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US 2003/0120166 A1Published application
Esophageal stethoscope with separate cover member
OwnerJohn L. Atlee IIIinventor
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OwnerJohn L. Atlee IIIinventor
Estimating the term…
An esophageal stethoscope includes a tubular flexible body having an acoustic input region. A carrier member, which is separate from the tubular flexible body, is selectively engageable with the tubular flexible body either proximally or distally of the acoustic input region. The carrier member carries one or more devices for providing esophageal recording, monitoring or stimulation functions. For transesophageal cardiac pacing, electrodes are mounted to the carrier member such that engagement of the carrier member with the tubular flexible body functions to convert the esophageal stethoscope to a pacing stethoscope. To carry out a sensing, recording or monitoring function, such as esophageal oximetry, one or more oximetry probes are mounted to the carrier member such that engagement of the carrier member with the esophageal stethoscope converts the stethoscope for use in an oximetry sensing application. A “universal” stethoscope includes engagement structures at predetermined locations along the length of the tubular flexible body, for use in engaging a stimulation carrier and/or a recording/monitoring carrier with the esophageal stethoscope.
In an esophageal stethoscope including a tubular flexible body having a proximal end and a distal end and including an acoustic input region toward the distal end, the improvement comprising a carrier member separate from the tubular flexible body and engageable with the tubular flexible body, wherein the carrier member includes one or more devices for sensing and/or controlling a condition from or within the esophagus of a patient.
An esophageal stethoscope assembly, comprising:
A method of mounting one or more sensing and/or controlling devices to an esophageal stethoscope for use in sensing and/or controlling a condition of a patient from or within the esophagus, wherein the stethoscope includes a tubular flexible body having a proximal end and a distal end, comprising engaging a carrier member, separate from the tubular flexible body, with the tubular flexible body, wherein the one or more devices are mounted to the carrier member.
An esophageal stethoscope, comprising a tubular flexible body having a proximal end and a distal end and including an acoustic input region toward the distal end, wherein the tubular flexible body includes first engagement structure located distally of the acoustic input region and second engagement structure located proximally of the acoustic input region, wherein the first engagement structure is adapted to engage a first carrier member separate from the tubular flexible body and including one or more stimulation devices for use in transesophageal cardiac pacing, and wherein the second engagement structure is adapted to engage a second carrier member separate from the tubular flexible body and including one or more oximetry sensors for use in esophageal oximetry.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.