Researchers at the University of Cambridge have introduced a handheld device that offers potential as an alternative to traditional stethoscopes for detecting heart disease. This device is notable for its user-friendly design, allowing individuals with or without medical training to accurately record heart sounds.
The device features a larger, flexible sensing area, enabling clearer sound capture even if not precisely placed on the chest. It can be utilized over clothing, optimizing patient comfort during routine check-ups or community screening programs, particularly benefiting female patients.
Stored heart sound recordings on the device can aid in identifying heart valve disease. Additionally, there's ongoing development of a machine learning algorithm aimed at automatically detecting valve disease. The findings are detailed in the IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics.
Professor Anurag Agarwal, leading the research from Cambridge’s Department of Engineering, highlights the issue with stethoscope-based diagnoses: "The symptoms of VHD can be easily confused with certain respiratory conditions, which is why so many patients don’t receive a stethoscope examination." Yet, he notes, the accuracy of such exams is low, relying on a GP for the procedure.
An echocardiogram remains the 'gold standard' for diagnosing valve disease, but due to extended NHS waiting times for this test, the device could serve as a useful screening tool. "To help get waiting lists down, and to make sure we’re diagnosing heart valve disease early enough that simple interventions can improve quality of life, we wanted to develop an alternative to a stethoscope that is easy to use as a screening tool,” said Agarwal.
The Cambridge-developed device, approximately the size of a drink coaster, encompasses six sensors, contrasting with the single sensor of standard stethoscopes. This design simplifies accurate readings and is advantageous for users lacking medical training. It also incorporates materials that allow use over clothing, ensuring patient privacy during screenings.
Researchers have tested the device on healthy individuals and plan further clinical evaluations against echocardiogram outcomes. The machine learning algorithm developed alongside shows promising results, outperforming GPs in valve disease detection.
Agarwal explains, "If successful, this device could become an affordable and scalable solution for heart health screening, especially in areas with limited medical resources." The device also holds potential for triaging patients awaiting echocardiograms, giving priority to those showing valve disease indications.
Cambridge Enterprise, the University's commercialization arm, has filed a patent for the device. Anurag Agarwal is a Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge.
Reference: Andrew McDonald et al. ‘A flexible multi-sensor device enabling handheld sensing of heart sounds by untrained users.’ IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics (2025).
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