Stethoscopes symbolize the medical profession, which can be seen in every doctor's office. It looks like a simple tool, but its functions are practically diverse, making it essential medical equipment. Though many brands are present in the market, such as the popular Littmann Stethoscope Colorado, picking the one that fits certain needs is necessary. Stethoscopes consist of two major parts: the chest piece and earpiece connected through a hollow flexible tubing. The diaphragm is a flatter side of the stethoscope, considered the most important part of hearing body sounds.
How Does Stethoscope Work?
The working of a stethoscope is quite simple. Sound from the intended body part hits the diaphragm, which is sensitive to sound. This, in turn, converts into a sound wave that travels through the air present in the tube and amplifies it before reaching the earpiece. A healthcare professional then hears the amplified sound. Depending upon the usage requirements, different types of stethoscopes are available in the market, such as teaching stethoscopes, cardiology stethoscopes, neonatal stethoscopes, and pediatric and pediatric stethoscopes.
Stethoscopes Classification
When it comes to types of stethoscopes, there are different categories. Various kinds of stethoscopes are available depending on the head type. The single-head stethoscope has a flat surface for listening to body sounds, while the dual head, such as Littmann Classic 2, has two charges. The large side is for listening to higher-frequency sounds, and the small side is for low-frequency sounds. The most uncommon triple-head stethoscope is only used for critical cardiac assessment.
Based on certain types of patients, stethoscopes are also designed with slightly different functions to fit their needs.
Uses of Stethoscope for Diagnosis and Patient Care
There is no doubt in the varying utilization of stethoscopes for diagnostic purposes, whether it's Littmann Classic 2, digital stethoscopes, or others. It is the first tool that helped diagnose different ailments during physical examination. From checking blood pressure to identifying hearing problems and heart-related issues, a stethoscope has always been the foremost choice of physicians and other health care professionals.
- Heart Sounds and Blood Pressure
This might be the most popular use of Littmann Stethoscope Colorado, where the audible sound of the heartbeat is heard from the brachial artery of the upper arm. Hearing the heart sounds, a stethoscope facilitates detecting any 'murmurs' and 'gallops' during a checkup. This irregular heart sounds alert the physician about a current health issue.
- Lung Sounds
Lung Sounds can be heard by placing the chest piece on the chest and back. It assists in determining the breathing pattern for lung inflammation or airway blockage. For accurate results, the patient should lean forward during a checkup of the back. Physicians are suggested to start above the clavicle and go way down to the paired points.
- Bowel Sounds
Obstruction of the bowel or paralytic ileus is a gastrointestinal health issue. These problems require early diagnosis through Littmann Classic 2 stethoscope.
A careful examination is important to differentiate between the obstruction sound and the normal gurgling or bubbling sound that should be ignored.
- Abnormal Blood Flow
Bruit is a distinct 'whoosh' like sound that indicates the narrowing of the artery. Femoral, temporal, renal, iliac, abdominal aortic, and carotid arteries are more prone to bruit. The symptom of the bruit is a sign of arteriosclerosis or aneurysms.
This abnormal blood flow can be diagnosed early with the use of Littmann Stethoscope Colorado.
- Liver Size Measurement
Determining the liver size through a stethoscope is not common but is still used.
Littmann Classic 2 stethoscope should be placed beneath the right nipple with the index finger directly on the nipple line. When gently scratching the skin, the stethoscope makes a dull sound. This scratch should be done towards the nipple line. Mark the start and end points where the examiner heard the dull sound. It will give an idea of liver size.
Littmann Core Digital Stethoscope
Littmann Core Digital Stethoscope is the latest available in the market, becoming a preferred choice of most physicians. Its features, coupled with advanced technology, are great for physical examination. The Littmann Stethoscope Colorado has a dual-sided chest piece in which the pediatric side works well to listen to the carotids or is used for thin patients. It has a small USB charger that can charge its lithium-ion battery for up to 8 hours. The active noise cancellation feature reduces 85% of outside noise and unwanted sound to help the health care professional hear body sounds more accurately. At its peak, this stethoscope offers 40x amplification, further assisting in better listening and diagnosis.
The lightweight, easy-to-use, and durable stethoscope have Bluetooth that permits wireless connectivity to other devices. This allows the user to visualize in real time and even save the sound for the last check or pattern identification.
Like Littmann Classic 2 stethoscope, the core digital also has soft sealing ear tips that conform and create an acoustic seal that perfectly fits the ear. It delivers an excellent experience to the health care professional due to the reduced background sound.
Medline Stethoscope
When purchasing a new stethoscope, it is crucial to understand its features to know whether it's a good fit. Medline stethoscope is an ideal option for the ones looking for an affordable, lightweight, high-quality, and durable stethoscope.
The dual-head Medline stethoscope facilitates the user to listen to both low and high-frequency sounds of the body. The sound of the lung is categorized under low-frequency sound, while a heartbeat is a high-frequency sound. The physician can check both through this stethoscope and detect any lung or heart problem, such as a murmur or abnormal heart sound. This stethoscope comes from high-strength stainless steel with durable 22" tubing. The non-chill rings greatly improve patient comfort. The large side of the chest piece has a cone-shaped bell that provides amazing acoustic sensitivity and sound transmission.