A sensor-laden vest continuously monitors the wearer's lungs

Typically, patients with breathing problems have their lung function monitored via a stethoscope during a clinic visit. But an experimental new vest could do the same job in a single day, no matter where the wearer goes.

The wearable device, called Pneumo.Vest, is part of the M³ Infekt project, which involves 10 branches of the Fraunhofer research group in Germany. Although the technology could also be applied to other respiratory diseases, it is currently focused on COVID-19 patients.

Multiple piezoelectric ceramic acoustic sensors are mounted on the front and back of the vest, each of which is used to detect the smallest noises produced by the lungs. Since the position of each sensor (relative to the lungs) is known, it is possible to determine where in the lungs each noise comes from.

Custom software records and analyzes all sensor readings and goes on to generate an image of the lungs with problematic areas highlighted. This image can be viewed on a connected mobile device or even accessed remotely via a secure server over the internet. This means that patients could conceivably be monitored for extended periods of time in their own homes.

"The Pneumo.Vest is not intended to make the stethoscope redundant or replace the skills of an experienced pulmonologist," says Project Manager Ralf Schallert. "However, auscultation of the lungs or even a CT scan only presents a snapshot at the time of the examination. Our technology offers added value because it allows for continuous monitoring of the lungs."