3M Littmann Stethoscopes, Eko to make digital stethoscopes widely available

The new 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope offers clinicians access to both analog and AI-enabled digital auscultation options.

3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope in Use

3M Littmann Stethoscopes and Eko announced a new collaboration that will marry best-in-class 3M Littmann stethoscope technology with advanced Eko digital innovations.

The new 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope offers clinicians access to both analog and digital auscultation options and connects to Eko’s software and AI algorithms to help clinicians better interpret sounds and detect heart murmurs.

Why does it matter?

Benefits to clinicians include:

  • Helps increase confidence in auscultation assessments
  • Amplification and active noise cancellation
  • Visualization of sound data during auscultation
  • Access to Eko’s AI and clinical decision support, helping providers to screen for heart murmurs during routine physical exams
  • Access to Eko’s telemedicine software, making these benefits available for both in-person and remote patient care

The collaboration between 3M Littmann Stethoscopes and Eko brings together two innovative companies that are focused on delivering comprehensive health care solutions that drive better patient outcomes.

This combination is said to be a gamechanger that will allow physicians in rural America or nurses treating patients in a non-office setting to have access to cutting-edge clinical decision support.

On the record

“Today, 3M Littmann Stethoscopes embarks upon a new era in our long history as a pioneer in auscultation innovation and quality by introducing our most advanced stethoscope yet,” said Kristi Barnett, Sr. Director, 3M Medical Devices. “The new 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope combines the superior acoustics of the Littmann Cardiology IV Stethoscope with Eko’s digital technology and software to aid and enhance a clinician’s auscultation assessments.”

“For clinicians, listening is a gateway to making critical diagnoses. Being able to confidently assess heart and lung sounds helps ensure the best cardiac and pulmonary care possible,” added Connor Landgraf, co-founder and CEO, Eko. “Partnering with 3M Littmann Stethoscopes allows us to incorporate the power of our digital and machine learning technology alongside the stethoscope trusted by millions of clinicians worldwide, which can help impact patient outcomes and quality of care. Combining the 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope with the Eko platform of software and AI helps clinicians elevate cardiopulmonary care to a whole new level.”

The context

In January of this year, Eko received FDA clearance for an algorithm that can detect the presence of suspected heart murmurs. The 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope can connect to Eko software, including its heart murmur AI1 and its telemedicine software, enabling enhanced in-person or remote patient care.