A new model of stethoscope developed by researchers at the University of Hawaii may one day help doctors make early diagnoses of water accumulating in the lungs. Fluid buildup in the lungs is a direct consequence of cardiac insufficiency, namely the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to the organs in the body. The new technology was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and consists of a device that is attached to the patient’s body similarly to an electrocardiogram sensor. It uses radiofrequency sensors to detect minor changes in the amount of water in the lungs, at the same time as it monitors the individual’s heart and respiratory rates. Coordinated by researcher Magdy Iskander, the project will also use the technology to attempt early diagnoses for other diseases including pulmonary edema and emphysema, not to mention serious injuries to the lungs. Cardiac insufficiency affects about five million Americans, generating a total healthcare cost of $32 million.
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