JP6582261B1 - Telemedicine system using digital stethoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a telemedicine system using a digital stethoscope that allows a doctor to perform medical treatment on a patient at a remote location. A stethoscope (1) that acquires voice information based on a body sound of a patient (X) and a transmission processing device (2) that transmits the voice information to an external device. The stethoscope (1) transmits the voice information to the transmission processing device (2). The transmission processing apparatus 2 includes a reception unit 201 that receives audio information and a reproduction processing unit 202 that performs reproduction processing for reproducing the audio information on an external device. Features. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a telemedicine system using a digital stethoscope.

  Conventionally, a stethoscope has been used as an instrument for doctors and nurses to listen to sounds generated from a patient's heart, lungs, blood vessels, and the like.

  By the way, auscultation is a technique that requires skill, and in order to obtain accurate biological information, it is necessary to accurately reproduce predetermined auscultation conditions.

  For this reason, for example, when a doctor in charge is changed, or when a person other than the doctor in charge, such as a family, handles a stethoscope in a telemedicine or home medical care situation, it is difficult to reproduce auscultation conditions. .

  In order to solve such a problem, Patent Literature 1 describes an electronic stethoscope that can accurately reproduce auscultation conditions regardless of a person who handles the stethoscope.

  That is, the electronic stethoscope described in Patent Document 1 includes a chest piece that is in contact with a biological surface, a position acquisition unit that acquires position information indicating the position of the chest piece with respect to the biological surface, A contact state acquisition unit that acquires contact state information indicating a contact state, and a recording unit that records positional information and contact state information in association with each other are provided.

  Thus, by recording the position information and contact state information for each patient, anyone can accurately reproduce the auscultation conditions of the target patient based on such information.

JP 2017-000198 A

  However, the above-described electronic stethoscope is used only when the examiner who handles the stethoscope such as a doctor in charge performs medical treatment face-to-face with the patient in an environment in which position information, contact state information, and the like can be referred to. is there.

  Thus, for example, if the patient is at a remote location and face-to-face medical treatment is difficult, it is still difficult to accurately reproduce the auscultation conditions by an alternative examiner.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a telemedicine system using a digital stethoscope that allows an examiner to perform medical care for a patient at a remote location. This is the issue.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
A stethoscope for acquiring voice information based on a patient's body sound, and a transmission processing device for transmitting the voice information to an external device,
The stethoscope has transmission means for transmitting the audio information to the transmission processing device,
The transmission processing apparatus includes receiving means for receiving the audio information, and reproduction processing means for performing reproduction processing for reproducing the audio information by the external device.

  According to the present invention, the examiner can listen to audio information based on the patient's body sound even when the patient is in a remote place by having the patient use the stethoscope. Accordingly, the examiner can perform medical care even when face-to-face medical care is difficult.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it comprises a contact position display means to be worn on the patient's body,
A contact mark indicating the contact position of the stethoscope with respect to the patient's body is provided on the surface of the contact position display means.

  With this configuration, the examiner can accurately transmit to the patient the appropriate contact position of the stethoscope to obtain the desired audio information, and use the stethoscope for the patient. Even with remote medical care, it is possible to proceed with medical care smoothly.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stethoscope has an attaching / detaching means for making the chest piece detachable.

  By adopting such a configuration, the examiner can perform medical care using the chestpiece that he / she uses habitually and is familiar with.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the recording apparatus is provided with recording means for recording the voice information.

  With such a configuration, the examiner can use the voice information in the electronic medical record. That is, the examiner can check the progress of medical treatment when sharing the findings with the patient.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transmission processing device includes an analysis processing means for analyzing the voice information.

  With such a configuration, the examiner can use more detailed information related to the voice information such as graph information and cardiac noise information obtained by visualizing the voice information in the electronic medical record.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided filter means for extracting a specific frequency component of the audio information.

  With such a configuration, the examiner can hear the audio information more clearly.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stethoscope has switching means for switching a filter characteristic of the filter means.

  By adopting such a configuration, the examiner can apply the appropriate filter characteristic to each part, even if the parts from which the plurality of pieces of voice information are acquired are different. It becomes possible to listen clearly.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stethoscope has a volume adjusting means for adjusting the volume of the audio information.

  With such a configuration, the examiner can listen to the sound information with an appropriate volume feeling.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stethoscope has a holding means for holding a contact state with the patient's body.

  With such a configuration, for example, even when it is difficult to move the body such as when the patient is bedridden, the examiner always obtains voice information based on the body sound of the patient. And listening.

The present invention is a telemedicine method,
Obtain audio information based on the patient's body sound with a stethoscope,
Transmitting the audio information acquired by the stethoscope to a transmission processing device;
The audio information received by the transmission processing device is subjected to reproduction processing for reproduction by an external device.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the telediagnosis system using the digital stethoscope which a medical examiner can perform medical care also to the patient in a remote place can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the telemedicine system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function structural example of the telemedicine system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the stethoscope in the telemedicine system which concerns on embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (a) Schematic perspective view, (b) Bottom view It is a figure which shows the attachment / detachment means of the stethoscope in the telemedicine system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the attachment / detachment means of the stethoscope in the telemedicine system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the implementation aspect of the telemedicine using the telemedicine system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the implementation aspect of the telemedicine using the telemedicine system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the implementation aspect of the telemedicine using the telemedicine system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the implementation aspect of the telemedicine using the telemedicine system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a change of the stethoscope in the telemedicine system which concerns on embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (a) A schematic perspective view, (b) It is a side view. It is a figure which shows the mounting aspect of the stethoscope in the telemedicine system which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, a telemedicine system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

  For example, although the configuration and operation of the telemedicine system will be described in the present embodiment, a method, apparatus, computer program, recording medium, and the like having a similar configuration can also exhibit the same operational effects. The program may be stored in a recording medium. If this recording medium is used, the program can be installed in a computer, for example. Here, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a remote medical care system S when performing remote medical care.
As shown in FIG. 1, the telemedicine system S is equipped with a chestpiece C, a stethoscope 1 that acquires voice information based on a patient's body sound, a transmission processing device 2 that transmits the voice information to an external device, A patient terminal T1, a doctor terminal T2, and listening means L are provided.
The listening means L is a headphone in this embodiment, but may be an earphone or a speaker.

The stethoscope 1 performs wireless communication with the patient terminal T1.
The transmission processing device 2, the patient terminal T <b> 1, and the examiner terminal T <b> 2 are connected to each other via the network N so as to communicate with each other.

The patient terminal T1 and the examiner terminal T2 are a communication unit that is an interface for communicating with an external device, an input unit such as a touch panel and a physical key, an output unit such as a display, and an audio input / output An information communication terminal such as a personal computer provided with a voice input / output unit or the like, a smartphone provided with a touch panel, a portable information terminal such as a tablet terminal or PDA, or the like.
In addition, the patient terminal T1 and the examiner terminal T2 store in the auxiliary storage unit a remote medical care program or a web browser program used when performing the face-to-face remote medical care shown in FIGS. ing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the stethoscope 1 includes a transmission unit 101 that transmits audio information to the transmission processing device 2, a filter unit 102 that extracts a specific frequency component of the audio information, a switching unit 103, and a volume adjustment unit 104. And have.
Further, the transmission processing apparatus 2 includes a receiving unit 201 that receives audio information, a reproduction processing unit 202 that performs reproduction processing for reproducing audio information on an external device, a recording unit 203, and an analysis processing unit 204. Have.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the stethoscope 1 includes a stethoscope main body 11 and attaching / detaching means 12 provided on the upper portion of the stethoscope main body 11.

  The stethoscope main body 11 is provided with a switching means 103 configured as a switch and a dial-type volume adjusting means 104 on the outer surface thereof, and further includes a power supply unit 11a for switching ON / OFF of the stethoscope 1 and an external device. And a connection portion 11b that performs connection to.

The connection unit 11b includes a USB terminal 11b1 for connecting to and charging an external device such as the transmission processing device 2 and a phone terminal 11b2 for connecting to the listening unit L.
In addition, the connection part 11b may include an AV terminal such as a Lightning terminal, a VGA terminal, or the like.

  The phone terminal 11b2 is used for headphones, earphones, earphones when the patient listens to his / her voice information in telemedicine, or when the examiner listens to the patient's voice information in general face-to-face medical care or visiting nursing. Used by connecting to a speaker or the like.

The stethoscope 1 is configured to be able to perform wireless communication with the patient terminal T1 and the listening means L by the transmission means 101. As a wireless communication standard, various wireless communication configurations such as a wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Zigbee (registered trademark), a mesh network format, and a P2P (Peer to Peer) format can be adopted.
Further, the examiner and the patient may connect the stethoscope 1 and the patient terminal T1 by wire using the USB terminal 11b1 according to the use environment or the like.
Furthermore, the examiner's terminal T2 and the listening means L can be configured to be able to perform wireless communication in the same manner.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the attaching / detaching means 12 is composed of a pair of attaching / detaching means main bodies 12a, a substantially cylindrical chest piece accommodating portion 12b, and a plurality of ring-shaped bodies 12c.
The attaching / detaching means main body 12a is attached to a substantially cylindrical sound collecting portion 11c provided on the upper surface of the stethoscope main body 11 by a spring (not shown) provided inside the stethoscope main body 11. It is energized.
A pair of fitting grooves 12b1 into which the upper projections 12a1 (see FIG. 5) of the attaching / detaching means main body 12a are fitted are provided on the outer surface of the chestpiece housing portion 12b.
The ring-shaped body 12c has elasticity, and its outer shape is configured to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the chestpiece housing portion 12b.
Moreover, as shown in FIG.4 (b), the lower part of the chestpiece C has a stepped shape.

When attaching the chest piece C to the attaching / detaching means 12, the patient or the examiner first attaches the ring-shaped body 12c to each step below the chest piece C as shown in FIG. It penetrates through the piece accommodating part 12b.
Next, the patient or the examiner changes the pair of attaching / detaching means main bodies 12a from the state shown in FIG. 5 (b-1) to the state shown in FIG. 5 (b-2). That is, the patient or the examiner presses the lower portions of the pair of attaching / detaching means main bodies 12a toward the stethoscope main body 11 to separate the pair of upper protrusions 12a1.
Next, the patient or the examiner brings the lower surface of the chestpiece housing portion 12b into contact with the upper surface of the stethoscope main body 11, and houses the sound collecting portion 11c inside the chestpiece housing portion 12b.
Next, the patient or the examiner unloads the pressing force of the pair of attaching / detaching means main bodies 12a to the stethoscope main body 11, thereby urging the pair of upper protrusions 12a1 toward the sound collecting section 11c again.
By doing so, as shown in FIG. 5C, the pair of upper protrusions 12 a 1 are fitted in the pair of fitting grooves 12 b 1, and the chest piece C is attached to the stethoscope 1.

In addition, in FIG. 5, the attachment / detachment means main body 12a, the chestpiece accommodating part 12b, the ring-shaped body 12c, and the sound collection part 11c are shown in cross section.
Moreover, in FIG.5 (b-1), (b-2), and (c), the stethoscope main body 11 is abbreviate | omitted except the upper surface and the sound collection part 11c.

The sound acquired by the chestpiece C is input into the stethoscope main body 11 via the sound collection unit 11c.
A microphone element, an amplifier, and the like are built in the stethoscope main body 11, and the voice input into the stethoscope main body 11 is converted as voice information that can be transmitted to the outside.

  Hereinafter, a case where remote medical care is performed using the remote medical care system S will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6, the patient X and the examiner Y face each other through the patient terminal T1 and the examiner terminal T2 so that they can communicate with each other.

Then, the patient X holds the stethoscope 1 to which the chestpiece C is attached with his / her hand.
The examiner Y wears the listening means L in his / her ear in order to listen to audio information based on the body sound of the patient X.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the patient X wears the contact position display means W.
The contact position display means W is a T-shirt in this embodiment, and a plurality of contact marks W1 on which the contact position of the stethoscope 1 with respect to the body of the patient X is displayed are provided on the surface thereof. ing.
Each of the plurality of contact marks W1 is configured by describing different numbers in a round frame.

The contact position display means W is preferably a garment for ease of wearing, but may be anything as long as it can be worn on the body, and is not particularly limited.
Further, the contact mark W1 is not necessarily configured as described above, and any configuration may be adopted as long as the patient X and the examiner Y can recognize the contact position. .
Furthermore, the number of the contact marks W1 is not particularly limited, and may be any number and may be provided on the back surface.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the patient X moves the stethoscope 1 held by his / her hand to bring the chest piece C into contact with the contact mark W1.
At this time, the examiner Y transmits the chest piece C to the patient X by transmitting the number of the desired abutment mark W1 corresponding to the part from which the voice information is to be acquired among the abutment marks W1. The desired contact mark W1 is brought into contact.
FIG. 7 shows a case where the examiner Y instructs the patient X to bring the chest piece C into contact with the contact mark W1 on which the number 1 is written.

The voice information acquired by the stethoscope 1 is transmitted to the transmission processing device 2 via the network N by the transmission means 101.
The transmission processing device 2 receives the transmitted audio information by the receiving unit 201 and performs a reproduction process by the reproduction processing unit 202.

  The audio information reproduced by the transmission processing device 2 is transmitted to the examiner's terminal T2 via the network N, and then reproduced via the listening means L, so that it is heard by the examiner Y.

The switching unit 103 switches the filter characteristics of the filter unit 102.
The volume adjusting unit 104 adjusts the volume of the voice information acquired by the stethoscope 1.

  In this embodiment, the switching means 103 and the volume adjusting means 104 can be used as appropriate so that the examiner Y can hear the audio information reproduced via the listening means L in a clearer state.

More specifically, for example, when the filter characteristics of the filter means 102 clarify lung sounds and the chest piece C is in contact with the contact mark W1 corresponding to the part where the heart sound is heard, The examiner Y instructs the patient X to switch the filter characteristic of the filter unit 102 that makes the heart sound clear by the switching unit 103.
Note that the filter unit 102 may include a so-called pass-through filter that can listen to the sound acquired from the chestpiece C as it is, a so-called noise reduction filter that reduces ambient environmental sound, and the like. Further, the filter unit 102 causes the stethoscope main body 11 to appropriately read an update program, so that the filter characteristics required by each specialist such as for internal medicine, pediatrics, cardiology, and respiratory medicine can be obtained. It is good also as a structure which is added.

  Further, for example, when the volume of the voice information is small and it is difficult to listen, the examiner Y instructs the patient X and the volume adjustment unit 104 increases the volume of the voice information.

The recording unit 203 records the voice information acquired by the stethoscope 1.
In the present embodiment, the recording unit 203 is configured to be included in the transmission processing device 2, but may be included in the stethoscope 1.

The analysis processing means 204 performs an analysis process on the voice information acquired by the stethoscope 1.
More specifically, the analysis processing unit 204 performs graphing processing, cardiac noise information acquisition processing, and the like by performing frequency analysis on the plurality of acquired voice information.
The cardiac noise information is information such as the frequency of cardiac noise in specific speech information, the timing at which cardiac noise occurs, the duration of cardiac noise, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the acquired voice information is recorded by the recording unit 203 or analyzed by the analysis processing unit 204, so that it can be used for medical treatment.

Specifically, the plurality of acquired audio information is stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the transmission processing device 2 by the recording unit 203.
Then, the examiner Y calls the desired voice information from the transmission processing device 2 at a desired timing, for example, when sharing the findings with the patient X after the medical treatment or when confirming the progress of the medical treatment, and the examiner's terminal T2 Above, this audio information can be reproduced.

  The examiner Y can also call graph information and cardiac noise information obtained by visualizing voice information from the transmission processing device 2 and display these information on the examiner's terminal T2.

  That is, the voice information recorded by the recording unit 203 and the voice information analyzed by the analysis processing unit 204 can be used for medical care as a part of the electronic medical record.

  In addition, the stethoscope 1 can be used like an IC recorder by the recording means 203. Accordingly, the examiner Y uses the stethoscope 1 to record not only the voice information based on the body sound of the patient X but also the content of the conversation at the time of medical treatment, and this is converted into a text or the like to be part of the electronic medical record It can be.

  Further, the analysis processing means 204 can be configured to detect an abnormal waveform from the voice information and warn the patient X or the examiner Y of the abnormality. Thereby, even when the patient X is not receiving the remote medical examination by the examiner Y, the patient X performs the auscultation by the stethoscope 1 and when the abnormality is warned, the patient X transmits voice information to the examiner Y. By doing so, it is possible to obtain a finding from the examiner Y.

FIG. 9 shows a display example of the electronic medical chart K on the examiner's terminal T2.
FIG. 9A is a display example of the entire electronic medical record K, and FIG. 9B is an enlarged display example of the audio information display unit K3.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a schematic diagram K1 of the human body is displayed on the electronic medical chart K, and a plurality of voice information selection sections K2 that can be pressed are displayed at positions corresponding to the contact mark W1.

  The examiner Y presses down the specific audio information selection unit K2, and the audio information display unit K3 on which information related to the specific audio information is displayed is displayed.

In the audio information display section K3, for example, graph information K3a, cardiac noise information K3b, and comments K3c by the examiner Y that visualize specific audio information are displayed, and a reproduction button K3d is displayed.
The examiner Y can reproduce specific audio information by pressing the reproduction button K3d.

  Such display on the examiner's terminal T2 can naturally be displayed on the patient's terminal T1.

  According to the present embodiment, the examiner Y causes the patient X to use the stethoscope 1 to listen to audio information based on the body sound of the patient X even when the patient X is in a remote place. Can do. As a result, the examiner Y can perform medical care even when face-to-face medical care is difficult.

  Further, the contact position display means W allows the examiner Y to accurately transmit an appropriate contact position of the stethoscope 1 for obtaining desired audio information to the patient. Even in the case of remote medical care using the stethoscope 1, medical care can be smoothly advanced.

  Further, since the stethoscope 1 has the attaching / detaching means 12, the examiner Y can perform medical care using the chestpiece C that he / she uses regularly and is familiar to.

  Further, since the transmission processing apparatus 2 includes the recording unit 203, the examiner Y can use the voice information for the electronic medical chart K. That is, the examiner Y can share findings with the patient X, check the progress of medical treatment, and the like.

  In addition, since the transmission processing device 2 includes the analysis processing unit 204, the examiner Y can use more detailed information regarding the voice information such as graph information and cardiac noise information visualizing the voice information in the electronic medical record K. Is possible.

  Further, since the stethoscope 1 has the filter means 102, the examiner Y can hear the audio information more clearly.

  In addition, since the stethoscope 1 has the switching unit 103, the examiner Y can apply a suitable filter characteristic to each part even if the parts from which the plurality of pieces of audio information are acquired are different. It becomes possible to listen to a plurality of audio information more clearly.

  Further, since the stethoscope 1 has the volume adjusting means 104, the examiner Y can listen to the sound information with a proper volume feeling.

  It should be noted that the shapes, dimensions, and the like of the constituent members shown in the above-described embodiment are examples, and can be variously changed based on design requirements and the like.

For example, in the present embodiment, a case where remote medical care is performed has been shown, but the present system can naturally be applied even when general face-to-face medical care or home care is performed.
When performing face-to-face medical care or home-visit nursing, the patient terminal T1 is not necessarily required, and the examiner Y can operate the switching means 103, the volume adjusting means 104, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the stethoscope 1 may have a holding means H that holds the patient X in contact with the body.

  The holding means H is, for example, a belt-like body configured to be capable of forming a ring of a predetermined size by providing connecting means (not shown) such as hook-and-loop fasteners and insertion buckles at both ends. It is partially fixed to one side.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the stethoscope 1 configured as described above makes the chestpiece C abut on the site where the voice information is desired to be obtained by wrapping the holding means H around the chest and waist of the patient X. In this state, it is attached to the patient X.

  Thereby, for example, even if it is difficult to move the body, for example, the patient X is bedridden, the examiner Y always acquires voice information based on the body sound of the patient X and listens to it. It becomes possible to do.

  Note that a plurality of stethoscopes 1 may be attached to the holding means H, and the chestpiece C of each stethoscope 1 is acquired from different parts such as heart sounds and lung sounds by contacting the different parts. The audio information can be acquired at the same time.

S Telemedicine System 1 Stethoscope 11 Stethoscope Main Body 11a Power Supply Unit 11b Connection Unit 11b1 USB Terminal 11b2 Phone Terminal 11c Sound Collection Unit 12 Detachment Unit 12a Detachment Unit Main Body 12a1 Upper Projection 12b Chest Piece Housing 12b1 Fitting Groove 12c Ring-shaped Body 101 Transmission means 102 Filter means 103 Switching means 104 Volume adjustment means 2 Transmission processing device 201 Reception means 202 Playback processing means 203 Recording means 204 Analysis processing means W Contact position display means W1 Contact mark C Chest piece L Listen means T1 For patients Terminal T2 Examiner's terminal N Network K Electronic medical record K1 Schematic diagram of human body K2 Audio information selection unit K3 Audio information display unit K3a Graph information K3b Heart noise information K3c Comment K3d Play button H Holding means X Patient Y Examiner

Claims (14)

A stethoscope that acquires sound information based on a patient's body sound via a chestpiece , and a transmission processing device that transmits the sound information to an external device,
The stethoscope has a stethoscope body provided with a transmission means for transmitting the audio information to the transmission processing device, and an attaching / detaching means for making the chest piece detachable .
The transmission processing device includes receiving means for receiving the audio information, and reproduction processing means for performing reproduction processing for reproducing the audio information on the external device ,
The attachment / detachment means is configured separately from the stethoscope main body, and is configured integrally with the stethoscope main body, and a chestpiece storage portion in which one end of the chestpiece is stored. A pair of detachable means main bodies detachably attached to the container main body,
The pair of attaching / detaching means main bodies are urged toward the chest piece housing portion to sandwich the chest piece housing portion, and the remote medical examination system is characterized in that:   A fitting groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the chestpiece housing portion,
  The pair of attaching / detaching means main bodies has the chest piece housing portion attached to the stethoscope main body.
The telemedicine system according to claim 1, wherein a projection that fits into the fitting groove is formed in the cut state. A contact position display means mounted on the patient's body;
3. The remote according to claim 1, wherein a contact mark indicating a contact position of the stethoscope with respect to the patient's body is provided on a surface of the contact position display means. Medical system.   A plurality of the contact marks are provided on the surface of the contact position display means,
  The telemedicine system according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of contact marks are configured as individually identifiable symbols. The telemedicine system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , further comprising recording means for recording the voice information. The telemedicine system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the transmission processing device includes an analysis processing means for analyzing the voice information. The telemedicine system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , further comprising filter means for extracting a specific frequency component of the voice information. 8. The telemedicine system according to claim 7 , wherein the stethoscope has switching means for switching a filter characteristic of the filter means. The remote medical examination system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the stethoscope includes a volume adjusting unit that adjusts a volume of the audio information. 10. The telemedicine system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the stethoscope has holding means for holding a contact state with the patient's body. Obtaining audio information based on a patient's body sound with a stethoscope via a chestpiece ;
Transmitting the audio information acquired by the stethoscope to a transmission processing device ;
A step of performing a reproduction process for reproducing the audio information received by the transmission processing device on an external device , and a method of operating a telemedicine system,
The stethoscope includes a stethoscope main body and detachable means for making the chestpiece detachable,
The attachment / detachment means is configured separately from the stethoscope main body, and is configured integrally with the stethoscope main body, and a chestpiece storage portion in which one end of the chestpiece is stored. A pair of detachable means main bodies detachably attached to the container main body,
The pair of attaching / detaching means main bodies are urged toward the chestpiece housing portion to sandwich the chestpiece housing portion, and the remote medical treatment system operating method is characterized in that:   A fitting groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the chestpiece housing portion,
  The pair of attaching / detaching means main bodies has the chest piece housing portion attached to the stethoscope main body.
The method of operating a telemedicine system according to claim 11, wherein a protrusion that fits into the fitting groove is formed in the cut state.   A stethoscope that acquires audio information based on a patient's body sound through a chestpiece,
  A stethoscope body provided with a transmission means for transmitting audio information to an external device, and a detachable means for making the chestpiece detachable;
  The attachment / detachment means is configured separately from the stethoscope main body, and is configured integrally with the stethoscope main body, and a chestpiece storage portion in which one end of the chestpiece is stored. A pair of detachable means main bodies detachably attached to the container main body,
  The pair of attaching / detaching means main bodies are urged toward the chest piece housing portion, thereby sandwiching the chest piece housing portion.   A fitting groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the chestpiece housing portion,
  The pair of attachment / detachment means main bodies are formed with protrusions that fit into the fitting grooves when the chestpiece housing portion is attached to the stethoscope main body. Stethoscope described.