Acoustic sensor assembly

An acoustic sensor assembly for non-invasively sensing acoustic vibrations indicative of one or more physiological parameters of a medical patient, comprising:na frame defining an open cavity having a closed side and an open side;a sensing element configured to output a signal responsive to acoustic vibrations, the sensing element supported by the frame, at least a portion of the sensing element comprising a piezoelectric material and extending across the open side of the open cavity;electronic components including circuitry configured to receive an electrical signal corresponding to the signal responsive to acoustic vibrations, the electronic components supported by the frame and electrically coupled with the sensing element, said closed side of the open cavity positioned between the electronic components and the open side of the open cavity such that the frame provides a physical barrier between the electronic components and the open cavity; andan acoustic coupler supported by the frame and positioned to apply pressure to the portion of the sensing element extending across the open side of the open cavity to bias the sensing element at a predetermined tension into said open cavity, the acoustic coupler configured to transmit acoustic vibrations to the sensing element through the acoustic coupler when the acoustic sensor assembly is attached to the medical patient,wherein the sensing element is configured to output the signal while the sensing element is biased at the predetermined tension, wherein the acoustic coupler biases at least a first portion of the sensing element at a predetermined tension into the open cavity both when the acoustic sensor assembly is attached to the medical patient and when the acoustic sensor assembly is not attached to the medical patient, wherein a portion of the acoustic coupler in contact with the first portion of the sensing element also extends into the open cavity,wherein the portion of the acoustic coupler that extends in to the open cavity comprises an inner protrusion disposed on an inside surface of the acoustic coupler, the inner protrusion applying the pressure to the portion of the sensing element extending across the open side of the open cavity to bias the at least first portion of the sensing element at the predetermined tension into the open cavity.

An acoustic sensor assembly for non-invasively sensing acoustic vibrations indicative of one or more physiological parameters of a medical patient, comprising:na frame defining an open cavity having a closed side and an open side;a sensing element configured to output a signal responsive to acoustic vibrations, the sensing element supported by the frame, at least a portion of the sensing element comprising a piezoelectric material and extending across the open side of the open cavity;electronic components including circuitry configured to receive an electrical signal corresponding to the signal responsive to acoustic vibrations, the electronic components supported by the frame and electrically coupled with the sensing element, said closed side of the open cavity positioned between the electronic components and the open side of the open cavity such that the frame provides a physical barrier between the electronic components and the open cavity; andan acoustic coupler supported by the frame and positioned to apply pressure to the portion of the sensing element extending across the open side of the open cavity to bias the sensing element at a predetermined tension into said open cavity, the acoustic coupler configured to transmit acoustic vibrations to the sensing element through the acoustic coupler when the acoustic sensor assembly is attached to the medical patient,wherein the sensing element is configured to output the signal while the sensing element is biased at the predetermined tension, wherein the acoustic coupler biases at least a first portion of the sensing element at a predetermined tension into the open cavity both when the acoustic sensor assembly is attached to the medical patient and when the acoustic sensor assembly is not attached to the medical patient, wherein a portion of the acoustic coupler in contact with the first portion of the sensing element also extends into the open cavity, wherein the acoustic coupler further comprises an outer protrusion disposed on an outside surface of the acoustic coupler.