[A simple personal computer-based system for lung sound analysis].
Although lung sounds provide important information about the respiratory system, the analysis of lung sounds has not been widely used in clinical practice because of the complicated procedure involved. However, personal computer technology has made impressive strides in recent years. Today, practically all personal computer models on the market are equipped with the capacity for audio signal input and output. We developed a new computer system for lung sounds acquisition and analysis. The system hardware comprises only a personal computer and a microphone, and the software was developed for a widely used operating system (Windows 95). Our system can record, save, and replay lung sounds and analyze their time and frequency domains. To verify the accuracy of sound acquisition, we examined the frequency characteristics of the system as installed and utilized on 4 different machines. The characteristics were essentially flat throughout the 200-2,000 Hz spectrum within which almost all lung sounds were contained. We feel our system can serve as a simple and useful tool for lung sound analysis.
Nakano
H
H
National Minami-Fukuoka Chest Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.
Shohji
S
S
Nishima
S
S
D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology*; D008838:Microcomputers; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012984:Software