Stethogram

Name: Stethogram
Author: Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University

DOCUMENTED

Published in academic literature

For:Researchers & AcademicsClinicians & Healthcare Professionals

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App Summary

Stethogram is a digital stethoscope application designed for healthcare providers, which works with a 3D-printed attachment to enable remote listening and recording of heart and lung sounds via a Bluetooth audio device. The associated research describes the design of this low-cost digital stethoscope attachment, developed using standard smartphone technology, off-the-shelf components, and open-source 3D-printed parts. This design aims to address challenges in tele-auscultation and the need for affordable diagnostic tools, particularly in contexts like the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

Stethogram is a digital stethoscope application designed for healthcare providers. It operates in conjunction with a 3D-printed, open-source attachment. This system enables users to auscultate patient heart and lung sounds via a Bluetooth audio device, such as AirPods, and record these signals as sound files for subsequent review or analysis.

Evidence & Research Context

The development of Stethogram is documented in academic literature, specifically in conference proceedings from 2021.
The system was designed to address challenges in tele-auscultation and the need for low-cost digital stethoscopes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A fully functional digital stethoscope smartphone attachment was successfully developed at an approximate cost of $20.
The developed system was evaluated by participating clinicians, as reported by the authors.

Intended Use & Scope

Stethogram is intended for use by healthcare providers to facilitate remote auscultation and recording of heart and lung sounds. It offers a low-cost solution for tele-auscultation and use with personal protective equipment. This application does not provide diagnostic interpretations or replace professional medical judgment; users should seek further guidance for clinical decision-making.

Studies & Publications

1 publication

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Development/Design Paper

Design and Implementation of a Low Cost, Open Access Digital Stethoscope for Social Distanced Medical Care and Tele Auscultation

Nuttall et al. (2021) · null

Describes the research-driven development of this app.

As quality and availability of information and communication technologies infrastructure improved in urban and rural areas across the world, telemedicine is gaining more attention and momentum to improve healthcare delivery. However, tele auscultation, an essential part of clinical diagnosis, remains challenging due to several factors, including access to an affordable quality digital stethoscope for patients receiving care remotely. The

In the Media

BYU profs design bluetooth stethoscope with a 50-foot range to help healthcare practitioners stay safe

Stethogram is a digital stethoscope application developed by Brigham Young University, designed to work with a 3D-printed open-source attachment. It allows healthcare providers to listen to patients' heart and lung sounds from up to 50 feet away via Bluetooth audio devices like AirPods, addressing safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The app, available on iOS and Android, enables remote assessment and real-time streaming of sounds, offering a low-cost alternative to traditional stethoscopes. The design plans are open source, making the device accessible globally.

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