Remote Pediatric Auscultation | Stethome Smart Stethoscope

Addressing Respiratory Concerns in Children with StethoMe

Experiencing a respiratory issue, whether in a child or oneself, often brings about considerable stress and anxiety. Determining the nature of the problem and evaluating treatment effectiveness can be a frustrating undertaking. This is particularly true during a widespread respiratory disease pandemic.

StethoMe, a participant in the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield competition, aims to lessen these burdens for children with asthma and their families. They have developed a connected, intelligent stethoscope designed to facilitate lung examinations at home.

How the Device Functions

The device enables parents to record high-fidelity audio of their child’s lungs and transmit these recordings directly to the child’s physician. Machine learning algorithms are integrated to assist in identifying potential health concerns.

Upon activation, a smartphone application guides the user through the examination process. The built-in screen provides instructions on proper device placement on the chest and assesses the ambient noise level.

Measurements are taken at 6-8 different points, generating a report that includes vital signs such as respiratory rate and heart rate. The system also detects and flags potential audio anomalies, including wheezing, rhonci – sounds caused by fluid in the airways – and crackles.

Report Analysis and Doctor Collaboration

This report, containing the recorded audio from each chest location, can be shared directly with the child’s doctor. A visual spectrogram is also provided, offering a detailed overview of each recording and highlighting any abnormalities identified by the AI-powered system.

The intention is to enable earlier and more precise detection of asthma attacks, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of long-term medications. Can one medication provide superior symptom relief compared to another? Does a dosage adjustment yield positive results?

Regulatory Status and Pilot Program

According to co-founder Wojciech Radomski, the product has received medical device certification in the European Union, securing a CE mark for both the device and its artificial intelligence components. The process of obtaining FDA approval in the United States is currently in progress.

Recently, at TechCrunch Disrupt, StethoMe announced a partnership with Poland’s Ministry of Health. The ministry has procured 1,000 devices for a pilot program involving over 100 doctors over the next six months. Over 70,000 recordings have already been made during the past month as part of this initiative.

Funding and Future Outlook

StethoMe has secured funding through several rounds, including a $400,000 pre-seed investment, a $2 million seed round, and a $2.5 million Series A funding. Additionally, the company has been awarded approximately $3 million in grants from Poland’s National Center for Research and Development.

This innovative device offers a promising solution for managing childhood asthma, potentially improving both patient care and peace of mind for families. The ability to remotely monitor lung health represents a significant advancement in respiratory care.