Stethoscope with diaphragm head adapter
First Claim
1. A stethoscope head, comprising:
- a body surrounded by a releasable engagment perimeter,a diaphragm residing in said body and having a sound receiving surface area within said perimeter, andan adapter releasably engaging said perimeter, said adapter comprising a perimeter engaging edge portion, a cover portion extending from said edge portion, and a rim at which said cover portion terminates to define a central opening having an area less than said sound receiving surface area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A stethoscope head adapter for a diaphragm microphone is provided. The adapter creates a smaller surface area for the diaphragm microphone without diminishing the acoustical reception by the diaphragm of normal or pathological conditions in a patient. The adapter is made from an elastomeric material to permit easy placement on the stethoscope head and to provide an effective acoustical seal against the uneven surface of the skin of a patient. A secondary diaphragm may also be provided in the adapter to focus the reception by the diaphragm microphone of the specific frequencies desired to be monitored. With the adapter on the stethoscope head, the intensities of sound at frequencies not desired to be monitored are attenuated when compared with the use of the stethoscope head without the adapter present.
51 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A stethoscope head, comprising:
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a body surrounded by a releasable engagment perimeter, a diaphragm residing in said body and having a sound receiving surface area within said perimeter, and an adapter releasably engaging said perimeter, said adapter comprising a perimeter engaging edge portion, a cover portion extending from said edge portion, and a rim at which said cover portion terminates to define a central opening having an area less than said sound receiving surface area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A stethoscope head, comprising:
a body bounded by a releasable engagement perimeter;
a diaphragm in said body having a diaphragm sound receiving surface area; and
an adapter releasably engaging said perimeter and having a cover terminating in a central opening having an area less than said diaphragm sound receiving surface area.
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9. An adapter for a diaphragm stethoscope head having a diaphragm sound receiving surface area at the diaphragm surrounded by a perimeter, said adapter comprising:
a head engaging edge portion adapted to releasably engage the perimeter, a cover portion extending from said edge portion, and a rim at which said cover portion terminates to define a central opening having an area less than the diaphragm sound receiving surface area. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A stethoscope, comprising:
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a sound receiving head having a body and a stem having a bore therein, said body surrounded by a releasable engagement perimeter; a diaphragm residing in said body and having a central aperture in communication with said bore; said diaphragm having a diaphragm sound receiving surface area within said perimeter; sound transmitting tubing having at least one lumen and connected to said stem, wherein said lumen is in communication with said bore; and an adapter releasably engaging said perimeter, said adapter comprising a diaphragm cover with a central opening having an area less than said diaphragm sound receiving surface area. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification