EXPENDABLE STETHOSCOPE

• US 3,867,925 A
• Filed: 02/17/1971
• Issued: 02/25/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Neuromedics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Robert A. Ersek
• Inventors: Ersek, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/115,995
• Time in Patent Office: 1,469 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.5A,2.5C,2.5G,2.5M,2.5R,2.5S,2K,2R 179/1ST 181/24
• US Class Current: 600/528
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/02 Stethoscopes acoustic details thereof G10K11/00

Abstract

Stethoscope means for removable attachment to the skin surface of the body of a patient comprising bell means including a generally cup-shaped housing shell forming a chamber, and conduit means communicating with the chamber for the transmission of gaseous fluid compression waves therethrough. The chamber is in the form of a generally cup-shaped housing shell with a closed bottom wall, side walls extending from the bottom wall, and flanged surface mounting means extending outwardly about the entire edge surface of the side walls. Resilient pad means are secured continuously about the top annular surface of the flange means and circumscribe the chamber. A film of pressure-sensitive adhesive is secured to the exposed surface of the resilient pad means, thus enabling surface attachment of the bell means to the skin of the body of a patient.

Claims

1. Stethoscope bell means for removable attachment to the skin surface of the body of a patient and comprising:

a. bell means including a substantially rigid, self-supporting generally cup-shaped housing shell with a closed bottom wall, side walls extending from said bottom wall, and flanged surface mounting means extending outwardly about the entire edge surface of said side walls, said bottom wall, side walls, and flange means forming a generally closed chamber with an open top;

b. coupling conduit means communicating with said chamber through one of said walls and having the outer periphery thereof in generally fluid-tight attachment to said chamber, said coupling conduit arranged for releasably securing an elongated sound transmitting conduit for transmission of sound waves therethrough; and

c. a film of pressure-sensitive adhesive secured to the exposed surface of said flanged surface mounting means enabling surface attachment of said stethoscope bell means to the skin of the body of a patient and formation of a closed chamber.

2. The stethoscope bell means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that resilient pad means are secured continuously about the outer surface of said flange means forming a layer over said flanged surface and circumscribing said chamber.

3. The stethoscope bell means as defined in claim 2 being particularly characterized in that said adhesive film is disposed outwardly from and covers said resilient pad, and a protective layer of film is provided to cover said pressure-sensitive adhesive film.

4. The stethoscope bell means as defined in claim 2 being particularly characterized in that said chamber is generally hemi-elliptical in configuration, with the major axis of said hemi-ellipse being disposed generally along the plane of said flange means.