Due to the recent advancements in artificial intelligence based sound analysis, digital stethoscopes soon will be ready to leave behind the clinics of general practitioners, cardiologists, and pulmonologists and move to the homes of patients. But which patients could benefit the most from the technology and how would this step affect the design of stethoscopes? The current project focused on answering these two questions with regards to cardiovascular patients.

The analysis phase of the project focused on exploring the most promising disease – use case combination. The following two scenarios were identified:

Heart failure is a condition where patients’ heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s necessities. This can lead to pulmonary edema – fluid retention in the lungs. If pulmonary edema remains undetected, it can lead to severe acute events. Using digital stethoscopes the development of pulmonary edema can be detected in time.

COPD is a progressive disease leading to permanent lung damage. Lung infections pose a great threat to these patients as they speed of the progression of the disease. If lung infections are spotted at an early stage, they can be treated before the acute worsening of the patients’ state. However, no current technology can support patients in this early detection. Thereby, digital stethoscopes are highly promising for early detecting lung infections in COPD patients.

The developed solution is a strap based self-monitoring device. The device has a double stethoscope set-up, which enables patients to listen to the sounds of both of their lungs at the same time. This halves the measurement time. During the project, the inner structure of the device was elaborated as well. The device is stored on a wall-mounted charger. Hidden lights in the strap help patients to remember measurements and provide feedback about measurement accomplishment. The fabric-based strap design provides a friendlier and more comfortable look and increases the comfort during use. The wall mount is equipped with a holder that supports patients in the easy and accurate placement of the device on their back. The vision on the use integrates breathing exercises to measurements. By conducting the measurements, users can unlock new exercises. This way the use can stay more diverse over time.

The design solution was evaluated with the involvement of COPD and heart failure patients. All participants were highly satisfied with the ease and comfort of the use and the involved measurement reminding features. Participants found the device highly reliable and hygienic looking, friendly and moderately medical looking. Thereby, the aesthetic goal of balancing between a medical and a friendly appearance was met. The opinion of patients greatly varied regarding the envisioned rewarding system. While some participants found it childish, other found it rather interesting. This aspect of the device is recommended to be improved via the integration of various use encouraging features that patients can personalize to their own motivational aspects with ease.