A stethoscope is probably one of the most fascinating medical devices to be introduced to the mankind. It is simple, it is easy to use, but it is a very significant instrument that can make most of the preliminary diagnosis. A stethoscope is used to hear internal sounds that arise in our body. It can hear the sounds of the heart, lungs and many other body parts. The science behind this marvellous device is acoustics.
A basic stethoscope consists of a disc-shaped resonator that is connected by two tubes to the earpieces that are placed near the ears to hear the sounds. It is not just the medical professionals like doctors and nurses who use this device.
A stethoscope can be used by anybody.
The first stethoscope was devised by René Laennec in Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital in Paris, France. This was in the year 1816. That stethoscope was very simple. It consisted of one wooden tube and could be heard by one ear. The reason Laennec invented the stethoscope was because he found it uncomfortable to place his ear on women’s chests to hear the heart beats. Because that was how the sounds were heard before the invention of the stethoscope.
The device he invented was very similar to an ear trumpet or the microphone. Laennec named the device as stethoscope because stetho meant chest and scope was investigating.
The binaural stethoscope that we use today was made somewhere in 1851 by an Irish physician Arthur Leared. In 1852, the design was perfected by George Philip Cammann. From then on, stethoscope has been produced and used commercially. Today, you can find many verities of stethoscopes in the market; single tube, double tube, electronic stethoscope and many more. You can also buy stethoscope online.
A simple device like stethoscope has several crucial uses. Here are some of them –
Hear heart sounds –
This is one of the most basic things that you can do with a stethoscope. The heart beats are clearly heard and calculated using a stethoscope. The number, type and the rhythm of the heart beats can be accessed by this device.
Determine blood pressure –
A stethoscope is most commonly used to measure the blood pressure. It is used along with a sphygmomanometer to know the blood pressure of a person. A belt connected to a pump is wrapped around the arm of the patient. As the pump is pressed, the mercury level in the reading board also increases. When the pumping is suddenly stopped, the stethoscope is used to make out the sound that gives the two readings of the blood pressure.
Study lungs –
The lungs and breathing can also be assessed by the stethoscope. The rate of breathing, quality and rhythm of the sounds of the lungs can all be analysed by the device. The obstructions in the airways can also be known.
Bowel –
Bowel obstructions and paralytic ileus can also be recognised using a stethoscope.
When there are so many benefits of stethoscope, one must order stethoscope online and have it in their home without fail.
Author: Reena Rawat
