A new AI-powered stethoscope developed in the UK is ushering in a new era in medicine with its ability to rapidly detect heart conditions. The device has been tested on more than 12,000 patients and has yielded remarkable results.
An AI-powered stethoscope is coming
Developed by California-based Eko Health, this smart stethoscope is equipped with sophisticated sensors, unlike traditional stethoscopes. It detects even the slightest changes in heartbeat and blood flow, and can simultaneously record a rapid ECG to measure the heart’s electrical activity.
In tests, the device was used on 12,725 patients and in more than 200 clinics. The data obtained showed that the device was twice as accurate in diagnosing heart failure, three and a half times more accurate in diagnosing atrial fibrillation, and nearly twice as accurate in diagnosing valvular heart disease.
The device’s operating principle is based on data collected via microphones and sensors and analyzed via AI algorithms via the cloud. Results are transmitted to healthcare professionals within seconds.
Researchers at Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust noted that AI can occasionally produce inaccurate results. However, almost all of these inaccurate results are “false positives,” which overly cautiously indicate the presence of a disease.
This demonstrates that the device is not overlooking diseases and is operating with extreme caution. Experts emphasize that this technology will significantly increase the possibilities for early diagnosis.
