Acoustics – Anatomic or prosthetic relation – Ear and mouth
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-15
2001-08-28
Dang, Khanh (Department: 2837)
Acoustics
Anatomic or prosthetic relation
Ear and mouth
C181S137000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279677
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to medical devices, and more particularly to a stethoscope with a disposable diaphragm to reduce transmission of pathogens and acoustic chambers to enhance cardiac and pulmonary sounds.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Stethoscopes are used by medical practitioners to listen to the sounds emitted by internal organs of patients. It is common for some medical practitioners to use the same stethoscope on every patient without thoroughly cleaning the stethoscope after each use. Transmission of infection through contaminated medical devices is well documented, and stethoscopes have recently been shown to harbor various organisms on their diaphragm surface. The practice of using the same stethoscope on multiple patients without thoroughly cleaning the stethoscope increases the risk of spreading germs and bacteria from one patient to another.
There are a number of devices shown in the prior art to prevent spreading of germs with stethoscopes. These devices generally comprise disposable covers which are releasably secured over the diaphragm. However, because theses covers are designed to be used with existing stethoscopes, the stethoscope is still functional without the cover and is likely to be used without the covering. Other devices comprise several components with moving parts, such as a covering that screws on over the bell. The moving parts increase the cost and complexity of the stethoscope.
Therefore, there is a need for a stethoscope with no moving parts that encourages use of the disposable diaphragm. Additionally, the stethoscope should have strong acoustic capabilities expected of a stethoscope as a diagnostic tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is drawn to a stethoscope head for joining to an earpiece assembly. The head has a generally tubular neck for joining the head to the earpiece assembly. An anterior acoustic chamber and a posterior chamber are connected by a body having an open face with a central passage. The body has an outer rim surrounding the anterior acoustic chamber. A thin, disposable diaphragm has adhesive on one side for releasably adhering to the rim thereby covering the anterior acoustic chamber. An acoustic tunnel extends from the posterior acoustic chamber thought the neck for delivering sound waves to the earpiece assembly. The anterior acoustic chamber has reflective walls oriented to direct sound waves passing through the central passage into the tunnel.
The anterior acoustic chamber is generally bowl shaped and the central passage is located at an axis of the anterior acoustic chamber. The rim is flat. The central passage has a transverse cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the posterior acoustic chamber taken along a plane parallel to the first mentioned cross-sectional area. The tunnel is substantially at a right angle along a straight line to an axis of the anterior acoustic chamber. The posterior acoustic chamber has a first reflecting wall portion and a second wall portion. The first wall portion is located on an axis of the anterior acoustic chamber and oriented to reflect sound waves to the second wall portion which in turn is oriented to reflect sound waves into the tunnel. The second wall portion is spaced farther from the tunnel than the first wall portion. The anterior acoustic chamber is free of any structure between the central passage and the diaphragm.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1845795 (1932-02-01), Joseph
patent: 3276536 (1966-10-01), Littmann
patent: 3614991 (1971-10-01), Matchlup et al.
patent: 3867925 (1975-02-01), Ersek
patent: 4475619 (1984-10-01), Packard
patent: 4867268 (1989-09-01), Ulert
patent: 5420382 (1995-05-01), Katz
patent: 5424495 (1995-06-01), Wurzburger
patent: 5448025 (1995-09-01), Stark et al.
patent: 5466897 (1995-11-01), Ross et al.
patent: 6019186 (2000-02-01), Zambrano
Bracewell & Patterson L.L.P.
Dang Khanh
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