Scientists at Imperial College London, working with California-based startup Eko Health, have designed a new AI-driven stethoscope that can identify serious heart conditions in just 15 seconds.
The device, no bigger than a pack of cards, replaces the traditional stethoscope chest piece. Unlike conventional models, it records both heart sounds and an electrocardiogram (ECG) simultaneously. Once captured, the information is uploaded to a secure cloud system, where artificial intelligence trained on thousands of patient cases examines the data for irregularities too subtle for the human ear or eye. Within moments, the results are delivered back to a clinician’s smartphone.
The stethoscope has already undergone large-scale testing across the UK with more than 12,000 participants. Findings from the trial show it spotted heart failure twice as often, detected atrial fibrillation three times more frequently, and uncovered valve disease nearly twice as often as existing diagnostic methods.
Healthcare experts say this kind of technology could be a game changer, helping general practitioners and frontline clinicians make earlier diagnoses, start treatment sooner, and reduce hospital admissions. Because of its compact size and ease of use, the device could also be deployed in rural areas, community clinics, or even home health settings, widening access to advanced cardiac screening.
As cardiovascular disease continues to be one of the world’s leading causes of death, tools that enhance accuracy, speed, and accessibility in diagnosis are increasingly vital. If regulatory approvals progress smoothly, the AI-powered stethoscope could soon be used routinely, offering doctors a faster, more reliable way to detect hidden heart conditions and improving outcomes for thousands of patients.
