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Stethoscope isolation system

  • US 5,466,898 A
  • Filed: 03/20/1992
  • Issued: 11/14/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In association with the use of a medical stethoscope having a first, head end to be positioned during use in juxtaposition to a patient, a medial sound tube portion, a tube separation portion, and a second rear end comprising first and second ear tubes to be positioned during use in juxtaposition to each one of the user'"'"'s ears, respectively, a method of preventing the passing of contamination between the patient and the user during the use of the medical stethoscope, comprising the following steps:

  • (a) providing a stethoscope isolation system to be used on the stethoscope during use of the stethoscope on the patient, includinga sleeve having a first, closed end and a second, open end forming a mouth, and wall portions forming a cavity of sufficient size to allow the first, head end of the stethoscope to be placed therein, said sleeve having a sufficient length and scope to envelope the first, head end and the medial sound tube portion of the stethoscope, up to at least about the tube separation portion of the stethoscope, said sleeve being comprised of acoustically transparent, biologically impermeable material, and attachment means associated with said sleeve to at least temporarily attach the sleeve to the stethoscope while the stethoscope is in use on the patient;

    (b) placing the first, head end of the stethoscope in said second, open end of said sleeve;

    (c) moving the first, head end of the stethoscope into and through said cavity until the first, head end of the stethoscope is in juxtaposition to said first, closed end of said sleeve and at least the medial sound tube portion is substantially within said sleeve and is covered over by said sleeve up to at least about said tube separation portion; and

    (d) using said sleeve on the stethoscope to isolate, both directly and in reverse, the patient and the user from passing any contamination between them through mutual contact with the stethoscope while the stethoscope is in use on the patient.

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