In 1816, a French physician, René Laennec, discovered a way to improve the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. While the most sophisticated methods have been invented, the stethoscope is still a weapon in the arsenal of most medical practitioners. From time to time, the tube in the stethoscope needs to be changed because it has become brittle or cut or for some other reason. It is less expensive to replace than to buy a new one. So, here in the following guide, we will first understand more about Stethoscopes and then we will learn how to replace stethoscope tubing?
Description of the Parts of the Stethoscope
The parts of the cardiology stethoscope are designed for user comfort, patient comfort, and to efficiently hear internal organ sounds in the lungs, heart, and other areas.
Binaural tubes: The binaural lower tubes are two metal movable tips that are inserted into the tube and allow the stethoscope to be placed in both ears.
Tips for the ears: The tips of the ears, located at the top two ends of the binaural tubes, should be placed in the external auditory canal facing forward to maximize the user’s ability to hear sound.
Pipeline: The tube allows sound to transmit through the vents and is made of a flexible material, often neoprene or another similar material. The lower part of the tubing connects to the stethoscope head and the upper part connects to the binaural tubes.
Chest or Stethoscope head: This is the metal part of the stethoscope that allows noise to be heard. Stethoscope heads can be double or single-sided and the shape of one side or the amount of pressure applied makes it easier to hear certain sound tones and frequencies.
Tube: The tube varies in each model. Tapered bore stethoscopes provide better sound transmission when listening to the heart or lungs. If the stethoscope has thick tubes, the outside noise is reduced.
You can choose between stethoscopes with a 21-inch single-hole flexible tube or a 19-inch two-in-one bi-lumen tube. The length of the stethoscope can vary from 27 inches to 29 inches. It can weigh between 6 ounces and 7.6 ounces.
Chill ring: The cooling ring is a thin ring that holds the head in place and provides protection to the patient’s skin when the head is against it.
How to Replace Stethoscope Tubing?
1. Buy a New Tube
You can find ready-made tubing for your stethoscope at any medical supply store, or it can be purchased online. Expect to pay up to $ 30 for the tube, and much less than most doctors invest in their stethoscopes. If you are interested in lengthening your stethoscope, you will need to add about 6 inches for the binaural, or listening devices.
The tube comes in a variety of colors and you have to make sure it will fit the dimensions of your hardware. Also, if the diaphragm is reversible, remember that there are two places where the tubing must be installed.
2. Remove the Old Pipe
Simply twist the tube of both the binaural and the diaphragm. Occasionally this will not be possible, particularly if the tube is old and dry. Carefully cut the old tube; and with a cloth soaked in alcohol, remove the remains of the tubing in both the binaural and the diaphragm.
3. Replace With Your New Tubing
Gently twist the tube on both the binaural and the diaphragm. Once this is done, the stethoscope will be like new. Some manufacturers offer new binaural with the new tubes, but they will cost more.
How to Select the Right Stethoscope?
Stethoscopes allow doctors and nurses to listen to activities that take place inside the body. They can be used to check a patient’s heartbeat, assess bowel activity, listen to breathing, or even determine blood flow levels throughout the body.
By using the best stethoscope, medical professionals can get warnings of certain conditions before they become a major concern. Those looking to purchase a stethoscope should consider features such as price, design, and tailoring to find the best model to suit their needs.
1. Refine Your Search by Price
Physicians should pay between $ 50 and $ 100 for a stethoscope unless they have specific needs for a more advanced model. Although cheaper units are available, they often do not have the quality components to hold up against rough handling.
2. Compare 2 Standard and Disposable Stethoscopes
While disposable units can simply be thrown away after each use, they can be more expensive than standard models over time. To save money and reduce waste, choose stethoscopes with easy-to-replace listening tips and components. This allows you to simply throw contaminated parts away instead of the entire unit.
3. Try Different Stethoscopes to Find the Correct Setting Before Buying
A stethoscope that doesn’t fit properly is not only uncomfortable, but it can be quite ineffective. According to “Administrator of Respiratory Care,” a well-fitting stethoscope should fit the ears well. When it is in place, the rest of the noise in the room should disappear.
4. Check the Frequency Range of Each Model
Those planning to use the stethoscope for pulmonology or cardiology require the widest range of frequencies, allowing them to listen to any potential problems with the heart. For more general use, a smaller frequency range is acceptable.
5. Look at the Tube Design on Each Stethoscope
A dual tube system has separate tubes leading from the listening device into each ear, while a single lumen model allows users to hear from both ears using a single tube. Dual tubes generally provide better sound quality than single light rose gold stethoscope.
6. Decide on the Best Technology for Your Needs
Standard acoustic stethoscopes work in a wide range of applications. Electric models amplify noise levels as much as 100 times, making them an effective option for noisy environments. For the highest level of amplification, choose a digital stethoscope, which records sounds for future playback and enhancement.
Stethoscopes are a very important part of life for many medical professionals. If you are in the medical field and listen to the heart and lungs of the patient, you will use a stethoscope. Hope this guide on how to replace stethoscope tubing will be helpful.
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