Those who have embraced Apple’s massively popular iPhone are noted as being among some of the most tech savvy users in the mobile crowd, so it comes as no surprise that they would show strong favor to new technology over older devices such as the stethoscope. This is the market share that iPhone accessories developer RidRx is betting on with their latest adapter for the world’s most popular mobile device. Using the new adapter, called the iStetho Adapter, in conjunction with the iStethophone Pro app, users will be able to get not only an audio recording of beating hearts, but also a visual read out similar to what those in the medical fields are accustomed to reading for their patients.
Since the Food and Drug Administration of the United States, the official regulatory agency of all medical devices, cannot keep up with the current speed of technological development, both the iStethophone Pro app and the iStetho Adapter are not considered ‘medical devices’ in the official sense and are being sold as for ‘nonmedical purposes’ despite the innovation’s potential to assist doctors. It may be some time before agencies embrace this technology, but for now the patents on $29.99 the device are pending.