The smart wireless stethoscope achieves unmatched battery performance with the Nordic nPM1300

Lapsi Health, a digital health company, has launched a smart stethoscope approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for wirelessly recording and analyzing auscultation sounds (internal body sounds) such as a heartbeat. The Keikku stethoscope can be used for point-of-care and telemedicine applications.

The pocket device weighs just 100 grams and can be attached to a patient's body to collect audio. A medical practitioner can then transmit the sound directly to a headset or speaker, adjust the volume by rotating the device, and start recording with two taps. The data is then transmitted via a Bluetooth low energy wireless connection (powered by Nordic's nRF5340 SoC) for analysis via the "Keikku" smartphone app.

Any abnormal results are displayed in the application and shown by changes in the color of the device's LED. The platform also provides an overview of physician schedules and access to patients' previous notes, enabling secure storage of auscultation data while supporting case review, collaboration, and teaching opportunities.

Keikku is seamlessly managed by nRF5340

"Keikku combines advanced analytics with the simplicity of consumer electronics into a clinically proven device," said Seamus Holohan, chief operating officer at Lapsi Health. With active noise cancellation and clear sound quality, the device improves diagnostic accuracy for cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal assessments, even in noisy environments."

"The device is fully powered by the nRF5340 SoC. The chip's powerful processor and ample memory capacity enable seamless management of microphone systems for audio detection, touch sensors, and inertial measurement units [IMUs] for device control. Together with the battery life achieved by the nPM1300, Nordic devices have become an integral part of our offering."

The nPM1300 extends battery performance

The nRF5340 SoC has a network processor clock of 64 MHz and is optimized for low power consumption and high efficiency (101 CoreMark/mA). The low power operation of the network processor allows the device to be used continuously for up to 72 hours after a single charge, equivalent to nearly a month of normal operation. The Nordic nPM1300 power management Integrated circuit (PMIC) further extends the life of the device, improves charging efficiency, extends battery performance, and reduces the need for additional power components.

The smart stethoscope is designed to benefit a wide range of healthcare professionals, including primary care providers, specialists, educators, students, first responders, and mobile health workers. In addition, in telemedicine applications, Keikku provides "real-time" audio streams for accurate remote assessments and a secure auscultation record for team collaboration or expert consultations.