Medical diagnostic device with multiple sensors on a flexible substrate and associated methodology

A medical diagnostic device comprises a substrate or carrier, a plurality of acoustoelectric transducers or sensors attached to the substrate or carrier in a pre-established array, a signal processor operatively coupled to the transducers for determining locations of points of origin of acoustic pressure waves generated by internal tissue structures of a patient on whom the substrate or carrier is placed, and a diagnosis computer operatively coupled to the transducers for automatically analyzing signals from the transducers to determine an internal condition of the patient. The device optionally includes a plurality of mechanical probes movably mounted to the substrate or carrier and actuators operatively connected to the probes for inducing movement of the probes, in a direction perpendicular to the substrate or carrier, from nascent or retracted positions to extended positions. The computer is operatively connected to the actuators for varying extension rate of the probes and for inducing a predetermined sequence of actuation of the probes. A plurality of additional sensors may be mounted to the substrate or carrier for measuring a preselected physiological parameter at different locations along a patient's skin surface. The computer is operatively connected to the sensors for analyzing readings from the sensors in accordance with values of the parameter stored in a memory. The additional sensors are preferably, but not exclusively, taken from the group consisting of temperature sensors, electrical skin resistance detectors, Doppler blood flow sensors, electronic blood pressure gauges, muscle tone measurement devices, EEG electrodes, EKG electrodes.