FR2766352A1 - Hygienic protective diaphragm, for auscultation head of stethoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

Diaphragm (26), designed to be disposed of after use, comprises a thin and supple latex or rubber cap with a ring (28) round its edge to fit over the auscultation head and an annular recess (30) to receive the rim of the head. The ring is designed so that it fits exactly over the rim of the auscultation head, so that it sits in place without being stretched, while the diameter of the cavity is slightly greater than the inner diameter of the ring. Also claimed is the fabrication. The latex diaphragm is made by dipping a mould in a bath of a coagulant, especially based on calcium nitrate, to promote adhesion of the latex to the mould. immersing the mould in a container filled with liquid latex, drying the latex layer and rolling its edge manually to produce the ring, rinsing with hot water, removing from the mould and drying.

Description

 The subject of the invention is a hygienic protective disc for a stethoscope, either for single use or for sterilization, to be placed on the membrane or the vascular cone of a medical stethoscope, or even being able to replace the membrane. The object should be placed before each auscultation and removed after the examination to avoid the transmission of germs between patients. The modifications compared to patent 97/09533 are modifications of use rather than of form, namely: re-sterilizable or for single use, creation of a disc for the vascular part of the stethoscope, possibility of replacing the entire membrane of the stethoscope thus creating a new generation of stethoscopes (no longer sold with a fixed membrane but with a batch of interchangeable membranes).

There is known an adhesive protection system, in particular according to patent 2734704, of a less secure use than the device described here, without possibility of protecting the vascular side, or replacing the membrane.
The object of the invention is to remedy the above drawbacks and will be better
understood with reference to the figures:
Figure 1 showing a sectional view
Figure 2 showing a top view
Figure 3 showing a view in place on the membrane (a) and the vascular cone (b)
This device consists of a membrane of flexible material (1), either hemmed or reinforced at its periphery (2) in order to maintain it, to be placed on the part of the stethoscope in contact with the patient (3)
The disc may have different dimensions in order to adapt it to the different stethoscopes (children, adults, etc.). The discs can be conditioned with
different ways: either in bulk in a box where they will then be simply clean without individual packaging, or in sterile packaging
The advantages of this device compared to the previously described methods are as follows: - The possibility of completely replacing the membrane of the stethoscope.

 - Use of a single material, therefore simpler manufacturing and lower cost.

 -A cover of the entire membrane for stethoscopes with one of the edges of the stethoscope.

- The possibility of placing it on the vascular cone.

-An easier and necessarily adapted installation. (impossibility of misplacing the disc), which implies safer hygiene.

 - Simpler packaging.

-The possibility of re-sterilizing the disc
- In a bedridden patient, the possibility of leaving the disc for example one day at
bedside of the patient, the same disc can be used by different stakeholders near the patient.

 -The possibility of having sterile discs for high risk patients.

 -The possibility of serving as an advertising medium.

-The suppression of the feeling of cold in contact with the stethoscope.

Claims (1)

 CLAIM Stethoscope membrane characterized in that it is made up of a flexible material membrane (i) hemmed or reinforced at its periphery (2) allowing it to be held on the stethoscope (3) as well as protecting or replacing the membrane ( a) or the protection of the vascular cone (b) with change at each auscultation.