Telematics Product Summary Draft 2

According to Yuen (2017), the compact Smart StethoScope (S3) is a device invented by three students from Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP).  This small device is wearable and allows users with cardiovascular diseases to monitor their hearts for abnormal sounds at home without any medical understanding. This could save the lives of patients whose heart conditions might not have been detected during medical appointments. It can collect data on heart sounds and the heart electrical activity. The data is then uploaded into a machine learning model on a cloud server that will process it and identify abnormal heart sounds. Users are only required to wear it for around five minutes per day to record their heart conditions and the saved data will be secured. This device is affordable as it only takes $30 to produce it. Doctors can monitor their patients’ health through this device more easily. 

In comparison with S3, products like HD Steth features cohesive electrocardiogram and accurate cardiac diagnosis. Its main selling point is its AI (artificial intelligence) and predictive analytics to assist medical professionals with early detection of cardiac abnormalities. It enables doctors to observe and record both heart and lung sounds for “real-time collaboration, comparison and future diagnosis”. This device uses Bluetooth transmission of cardiac wave-forms to smart electronic devices. Captured data can be shared with other doctors and specialists for optimum treatment, insurance companies and electronic medical record systems. However, this is priced at $500 and is available only in the US market.

On the other hand, comparing S3 with eKuore pro, eKuore pro also provides the ability to record, process and share the results of the auscultation. It is able to connect to speakers so that both the patient and health professionals can listen in. The inventors have also made the process of applying pulmonary and cardiac filters to the device fast and simple. The eKuore pro premium kit will cost around $952.

In conclusion, all these smart stethoscope are great inventions as it allows the doctor to get a second professional opinion, to check the findings against a database or compare the patient’s status over time. They also reduce the level of uncertainty in the diagnosis and reduce unnecessary referrals and prioritizing patients who need hospital treatment. With that in mind, S3 is able to fulfill these benefits in the lowest cost used, which is an important consideration factor for the patients.

References:

§  Wear This Device To Monitor The Heart (2017, August 7). Retrieved September 23, 2018, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/wear-this-device-to-monitor-the-heart

§  HD Steth (2015, November 30). Retrieved October 2, 2018, from http://emag.medicalexpo.com/wireless-stethoscope-setting-doctors-hearts-racing

§  eKuore Pro Medical Expo e-magazine (2018, January 30). Retrieved October 2, 2018, from https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/uae-health/smart-stethoscope-to-visualize-heart-sound-cardiac-abnormalities

§  eKuore Pro Smart Stethoscope. Retrieved October 2, 2018, from https://www.ekuore.com/en/wireless-stethoscope