Lifespan, based in Providence, R.I., is collaborating with digital health company Eko to develop artificial intelligence for diagnosing pulmonary hypertension.
With a $2.7 million National Institutes of Health small business innovation grant, Eko is developing a machine learning algorithm to detect the condition with smart stethoscopes. In contrast to the current standard of EKGs and right-heart catheterizations, this method will use phonocardiograms and electrocardiograms.
“This machine learning algorithm has the potential to be a low cost, easily implementable, and sustainable medical technology that assists healthcare professionals in identifying more patients with pulmonary hypertension,” said Dr. Gaurav Choudhary, director of cardiovascular research at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute.
In addition to receiving $6 million from NIH, Eko has previously partnered with Northwestern Medicine of Chicago to develop cardiopulmonary AI tools.
