Multiple channel stethoscope
OwnerDaniel J. Gradyinventor
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Abstract
The present invention is a stethoscope which provides the user with continuous access to physiologic sounds. The stethoscope consists of multiple, lightweight, disposable sound receiving sensors and shutoff valves which allow selective auscultation of specific sites without patient disturbance. In addition, depending upon the positions of the shutoff valves, the stethoscope may enhance sound conduction by producing constructive interference of sound waves. A means of attaching the sound receiving sensors to the skin is also described. Because the sound receiving sensors are disposable, the risk of infection due to cross-examination is minimized. Therefore, this invention is safer than known stethoscopes.
Claims7
A multi-channel stethoscope comprising:
- (a) at least two sound receiving sensors;
- (b) a pair of ear pieces adapted to be applied to respective ears of an examining person;
- and
- (c) a sound transmitting network for transmitting sound from said sound receiving sensors, to said earpieces, said sound transmitting network comprising:
- (1) a pair of initial sound conducting tubes communicatively connected to respective sound receiving sensors;
- (2) a common intermediate sound conducting tube communicatively connected to each of said initial sound conducting tubes;
- and
- (3) a pair of final sound conducting tubes each of which is communicatively connected at one end to said intermediate sound conducting tube and at an opposite end to respective ear pieces;
- (4) wherein said initial sound conducting tubes are of equal length so that sounds from respective sound receiving sensors merge in phase in said intermediate sound conducting tube and so that the sounds from respective sound receiving sensors reinforce each other to produce a unified sound of higher intensity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.