Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method for identifying characteristic phonocardiographic heart sounds using a novel, recording, digital stethoscope. The stethoscope comprises in combination the features of a standard air column stethoscope together with the features of a recording, digital stethoscope. Further, the stethoscope includes features permitting the detection and recording of at least a portion of the electrocardiographic wave pattern to aid in analysis of the phonocardiographic sounds. The system for identifying phonocardiographic sounds includes the described recording, digital stethoscope together with a computer and display device for storing, analyzing and displaying the detected sounds together with comparative sounds selected from a reference library. The method for identifying characteristic phonocardiographic sounds includes detecting the phonocardiographic sounds and at least a portion of the electrocardiographic wave pattern of the patient, digitalizing the detected signals, storing those signals, digitalizing the detected signals, storing those signals, analyzing those signals to produce a phonocardiographic signature, comparing that signature with reference PCG signatures and displaying visually and/or audibly the patient's phonocardiographic sounds together with the phonocardiographic sounds corresponding to the reference PCG signatures determined to be closest to the PCG signature of the patient.