Pulmonary Acoustic Sensor Telemetry Array: A Prototype for Remote Monitoring, Diagnosis, and Prognostication of Pulmonary Sounds

This paper presents the pulmonary acoustic sensor telemetry array, a novel hardware prototype developed for remote pulmonary monitoring, diagnosis, and prognostication of pulmonary sounds in clinical settings. The proposed hardware prototype employs an array of acoustic sensors strategically positioned at standard auscultation sites on the patient’s chest and back, enabling real-time acquisition and analysis of pulmonary sounds with an edge computing device. This task is beyond the capabilities of existing commercially available digital stethoscopes. The hardware prototype presented herein addresses critical challenges in pulmonary care by providing continuous, high-fidelity, multi-site acoustic data collection. This functionality is pivotal for enhancing diagnostic accuracy and enabling early detection of respiratory abnormalities, potentially reducing treatment delays in acute respiratory conditions. The pulmonary acoustic sensor telemetry array (PASTA) integrates a compact design, multi-channel monitoring, and real-time telemetry, distinguishing itself from existing commercial medical devices. Performance evaluations against established digital stethoscopes, conducted using a high-fidelity medical simulation training manikin, demonstrate adequate sensitivity and signal quality. The potential applications of the pulmonary acoustic sensor telemetry array extend beyond inpatient care, making it suitable for remote monitoring in outpatient environments such as hospital-at-home and outpatient hospice programs. By bridging a significant gap in current medical device offerings, the pulmonary acoustic sensor telemetry array sets a new standard in pulmonary auscultation and serves as a foundational platform for future advancements in Internet-of-Things enabled healthcare solutions.