AI-Aided Stethoscope
The AI-aided stethoscope demonstrated an ability to collect reliable information on asthma exacerbations, the study in Poland found. “The parameters provided are effective for children, especially those younger than 5 years of age,” the study authors wrote.
The study enrolled patients of various ages with asthma, using the AI-aided stethoscope to monitor asthma-related physiologic parameters at home for six months. The stethoscope recorded auscultatory sounds from standard chest point and sent them to a dedicated mobile phone application in which an AI module automatically analyzed the recordings and displayed the results. The researchers trained the AI module using more than 10,000 recordings of respiratory sounds.
The study showed that a host of parameters — wheezes, rhonchi, coarse and fine crackles, heart rate, respiratory rate and inspiration-to-expiration duration ration — measured with the AI-aided stethoscope can detect asthma exacerbations without the need for obtaining peak expiratory flow measurements. It also showed a potential to make asthma diagnosis more straightforward in younger children.
“As we learn more and refine these technologies, we will be able to offer more patient centered and precise medicine to our patients, tailored specifically to their needs,” Dr. Louis said. “AI will certainly play a part in the future.”
Dr. Louis and Dr. Reifman have no relevant relationships to disclose. Mr. Pless is CEO of Celero Systems, a privately held company in Lincoln, Mass.