Abstract:
A stethoscope system for self-examination whereby the condition of health of a particular individual can be diagnosed by comparing characteristic sound waves classified by diseases with sound waves generated from various parts of the individual&#39;s body. This system also provides for remote medical examination whereby sound waves generated from various parts of the individual&#39;s body are transmitted to a medical specialist using the internet and receiving a virtual medical examination via the internet.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a stethoscope system for self-examination using an Internet. More particularly, the present invention relates to a digital stethoscope system, which can diagnose the health condition of a patient by comparing a characteristic sound wave of a disease occurring in the body of a patient with a stethoscopic sound wave. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In a conventional stethoscope, another physician(s) except an attending physician cannot auscultate, or hear, a patient&#39;s breathing sound directly by use of the stethoscope, resulting in different diagnoses according to the physician&#39;s experience or subjectivity. Also, patients cannot hear the sound generated from their own bodies. Since the sound heard by the physician cannot be stored but are recorded in medical terms, it is not possible to objectively monitor a change in the patient&#39;s condition. In the field of medical education, since students cannot hear the patient&#39;s breathing sound simultaneously, the students cannot confidently diagnose the patient&#39;s condition from the sound heard by the students themselves. Also, professors who are physicians, cannot accurately evaluate the students&#39; determination because they cannot auscultate parts of the patient&#39;s body at the same time as the students. In accordance with recent development of remote medical examination using the Internet or information highway, exchange of stethoscopic sounds is indispensable. However, it is not possible to transmit a stethoscopic sound to a physician in a remote area by use of the conventional stethoscope. Also, since it is not possible to analyze the stethoscopic sound and to compare the stethoscopic sound with a characteristic sound of a disease, ordinary people other than physicians cannot use the stethoscope easily. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a stethoscope system for self-examination, by which the health condition of a particular individual can be diagnosed by comparing characteristic sound waves classified by diseases with sound waves generated from various parts of the individual&#39;s body. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a remote medical examination system, by which sound waves generated from various parts of a particular individual&#39;s body are transmitted to a medical specialist in a remote area using the Internet for remote medical examination. 
     To accomplish the above object of the present invention, there is provided a stethoscope system for self-examination using the Internet, the stethoscope system including a member&#39;s digital stethoscope for measuring sound waves of various parts of a member&#39;s body, connecting to a prescribed web address in accordance with the member&#39;s instruction, transmitting the member&#39;s current sound wave data, requesting for remote medical examination, and displaying an examination result input from the outside, a web server for storing the measured current sound wave data in a current sound wave database in response to the member&#39;s request if the measured current sound wave data is received from the member&#39;s digital stethoscope, examining the member&#39;s health condition using the measured current sound wave data, disease sound wave data pre-stored in a disease sound wave database, and the normal sound wave data pre-stored in a normal sound wave database, connecting to the member&#39;s digital stethoscope for transmission of the examination result, or transmitting member identification information, details for the request for remote medical examination, the member&#39;s current sound wave data and the pre-stored member&#39;s normal sound wave data to request a medical specialist for remote medical examination, a remote medical examination system for receiving the member identification information, details for the request for remote medical examination, the member&#39;s current sound wave data and the pre-stored member&#39;s normal sound wave data from the web server, performing remote medical examination by the medical specialist based on the received data, and transmitting the examination result to the web server by the medical specialist&#39;s instruction, and a communication system for connecting the member&#39;s digital stethoscope, the web server and the remote medical examination system with one another. 
     Also, the member&#39;s digital stethoscope may include a sound tube for collecting sounds originated from various parts of the body, a microphone through which the collected sounds are input, a signal processor for digitally processing the signal input through the microphone, a first memory in which the operating program of the digital stethoscope is stored, a second memory in which the current sound wave data measured through the sound tube are classified by parts of the body and stored, an input button for instructing the measured sound waves to be input and specifying the storage location thereof, a transmitting/receiving button for instructing the measured sound waves to be transmitted and requesting the transmission of an examination result, a display portion for displaying the measured sound waves, disease sound waves and the examination result in accordance with the instruction of the transmitting/receiving button, and a controller operating by the operating program, for storing the measured sound waves at a predetermined location of the second memory according to the state of the input button, transmitting the measured sound waves of the second memory to the web server according to the state of the transmitting/receiving button, and receiving the examination result from the web server to be displayed on the display portion. 
     The communication system for connecting the member&#39;s digital stethoscope and the web server is preferably a wireless mobile communication system. 
     Also, the communication system for connecting the member&#39;s digital stethoscope and the web server is preferably a wired communication system. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital stethoscope including a sound tube for collecting sounds originated from various parts of the body, a microphone through which the collected sounds are input, a signal processor for digitally processing the signal input through the microphone, a first memory in which the operating program of the digital stethoscope is stored, a second memory in which the measured sound wave data by parts of the body output in the form of a digital signal from the signal processor is stored, a third memory in which disease sound wave data is stored, an input button for instructing the measured sound waves to be input and specifying the storage location thereof, an output button for instructing the measured sound waves, diseases sound waves and examination result to be output, a speakerphone for outputting the measured sound waves, diseases sound waves and examination result in the form of sound signals, a display portion for displaying the measured sound waves, disease sound waves and the examination result in accordance with the instruction of the output button, and a controller operating by the operating program, for storing the measured sound waves at a predetermined location of the second memory according to the state of the input button, sequentially outputting the disease sound waves of the third memory to the speakerphone or the display portion according to the state of the output button, and checking whether there is disease sound waves similar to the measured sound waves to extract the examination result regarding the presence or absence of a disease in the examined body to be output to the speakerphone or display portion. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above object and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail a preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a stethoscope system for self-examination using a mobile communication network according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a stethoscope system for self-examination using a wired communication network according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an outer perspective view of a digital stethoscope according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the digital stethoscope according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a flow chart of self-examination using only the digital stethoscope according to the present invention; 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B are flow charts of remote medical examination using a digital stethoscope using the Internet according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a stethoscope system for self-examination using a mobile communication network according to the present invention, including a member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1 , a web server  2  for providing mobile communication services, a mobile communication network  3  and a remote medical examination system  4 . The web server  2  includes a member information database  6  in which data necessary for authentication of members, members&#39;health condition and remote medication examination results are stored, a specialist information database  7  in which information on specialists is stored, a diseases sound wave database  8  in which sound wave data by disease is stored, a normal sound wave database  9  in which the data of sound waves measured from members being in a normal state based on the specialist&#39;s determination, is stored, and a current sound wave database  10  in which the data of current sound waves measured at the time of examination of members&#39; health conditions is stored. The web server  2  is connected with the mobile communication network  3  through a gateway  5 . 
     In the stethoscope system having the above-described configuration, the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  measures sound waves of various parts of a member&#39;s body and transmits the member&#39;s current sound wave data to the web server  2 . The web server  2  analyzes the member&#39;s health condition from the member&#39;s current sound wave data and the disease sound wave data using an examination-purpose computer program. Alternatively, in response to the member&#39;s request for remote medical examination through the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1 , the web server  2  may transmit the request for the remote medical examination to the remote medical examination system  4 , so that a medical specialist can perform remote medical examination by means of the remote medical examination system  4 . 
     In the case of using the mobile communication network, the remote medical examination system  4  preferably includes a mobile communication terminal, such as a cellular phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Personal Communication Services (PCS) terminal, an International Mobile Telecommunication-2000 (IMT-2000) terminal and so on. 
     The web server  2  sends the examination result originated from the computer program or the medical specialist in a remote area back to the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1 , thereby offering accurate information on the member&#39;s health condition. 
     In order for a plurality of users to use the system according to the present invention, they must gain membership by connecting to the web server  2  and entering information necessary for member enrollment when or before using the system. When enrolling, the users preferably enter not only basic personal data but also accurate data for determining the health condition including physical constitution or clinical history. Then, the web server  2  stores the information on the member in the member information database  6  so as to allow the medical specialist to accurately diagnose the member&#39;s health condition at the time of remote medical examination. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a stethoscope system for self-examination using a wired communication network according to the present invention, including a member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1 , a member&#39;s computer  12 , a monitor  13  connected to the member&#39;s computer  12 , a remote medical examination system  14 , a web server  2 , and a plurality of databases  6  through  10  connected to the web server  2 . The member&#39;s computer  12 , the remote medical examination system  14  and the web server  2  are connected through a wired communication network  11 . 
     Also, the remote medical examination system  14  includes a specialist&#39;s computer  14 - 1 , a monitor  14 - 2  connected to the specialist&#39;s computer  14 - 1 , and a key board  14 - 3  connected to the specialist&#39;s computer  14 - 1 , for inputting specialist&#39;s instruction. 
     In the stethoscope system for self-examination using the wired communication network  11 , the member measures the sound wave data from various parts of his/her body using the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  connected to the member&#39;s computer  12  and transmits the measured sound wave data to the web server  2  via the member&#39;s computer  12  connected to a wired communication network  11 . When the member requests for remote medical examination through the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1 , the request is transmitted to the web server  2  via the member&#39;s computer  12 . Then, the web server  2  transmits the request to the remote medical examination system  14 , so that the medical specialist in a remote area can perform remote medical examination. 
     Preferably, the member&#39;s stethoscope  1  and the remote medical examination system  4 , as shown in FIG. 1, are integrally connected to a transmission system such as a cellular phone, an external ordinary telephone connected by cable, or a video transmission system such as an IMT-2000 terminal, thereby performing remote medical examination while the member and the medical specialist communicate with each other in real-time. 
     Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the member&#39;s computer  12  and the specialist&#39;s computer  14 - 1  may be configured such that they are connected to an external telephone device or a video transmission system such as an IMT-2000 terminal by a connection cable to perform remote medical examination through the web server  2 , and remote medical examination can also be performed while the member and the medical specialist communicate with each other in real-time through the external telephone device or video transmission system such as an IMT-2000 terminal. 
     FIG. 3 is an outer perspective view of a digital stethoscope according to the present invention. The digital stethoscope according to the present invention includes a sound tube  15  for collecting sounds originated from various parts of the body, a microphone  16  through which the collected sounds are input, a display portion  17  for displaying various sound waves and examination results, a transmitting/receiving antenna  18  necessary for wireless communication through a mobile communication system, an input button  19  for storing sound waves measured from various parts of the body and input through the sound tube  15  at a predetermined location, a transmitting/receiving button  20  for receiving member&#39;s instruction regarding transmission/reception from the digital stethoscope, a function selection button  21  for selecting either a function of self-examination using the digital stethoscope or a function of remote medical examination by connecting the digital stethoscope with a communication network, a speakerphone  22  for outputting the measured sound wave data as a sound, an earphone terminal  23  for being connected with an earphone, and a signal input/output terminal  24  for connecting the digital stethoscope with a computer. 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the digital stethoscope according to the present invention, including a sound tube  15  for collecting sounds originated from various parts of the body, a microphone  16  through which the collected sounds are input, a signal processor  25  for digitally processing the signal input through the microphone  16 , a first memory  26  in which the operating program of the digital stethoscope is stored, a second memory  27  in which the current sound wave data measured through the sound tube  15  are classified by parts of the body, and stored, a third memory  28  in which the sound wave data by disease are stored, a fourth memory  29  in which the normal sound wave data measured when the member&#39;s health condition is determined to be normal based on the specialist&#39;s determination, a display portion  17  for displaying various sound waves and examination results, and a speakerphone  22  for outputting the measured sound wave data as a sound. 
     Also, the digital stethoscope according to the present invention includes an input button  19  for storing the current sound wave data for a particular part of the body, the data input through the sound tube  15  and the microphone  16  at a predetermined location, a transmitting/receiving button  20  for causing the examination result of the member&#39;s health condition analyzed from the current sound wave data and disease sound wave data to be displayed on the display portion  17  and receiving various sound wave data and examination result respectively transmitted from the web server  2  and the remote medical examination system  4  as shown in FIG. 1, a function selection button  21  for selecting either a function of remote medical examination by connecting the member&#39;s digital stethoscope with a communication network or a function of self-examination using only the digital stethoscope, a wireless transmitter/receiver  18 - 1  for converting the electrical digital data output from a controller  30  into a radio signal to transmit the same to the web server  2  or converting the received radio signal into an electrical digital signal and transmitting the same to the controller  30 , and the controller  30  operating by the operating program stored in the first memory  26  for controlling the operation of the member&#39;s digital stethoscope. Also, the member&#39;s digital stethoscope may include an earphone terminal  23  for being connected with an earphone, and a signal input/output terminal  24  for connecting the digital stethoscope with a wired communication network. By means of the function selection button  21 , the controller  30  determines whether self-examination is to be performed using only the digital stethoscope or remote medical examination is to be performed by connecting the member&#39;s digital stethoscope to the web server  2  and the remote medical examination system  4  by the mobile communication system  3 . 
     In the case of performing self-examination using only the digital stethoscope, according to the state of the input button  19 , the controller  30  causes the current sound wave data input through the sound tube  15  to be stored at a predetermined location of the second memory  27  or the current sound wave data to be stored in the fourth memory  29  when the member&#39;s health condition is determined by the medical specialist to be normal. Also, according to the state of the transmitting/receiving button  20 , the controller  30  causes the current sound wave data, the disease sound wave data and the normal sound wave data to be displayed on the display portion  17  or to be output as a sound through the speakerphone  22 . Also, the controller  30  analyzes the health condition from the current sound wave data, the disease sound wave data and the normal sound wave data by using the operating program, and displays the examination result on the display portion  17 . 
     Otherwise, in the case of performing remote medical examination by connecting the member&#39;s digital stethoscope to the web server  2  and the remote medical examination system  4  by the mobile communication system  3 , according to the state of the input button  19 , the controller  30  causes the current sound wave data input through the sound tube  15  to be stored at a predetermined location of the second memory  27  or the current sound wave data to be stored in the fourth memory  29  when the member&#39;s health condition is determined by the medical specialist to be normal. Also, according to the state of the transmitting/receiving button  20 , the controller  30  causes the current sound wave data to be transmitted to the web server  2  through the wireless transmitter/receiver  18 - 1  so that the web server  2  stores the received current sound wave data in the current sound wave database  10 . 
     The current sound wave data, the disease sound wave data and the normal sound wave data are analyzed by the examination-purpose computer program provided in the web server  2 , and the web server  2  transmits the analyzed examination result for the member&#39;s health condition to the wireless transmitter/receiver  18 - 1  through the mobile communication system  3 . 
     When the member requests for medical specialist identification information and remote medical examination by means of the transmitting/receiving button  20 , the controller  30  transmits details of the request for the medical specialist identification information and remote medical examination to the web server  2  through the wireless transmitter/receiver  18 - 1 . The web server  2  searches for the address matched with the medical specialist identification information from the specialist information database  7 , and transmits the member identification information, the details of the member&#39;s request for remote medical examination, the member&#39;s current sound wave data and normal sound wave data to the remote medical examination system  4 . Then, the medical specialist can perform remote medical examination from the member identification information, the details of the member&#39;s request for remote medical examination, the member&#39;s current sound wave data and normal sound wave data by means of the remote medical examination system  4 . 
     FIG. 5 is a flow chart of self-examination using only the digital stethoscope according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the procedure of performing self-examination by measuring sound waves of various parts of the body using the digital stethoscope according to the present invention will now be described in detail. 
     First, if a member uses the function selection button  21  to select a function of self-examination using the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  (step S 100 ), and then the member presses the input button  19  (step S 101 ), the controller  30  processes the display portion  17  of the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  to display items of various parts of the body so that the member selects a part to be measured (step S 102 ). Then, a part among the parts displayed in step S 102  is selected (step S 103 ). The sound tube  15  of the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  is moved to the selected part to measure sound waves (step S 104 ), which are then stored in a predetermined location of the second memory  27 , and simultaneously the current sound wave data is displayed on the display portion  17  and output as a sound through the speakerphone  22  (step S 105 ). The step S 105  is continuously performed until an instruction of measurement termination is initiated (step S 106 ). Here, initiating the instruction of measurement termination in step S 106  can be embodied in various manners, including member&#39;s pressing the input button  19  or providing a separate input termination key. 
     After terminating the measurement in step S 106 , if the transmitting/receiving button  20  is pressed for the purpose of confirming the examination result, the controller  30  processes various menu items to be displayed on the display portion  17  for member&#39;s selection (step S 107 ). The menu items displayed in step S 107  include a first examination result display function of displaying an examination result obtained by analyzing the current sound wave data and the disease sound wave data by the operating program stored in the first memory  26 , a second examination result display function of displaying an examination result obtained by analyzing the current sound wave data and the normal sound wave data, a sound wave display function of displaying the current sound wave data, the disease sound wave data and the normal sound wave data according to the member&#39;s option, and a sound output function of selectively outputting the current sound wave data, the disease sound wave data and the normal sound wave data as a sound. 
     If the first examination result display function among the menu items displayed on the display portion  17  is selected (step S 108 ), the examination result obtained by analyzing the current sound wave data and the disease sound wave data by the operating program is displayed on the display portion  17  (step S 109 ). If the second examination result display function is selected (step S 110 ), the examination result obtained by analyzing the current sound wave data and the normal sound wave data is displayed on the display portion  17  (step S 111 ). If the sound wave display function is selected (step S 112 ), the current sound wave data, the disease sound wave data and the normal sound wave data are simultaneously or individually displayed on the display portion  17  as waveforms, according to the member&#39;s option (step S 113 ). If the sound output function is selected (step S 114 ), the current sound wave data, the disease sound wave data and the normal sound wave data are selectively output as a sound through the speakerphone  22  (step S 115 ). 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B are flow charts of remote medical examination using a digital stethoscope using the Internet according to the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the procedure of performing remote medical examination by measuring sound waves of various parts of the body using the digital stethoscope according to the present invention will now be described in detail. 
     First, if a member connects to the web server  2 , enters information for member authentication to log in, and then selects the function selection button  21  to select a function of remote medical examination using the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  (step S 200 ), and then the member presses the input button  19  (step S 201 ), the controller  30  processes the display portion  17  of the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  to display items of various parts of the body so that the member selects a part to be measured (step S 202 ). Then, a part among the parts displayed in step S 202  is selected (step S 203 ). The sound tube  15  of the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  is moved to the selected part to measure sound waves (step S 204 ), which are then stored in a predetermined location of the second memory  27 , and simultaneously the current sound wave data is displayed on the display portion  17  and output as a sound through the speakerphone  22  (step S 205 ). The step S 205  is continuously performed until an instruction of measurement termination is initiated (step S 206 ). Here, initiating the instruction of measurement termination in step S 206  can be embodied in various manners, including member&#39;s pressing the input button  19  or providing a separate input termination key. 
     After terminating the measurement in step S 206 , if the transmitting/receiving button  20  is pressed, the controller  30  processes various menu items to be displayed on the display portion  17  for member&#39;s selection (step S 207 ). The menu items displayed in step S 207  include a transmitter portion and a receiver portion. The menu items of the transmitter portion include a database selection function for storing sound wave data and a remote medical examination selection function. The menu items of the receiver portion include a third examination result display function of displaying an examination result obtained by analyzing the current sound wave data and the disease sound wave data by the examination-purpose operating program stored in the web server  2 , a fourth examination result display function of displaying an examination result obtained by analyzing the current sound wave data and the normal sound wave data, a sound wave display function of displaying the current sound wave data, the disease sound wave data and the normal sound wave data according to the member&#39;s option, a sound output function of selectively outputting the current sound wave data, the disease sound wave data and the normal sound wave data as a sound, and a remote medical examination receiving function of receiving the specialist&#39;s remote medical examination result. 
     If the member selects the transmitter portion among the menu items displayed on the display portion (step S 208 ) to select a particular database, for example, a current sound wave database, by a database selection function (step S 209 ), the web server  2  causes the current sound wave data stored in the second memory  27  of the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  to be stored at a predetermined location of the selected database (step S 210 ). Thereafter, the information stored in the selected database is analyzed using the examination-purpose computer program provided in the web server  2  to examine the member&#39;s health condition (step S 211 ), and the examination result is stored in the member information database  6  (step S 215 - 1 ). Then, the member selects the remote medical function (step S 212 ) and enters details of the request for medical specialist identification information and remote medical examination to transmit the same to the web server  2  (step S 213 ). The web server  2  transmits the member identification information, the details of the member&#39;s request for remote medical examination, the member&#39;s current sound wave data and normal sound wave data to the remote medical examination system  4  (step S 214 ), so that the medical specialist can perform remote medical examination (step S 215 ), and the examination result is stored in the member information database  6  by the medical specialist&#39;s instruction (step S 215 - 1 ). The remote medical examination result may be transmitted directly to the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  via the web server  2  through the remote medical examination system  4  by the medical specialist. 
     After the transmission, if the member selects the receiver portion among the menu items for the purpose of receiving the examination result (step S 216 ) to select the third examination result display function (step S 217 ), the web server  2  transmits an examination result obtained by analyzing the current sound wave data and the disease sound wave data by the examination-purpose computer program to the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  through the mobile communication system  3  (step S 218 ). The member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  receives the third examination result to be displayed on the display portion  17  (step S 219 ). If the member selects the fourth examination result display function (step S 220 ), the web server  2  transmits an examination result obtained by analyzing the current sound wave data and the normal sound wave data to the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  through the mobile communication system  3  (step S 221 ). The member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  receives the fourth examination result to be displayed on the display portion  17  (step S 222 ). If the sound wave display function is selected (step S 223 ), the web server  2  transmits one or more data among the current sound wave data, the disease sound wave data and the normal sound wave data to the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  through the mobile communication system  3  (step S 224 ). Then, the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  receives the transmitted sound wave data to be displayed on the display portion  17  (step S 225 ). If the sound output function is selected (step S 226 ), the web server  2  sequentially transmits the current sound wave data, the disease sound wave data and the normal sound wave data one by one by a prescribed order through the mobile communication system  3  in the form of sound signals (step S 227 ). Then, the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  receives the sound data of the transmitted sound signals and outputs the same through the speakerphone  22  (step S 228 ). 
     If the member who has selected a remote medical examination function in step S 212  selects a remote medical examination result receiving function after completing step S 215  (step S 229 ), the web server  2  transmits the remote medical examination result originated from the specialist whose information is stored in the member information database  6  to the member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  (step S 230 ). The member&#39;s digital stethoscope  1  receives the remote medical examination result to be displayed on the display portion  17  (step S 231 ). 
     Alternatively, the remote medical examination according to the present invention is preferably performed such that the remote medical examination is performed by data transmission between a member and a medical specialist through a web server using a built-in telephone integrally connected with the member&#39;s digital stethoscope or an external telephone device connected with the member&#39;s digital stethoscope by a connecting cable and a telephone device connected to a remote medical examination system or a medical specialist&#39;s telephone device, while the member and the medical specialist communicate with each other in real-time. 
     According to the digital stethoscope of the present invention, the current sound waves of various parts of human body can be measured, and ordinary people other than medical specialists can easily examine their health conditions by the examination result obtained by comparing the measured sound wave data with the disease sound wave data pre-stored in the digital stethoscope and analyzing the same. Also, the digital stethoscope is connected with a web server through a mobile communication system so that the remote medical examination can be performed in real-time by a medical specialist using a specialist&#39;s digital stethoscope, that is, a remote medical examination system connected with the web server.