinal tract is made on the basis of the spectra and duration of the sound or event.

Abstract: A sensor for use with a biological entity includes a housing and an acoustic transducer disposed within the housing. The acoustic transducer is adapted to detect a biological sound impinging on a surface of the biological entity. The sensor may also include an electrode integral with the sensor. The electrode is adapted to detect an electric potential associated with the surface of the biological entity. A plurality of sensors can be held in a predetermined pattern on the surface of the biological entity using a flexible carrier that provides a plurality of sensor mounting locations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing gastrointestinal sounds includes a microphone array to be positioned on a body for producing gastrointestinal sound signals. The signals are digitized and their spectra and duration is determined by a processor. A characterization as to the state of the gastrointestinal tract is made on the basis of the spectra and duration of the sound or event.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of gas cavities in the abdomen, the thorax and elsewhere is disclosed. The apparatus includes an actuator for transmitting low frequency vibro-acoustic waves (such as from a white noise generator, impulse wave or chirp signal) into the body at a first location and a detector (such as from a vibro-acoustic sensor, microphone, air-coupled microphone or optical detector) for receiving the transmitted low frequency vibro-acoustic waves at a second location on the body. The actuator and detector are positioned to be effective for detecting the suspected gas cavity. The detector generates a response signal which is analyzed. Resonance waves and anti-resonance waves in the detected signal indicate the presence of a gas cavity.

Abstract: A device for use in human controlled water surface and subsurface travel includes a towbar having first and second end portions. The device includes a first control member that is rotatably coupled to the towbar adjacent to the first end portion and the first control member has a first control surface and a second control surface opposite the first control surface. The device further includes a second control member rotatably coupled to the towbar adjacent to the second end portion and spaced from the first control member, and the second control member has a third control surface and a fourth control surface opposite the third control surface. The device further includes first and second grips spaced apart and fixed to the towbar between the first and second control members so that rotation of the first and second grips about a longitudinal axis of the towbar enables the first and second control members to be independently rotated about the longitudinal axis of the towbar.

Abstract: A system and method for use in detecting an endotracheal tube location within a body electronically detects indigenous breath sounds emanating from a region of the body and processes the detected indigenous breath sounds to generate a parameter representative of an acoustic characteristic of the body associated with the endotracheal tube location within the body. The system and method generates an output indicative of the endotracheal tube location within the body based on the parameter representative of the acoustic characteristic of the body.

Abstract: A device for use in human controlled water surface and subsurface travel includes a towbar having first and second end portions. The device includes a first control member that is rotatably coupled to the towbar adjacent to the first end portion and the first control member has a first control surface and a second control surface opposite the first control surface. The device further includes a second control member rotatably coupled to the towbar adjacent to the second end portion and spaced from the first control member, and the second control member has a third control surface and a fourth control surface opposite the third control surface. The device further includes first and second grips spaced apart and fixed to the towbar between the first and second control members so that rotation of the first and second grips about a longitudinal axis of the towbar enables the first and second control members to be independently rotated about the longitudinal axis of the towbar.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a gastric motility dysfunction acquires acoustic event information associated with a body and compares the acquired acoustic event information to information associated with a healthy condition. The system and method then identifies the gastric motility dysfunction based on the comparison of the acquired acoustic event information to the information associated with the healthy condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of gas cavities in the abdomen, the thorax and elsewhere is disclosed. The apparatus includes an actuator for transmitting low frequency vibro-acoustic waves (such as from a white noise generator, impulse wave or chirp signal) into the body at a first location and a detector (such as from a vibro-acoustic sensor, microphone, air-coupled microphone or optical detector) for receiving the transmitted low frequency vibro-acoustic waves at a second location on the body. The actuator and detector are positioned to be effective for detecting the suspected gas cavity. The detector generates a response signal which is analyzed. Resonance waves and anti-resonance waves in the detected signal indicate the presence of a gas cavity.

Abstract: Diagnostic techniques are provided to enable the detection of a respiratory condition within a patient's body. The diagnostic techniques compare the acoustic generation and transmission characteristics of the patient's chest and lungs to reference acoustic characteristics and/or predetermined threshold values to determine if an abnormal respiratory condition is present within the patient. The diagnostic techniques process sound waves or vibrations that have interacted with a respiratory condition within a patient and which impinge on the chest wall of the patient. The sound waves or vibrations may be initiated by a speaker that emits sounds waves into the mouth and trachea of the patient or may be indigenous sounds. Alternatively, the sounds waves or vibrations may be initiated using percussive inputs to the chest wall of the patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing gastrointestinal sounds includes a microphone array to be positioned on a body for producing gastrointestinal sound signals. The signals are digitized and their spectra and duration is determined by a processor. A characterization as to the state of the gastrointestinal tract is made on the basis of the spectra and duration of the sound or event.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting a vascular condition within a body receives vibrations emitted in response to blood flowing through a vascular structure within the body and converts the received vibrations into vibration information. The system and method generates spectral information from the vibration information, calculates a spectral parameter based on the spectral information and detects the vascular condition based on the spectral parameter.