05.03.2018 change 05.03.2018

Scientists from Poznań co-develop an electronic stethoscope

Source: Press Office of the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań Source: Press Office of the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań

An electronic stethoscope integrated with a thermometer and a mobile application will allow patients to conduct lung and heart auscultation on their own. Scientists from the University of Adam Mickiewicz in Poznań participated in the development of the device.

The device called StethoMe is an electronic stethoscope integrated with a thermometer. The innovative stethoscope also works without the headset, the upper part of the tube terminated with eartips in traditional stethoscopes. With this device, patients themselves can conduct an auscultatory examination and send the results directly to the attending physician using the integrated mobile application.

Among the members of the team that worked on the development of the device were scientists from the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań: Dr Honorata Hafke-Dys and Dr. Jędrzej Kociński.

"Work on the solution has been underway for over 2 years. The most important thing for me as a scientist and mother was that I could combine science, technology and business" - says Dr. Honorata Hafke-Dys from the Institute of Acoustics at Adam Mickiewicz University.

"We have created something that is a combination of these three fields and will provide real help to patients. The device is also extremely useful for doctors who still lack specialized equipment in this area" - she continues.

She explains that thanks to its sensitivity and artificial intelligence algorithms, the device is more effective and more sensitive, especially compared to the sounds that doctors hear when they use traditional stethoscopes.

The researchers also point out that the device can be used in patients who are frequently and chronically ill, as well as older people who might not be able to quickly reach their doctor due to their age and various ailments.

"Above all, it revolutionalises lung measurements in children with asthma, because no other device on the market allows to monitor the condition of the lungs like StethoMe" - Hafke-Dys points out.

She adds that "the stethoscope has survived for over 200 years in a virtually unchanged form and in the era of today's technology it really can be a much more precise instrument".

The device is currently at the stage of a ready-to-manufacture prototype; it could be marketed soon. Additional pilot studies in medical centres and certification processes are underway. Researchers are developing further algorithms that will more accurately interpret examination results, including heart examination. (PAP)

author: Anna Jowsa

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