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Computer-assisted stethoscope may help physicians classify respiratory sounds

New technology may allow physicians to more accurately identify various respiratory sounds, according to an observation published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Shinichiro Ohshimo , MD, PhD, Hiroshima University, Japan, and colleagues detailed their development of a computer-assisted stethoscope that would provide real-time analysis.

"Despite advances in technology, evaluation of respiratory physiology still depends primarily on chest auscultation," they wrote. "However, chest auscultation is subjective and requires sufficient training. In addition, identification of the five respiratory sounds specified by the International Lung Sounds Association is difficult because their frequencies overlap."

Ohshimo and colleagues developed an algorithm that "physically and mathematically divides the overall sound into groups according to the blind-source separation method" based on the frequency, strength and duration of the sound. The researchers created sound templates by recording respiratory sounds in 878 participants; only sounds classified identically by three respiratory physicians were included.

The stethoscope uses a tablet computer to display the results, allowing physicians to view analysis as they are examining a patient.

"We have developed a computer-assisted [stethoscope] that has novel ways of analyzing and displaying information and works in real time, classifies respiratory sounds into generally accepted categories, and classifies sounds when different sounds are present at the same time," Ohshimo and colleagues wrote. "We believe that the result is a new way of evaluating respiratory sounds that may help clinicians better understand what they hear. We also believe that this stethoscope could be used in medical education; the intensive care unit; the operating room; and other disciplines where invasive procedures are done, such as bronchoscopy and gastroenteroscopy, and respiratory monitoring is believed to be useful."

The researchers also noted that recordings from the stethoscope can be stored in electronic health records. – by Chelsea Frajerman Pardes

Disclosures: Ohshimo has a patent for computer-assisted electronic stethoscope licensed to Japan Patent Office. Please see the full study for a complete list of all other authors' relevant financial disclosures.