Similar to how a long-term ECG monitors the heart, a clever technology can now continuously monitor the lungs: Fraunhofer researchers have developed a textile vest that uses integrated acoustic sensors to record the lung sounds of patients. The system therefore works like a system of multiple stethoscopes in continuous operation. Special software can then process the recorded data and convert it into a visual representation of the lung function. The so-called Pneumo.Vest system thus expands the diagnostic options, can relieve intensive care units and improve the quality of life of patients, say the developers.
Apart from the problems caused by corona infections, the importance of respiratory or lung diseases is increasing due to increasing life expectancy. This poses a significant challenge for hospitals, as patients often require intensive treatment and frequent lung function tests. Traditionally, as is well known, an instrument is used that is almost symbolic for medicine: Doctors can use the stethoscope to listen to lung noises during a so-called auscultation and, based on certain characteristics, draw conclusions about the function and condition of the organ. The new addition to the classic stethoscope, developed by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS in Berlin, also works according to this basic principle.
Pull-over stethoscope concept
Acoustic sensors based on piezo ceramics are integrated into the front and back of the textile vest, which can be worn in everyday life. These elements also register the finest sounds emanating from the lungs. This data is stored and can then be transferred to devices for evaluation. In addition to the acoustic sensors, the associated software is also the decisive component of the Pneumo.Vest system. It can filter out background noise such as the heartbeat and amplify characteristic frequency ranges originating from lung noise. The data from the differently positioned sensors can then be converted into a visual image of the lungs. It reflects the ventilation situation of all lung areas in detail. The researchers are also currently working on special algorithms for machine learning that could break down the complex background noise in the chest even more precisely in the future.
The great advantage of the Pneumo.Vest system is that the data is permanently recorded and saved. “Pneumo.Vest does not intend to make the stethoscope superfluous, nor is it a substitute for the skills of experienced pulmonologists. However, an auscultation or a lung CT always only represent a snapshot at the time of the examination,” says project manager Ralf Schallert from Fraunhofer IKTS. “The added value of our technology is that it allows continuous monitoring of the lungs, similar to a long-term ECG.” Patients can be transferred from the intensive care unit to the normal ward and maybe even sent home and can move about freely to a large extent.
Relief for intensive care units and patients
As reported by the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, initial tests with staff at the Department of Intensive Care Medicine at the University of Magdeburg show that the concept works in practice. “The feedback was extremely positive. The combination of acoustic sensors, visualization and machine learning algorithms will be able to reliably characterize a range of different lung sounds,” says Schallert with conviction. Alexander Uhrig from the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, who was involved in developing the idea for the concept, is also happy about the development: “Pneumo.Vest addresses exactly what we need. This gives us an instrument that expands the diagnostic options, relieves our hospital staff and makes the hospital stay more pleasant for patients,” says the doctor.
Source: Fraunhofer Society