A tiny wearable high-precision sensing system was designed by researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of cardiopulmonary disorders. The silicon chip-based device functions as an electronic stethoscope and accelerometer to monitor the vibrations 
The miniature sensor records lung and heart data. Credit: Georgia Institute of Technology/Ayazi laband motion of the lungs and heart, augmenting the electrical impulse trends provided by conventional electrocardiograms (EKGs).
an accelerometer contact microphone described in Digital Medicine consists of two fine layers of silicon, separated by a width of 270 nm. The sensor responds to surface vibrations by converting these signals into readable electronic output indicative of the wearer’s cardiopulmonary health.
The low-noise, high bandwidth device was tested on healthy subjects, demonstrating good correlation with data generated by medical-grade electronic stethoscopes and EKGs. The sensor accurately detected heartbeat and respiration rate in addition to tracking walking and other modes of physical activity.
Three or more of the battery-powered sensors could be inserted into a chest band that would triangulate health signals to locate their sources. With additional advances, the system could be used to reveal a malfunctioning heart valve through turbulence in the bloodstream or pinpoint a cancer growth in the lungs by monitoring faint crackling sounds it might produce.
