1. Varieties of medical stethoscopes
Generally divided into multiple types by different combinations of ear heads. The flat auscultation head is often used for auscultation of high-pitched murmurs. The dual-function flat head is used to detect low-frequency heart sounds, dilation and third sounds, as well as the first and second heart sounds. The heart sounds of children can already be heard. The bell-shaped auscultation head is often used to auscultate the low and high murmurs, and you can hear the baby's heartbeat in the abdomen. The watch type auscultation head is often used to auscultate the pulse sound of the wrist.
2. Types of medical stethoscopes
2.1, acoustic stethoscope
Acoustic stethoscope is the earliest stethoscope, and it is also a medical diagnostic tool familiar to most people. This kind of stethoscope is a symbol of the doctor, and the doctor wears it on the neck every day. Acoustic stethoscopes are the most commonly used.
2.2, electronic stethoscope
The electronic stethoscope uses electronic technology to amplify the sound of the body and overcomes the high noise bug of the acoustic stethoscope. The electronic stethoscope needs to convert the electrical signal of the sound to the sound wave, which is then amplified and processed to get the best listening. Compared with acoustic stethoscopes, they are all based on the same physical principles.
2.3. Shooting a stethoscope
Some electronic stethoscopes are equipped with a direct audio output, which can be used to connect to external recording devices, such as laptops or mp3 recorders. Save these sounds and judge by listening to the previously recorded sounds through the stethoscope earphone.
2.4. Fetal stethoscope
In fact, the fetal stethoscope or fetal scope is also a kind of acoustic stethoscope, but it surpasses the ordinary acoustic stethoscope.
3. How to use a medical stethoscope
3.1, remove debris
If the stethoscope is kept in the pocket or is not maintained regularly, the lint, fiber or dust of the clothing may block the ear tube of the stethoscope. Regular maintenance and cleaning can avoid the occurrence of the above situations.
3.2. Check airtightness
The high-quality sound transmission effect of the stethoscope is related to the closeness between the stethoscope and the patient's body surface, and between the stethoscope and the ear canal of the listener. Loose ear parts, loose y-tube, and damaged y-tube will all affect the tightness. The better the fit, the more accurately the sound from the patient's body can be transferred to the listener's ears. So check the status of the stethoscope frequently.
3.3 Double-sided stethoscope
When using a stethoscope with dual ear heads, the user needs to switch the clock face or membrane face mode of the ear head to use. When using the membrane face, the clock face will be closed to avoid interference. And vice versa.
