Assessment of the Noise Immune Stethoscope in a Clinical Environment

Abstract : This study was conducted in support of advanced technology development for clinical auscultation in high noise environments. The diagnostic performance of the Noise Immune Stethoscope (NIS) was assessed by user-clinicians in a low noise clinical environment. The NIS is a hybrid dual function stethoscope with both electromechanical acoustic (passive) and ultrasound Doppler (active) modes. Data were collected by four clinicians including a nurse, two ER physicians, and a flight surgeon. A total of 50 observations were made with both modes for cases of adventitious cardiopulmonary sounds and to assess hemo/pneumothorax. Overall, users evaluated the device to be moderately helpful in making clinical diagnosis and decisions compared to a traditional stethoscope. In agreement with prior reports, participants expressed difficulty with the Doppler mode but rated their confidence in ability to make diagnoses in the acoustic mode favorably. Recommendations for improvement are discussed.