Development of a signal collecting system for double-channel auscultation

Qifeng Jiang, Gaiqin Liu, Nan Hu, Bin Gao, Ping Chen, Guohu Hu, Longcong Chen

Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Biomedical Information, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
School of Optoelectronic Information, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, China.

DOI: 10.4236/jbise.2013.67087                

Abstract

As is known to all, many auscultations of human body, such as heart, lung and carotid artery sound, play a major role in clinic. And their signal frequency is in the range that computer sound card can handle, so we can use analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion of sound card as A/D conversion (ADC) of auscultation signals, and double-channel auscultation signals (DCASs) can be input into personal computer(PC) by sound card that every computer has, and it makes the hardware design more simple. Because auscultation signals are input from sound card, any common music processing software (CMPS) can be used to process received auscultative signals, and it is not necessary to write special processing software for them. Therefore, only a double-channel and front-end analog signal processing circuit of auscultation is needed to be designed. By this method of constituting the signal collecting system for double-channel auscultation, it is simple and low cost, and needs no special software, so it has very important values and a broad market prospect.

Keywords

Auscultation Signal; Sound Card; Music Processing Software; Analog Signal Processing Circuit

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Huang, X.-D., Yan T. and Chen H. (2013) Development of wireless electronic isothermal stethoscope head. China Medical Devices, 28, 31-32.
[2]	McKinney, J., Cook, D.A., Wood, D., et al. (2012) Simulation-based training for cardiac auscultation skills: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 28, 283-291. doi:10.1007/s11606-012-2198-y
[3]	Simon, E.L., Lecat, P.J., Haller, N.A., et al. (2012) Improved auscultation skills in paramedic students using a modified stethoscope. The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 43, 1091-1097. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2012.01.048
[4]	Shen, C.-H., Choy, F.K., Chen, Y. and Wang, S.Y. (2013) A modular approach to computer-aided auscultation: Analysis and parametric characterization of murmur acoustic qualities. Computers in Biology and Medicine, 43, 798805. doi:10.1016/j.compbiomed.2013.01.008
[5]	Li, Q.Z. and Qin, Y. (2013) The experience in clinic teaching for general practitioners in cardiac auscultation. China Modern Medicine, 20, 146-148.
[6]	Shen, Y.-C. and Tuo, X.-L. (2012) Application of heartlung simulative auscultation on general practitioner’s incumbency train. Journal of Jianghan University, 40, 100102.
[7]	Analog Devices (2013) Low power, precision, auto-zero op amps AD8538/AD8539. http://www.analog.com/static/imported-files/data_sheets/AD8538_8539.pdf
[8]	Analog Devices (2013) Low power, precision, auto-zero op amps AD8638/AD8639. http://www.analog.com/static/imported-files/data_sheets/AD8638_8639.pdf