Digital Stethoscope Offers New Capabilities

Furthermore, new software allows these sounds be printed, faxed, and/or sent via e-mail or over the Internet by patients or doctors to colleagues, doctors, and hospitals.

The stethoscope, called e-steth, allows a doctor to detect sounds that are barely audible or inaudible using conventional instruments, such as aortic regurgitation, pericardial friction rub, and pleural rub, says the marketer, e-med innovations (Dallas, TX, USA). Lung sounds are distinctively audible with the e-steth, providing clear identification of pleural noise that allows early diagnosis of pleurisy.

The ability to save and record heart and lung readings permits doctors to make a remote diagnosis. For example, heart patients at home could easily and quickly record their heartbeat into the e-steth, and then send it in nanoseconds to their doctor. New visualization software called CardioMail enables the e-steth sounds to be sent via e-mail or over the Internet. The e-steth was designed in France by a company called IRIS, which was acquired by e-med innovations in October 2000. e-steth is already used in some general practices and cardiology units in Europe.

"The sound quality is so pure, physicians can discern the difference even over the Internet,” reports Jean-Pierre Arnaudo, president of e-med innovations.



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