iPhone app iStethoscope, which monitors patients heartbeats, has been downloaded by over 3 million doctors according to reports.

Created by Dr Peter Bentley at the University College London, the iStrethoscope app is certainly taking the medical world by storm with over 500 daily downloads and suggestions that it could replace the use of actual stethoscopes in hospitals.

To use the app, the iPhone is pressed against the chest where its in-built microphone can detect heartbeats and capture accordingly. Users can then shake the device to hear the last 8 seconds of recordings and see a phonocardiograph display and a spectrogram which can be emailed to a specialist for further analysis.

Creator Dr Bentley stated that:

“’Smartphones are incredibly powerful devices packed full of sensors, cameras, high-quality microphones with amazing displays.”

He continues:

‘They are capable of saving lives, saving money and improving healthcare in a dramatic fashion – and we carry these massively powerful computers in our pockets.’

The adoption of new technologies within the medical industry can, however, be complex as a spokesman for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) highlighted:

“’We want to ensure that these new technologies are effectively regulated – thereby protecting health and avoiding unnecessary deterrents – while at the same time removing any unnecessary obstacles to manufacturers who wish to exploit new technologies for the benefit of patients.”

Let’s hope that the MHRA, medical professionals and app developers can continue to work together to provide patients with care of the highest standards whilst embracing new forms of technology in the process.

Take a look at the video below to see how the app works: