A modular stethoscope system has multiple ear pieces and chest pieces. The modular stethoscope system allows multiple peoples’ heartbeat and breathing sounds to be shared. The apparatus can have multiple heart modules that are placed on users’ chests that can each receive circulatory and/or respiratory audio signals from the users. The heart modules can be coupled to each other and/or coupled to multiple audio output devices so that some or all of the users can hear the combined heartbeats. The heart modules’ inputs and outputs can be shared through direct physical links and/or converted into electrical or wireless signals that can be received by other electrical audio output devices so that multiple users can listen to multiple heartbeat outputs.

A medical instrument cover dispensing apparatus 10 comprising: a cover storage arrangement 11 configured to house one or more medical instrument covers 12, said one or more medical instrument covers 12 being in a first configuration when housed in the cover storage arrangement 11. A cover engagement and placement assembly 13 is provided and is configured to receive one of the one or more medical instrument covers 12, or portion thereof, and move said received medical instrument cover 12 such that said medical instrument cover 12 is placed in a second configuration. Wherein, in the second configuration, said medical instrument cover 12 is operably engagable by a medical instrument 76 to attach the medical instrument cover 12 to the medical instrument 76.

A medical instrument cover dispensing apparatus 10 comprising: a cover storage arrangement 11 configured to house one or more medical instrument covers 12, said one or more medical instrument covers 12 being in a first configuration when housed in the cover storage arrangement 11. A cover engagement and placement assembly 13 is provided and is configured to receive one of the one or more medical instrument covers 12, or portion thereof, and move said received medical instrument cover 12 such that said medical instrument cover 12 is placed in a second configuration. Wherein, in the second configuration, said medical instrument cover 12 is operably engagable by a medical instrument 76 to attach the medical instrument cover 12 to the medical instrument 76.

A system for sterilizing and wireless tethering of a stethoscope includes a portable electronic device configured to be coupled to a stethoscope and having a wireless transmitter configured to transmit a signal. The system further includes an enclosure defining a cavity for housing the stethoscope. The enclosure includes at least one light source configured to emit light at a wavelength designed to damage or destroy microbes. The enclosure further includes a wireless receiver configured to receive the signal transmitted by the wireless transmitter of the portable electronic device. The enclosure further includes a controller coupled to the wireless receiver and configured to determine a notification event in response to the portable electronic device being further from the enclosure than a predetermined distance based on the signal received by the wireless receiver.

A system for sterilizing and wireless tethering of a stethoscope includes a portable electronic device configured to be coupled to a stethoscope and having a wireless transmitter configured to transmit a signal. The system further includes an enclosure defining a cavity for housing the stethoscope. The enclosure includes at least one light source configured to emit light at a wavelength designed to damage or destroy microbes. The enclosure further includes a wireless receiver configured to receive the signal transmitted by the wireless transmitter of the portable electronic device. The enclosure further includes a controller coupled to the wireless receiver and configured to determine a notification event in response to the portable electronic device being further from the enclosure than a predetermined distance based on the signal received by the wireless receiver.

A kit for dispensing disposable stethoscope covers and other instrument covers is provided. The kit may include a cartridge and a dispenser for automatic touch-free dispensing of disposable stethoscope covers. The kit further includes a first spool having a roll of backing member with disposable stethoscope covers disposed thereon and a second spool for receiving the spent backing member after a disposable stethoscope cover has been removed, self-contained within the cartridge. The cartridge is inserted within the dispenser so that a user may insert a stethoscope head through a window of the dispenser to attach to a disposable stethoscope cover. Alternatively, the cartridge or cassette may be comprised of disposable instrument covers so that a user may insert the instrument near or through the window of the dispenser for application of the instrument cover directly to the instrument. The kit may further include a proximity sensor for detecting a user.

A kit for dispensing disposable stethoscope covers and other instrument covers is provided. The kit may include a cartridge and a dispenser for automatic touch-free dispensing of disposable stethoscope covers. The kit further includes a first spool having a roll of backing member with disposable stethoscope covers disposed thereon and a second spool for receiving the spent backing member after a disposable stethoscope cover has been removed, self-contained within the cartridge. The cartridge is inserted within the dispenser so that a user may insert a stethoscope head through a window of the dispenser to attach to a disposable stethoscope cover. Alternatively, the cartridge or cassette may be comprised of disposable instrument covers so that a user may insert the instrument near or through the window of the dispenser for application of the instrument cover directly to the instrument. The kit may further include a proximity sensor for detecting a user.

A system and method for allowing any surgeon, including those surgeons who perform a fewer number of a replacement procedure as compared to a more experienced surgeon who performs a greater number of procedures, to provide an improved likelihood of a favorable outcome approaching, if not exceeding, a likelihood of a favorable outcome as performed by a very experienced surgeon with the replacement procedure. Force sensing is included to aid in quantifying installation of an implant, particularly a cup into a pelvic bone.

The invention includes a system and method for predicting the performance of production animals by analysis of heart and lung sounds to determine likelihoods the animals will develop BRD or other diseases or ailments. Vital signs of animals are recorded during an adrenergic sympathetic “flight or fight” situation. A cardio-pulmonary rate ratio is determined for each animal by dividing a normalized adjusted heart rate value by a normalized adjusted respiratory value. From the ratios calculated for each animal in a group, a ratio range is established. Ratio values at a lower end of the ratio range indicate higher relative respiration rates and poor lung performance due to disease. Ratio values at an upper end of the range may indicate low cardiac output and an inability to tolerate rapid weight gain. Ratio values at either end of the range may indicate compromised cardio-pulmonary function. Animals can be further classified by weight, and the ratio values within weight classes are used to generate probabilities for BRD or other diseases.

The invention includes a system and method for predicting the performance of production animals by analysis of heart and lung sounds to determine likelihoods the animals will develop BRD or other diseases or ailments. Vital signs of animals are recorded during an adrenergic sympathetic “flight or fight” situation. A cardio-pulmonary rate ratio is determined for each animal by dividing a normalized adjusted heart rate value by a normalized adjusted respiratory value. From the ratios calculated for each animal in a group, a ratio range is established. Ratio values at a lower end of the ratio range indicate higher relative respiration rates and poor lung performance due to disease. Ratio values at an upper end of the range may indicate low cardiac output and an inability to tolerate rapid weight gain. Ratio values at either end of the range may indicate compromised cardio-pulmonary function. Animals can be further classified by weight, and the ratio values within weight classes are used to generate probabilities for BRD or other diseases.