The stethoscope has long been a symbol of medicine, but now the centuries-old device has new competition, with the launch of a smartphone-based intelligent stethoscope invented by a Seattle teen seeking to solve a challenge identified by his cardiologist dad.
Suman Mulumudi was 14 years old when he began working on the device, and 15 years old when his invention was featured on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Four years later, he’s a 19-year-old freshman at Columbia University, and the Steth IO device is making its commercial debut.
The phone case and app turn any iPhone into a smart stethoscope that can hear, record and visualize patients’ heartbeats. The device, which officially launches Tuesday, is available for $199 on Steth IO’s website.
