Design of an AI-Enhanced Digital Stethoscope: Advancing Cardiovascular Diagnostics Through Smart Auscultation

TL;DR

This paper presents the systematic design and development of an AI-enhanced digital stethoscope that improves cardiovascular diagnostics through real-time sound analysis, automated classification, and telemedicine integration.

Contribution

It introduces a novel AI-integrated digital stethoscope with a structured design process, combining customer feedback, benchmarking, and engineering analysis for improved clinical utility.

Findings

Enhanced sound analysis and classification accuracy

Improved portability and user interface

Cost-effective and reliable design

Abstract

In the ever-evolving landscape of medical diagnostics, this study details the systematic design process and concept selection methodology for developing an advanced digital stethoscope, demonstrating the evolution from traditional acoustic models to AI-enhanced digital solutions. The device integrates cutting-edge AI technology with traditional auscultation methods to create a more accurate, efficient, and user-friendly diagnostic tool. Through systematic product planning, customer need analysis, and rigorous specification development, we identified key opportunities to enhance conventional stethoscope functionality. The proposed system features real-time sound analysis, automated classification of heart sounds, wireless connectivity for remote consultations, and an intuitive user interface accessible via smartphone integration. The design process employed a methodical approach incorporating customer feedback, competitive benchmarking, and systematic concept generation and selection. Through a structured evaluation framework, we analyzed portability, frequency response sensitivity, transmission quality, maintenance ease, user interface simplicity, output signal quality, power efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. The final design prioritizes biocompatibility, reliability, and cost-effectiveness while addressing the growing demand for telemedicine capabilities in cardiovascular care. The project emphasizes the transition from conventional design to advanced digital solutions while maintaining a focus on practical clinical applications. Each concept was modelled using SOLIDWORKS software, enabling detailed visualization and engineering analysis. This systematic approach to concept screening and selection ensures the final design meets both current healthcare needs and future technological adaptability.