Review on the Advancements of Stethoscope Types in Chest Auscultation

Abstract

Stethoscopes were originally designed for the auscultation of a patient’s chest for the purpose of listening to lung and heart sounds. These aid medical professionals in their evaluation of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as well as in other applications, such as listening to bowel sounds in the gastrointestinal system or assessing for vascular bruits. Listening to internal sounds during chest auscultation aids healthcare professionals in their diagnosis of a patient’s illness. We performed an extensive literature review on the currently available stethoscopes specifically for use in chest auscultation. By understanding the specificities of the different stethoscopes available, healthcare professionals can capitalize on their beneficial features, to serve both clinical and educational purposes. Additionally, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted the unique application of digital stethoscopes for telemedicine. Thus, the advantages and limitations of digital stethoscopes are reviewed. Lastly, to determine the best available stethoscopes in the healthcare industry, this literature review explored various benchmarking methods that can be used to identify areas of improvement for existing stethoscopes, as well as to serve as a standard for the general comparison of stethoscope quality. The potential use of digital stethoscopes for telemedicine amidst ongoing technological advancements in wearable sensors and modern communication facilities such as 5G are also discussed. Based on the ongoing trend in advancements in wearable technology, telemedicine, and smart hospitals, understanding the benefits and limitations of the digital stethoscope is an essential consideration for potential equipment deployment, especially during the height of the current COVID-19 pandemic and, more importantly, for future healthcare crises when human and resource mobility is restricted.

Telemedicine in Primary Practice in the Age of the COVID-19 Pandemic—Review

“…The authors of this article showed many benefits of remote lung auscultation, or even the sound recording itself. They also did not omit the problem related to the use of artificial intelligence to interpret the recorded auscultation phenomena, which primarily result from their possible variability [ 52 ].…”

“…Moreover, these researchers confirmed that patients were able to perform a simple lung USG test themselves. Heldeweg et al, based on a systematic review of the literature, proved that ultrasound imaging of the lungs significantly affects clinical decision making, especially in the so-called places for quick diagnostics (e.g., emergency departments) [ 52 ].…”

Tele-Monitoring Applications in Respiratory Allergy

“…Disease awareness is a key component for the efficient control of chronic respiratory allergies; to achieve this, a series of diagnostic and monitoring devices for home use are commercially available. The currently marked digital stethoscopes can efficiently remove non-essential noise, while they are combined with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that recognize, amplify, visualize, and record breath sounds such as wheezing and coughing with substantial sensitivity [61,62]. Patients or caregivers can also utilize portable digital spirometers or peak flow meters for both self-assessment and guided treatment while reviewing effort quality and, in certain cases, in a visualized, easy-to-understand form, their effort results (e.g., traffic light system) [63].…”

Design Optimization of 3D Printed Digital Stethoscope for Low-Cost Telemedicine

“…3D printing technology offers the opportunities for personalization and customization, advanced functionality, and integration with modern healthcare technologies. As digital capabilities become increasingly prevalent, digital stethoscopes started gaining attraction for their improved sound quality in terms of amplification, clarity, accuracy and recordability [5].…”