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Smart stethoscope allows for real-time respiratory monitoring
What’s new in remote lung function monitoring?
Aevice Health, a Singapore-based medtech company specializing in remote respiratory monitoring devices, received FDA 510(k) clearance in July for its smart wearable stethoscope, Aevice MD. The device is one of the latest entrants in the remote patient monitoring field, a global market that is expected to balloon in value from $53.6 billion in 2022 to $175.2 billion in 2027, according to a report from MarketsandMarkets’ management consulting firm.
What’s the potential patient impact?
The American Thoracic Association reports that asthma costs the U.S. economy more than $80 billion annually. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, contribute significantly to emergency room visits and hospital readmissions.
Smart stethoscopes like Aevice MD allow clinicians to digitally listen for abnormal breath sounds, such as wheezing, and monitor vital signs, including heart and respiration rate. Early detection of abnormalities can allow for immediate intervention and potentially prevent emergency department visits and hospitalizations. (McCleary, 2023)
How does it work?
AeviceMD is a component of the AeviceMD Monitoring System, a comprehensive patient management platform for chronic respiratory disease management powered by the company’s proprietary algorithms. The smart stethoscope monitors biomarkers that indicate respiratory irregularity and are displayed on a dashboard that users can view for trends over time. Small, wireless sensors are attached painlessly to the user’s chest by a silicon patch. The analytics gathered, including heart and respiratory rate, and wheeze and cough detection, are uploaded in real-time and appear on users’ mobile devices via an app, allowing clinicians to monitor their patients’ response to treatment outside of the hospital or clinic. The app can also send medication reminders and provides telehealth features, including video consultations with doctors. (McCleary, 2023)
What’s the evidence?
In late 2021, Aevice Health announced a clinical trial in conjunction with National University Hospital System in Singapore to validate the use of the AeviceMD to detect abnormal lung sounds as compared to the current standard of care, the clinicians’ own stethoscope-based analysis. Results from the trial are currently being collated and will be released soon. (Pennic; Aevice Health) Aevice Health is also partnering with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to pilot the device. (Ang, 2023)
Sources:
Ang, A. (2023, Jul 25) Aevice Health takes on US, Southeast Asia markets. Mobi Health News. https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/asia/aevice-health-takes-us-southeast-asia-markets
(2021, Oct 27). Aevice Health and NUHS launches study to detect lung sound abnormalities using wearable respiratory monitor in paediatric patients. Aevice Health. https://aevice.com/category/press-release/.
McCleary. W. (2023, Feb 23). CES 2023: Wearable Stethoscope can listen to your lungs. HealthTech Insider. https://healthtechinsider.com/2023/02/23/ces-2023-wearable-stethoscope-can-listen-to-your-lungs-video/
Pennic, F. (2023, Jul 20). Aevice Health secures FDA clearance for smart stethoscope wearable for respiratory monitoring. HIT Consultant. https://hitconsultant.net/2023/07/20/aevice-health-fda-clearance-smart-stethoscope-wearable/