Patient-friendly stethoscope
US7527123B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 22, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 5, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 28, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B7/02
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Generally, the present invention is directed to medical devices and more particularly to a patient-friendly stethoscope with interactive light emissions. An embodiment of the invention includes a stethoscope which has a pair of binaurals and a transparent acoustical tubing connecting the binaurals to the chestpiece. An optical fiber is located within the transparent acoustical tubing extending from the junction region of the tubing to and within the chestpiece, thereby illuminating the chestpiece, the rim of the diaphragm and bell, and attachments to the chestpiece. The optical fiber has a light source coupled at its proximal end thereby illuminating the transparent acoustical tubing, the chestpiece, and attachments thereto from within.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.