Development of a modern electronic stethoscope

Abstract The stethoscope is an auditory device capable of amplifying sounds produced in the heart and lungs for medical diagnosis. This device continues to be of great importance and a mark of status in the medical field following several modifications and improvements. This chapter emphasizes the development of a modern electronic stethoscope, highlighting the distinctive features of the modern technology and its functioning techniques. The top end of the stethoscope consists of a pair of ear-fitted speakers to be used in accommodating processed signals from sounds produced by patients’ internal organs (such as the hearts and lungs). The Fourier transform is used to obtain time and frequency characteristics in the study of digitized and sampled signals. A user-friendly interface is provided by the nature of the modern electronic stethoscope, making auscultation a worthwhile experience.