JP2001510699A - Medical stethoscope hygiene protection diaphragm - Google Patents

Abstract

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a stethoscope hygiene protection diaphragm formed by a thin flexible latex or rubber cap with a retaining edge (28) on its outer periphery. This diaphragm (26) has the same diameter as the stethoscope head to be protected. A ring-shaped cavity (30) is provided between the edge (28) of the diaphragm (26) and the rear wall (32) to facilitate symmetrical mounting of the diaphragm (26) on the outer peripheral edge of the stethoscope head. Provided. The assembly is configured such that the entangled edge (28) perfectly matches the edge contour of the head without having to pull and strain or elastically deform the diaphragm (26) to position it. Have been.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a hygiene protective membrane for a medical stethoscope having at least one auscultation head, said protective membrane consisting of a thin flexible latex or rubber cap, its attachment and removal after use. The present invention relates to a sanitary protective diaphragm having a retaining edge wound along the outer periphery to facilitate the operation.

The document FR-A-2,734,704 describes an adhesive protection device. However, the manufacture of such a device requires the use of two substances, and the device cannot coat the entire stethoscope membrane.

[0003] The flexible latex cap described in document US-A-5,365,023 is provided with a rim member on its outer periphery, covering the entire surface of the membrane and the tubular cone. Since the diameter of the cap is much smaller than the diameter of the membrane, when the cap is fitted, it is necessary to pull the cap to tension the latex and elastically deform it. The rim member extends to the base of the head and remains spaced from the cylindrical outer peripheral edge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A primary object of the present invention is to achieve a sanitary septum that is easy to fit and that can be used only once or reused after sterilization.

[0005] The diaphragm according to the invention has a diameter substantially equal to that of the auscultation head to be protected, and comprises an annular cavity between the entangled edge of said diaphragm and the rear wall body Facilitating the symmetrical fitting of the diaphragm to the outer periphery of the head,-the septum being caught without having to tension and elastically deform it by stretching it when it is fitted The assembly is configured such that the edge of the head follows the contour of the edge of the head.

According to one feature of the invention, the diameter of the cavity is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the entangled edge.

[0007] The presence of a new or sterile septum on the plastic membrane or tubular cone of the stethoscope prevents the spread of pathogens between patients.

[0008] The diaphragm can be used instead of the entire plastic film of the stethoscope, and in this way a new stethoscope with a replaceable diaphragm can be formed.

Of course, the septum could have other sizes to fit on any type of stethoscope (children, adults).

There are two types of packaging for these membranes:

[0011] bulk in storage boxes without individual wrapping, or store aseptically in individual covers or sealed bags.

Due to the small thickness of the cap and its complete abutment without any gaps on the surface of the head, the sound transmission to the hearing device is not affected.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a simple method of forming a stethoscope hygiene protection diaphragm.

The method is characterized by the following steps.

Immersing the cylindrically formed plunger in a coagulant bath designed to promote the adhesion of the latex to the walls of the forming plunger, in particular a coagulant bath based on calcium nitride; Dipping the molded plunger into a container filled with, then removing the molded plunger and drying the molded plunger coated with the latex layer; manually working the cylindrical upper end of the latex layer; Obtaining the entangled edge by rolling in the direction of the rear wall body, and removing the septum from the forming plunger after washing with hot water; and drying the septum in a drying oven for a predetermined time.

Before the molded plunger is inserted into the container, a colorant is added to the liquid latex.

[0017] A third object of the present invention relates to an apparatus for performing the molding method. The apparatus includes a molding dip plunger having a cylindrical imprint corresponding to the diameter of the diaphragm, wherein the lower end of the molding plunger comprises: an annular groove for holding a entangled edge of the diaphragm; and A projection with a round cross-section extending axially upward from said groove to a cylindrical end washer to obtain

The diameter of the washer is slightly larger than the diameter of the forming plunger.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to FIG. 1, a medical stethoscope 10 includes a first stethoscope head 12 and a second stethoscope head 14 located at opposite ends of a central body 16, the central body 16 having an outer end. It comprises a piece 18 to which a flexible tube 19 of a hearing system (not shown) is connected.

The first auscultation head 12 has a frusto-conical base made of, for example, a metal material, and a flat film 20 made of a plastic material is mounted on the base. The diameter of the membrane 20 is larger than the diameter of the tubular cone 22 forming the second auscultation head 14. In order for the outer endpiece 18 to communicate with one of the auscultation heads 12, 14, the central body 1
6 is provided with a two-channel selector 24.

In order to prevent the transmission of pathogens between patients, especially in the presence of hospital-acquired infections, each auscultation head 12, 14 of a medical stethoscope is covered by a protective membrane, which is used only once. Or it is sterilized.

Referring to FIGS. 2-3, the diaphragm 26 is formed by a thin flexible rubber cup or disk with a retaining lip 28 wrapped around its outer periphery for removability. The diaphragm 26 can have various sizes depending on the type of medical stethoscope. The size of the diaphragm 26 of the tubular cone 22 is naturally smaller than the size of the membrane 20 of the first auscultation head 12.

According to the present invention, the rubber septum 26 has substantially the same diameter as the plastic membrane 20 of the head 12 and the entangled edge 28 of the rubber septum 26 This exactly matches the shape of the cylindrical edge of the head 12 without pulling or deforming it. An annular cavity 30 is disposed between the entangled edge 28 of the rubber diaphragm and the rear wall 32 to easily and symmetrically fit the rubber diaphragm 26 over the outer peripheral edge of the head 12. The diameter of the cavity 30 is included between the inner and outer diameters of the entangled edge 28.

The rear wall 32 is completely adherent and flexible, and can be used as an advertising support. In addition, direct contact of the septum with the patient's skin prevents the cold sensation when performing auscultation.

The packaging of the rubber septum 26 can be implemented in various forms and can be stored individually in storage boxes without individual packaging or aseptically packaged in individually sealed covers. .

The production of the rubber diaphragm 26 is performed by the forming device 34 shown in FIG. The rubber diaphragm forming apparatus 34 includes a cylindrical immersion plunger 36, which is fixed to a support plate 38 by fixing means 37, and the support plate is movable in a vertical direction indicated by an arrow F1. The lower end of the plunger 36 includes an annular groove 40 for retaining the entangled edge 28 of the rubber septum. An outer peripheral projection 42 having a round cross-sectional shape and a cylindrical end washer 44 extend in the axial direction from the groove 40.

Due to the structure of the projections 42 and the washers 44, the annular cavity 30 is formed between the wrapped edge 28 of the rubber septum and the rear wall 32 during molding. The plunger 36 is immersed in a container 46 filled with liquid latex.

The height of the immersion plunger 36 is about 100 mm, while the diameter of the washer 44 is 2 mm larger than the diameter of the plunger 36. In the case of the rubber diaphragm 26 of the first head 12, the diameter of the plunger 36 is 38 mm. In the case of the second head 14, the diameter of the plunger 36 is 18 mm.

The manufacturing process of the rubber diaphragm 26 is as follows.

In a first step, the substrate is immersed in a calcium nitride based coagulant designed to promote the adhesion of the latex to the plunger 36 wall. Next, the plunger 36 is dried in a drying oven for a short time, for example, 5 minutes.

In the second stage, the plunger 36 is immersed in a container 46 of natural liquid latex 48 to a predetermined depth of about 80 mm. After removal of the horizontal support plate 38, the cylindrical plunger 36 is covered by a layer of latex 50 adhered to its walls due to the presence of the coagulant (FIG. 5). The assembly is then placed in a drying oven to dry and coagulate the latex. The drying time is about 5 minutes and the thickness of the latex layer is
. It is in the range between 35 mm and 0.45 mm.

In the third stage, the cylindrical upper end of the latex layer 50 is manually rolled up vertically (arrow F2 in FIG. 6), and when it reaches the groove 40, the rolled edge 28 (FIG. 7) is obtained. .

In the fourth and final stages, it is washed with hot water and then dried in a drying oven for about 30 minutes. Finally, talc is applied to the rubber septum 26, the septum is separated from the plunger 36 and finally dried in an oven for about 1 hour. In this way, the diaphragm shown in FIG. 2 is obtained.

Of course, instead of the natural latex 48, a mixture of latex and silicone known as SILATEX® can be used. Colorants can be introduced into the liquid latex 48 to obtain diaphragms of various colors. Any other elastomeric material can be used for the manufacture of such a diaphragm.

The diaphragm 26 is used only once and is discarded after each auscultation test. The septum 26 can also be sterilized by treatment in an autoclave, by radiation, or by immersion in a germicide solution.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a stethoscope with a protective septum on each auscultation head.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a diaphragm according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an immersion apparatus for forming a diaphragm.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing each stage of diaphragm formation.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing each stage of diaphragm formation.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing each stage of diaphragm formation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Medical stethoscope 12, 14 Auscultation head 26 Diaphragm 28 Entanglement edge of a diaphragm 30 Cavity of a diaphragm 32 Back wall of a diaphragm 36 Molding plunger 40 Annular groove 42 Circular cross-section outer peripheral protrusion 44 Cylindrical terminal washer 46 Container 48 Liquid latex 50 Latex layer

[Procedural Amendment] Submission of translation of Article 34 Amendment of the Patent Cooperation Treaty

[Submission Date] January 20, 2000 (2000.1.20)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0001

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a hygiene protective membrane for a medical stethoscope having at least one auscultation head, said protective membrane consisting of a thin flexible latex or rubber cap, its attachment and removal after use. The present invention relates to a sanitary protective diaphragm having a retaining edge wound along the outer periphery to facilitate the operation.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0002

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The document FR-A-2,734,704 describes an adhesive protection device. However, the manufacture of such a device requires the use of two substances, and the device cannot coat the entire stethoscope membrane.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0003

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0003] The flexible latex cap described in document US-A-5,365,023 is provided with a rim member on its outer periphery, covering the entire surface of the membrane and the tubular cone. Since the diameter of the cap is much smaller than the diameter of the membrane, when the cap is fitted, it is necessary to pull the cap to tension the latex and elastically deform it. The rim member extends to the base of the head and remains spaced from the cylindrical outer peripheral edge. Document EP-A-471,553 relates to the preparation of a male counterceptive sheath, in which a cylindrically formed plunger, previously coated with an adhesive coating, is immersed in a container filled with liquid latex. . After being removed from the forming plunger, the counterceptive sheath is dried in a drying oven for a predetermined time.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE ), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, GB, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP , KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZW

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A sanitary protective membrane for a medical stethoscope (10) having at least one auscultation head (12, 14), said protective membrane consisting of a thin flexible latex or rubber cap, its attachment and use. With a retaining edge (28) wrapped around the circumference to facilitate later removal, according to the invention:-said diaphragm (26) is substantially identical to the protected auscultation head (12, 14); An annular cavity (30) is provided between the entangled edge (28) of the diaphragm and the rear wall (32) to provide a similar diameter to the head (12, 14). Facilitating a symmetric fit of the diaphragm (26) to the outer peripheral edge, without having to tension and elastically deform the diaphragm (26) by stretching it when it is fitted, without having to be elastically deformed. Caught in A medical stethoscope hygiene barrier, characterized in that the assembly is arranged such that the edge (28) completely follows the contour of the edge of the head. 2. The sanitary protective diaphragm according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the cavity (30) is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the entangled edge (28). 3. A method for forming a latex membrane according to claim 1, wherein the bath comprises a coagulant bath designed to promote the adhesion of the latex to the wall of the molding plunger. Dipping the cylindrically formed plunger (36) into a coagulant bath based on: dipping said molded plunger (36) into a container (46) filled with liquid latex (48); Next, the molding plunger was taken out and the latex layer (5
Drying said molded plunger (36) coated with 0), the edge being rolled up by manually rolling the cylindrical upper end of the layer of latex (50) in the direction of the rear wall body (32). Obtaining (28); removing the septum (26) from the forming plunger after washing with hot water;
Drying the septum in a drying oven for a predetermined period of time. 4. The molding method according to claim 3, wherein the colorant is introduced into the liquid latex (48) before the molding plunger (36) is immersed in the container (46). 5. A dipping plunger (3) having a cylindrical inscription corresponding to the diameter of the diaphragm (26).
6), the lower end of said forming plunger (36) comprising:-an annular groove (40) for retaining the entangled edge (28) of the diaphragm;
A rounded profile projection (42) extending axially upward from the groove (40) to a cylindrical end washer (44) to obtain the annular cavity (30).
5. An apparatus for performing the molding method according to claim 3, wherein the apparatus comprises: 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the diameter of the washer (44) is slightly larger than the diameter of the forming plunger (36).