The collaboration between 3M Littmann Stethoscopes and Eko brings together two companies that are focused on delivering comprehensive healthcare solutions that drive better patient outcomes
As the world of healthcare and its dependence on auscultation continues to evolve, digital technology is being introduced to meet the advancing demands of the industry. To meet these changing needs, 3M Littmann Stethoscopes and Eko are announcing a new collaboration that will marry the best-in-class 3M Littmann stethoscope technology with advanced Eko digital innovations, a company statement said.
It also mentioned that the new 3M Littmann Core digital stethoscope offers clinicians access to both analog and digital auscultation options and connects to Eko’s software and AI algorithms to help clinicians better interpret sounds and detect heart murmurs.
According to the statement, clinicians can benefit from this as it includes amplification and active noise cancellation, visualisation of sound data during auscultation, access to Eko’s AI and clinical-decision support, helping providers to screen for heart murmurs during routine physical exams and access to Eko’s telemedicine software, making these benefits available for both in-person and remote patient care.
“Today, 3M Littmann Stethoscopes embarks upon a new era in our long history as a pioneer in auscultation innovation and quality by introducing our most advanced stethoscope yet,” said Kristi Barnett, Senior Director, 3M Medical Devices.
“The new 3M Littmann Core digital stethoscope combines the superior acoustics of the Littmann Cardiology IV Stethoscope with Eko’s digital technology and software to aid and enhance a clinician’s auscultation assessments,” Barnet added.
The collaboration between 3M Littmann Stethoscopes and Eko brings together two companies that are focused on delivering comprehensive healthcare solutions that drive better patient outcomes.
In January this year, Eko received the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for an algorithm that can detect the presence of suspected heart murmurs. The 3M Littmann Core digital stethoscope can connect with Eko software, including its heart murmur AI and its telemedicine software, enabling enhanced in-person or remote patient care, added the statement.
Speaking about the launch, Rajiv Gupta, Country Business Leader – Health Care Business, 3M India, said, “3M Littmann Stethoscopes is a pioneer in auscultation innovation and quality, and today, we are introducing our most advanced stethoscope in India. The new 3M Littmann Core digital stethoscope meets the clinician’s auscultation needs by combining the superior acoustics of the Littmann Cardiology IV stethoscope with Eko’s digital technology. With the intensifying COVID situation in India, and the highly-challenging need to assess and monitor COVID patients, the new Littmann Core digital stethoscope makes it possible to listen to, and diagnose patients remotely as it allows easy sharing of data or live streaming to a remote provider during a telemedicine consultation. This can be leveraged as a means to protect healthcare professionals, while providing the highest standards of care.”
Adding to it, Connor Landgraf, co-founder and CEO, Eko, said, “For clinicians, listening is a gateway to making critical diagnoses. Being able to confidently assess heart and lung sounds helps ensure the best cardiac and pulmonary care possible. Partnering with 3M Littmann Stethoscopes allows us to incorporate the power of our digital and machine learning technology alongside the stethoscope trusted by millions of clinicians worldwide, which can help impact patient outcomes and quality of care. Combining the 3M Littmann Core digital stethoscope with the Eko platform of software and AI helps clinicians elevate cardio-pulmonary care to a whole new level.”