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A new handheld device has been developed by researchers from the University of Cambridge, presenting a promising alternative to traditional stethoscopes for identifying specific types of heart disease.
This innovative device facilitates accurate recording of heart sounds, making it accessible for individuals with and without medical training. Unlike a conventional stethoscope, its larger and flexible sensing area allows for the detection of clearer heart sounds, even when not perfectly positioned on the chest.
Moreover, this device can be utilized over clothing, enhancing comfort for patients—particularly women—during regular check-ups or community heart health initiatives.
The heart sound recordings generated by the device can be stored for analysis, enabling the detection of heart valve diseases. Researchers are also in the process of creating a machine learning algorithm designed to automatically identify signs of valve disease. Their findings have been published in the IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics.
Heart valve disease (valvular heart disease or VHD) is increasingly recognized as a significant health concern, with its prognosis often extending beyond that of various cancer types. Alarmingly, up to 50% of patients with significant VHD remain undiagnosed, with many seeking medical attention only after experiencing major complications.
In the United Kingdom, the NHS and NICE have prioritized early diagnosis of heart valve disease to enhance patient quality of life and reduce healthcare costs.
Traditionally, auscultation with a stethoscope serves as the primary method for diagnosing heart valve disease. However, statistics reveal that only 38% of patients reporting symptoms of valve disease receive a stethoscope examination from their general practitioners.
“Symptoms of VHD can easily be mistaken for various respiratory issues, contributing to the underdiagnosis of the condition,” stated Professor Anurag Agarwal, who leads the research at Cambridge’s Department of Engineering. “The effectiveness of a stethoscope exam for identifying heart valve disease is relatively low, and it necessitates a GP to perform the assessment.”
Additionally, stethoscope examinations often require patients to partially undress, which can be a lengthy process in quick GP appointments and discomforting, especially for women during routine screenings.
The echocardiogram is regarded as the definitive diagnostic tool for heart valve disease, yet it is restricted to hospital settings and is subject to lengthy NHS waiting times, often between six and nine months.
“To alleviate waiting lists and ensure heart valve disease is diagnosed promptly enough for effective interventions, we aimed to create an easy-to-use screening alternative to the stethoscope,” Agarwal explained.
The researchers have crafted a device about the size of a standard drinks coaster, which presents a feasible solution. This tool can be utilized by medical professionals to record heart sounds accurately and can function over clothing.
Unlike standard stethoscopes that contain a single sensor, the newly developed device has six sensors, improving the accuracy of readings whether performed by qualified healthcare staff or individuals without medical training, thanks to its larger surface area.
The device utilizes materials capable of transmitting vibrations effectively over clothing, maintaining patient privacy during community screenings. Gel inserts between the sensors help absorb vibrations, preventing interference among readings.
Initial testing of the device involved healthy individuals with varied body shapes and sizes to capture heart sounds, with plans to evaluate its performance in clinical settings compared to echocardiogram results in future steps.
Simultaneously, the research team is working on a machine learning algorithm that can analyze recorded heart sounds for potential signs of valve disease. Preliminary results indicate that this algorithm may surpass the diagnostic capabilities of general practitioners.
“If proven effective, this device could offer an affordable and scalable solution for heart health screenings, particularly in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure,” noted Agarwal.
The researchers assert that this device could efficiently triage patients awaiting echocardiogram evaluations, ensuring those exhibiting signs of valve disease receive timely hospital care.
A patent for the device has been filed by Cambridge Enterprise, the university’s commercialization division. Anurag Agarwal is a Fellow at Emmanuel College, Cambridge.
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