Title of Invention

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ANALYZING CARDIOVASCULAR SOUNDS

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 transfer is fixed at a location xi and geneates an initial signal P(xi,t) indicative of pressure waves at the location xi, for i=1 to N. the signals P(xi,t) are process 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 of the cardiovascular system.

Full Text

FORM 2 THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970) & THE PATENTS RULES, 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10, rule 13) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ANALYZING CARDIOVASCULAR SOUNDS DEEPBREEZE LTD. an Israel company, of 15 Bareket Street Industrial Park, 38900 Caesarea, Israel The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed. WO2004/10S612 2 PCT/1L2004/000462 METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ANALYZING CARDIOVASCULAR SOUNDS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to medical devices and methods, and more particularly to such devices and methods for analyzing body sounds. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5 Body sounds are routinely used by physicians in the diagnosis of various disorders. A physician may place a stethoscope on a person's chest or back and monitor the patient's breathing or heartbeat in order to detect adventitious (i.e. abnormal or unexpected) lung or heartsounds. The identification and classification of adventitious lung or heart sounds often provides important information about 10 pulmonary or cardiac abnormalities. It is also known to fix one or more microphones onto a subject's chest or back and to record lung sounds. U.S. Patent No. 6,139,505 discloses a system in which a plurality of microphones are placed around a patient's chest. The recordings of the microphones during inhalation and expiration are displayed on a 15 screen, or printed on paper. The recordings are then visually examined by a physician in order to detect a pulmonary disorder in the patent. Kompis et al (Chest, 120(4), 2001) disclose a system in which M microphones are placed on a patient's chest, and lung sounds are recorded. The recordings generate M linear equations that are solved using a least-squares fit The solution of the system is 20 used to determine the location in the lungs of the source of a sound detected in the. recordings. . WO 2004/105612 PCT/1L2004/000462 3 U.S. Patent 5,285,788 discloses an ultrasound tissue imaging system having an acoustic transducer, and imaging means for producing an image of tissue. The system also includes Doppler imaging means to produce a scanned acoustic image of moving tissue that is displayed superimposed on the ultrasound image. 5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the following description and set of claims, two explicitly described, calculable, or measurable variables are considered equivalent to each other when the two variables are proportional to one another. The present invention provides, in one of its embodiments, a system and 10 method for recording and analyzing cardiovascular sounds produced in the cardiovascular system. The system includes a plurality of N transducers (microphones) configured to be attached to an essentially planar region R of the individual's back or chest over the individual's thorax. Positions in the region R are indicated by two-dimensional position vectors x^x^x2) in a two-dimensional 15 coordinate system defined in the planar region R The ith transducer, for i=l to N, is fixed at a position x,- in the region R and generates a signal, denoted herein by P(xist) indicative of pressure waves in the body arriving at xt. The transducers are typically embedded in a matrix that permits to affix them easily onto the individual's skin. Such a matrix may typically be in the form 20 of a vest or garment for easily placing over the individual's thorax. As may be appreciated, different matrices may be used for differently sized individuals, for different ages, sexes, etc. The N signals P(xh t) are processed by signal processing circuitry. In accordance with the invention, the signals are filtered so as to remove one or more 25 components of the signals not arising from cardiovascular sounds (e.g. respiratory . tract signals). Cardiovascular sounds are typically in the range of 6 to 45 Hz, while respiratory tract sounds are typically in the range of 100 to 400 Hz. Thus, respiratory sounds may be removed from the signals by filtering the signals, for example, with a band pass filter passing between 15 to 45 Hz. WO 2004/105612 PCT/1L2004/000462 4 The N filtered signals (also indicated herein by P(XC,-, t) may be processed in order to diagnose the state of the individual's cardiovascular system. This may be via an automatic differential diagnosis in which the results of the processing are compared to functions or parameters previously stored in a database that are 5 known to be indicative of various disorders in the body region. ■ _ ■ ' i The filtered signals may also be processed to generate an image of the individual's cardiovascular system. The results of this processing are displayed on a display device, for example using a gray level scale, as demonstrated in the examples below. In the image, anatomic features of the heart such as the atria, 10 ventricles, septal walls, can be observed. The image may be visually or automatically analyzed for the detection of a disorder in the cardiovascular system similar to the analysis of images obtained by other imaging methods such as X-ray (scintigraphy) or ultrasound imaging (echocardiography). A region or regions of the heart or cardiovascular system in a displayed 15 image that are suspected of including a pathological condition, may de identified in the image, and this may be in a number of ways, for example, by different colors, by different patterns, by way of a written text, and many other ways. The term "pathological condition" refers to any deviation from the normal, healthy condition of the cardiovascular system. This includes murmurs and other hemodynamic 20 irregularities, cardiac effusion, narrowing of blood vessel, and other space containing lesions in the cardiovascular system, etc. Additionally, a time interval can be divided into a plurality of sub intervals, and each subinterval processed separately. An image of the cardiovascular system for each of these subintervals may then be determined and displayed 25 sequentially on the display device. This generates a movie showing dynamic changes occurring in the cardiovascular system over the time interval. This allows viewing of the systoles and diastoles of the different parts of the heart during the heartbeat. WO 2004/105612 PCT71L2004/000462 5 In a preferred embodiment, the processing involves determining from the N signals an average acoustic energy arising from cardiovascular sounds, denoted herein by P(x,h,t2), at at least one position x in the region R over a time interval from ^ to t2. The term "acoustic energy" at a location is used herein to refer to a 5 parameter indicative of or approximating the product of the pressure and the mass propagation velocity at that location. In one embodiment, an average acoustic energy over a time interval from tj to t2 is obtained at a position of one of the microphones using the algebraic expression 10 where xt is the position of the microphone. In a more preferred embodiment, the processing involves obtaining an average acoustic energy P(xnt„t2) over a time interval from t1 to t2 at a plurality of positions x( of the microphones, for example using Equation (1), and then 15 calculating P(x, h, ti) at other locations x by interpolation of the P (x,, ti, t2) using any known interpolation method. In a most preferred embodiment, the interpolation is performed to obtain an average acoustic energy P{x,tltt2) at a position x = (x\x2) in the surface R using the algebraic expression: 20 (2) where g(x, xt, a) is a kernel satisfying (3) (4) and where x, =(x],x2)is the position of the ith microphone and a selectable 25 parameter. WO 2004/105612 6 PCT/1L2004/000462 The system may optionally contain a display device for displaying the 5 function P. The function P may be displayed on the display, for example using a gray level scale, as demonstrated in the examples below. A two dimensional graphical representation of the function P produces an image of the cardiovascular system. In the image anatomic features of the heart such as the atria, ventricles, septal walls, can be observed. The image may be analyzed for 10 the detection of a disorder in the cardiovascular system similar to the analysis of images obtained by other imaging methods such as X-ray (scintigraphy) or ultrasound imaging (echocardiography). A region or regions of the heart or cardiovascular system in a displayed image that are suspected of including a pathological condition, may de identified in 15 the image, and this may be in a number of ways, for example, by different colors, by different patterns, by way of a written text, and many other ways. The term "pathological condition" refers to any deviation from the normal, healthy condition of the cardiovascular system. This includes murmurs and other hemodynamic irregularities, cardiac effusion, narrowing of blood vessel, and other space 20 containing lesions in the cardiovascular system, etc. Additionally, a time interval can be divided into a plurality of sub intervals, and an average acoustic energy P determined over the region R for two or more of the sub intervals. An image of P for each of these sub intervals may then be determined and displayed sequentially on the display device. This generates a 25 movie showing dynamic changes occurring in the acoustic energy in the body region, over the time interval. For example, transducers may be placed on a person's chest or back and an average acoustic energy P determined in accordance WO 2004/105612 PCT/1L2004/000462 7 with the invention for a plurality of sub intervals over one or more heartbeats. An image can be obtained for each of these sub intervals and displayed sequentially so as to generate a movie showing changes in the acoustic energy of the heart over the heartbeat. This allows viewing of the systoles and diastoles of the different parts of 5 the hear during the heartbeat The signals P(xt,t)may also be subjected to additional analysis to detect abnormal heart sounds. The present invention also provides a program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine 10 to perform method steps for determining for at least one time interval, an average acoustic energy function P arising from cardiovascular sounds using an algorithm involving at least one signal P(xi,t) indicative of pressure waves at a location x, on a body surface. The present invention still further provides a computer program product 15 comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein analyzing sounds in at least a portion of an individual's cardiovascular system, the computer program product comprising: computer readable program code for causing the computer to determine, for at least one time interval, an acoustic energy function P arising from the portion 20 of the cardiovascular system, P being determined in algorithm involving at least one signal P(xi,t) indicative of pressure waves at a location x, on a body surface. The invention thus provides a system for analyzing sounds originating in at least a portion of an individual's cardiovascular system comprising: (One) N transducers, where N is an integer, each transducer configured 25 to be fixed on a surface of the individual over the thorax, the ith transducer being fixed at a location x, and generating an initial signal P(xi,t) indicative of pressure waves at the location x,; for i=l to N; and (Two) a processor configured to receive the signals P(x„t) and to filter the signals P(x,, 0 so as to generate filtered signals in which at least WO 2004/105612 PCT/1L2004/000462 8 one component of the signals P(xt,t)not arising from cardiovascular sounds has been removed. The invention thus further provides a system for analyzing sounds originating in at least a portion of an individual's cardiovascular system comprising: (a) N transducers, where N is an integer, each transducer configured to be fixed on a surface of the individual over the thorax, the ith transducer being fixed at a location xt and generating an initial signal P(xi,t) indicative of pressure waves at the location xy for i=l to N; and (Two) a processor configured to receive the signals P{xt,t) and to 10 generate therefrom an image of the at least portion of the cardiovascular system. The invention thus further provides a method for analyzing sounds originating in at least a portion of an individual's cardiovascular system comprising: (One) fixing on a surface of the individual over the thorax, N 15 transducers, where N is an integer, the ith transducer being fixed at a location xt and generating an initial signal P(x,i)indicative of pressure waves at the location xb- for i=l to N; and (Two) processing the signals P{x„t) so as to generate filtered signals in which at least one component of the signals P(xi,t)not arising from 20 cardiovascular sounds has been removed. The invention thus further provides a method for analyzing sounds originating in at least a portion of an individual's cardiovascular system comprising: (One) fixing on a surface of the individual over the thorax, N transducers, where N is an integer, the ith transducer being fixed at a 25. location x-, and generating an initial signal P(xt,t)indicative of pressure waves at the location x^ for i=I to N; and (Two) processing the signals P(x„t) so as to generate therefrom an image of the at least portion of the cardiovascular system. WO 2004/105612 PCT/1L2004/000462 9 The invention thus further provides a program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for analyzing sounds originating in at least a portion of an individual's cardiovascular system, comprising: processing N initial signals 5 P(xt ,r), where N is an integer, the initial signals being indicative of pressure waves at a location xb' for i=l to N, so as to generate filtered signals in which at least one component of the signals P(x/,r)not arising from cardiovascular sounds has been removed. The invention thus further provides a computer program product comprising 10 a computer useable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for analyzing sounds originating in at least a portion of an individual's cardiovascular system, comprising: processing N initial signals P(xt,t), where N is an integer, the initial signals being indicative of pressure waves at a location x£ for i=l to N, so as to generate filtered signals in which at least one component of the 15 signals P(x BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non-limiting 20 example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a system for obtaining an analyzing cardiovascular sounds in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a flow chart for carrying out a method of analyzing cardiovascular sounds in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 25 Fig. 3 shows the locations of transducers on an individual's back for analyzing cardiovascular sounds; Fig. 4 shows successive frames from a movie of the heart of a healthy individual over one heart beat; WO 2004/105612 PCT/1L2004/000462 10 Fig. 5 shows successive frames from a movie of the heart and lungs of an individual over one respiratory cycle; and DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Fig. 1 shows a system generally indicated by 100 for analyzing body sounds 5 in a three-dimensional region of an individual's body in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. A plurality of N sound transducers 105, of which four are shown, are applied to a planar region of the chest or back skin of individual 110. The transducers 105 may be any type of sound transducer, such as a microphone or a Doppler shift detector. The transducers 105 may be applied to the 10 subject by any means known in the art, for example using an adhesive, suction, or fastening straps. Each transducer 105 produces an analog voltage signal 115 indicative of pressure waves arriving to the transducer. The analog signals 115 are digitized by a multichannel analog to digital converter 120. The digital data signals P(xat) 125, represent the pressure wave at the location xt of the ith transducer (i= 1 15 to N) at time t The data signals 125 are input to a memory 130. Data input to the memory 130 are accessed by a processor 135 configured to process the data signals 125. The signals 125 may be denoised by filtering components having frequencies outside of the range of body sounds in the body region, for example, vibrations due to movement of the individual. Each signal 125 may also be subject to band pass 20 filtering so that only components in the signal within the range of cardiovascular sounds are analyzed. The signal may be divided into frequency bands, and each band analyzed separately. An input device such as a computer keyboard 140 or mouse 145 is used to input relevant information relating to the examination such as personal details of 25 the individual 110. The input device 140 may also be used to input values of the times t1 and t2. Alternatively, the times t1 and t2 may be determined automatically in a respiratory phase analysis of the signals P{x„i) performed by the processor 135. The processor 135 determines an average acoustic energy P(x,ti,t2)av& the WO 2004/105612 11 PCT/1L2004/000462 time interval from t1 to t2 at least one locations in the region R in a calculation involving at least one of the signals P(x, ,t). The average acoustic energies are stored in the memory 130 and may be displayed on a display device 150 such as a CRT screen for diagnosis by a 5 physician. The processor 135 may also perform an automatic differential diagnosis by comparing the function P to functions stored in the memory and known to be indicative of various disorders in the body region. Fig. 2 shows a flow chart diagram for carrying out the method of the 10 invention in accordance with one embodiment. In step 200 the signals P(xi,t) are obtained from N transducers placed at predetermined locations xt for i from 1 to N in a region R on the body surface. In step 205 values of t1 and t2 are either input to the processor 135 using the input devices 140 or 145, or are determined by the processor. In step 210, an average acoustic energy (x,t1t2) is determined at least 15 one location x in the region R over the time interval t1 to r2. In step 220 the average acoustic energy is displayed on the display 150 for at least one value of x. In step 230, it is determined whether a function P is to be determined over another time interval. If yes, the process returns to step 205. If not, the process terminates. It will also be understood that the system according to. the invention may be 20 a suitably programmed computer. Likewise, the invention contemplates a computer program being readable by a computer for executing the method of the invention. The invention further contemplates a machine-readable memory tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine for executing the method of the invention. 25 ' Examples The system and method of the invention were used to analyze cardiovascular sounds in an individual. Example 1 WO 2004/105612 PCT/1L2004/000462 Fig. 3 shows recording of signals over one heartbeat in an individual. A two-dimensional coordinate system was defined on the individual’s back. As shown in Fig. 3,48 transducers were placed on the individual's back over the thorax, at the locations indicated by the circles 300. The curves 305 show the presumed contours 5 of the lungs, and the curve 306 shows the presumed contour of the heart. As can be seen, the transducers were arranged in a regular orthogonal lattice with spacing between the transducers in the horizontal and vertical directions of 2.5 cm. The signals P(xt,t) from each transducer were then recorded over one heartbeat. Each signal was filtered using a 6-45 Hz band pass filter, in order to remove respiratory 10 tract sounds. The heartbeat was divided into intervals of 0.1 sec duration, and for each interval, P(x,ti,tz) was obtained using Equations (1) and (2) above with the kernel g of Equation (5) with o=36 pixels. Fig. 4 shows the images obtained by representing the obtained functions P(x,ti,t2)by gray level shading. The images may be displayed on the display device 150 in rapid succession so as to produce a 15 movie of the heart over a heartbeat. The movie can be analyzed to determine the values of basic parameters of heart function, such as left ventricular end diastolic (LVED) volume, left ventricular end systolic (LVES) volume, right ventricular end diastolic (RVED) volume, right ventricular end systolic (RVES), volume, left atrium end diastolic (LAED) diameter, right atrium end diastolic (LAES) diameter, 20 wall thickness of the inter-ventricular septum (systolic and diastolic), and parameters derivable from these parameters such as left ventricle stroke volume, left ventricular cardiac output, ejection fraction, left, ventricular fractional shortening, inter-ventricular septal thickening. The. movie can also be analyzed in order to detect heart defects such as valve dysfunction and cardiac arrhythmia. 25 Example 2 The signals P(xi,t) were obtained from each transducer as described in Example 1, and were then recorded over one respiratory cycle which includes about 5 heartbeats. Each signal was divided into two sub-signals P1(xat) and Pfat) of different frequency bands. The sub-signal P](xbf) was obtained by filtering the WO 2004/105612 PCT/1L2004/000462 13 signal using a 6-40 Hz band pass filter. The sub-signal P2(xbt) was obtained by filtering the signal using a 100-150 band pass filter. The sub-signal Pjfat) consists primarily of heart sounds, while the sub-signal Pfa»t) consists primarily of lung sounds. The P;(x*0 sub-signal was analyzed by the method of the invention, and 5 the sub-signal P2(xit) was analyzed as disclosed in Applicant's co-pending U.S Patent Application 10/338,742 filed on January 9, 2003. The signal Pfat) was divided into intervals of 0.25 sec duration, and the signal Pj(xbt) was divided into intervals of 0.1 sec duration. For each interval, functions. P(x,tx,t2) and P(x,t\,h)were obtained from Pifaf) and PrfXpt), respectively, using Equations (1) 10 and (2) above with the kernel g of Equation (5) with o=36 pixels. The two functions are preferably displayed simultaneously on a display device by intensity shading, using a different color for each function. Fig. 5 shows the images obtained by representing the obtained functions P(x,fi,ft) and P(xA ft) simultaneously by gray level shading. The images may be displayed on the display device 150 in rapid 15 succession so as to produce a movie of the heart over a heartbeat The movie can be analyzed to determine the values of parameters of heart function, such as cardiac output and blood ejection fraction. The movie can also be analyzed in order to detect hear defects such as valve dysfunction and cardiac arrhythmia. WO 2004/105612 14 PCT/1L2004/000462 CLAIMS: 1. A system for analyzing sounds originating in at least a portion of an individual's cardiovascular system comprising: (One) N transducers, where N is an integer, each transducer 5 configured to be fixed on a surface of the individual over the thorax, the ith transducer being fixed at a location x,- and generating an initial signal P(xi,t) indicative of pressure waves at the location x^ for i=l to N; and (Two) a processor configured to receive the signals P{x„t) and to filter the signals P(x„t) so as to generate filtered signals in which at least 10 one component of the signals P(xi,t)not arising from cardiovascular sounds has been removed. 2. The method according to Claim 1 wherein respiratory tract sounds have been removed. 3. The method according to Claim 1 wherein the initial signals are filtered by a 15 band pass filter passing between 15 to 45 Hz. 4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to generate an image of the at least portion of the cardiovascular system from at least one of the filtered signals. 5. The system according to Claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to 20 generate an image of the at least portion of the cardiovascular system at a plurality of times or over a plurality of successive time intervals, and to display the images successively on a display device. 6. The system according to Claim 1 further comprising a two-dimensional display device. 25 7. The system according to Claim 4 wherein the processor is further configured to display an image of the at least portion of the cardiovascular system on a display device. WO 2004/105612 PCT71L2004/000462 15 8. The system according to Claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to determine an average acoustic energy P(x,h,ti) arising from the cardiovascular system at at least one position x over a time interval from a first time t{ to a second time t2, P being determined in an algorithm involving at least one of the processed 5 signals. 9. The system according to Claim 8 wherein the processor is further configured to compare the average acoustic energy P to one or more predetermined functions F and determine a function F0 from among the functions F most similar to P. 10. The system according to Claim 9 wherein the processor is further configured 10 to make a diagnosis based upon the determined function. 11. The system according to Claim 8 wherein the average acoustic energy P over a time interval from tj to t2 is determined at a location x, of a transducer using the algebraic expression: 15 12. The system according to Claim 8 wherein the function Pis determined at one or more locations x in an algorithm comprising: (One) determining an average acoustic energy P{x^ti) over a time interval from /, to t2 at a plurality of locations X1 of transducers; and (Two) determining an average acoustic energy P(x,ti,t2) at at least one 20 location x by interpolation of the determined P(x, fr.fr). 13. The system according to Claim 12 wherein an average acoustic energy P(x„ti,t2) is determined over a time interval from t1 to t2 at a plurality of locations Xi of transducers using the algebraic expression: WO 2004/105612 16 PCT/1L2004/000462 14. The system according to Claim 12 wherein an average acoustic energy is determined at at least one location x by interpolation of the determined P(x„t\,t2) using the algebraic expression: 15. The system according to Claim 14 wherein g(x,v, 10 16. The system according to Claim 8 wherein the processor is further configured to display the average acoustic energy P(x,t\,h) on a display device. 17. The system according to Claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to determine an average acoustic energy over a plurality of successive time intervals, each average acoustic energy being determined using an algorithm involving at 15 least one of the signals P(x,-,t). 18. The system according to Claim 17 wherein the processor is configured to sequentially display on a display device a representation of each determined average acoustic energy. 19. The system according to Claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to 20 determine an average acoustic energy over a plurality of successive time intervals, each average acoustic energy being determined using an algorithm involving at least one of the signals Pfot). 20. The system according to Claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to: One) for each of one or more frequency bands, WO 2004/105612 PCT/1L2004/000462 17 (Twenty-seven) subject the signals {P,xbt) to band pass filtering in the frequency band; and (ab) determine an average acoustic energy function for the frequency band based upon at least one of the filtered signals. 5 21. The system according to Claim 20 wherein the processor is configured to . display one or more of the average acoustic energy Junctions determined for a frequency band on a display device. 22. A system for analyzing sounds originating in at least a portion of an individual's cardiovascular system comprising: (a)10 N transducers, where N is an integer, each transducer configured to be fixed on a surface of the individual over the thorax, the ith transducer being fixed at a location x; and generating an initial signal P{xi,t) indicative of pressure waves at the location xc for i=l to N; and (Two) . a processor configured to receive the signals P(.xltt) and to generate therefrom an image of the at least portion of the cardiovascular system. 23. A method for analyzing sounds originating in at least-a portion of-an individual’s cardiovascular system comprising: (One) fixing on a surface of the individual over the thorax N transducers, where N is an integer, the ith transducer being fixed at a location xt and generating an initial signal P(xi,t) indicative of pressure waves at the location xb- for i=l to N; and (Two) processing the signals P{xl,t)%o as to generate filtered signals in 25. which at least one component of the signals P(xt,t)not arising from cardiovascular sounds has been removed. 24. The method according to Claim 23 wherein respiratory tract sounds are filtered from the initial signals. 18 WO 2004/105612 PCT/1L2004/000462 25. The method according to Claim 23 wherein the initial signals are filtered by a band pass filter passing between 15 to 45 Hz. 26. The method according to claim 23 further comprising generating an image of the at least portion of the cardiovascular method from at least one of the filtered 5 signals. 27. The method according to Claim 23 further comprising generating an image of the at least portion Of the cardiovascular method at a plurality of times or over a plurality of successive time intervals, and displaying the images successively on a display device. 10 28. The method according to Claim 26 further comprising displaying an image of. the at least portion of the cardiovascular method on a display device. 29. The method according to Claim 23 further comprising determining an average acoustic energy P(x,h,tz) arising from the cardiovascular method at at least one position x over a time interval from a first time t1 to a second time t2, 15 P being determined in an algorithm involving at least one of the processed signals. 30. The method according to Claim 29 further comprising comparing the average acoustic energy P to one or more predetermined functions F and determining a function F0 from among the functions F most similar to P. 31. The method according to Claim 30 wherein the processor is further 20 configured to make a diagnosis based upon the determined function. 32. The method according to Claim 29 wherein the average acoustic energy P over a time interval from t1 to t2 is determined at a location xt of a transducer using the algebraic expression: 25 33. The method according to Claim 29 wherein the function P is determined at one or more locations x in an algorithm comprising: (One) determining an average acoustic energy P(x1 t1 t2) over a time interval from t1 to t2 at a plurality of locations Xi of transducers; and WO 2004/105612 PCT/1L2004/000462 19 (Two) determining an average acoustic energy P(x,t\,t2) at at least one location x by interpolation of the determined P(x[,ti,t2). 34. The method according to Claim 33 wherein an average acoustic energy p(x1 t1 t2) is determined over a time interval from f, to t2 at a plurality of locations 5 Xi of transducers using the algebraic expression: 35. The method according to Claim 33 wherein an average acoustic energy is determined at at least one location x by interpolation of the determined P(xnt\,ti) using the algebraic expression: N 36. The method according to Claim 35 wherein g(x,v,cr)is me kernel g(x,xo) 37. The method according to Claim 29 further comprising displaying the average acoustic energy P(x,/i,ft)on a display device. 38. The method according to Claim 23 further comprising determining an average acoustic energy over a plurality of successive time intervals, each average acoustic 20 energy being determined using an. algorithm involving at least one of the signals Pfot). . 39. The method according to Claim 38 further comprising sequentially displaying on a display device a representation of each determined average acoustic energy. WO 2004/105612 PCT/1L2004/000462 20 40. The method according to Claim 23 further comprising determining an average acoustic energy over a plurality of successive time intervals, each average acoustic energy being determined using an algorithm involving at least one of the signals Px). 5 41. The method according to Claim 23 further comprising: for each of one or more frequency bands, (ca) subjecting the signals (P,xt,f) to band pass filtering in the- frequency band; and (cb) determining an average acoustic energy function for the frequency 10 band based upon at least one of the filtered signals. 42. The method according to Claim 41 further comprising displaying one or more of the average acoustic energy functions determined for a frequency band on a display device 43. A method for analyzing sounds originating in at least a portion of an 15 individual's cardiovascular system comprising: (One) fixing on a surface of the individual over the thorax, N transducers, where N is an integer, the ith transducer being fixed at a location xt and generating an initial signal P(xi,t)indicative of pressure waves at the location *// for i=l to N; and 2(Two) processing the signals P(x„t)so as to generate therefrom an image of the at least portion of the cardiovascular system. 44. A processor configured to receive the signals P(x, ,t) and to generate therefrom an image of the at least portion of the cardiovascular system. 45. Use of the method of Claim 23 for diagnosing a cardiovascular disorder. 25 46. The use according to Claim 44 wherein the disorder is selected from the group comprising at least cardiac arrhythmia's and heart valve disorders. 47. A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for analyzing sounds originating in at least a portion of an individual's cardiovascular system, WO 2004/105612 21 PCT/1L2004/000462 comprising: processing N initial signals P(xnt), where N is an integer, the initial signals being indicative of pressure waves at a location *&• for i=l to N, so as to generate filtered signals in which at least one component of the signals PO,r)not arising from cardiovascular sounds has been removed. 5 48. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for analyzing sounds originating in at least a portion of an individual's cardiovascular system, comprising: processing N initial signals P{x„t)3 where N is an integer, the initial signals being indicative of pressure waves at a location xbm for i=l to N, so as to 10 generate filtered signals in which at least one component of the signals P(»,f) not arising from cardiovascular sounds has been removed. 49. A system and a method for analyzing sounds originating in at least a portion of an individual's cardiovascular system, substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. 50. A processor, its use, a program storage device and a computer program product, substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated, this 16th day of December, 2005. 22 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 x, and generates an initial signal P(xi,t) indicative of pressure waves at the location x,; for i=l to N. the signals P(Xi,t) are processes 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.

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1407-mumnp-2005-claims.pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-correspo0ndence(25-7-2008).pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-correspo0ndence(ipo)-(19-8-2008).pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-correspondence-received-ver-100405.pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-correspondence-received.pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-description (complete).pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-drawing(25-7-2008).pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-drawings.pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-form 1(25-7-2008).pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-form 18(22-5-2006).pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-form 2(granted)-(25-7-2008).doc

1407-mumnp-2005-form 2(granted)-(25-7-2008).pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-form 26(19-12-2005).pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-form 3(10-4-2006).pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-form 3(19-12-2005).pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-form 3(24-7-2008).pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-form 5(19-12-2005).pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-form-1.pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-form-2.pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-form-3-ver-050406.pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-form-3.pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-form-5.pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-form-pct-ib-373.pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-form-pct-isa-210(19-12-2005).pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-form-pct-isa-237.pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-form-pct-search report-237.pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-form-pct-separate sheet-237.pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-pct-search report.pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-pettition under rule 137(25-7-2008).pdf

1407-mumnp-2005-pettition under rule 138(25-7-2008).pdf

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