# US 10,307,132 B2 · Stethoscope head and stethoscope comprising same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,307,132 B2 - Document ID: US10307132B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/511,124 - Filed: 2014-12-18 - Published: 2017-09-07 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2014-09-15 - Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Hae-In Chung; Young-hwan Kim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10307132B2 ## CPC - A61B 7/04: Electric stethoscopes - A61B 5/28: for electrocardiography [ECG] - A61B 5/282: Holders for multiple electrodes (for introduction into the body A61B5/287) - A61B 7/00: Instruments for auscultation - A61L 2/10: Ultraviolet [UV] radiation - A61L 2/24: Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation - A61B 2560/0242: adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution - A61B 2562/0204: Acoustic sensors - A61L 2202/14: Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) ## Abstract A stethoscope head, according to an embodiment of the present invention, may include: an auscultatory sound receiver; a support member configured to support the auscultatory sound receiver; and a moving member comprising a light source configured to emit ultraviolet rays for sterilization to the auscultatory sound receiver, and capable of moving a position thereof with respect to the auscultatory sound receiver and the support member in a first direction orienting to an object and a second direction opposite to the first direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A stethoscope head comprising: an auscultatory sound receiver configured to receive an auscultatory sound from an object; a support member configured to support at least a part of the auscultatory sound receiver; and a moving member comprising a light source configured to emit ultraviolet rays for sterilization to the auscultatory sound receiver, and capable of moving a position thereof in a first direction orienting to the object and a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the moving member comprises a protruding region which protrudes outside of the auscultatory sound receiver in the first direction when the auscultatory sound receiver does not contact the object. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The stethoscope head of claim 1, wherein, when the stethoscope head is in contact with the object, the moving member moves in the second direction, and when the stethoscope head is away from the object, the moving member moves in the first direction, and wherein the moving member is movable between a first position in which the protruding region having the light source protrudes outside of the auscultatory sound receiver in the first direction and a second position which is apart in the second direction from the first position so as not to interfere with contact between the auscultatory sound receiver and the object, and wherein, when the stethoscope head is in contact with the object, the protrusion region is pressed by the object and the moving member moves in the second direction to be the second position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The stethoscope head of claim 2, wherein, when the moving member is located at the first position, the light source emits ultraviolet rays on the front surface of the auscultatory sound receiver, the front surface facing the object. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The stethoscope head of claim 3, wherein the light source is disposed such that a center direction of the emission of the ultraviolet rays makes an acute angle with the auscultatory sound receiver. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The stethoscope head of claim 2, wherein the moving member further comprises a heating source configured to heat the auscultatory sound receiver. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The stethoscope head of claim 5, wherein, when the moving member is located at the first position, the heating source is in contact with the auscultatory sound receiver. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The stethoscope head of claim 5, wherein, when the moving member is located at the second position, the heating source is away from the auscultatory sound receiver. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The stethoscope head of claim 5, wherein the heating source is equipped with the light source and comprises a thermal conductive member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The stethoscope head of claim 5, wherein the moving member further comprises a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the heating source. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The stethoscope head of claim 2, wherein the stethoscope head further comprises a contact sensor configured to be pressed according to movement of the moving member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The stethoscope head of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes configured to measure an ECG of the object, wherein at least one of the plurality of ECG electrodes is movable. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The stethoscope head of claim 11, wherein the plurality of ECG electrodes have a measurement position at which an ECG is measured from the object and a standby position at which the ECG is not measured from the object. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The stethoscope head of claim 12, wherein separation distances between the plurality of ECG electrodes when the plurality of ECG electrodes are located at the measurement position are greater than separation distances between the plurality of ECG electrodes when the plurality of ECG electrodes are located at the standby position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A stethoscope apparatus comprising: the stethoscope head of claim 1; and a handle connected to the stethoscope head. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The stethoscope apparatus of claim 11, wherein the handle is rotatably connected to the stethoscope head. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The stethoscope apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a pressure detector configured to detect pressure of the handle on the stethoscope head. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The stethoscope apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one of the stethoscope head and the handle further comprises an output part configured to provide information to a user. ### Claim 18 A stethoscope head of comprising: an auscultatory sound receiver configured to receive an auscultatory sound from an object; a support member configured to support at least a part of the auscultatory sound receiver; a moving member comprising a light source configured to emit ultraviolet rays for sterilization to the auscultatory sound receiver, and capable of moving a position thereof in a first direction orienting to the object and a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a proximity sensor configured to detect an approach of an external object to the light source. ### Claim 19 A stethoscope head comprising: an auscultatory sound receiver configured to receive an auscultatory sound from an object; a support member configured to support at least a part of the auscultatory sound receiver; and a moving member comprising a heating source configured to heat the auscultatory sound receiver, and capable of moving a position thereof in a first direction orienting to the object and a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the moving member comprises a protruding region which protrudes outside of the auscultatory sound receiver in the first direction when the auscultatory sound receiver does not contact the object.