Before buying a stethoscope, hear, see, and feel the difference for yourself. When shopping for a stethoscope, there is no substitute for trying out different stethoscopes. Look at the features. See if the headsets of the stethoscope are easy or hard to adjust. A Littmann stethoscope will offer everything you are looking for and even more.
Littmann stethoscope is primarily a brand known globally. The stethoscopes they designed are used worldwide. You can find them in traditional (bell) and modern single-sided designs.
Most doctors enjoy these stethoscopes’ great benefits – especially the high-quality amplified sounds.
Ask colleagues if you can not listen through their stethoscopes. But do not forget to clean the ear tips before and after use. This article will learn more about this great device that makes diagnostics much more accessible.
A Brief History of the Littmann Stethoscope
Doctors have been using stethoscopes since the 18th century. A French physician, Rene Laennec, created one of the first stethoscopes. Moreover, it was made of wood and had a small opening to funnel monaural sound.
It was only in 1843 that the first stethoscope – used in both ears (binaural)- was invented. Moreover, you could adjust the device and it had a chest piece made of ebony and wired tubings covered with silk.
The modern Littmann stethoscope brought about a revolutionary change as late as the 1960s. The man who invented it, Dr. David Littmann, was a professor at Harvard Medicine School. Interestingly, the model is now known as the Littmann stethoscope.
As a cardiologist, he knew how important it was to have a great-quality stethoscope. He dreamed of a two-sided stethoscope – a perfect stethoscope. Some of the features he wanted in the stethoscope included:
- An open chest piece – easy for detecting low sounds.
- A plastic diaphragm that allows filtering of low sounds.
- Very short and firm tubing with springs – it holds the ear tubes.
- Lightweight for ease of mobility.
About Dr. Littmann
Later, Dr. Littmann, a cardiologist, opened a company in Cambridge, Massachusetts, known as Cardiosonic. Two types of stethoscopes were produced – for the doctors and nurses. In 1967, the company 3M became interested and acquired it because of the Littmann stethoscope’s sound quality. This acquisition with 3M brought about a revolution in the medical world.
The company grew at an accelerated rate. Ten different models were available in the market within the first ten years. The tubing length changed to 22″-28″, and it was available in gray and black colors.
The 3M Littmann Cardiology stethoscope was introduced in the 1970s. The world’s top 50 cardiologists were actively involved in designing the stethoscope. Some unique features included dual lumen, soft ear tips, and a more resounding bell.
The development of the stethoscope has advanced a lot more since the first one was used, and the company is now using electronic sound amplification. With this model, doctors can easily listen to soft heart and lung sounds.
What Features Make Littmann Stethoscopes so Popular?
The digital Littmann stethoscopes offer the best precision when it comes to sound quality. Moreover, they are also instrumental in treating cardiological problems. They are extensively used to do screenings. The stethoscope‘s technological advancement is such that – it can detect heart murmurs, unlike others.
Doctors often need to appreciate patients’ cardiac sounds – so they can come up with an accurate diagnosis. If your doctor uses a stethoscope for auscultation, it will simplify the diagnosing process and better manage patient care. Your doctor can listen to your lungs with it to check if there is any congestion.
If your doctor hears abnormal heart sounds, that may be a possible cause of heart failure. Believe it or not, the stethoscope can detect them. A doctor must diagnose heart failure before developing the final results. The diagnosis will also help see whether other health factors are involved, including coronary artery disease and high blood pressure.
As you might have heard, the Littmann cardiology stethoscopes are very efficient. They contain several features that make them stand out, including:
- The high-frequency sounds help to diagnose patients better.
- Hearing low-frequency sounds is easier with them as it has single-piece tunable diaphragms.
- The open bell is covered to prevent it from debris and dirt.
- The dual-lumen tubing helps put together two sound paths in one. It ultimately gets rid of the rubbing noise produced by traditional double tubes.
Anatomy of a Stethoscope
We discuss all the essential components, from ear tips to chest pieces. It is important to know that all current Littmann stethoscopes, except for electronic models, have similar elements.
Chest Piece
Some Littmann stethoscope models have just a one-sided chest piece with a tunable diaphragm. In contrast, others have a two-sided chest piece. Such ones come with a diaphragm on one side and a bell on the other. Some bells are always open, while others are closed with a tunable diaphragm, depending on the model.
The one with a larger diaphragm side is usually for adult patients. But the one with a smaller-diameter bell is best for pediatric or thin patients as it is convenient to maneuver around bandages. It is also used for carotid assessment. Do you know that you can convert the closed bells on Littmann stethoscopes to traditional open bells? You can do this by replacing the diaphragm with a non chill bell sleeve or rim.
The stem connects your stethoscope tubing to the chest piece. On Littmann stethoscopes having two-sided chest pieces, there can only be one acoustic path that connects the diaphragm to the ear tips. If you rotate the two-sided chest piece on the stem, you can select or “index” which diaphragm opens to the acoustic path.
Tunable Diaphragm
The tunable diaphragm, 3M invention – can make auscultating a patient easier. It will let you quickly hear different sounds by adjusting the pressure on your chest piece.
Tubing
Did you know that current Littmann stethoscopes feature next-generation tubing? It provides improved resistance to your skin oils and alcohol for longer tubing life. No natural rubber latex or phthalate plasticizers can be used in the tubing or any other component to help protect human health and the env.
Moreover, all Littmann cardiology stethoscopes have double lumen tubing. It means two sound paths inside one outer tube that help eliminate the rubbing noise generated by traditional twin-tubed stethoscopes.
Ear Tubes and Headset
As you may know, the headset comprises two ear tubes, tension springs, and ear tips.
The ear tubes are positioned at an anatomically correct angle, allowing a proper fit into your ear canals. The ribbed ends of the ear tubes snap the ear tips tight for safety. Ear tubes on a Littmann stethoscope are typically made of an aerospace aluminum alloy, providing both strength and lighter weight.
You can adjust the headset tension for individual fit and comfort by pulling. If you pull the ear tubes apart. It helps reduce the tension, or if you squeeze them together (crossing them over) it increases the tension.
Eartips
All Littmann stethoscopes are fitted with ear tips that snap right onto the ear tubes for safety. You may need some effort to remove them. The durable, soft-sealing ear tips generally provide an excellent acoustic seal and are considered a comfortable fit too.
You can find the ear tips in different sizes, small and large, even black and gray versions. Many Littmann stethoscopes usually come with an extra set of soft-sealing ear tips and a pair of firm tips. You can use the one you like.
How to Choose a Littmann Stethoscope
There is three factor you should consider when choosing a stethoscope:
Hear the difference
Each of these stethoscopes is precision-engineered and built to a strict process. They also undergo strict quality controls for a consistently high level of sound performance. They are made using Innovative technologies that offer enhanced acoustics. This feature enables doctors to pick up even the subtlest sounds.
See the difference
Stethoscopes with stiff tubing might create problems; they may kink or bend, pulling on the ear tips and making it hard to use during diagnosis. Therefore, Littmann stethoscope tubing usually hangs straight and flexes easily while used. Moreover, the chest pieces come in various finishes that would suit your personal style.
Feel the difference
As you know, these stethoscopes offer enhancements for you and your patients’ comfort:soft-sealing, snap-tight ear tips. Moreover, these ear tips fit comfortably inside your ears, and non-chill bell sleeves insulate open steel bells from the skin. Its design is such that it fosters a more meaningful doctor-patient relationship. In addition, these stethoscopes also reflect your personality.
Conclusion
Today the medical industry has been interacting more and collaborating with other companies in this domain. As a result, it helps them in dealing with the rise in demands of the medical industry. Eko is one such company that Littman chose to partner with since the company has more advanced digital innovations.
In conclusion, doctors today can quickly access analog and digital auscultation with the latest stethoscope. Moreover, the feature helps them to diagnose patients better. Using the digital and analog options helps interpret the sound better as the stethoscopes are connected to AI and other software.
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