Usefullness of lung sound data collection using the Skeeper SM-300 device

초록

Background and Aim: Medical device development using artificial intelligence is in progress worldwide. A stethoscope is an inexpensive, portable, and easy-to-use medical device. However, there are limitations to use by the general public without expertise, and in hospitals, stethoscopes that require long experience and high level of expertise in disease-related sounds. However as non-face-to-face and non-contact is urgently required in the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, electronic stethoscope with Bluetooth function is needed in clinical practice. This clinical trial is a therapeutic exploratory clinical trial to collect and analyze lung sound data of lung disease patients including normal lung sound using an electronic stethoscope (Skeeper SM-300) device for the further development of Skeeper AI analysis engine Method: We collected and analyzed lung sound data from 55 patients to confirm normal lung sounds without and with lung disease including asthma, COPD, pleural effusion and interstitial pneumonia. Lung sounds were collected at 12 sites of anterior and posterior chest. The acquired lung sounds were evaluated for appropriateness through the evaluation of two respiratory specialists and one allergist. Result: The lung sounds of the electronic stethoscope were heard similarly to the conventional analog lung sounds, and the patients found them more comfortable. When using an electronic stethoscope, among lung sounds, especially wheezing, was audible well, but it was not easy to discriminate between crackle and noise. Conclusion: An electronic stethoscope could replace the existing analog stethoscope. Further research is needed on the practicality of the practice in the actual clinical setting and at home.