The cold, intimidating touch of a stethoscope can be unnerving on the best of days, but its utility makes it a central tool in the assessment of lung health, even if its findings are momentary. Hoping to replace the temporary nature of its use, scientists are working on a wearable stethoscope patch known as the Lung-Sound-Monitoring-Patch (LSMP), which can constantly monitor a patient’s breathing without interruptions.
The LSMP is a new advancement in wearable technology being developed by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, and it is designed to continuously monitor sounds from the lungs and airway for a period of up to five days at a stretch. The device could be a big step in the assessment methods and data available to treat those with respiratory ailments, making it an invaluable tool for health care providers in the coming years.
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The LSMP Wearable Stethoscope Patch Offers a New Way to Monitor Respiratory Ailments
A paper published by researchers from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology in the Engineering journal revealed work on a new wearable stethoscope patch that can be adhered to the skin for a period of five days to continuously monitor internal respiratory activity. The prototype, labeled the Lung-Sound-Monitoring-Patch (LSMP), is a small wireless patch that can provide internal respiratory sound monitoring, using AI analysis to “classify normal and adventitious breathing by comparing their unique acoustic characteristics.”
An iPhone app custom-developed for the continuous lung monitoring patch can collect and store information, working through a wireless Bluetooth connection to showcase real-time visualizations of the data that is collected. The researchers also developed a deep learning model and a wheeze counting algorithm to better understand the patterns of breathing and internal sounds collected from participants, giving them more insight into the condition of their participants.
How Does the Continuous Lung Monitoring Patch Work?
The patch is equipped with components such as a uni- and omni-direction MEMS microphone to capture sounds, a microcontroller unit (MCU) which can act like the “brain” of the device, and a lithium polymer battery to power it. The hydrocolloid medical-grade adhesive helps the flexible printed circuit board (fPCB) adhere to the skin, and it also features a 3D-printed encapsulating closure made from a biocompatible resin called elastic 50A to house all of the components.
By attaching the wearable stethoscope patch to the patient’s back, between the spine and shoulder blade, researchers were able to monitor lung sounds continuously to better understand the state of the wearer. The integration of AI further enhances the device’s capabilities, eliminating the need for constant monitoring from a doctor if the device is put into use. The researchers believe the device could be particularly useful for children under six, who may not be able to perform standard lung function tests.
The team is now working to improve the active noise cancellation capabilities of the device and hopes to eventually aid with real-time wheeze detection and other internal changes in breathing pattern. This could eventually help doctors track the progression of a patient’s illness or alert them to when additional interventions might be necessary.
Image: A depiction of the LSMP device provided by the researchers.
The LSMP Wearable Could Revolutionize Diagnostics for Lung Conditions
The wearable stethoscope patch may see immediate use for only a small section of the population, but the ability to detect issues or warning signs of worsening conditions could be just what health care professionals need to provide the right treatment at the right time. This simple wireless lung patch is an impressive step forward in the realm of wearables, as it advances the diagnostic technology we have right now, offering an unintrusive solution to monitoring ailments on the go.
While the stethoscope remains an invaluable tool, the LSMP wearable takes its capabilities a couple of steps further to provide continuous, real-time insights into the wearer’s health. We’ve come to rely on smartwatches for aspects such as stress and heart health, but these devices also have their limitations. Respiratory performance can affect an individual’s quality of life exponentially, and the more we understand about their internal workings, the easier it is to provide solutions to improve their treatment long-term.
From tracking skin health to improving treatment alternatives for Alzheimer and ALS, there are considerable advancements occurring in the area of wearable technology.
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