Two hundred centuries ago, Laennec invented the stethoscope. Despite X-rays, CT scans, ECG, and other inventions, a stethoscope plays a significant role in the representation of medical providers and is still an essential device in clinical diagnosis.
It is used by doctors and nurses to monitor heart rate and blood pressure. It is a device used for auscultation or listening to sounds produced by the body. It has a diaphragm on one side for high-pitched sounds and a bell on the other for low-pitched sounds. The tubing is thick and flexible, which helps to conduct sound and patients can move around easily during the examination.
How did stethoscope evolve?
Initially, physicians used to place their ears directly on the patients to listen to their internal body sounds. This method required physical contact between the physician and the patient. To maintain distance, they used a wooden tube to listen to heart and lung sounds.
The stethoscope began as a simple tube, but over the years, it has evolved greatly. Today, there are many digital stethoscopes introduced that can amplify sounds and provide an accurate diagnosis.
Why is stethoscope an important tool?
Without a stethoscope, doctors and nurses cannot diagnose heart and lung problems. A stethoscope is an acoustic medical device to listen to the lungs, heart, and gastrointestinal tract. It is also used to listen to blood flow in peripheral vessels and heart sounds of developing foetuses in pregnant women.
It allows healthcare providers to listen to patients’ hearts and lungs without performing an invasive procedure. It helps to diagnose a variety of conditions and can be also used to monitor patient’s progress after treatment.
Since the early invention of Laennec, medical care has improved, and diagnostic procedures have become more precise. Three main parts of stethoscope are as follows:
- Headset – Comprised of two ear tubes, tension springs, and ear tips. The amplified sounds can be transferred from tube to earpieces.
- Chestpiece – It is placed on the patient’s skin to listen to sounds and further assessments.
- Diaphragm – This device inside the chest piece allows doctors to hear different frequency sounds.
Stethoscope could be an instrumental tool in the following scenarios:
- Assessing pregnant women who are short of breath – These patients generally don’t like chest X-rays and CT scans. A stethoscope is convenient to determine if the patient is experiencing any issues.
- Checking heart rate – A doctor places a stethoscope on the chest to check the heart rate and if it’s too fast, they may prescribe medications to bring it back to normal range.
- Measuring blood pressure – A stethoscope combined with a digital diagnostic kit comes in handy to measure blood pressure.
- Detect heart problems – A stethoscope can quickly determine cardiac conditions in patients.
- Gauge recovery from surgery – Anaesthetic used in surgery can slow down the bowels. By listening to body sounds, a doctor can get an indication of the patient’s stage of recovery.
As you can see, a stethoscope can be a valuable asset in all clinical settings. So, if you’re a doctor, nurse, or student, and need a device for precise assessment, a stethoscope can be a feasible choice.
Despite advances and changes in stethoscopes, the fundamental principles behind them remain the same. With this in mind, Tech4Life Enterprises brings eSteth Stethoscope, a reliable brand offering a comprehensive range, unique design, and high-quality sounds. We offer a variety of eSteth brand stethoscopes, all made with high-quality materials and excellent features to help in critical medical situations.
If you’re a nurse, doctor, or anyone practicing in the medical field, invest in eSteth Stethoscopes today.