Posted by Yogesh Nadar on Aug 12, 2023
Medical Supplies play a massive role in saving a patient’s life. Essential hospital equipment like ventilators, patient monitors, bp machines, stethoscopes and more has contributed a lot, whether for diagnosing diseases or just regular check-ups. The stethoscope is an essential medical tool for listening to the body's interior sounds, which can help diagnose various medical issues. To use a stethoscope properly, medical professionals need to be familiar with its various components. In this blog, we will discuss the parts of the stethoscope and stethoscope uses. Let’s dive right in.
STETHOSCOPE - AN ESSENTIAL MEDICAL DEVICE
The stethoscope has been used for millennia as vital medical equipment. Its basic yet unique design allows doctors, nurses, and other healthcare practitioners to listen to internal body sounds like heartbeats, lung sounds, and intestine noises. There are multiple parts of a stethoscope, each serving a distinct function. Stethoscopes must be strong yet lightweight, as medical practitioners have to wear them for long hours. Littmann stethoscopes are known for their durability and lightweight materials.
STETHOSCOPE PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
The chest piece, often known as the head or diaphragm, is responsible for recording body noises. Usually, it has two sides: the diaphragm and the bell. The flat, circular diaphragm is ideal for high-frequency sounds, such as heart murmurs and respiration sounds, whereas the cup-shaped bell is ideal for low-frequency sounds, such as heart sounds.
The tubing facilitates the conveyance of sound between the chest piece and the earpieces. Superior tubing assures minimal sound loss, allowing for precise auscultation.
Earpieces are the components that insert into the ear canals of the examiner and facilitate the transmission of sound. Comfortable, well-fitting earpieces are required for extended use and accurate hearing.
The metal cylinders that connect the earpieces to the chest piece are called binaural. They are designed to ensure proper alignment and stereo hearing, allowing the examiner to pinpoint the sounds' location accurately.
The chest piece and binaural are held firmly and in place by the stem or yoke, ensuring they are always positioned correctly
USES OF A STETHOSCOPE
We are all familiar with the basic stethoscope uses, like listening to the heartbeat. But a stethoscope plays an integral part in any diagnosis, during the treatment or even on the road to recovery. Let’s take a look at the various uses of stethoscopes: