Retractable stethoscope

Abstract

A retractable stethoscope comprising a case, at least one piece of acoustic tubing, at least one ear piece, and a chest piece. The chest piece is coupled to one end of the acoustic tubing, and at least one ear piece is coupled to another end of the acoustic tubing. The length of the acoustic tubing may extend from and retract into the case from the ear piece end, the chest piece end of the acoustic tubing, or both ends either independently or simultaneously. The retractable stethoscope may further comprise a belt clip.

Claims

1. A retractable stethoscope, comprising: a case having a top tubing exit, a bottom tubing exit, and having a retracting reel within the case; a length of acoustic tubing having at least one continuous airpath within the acoustic tubing, the length of the acoustic tubing being housed around the retracting reel, and having at least one top end extending from the top tubing exit, and having at least one bottom end extending from the bottom tubing exit; at least one ear piece coupled to a single top end of the acoustic tubing; and a chest piece coupled to at least one bottom end of the acoustic tubing; wherein each ear piece is in fluid communication with the chest piece via the at least one continuous airpath within the acoustic tubing; and wherein the length of the acoustic tubing extends and retracts through the top tubing exit or the bottom tubing exit.

2. The retractable stethoscope of claim 1 wherein the case further comprises: an extension lock configured to lock the acoustic tubing in one or more extended positions to prevent retraction through the top tubing exit or the bottom tubing exit.

3. The retractable stethoscope of claim 1 wherein the retracting reel within the case further comprises: at least one locking tooth configured to lock the acoustic tubing in extended positions corresponding to the size and number of locking teeth.

4. The retractable stethoscope of claim 1 wherein the retractable stethoscope further comprises: a belt clip.

5. A retractable stethoscope, comprising: a case having a top tubing exit, a bottom tubing exit, a front independently retracting reel, a back independently retracting reel, and a center case member; a length of acoustic tubing having at least one top end extending from the top tubing exit and at least one bottom end extending from the bottom tubing exit, the top end having at least one continuous airpath within the acoustic tubing and being housed around the back independently retracting reel, and the bottom end having at least one continuous airpath within the acoustic tubing and being housed around the front independently retracting reel, wherein the top end is coupled with the bottom end by the center case member; at least one ear piece coupled to a single top end of the acoustic tubing; a chest piece coupled to at least one bottom end of the acoustic tubing; wherein the at least one continuous airpath at the top end of the acoustic tubing is coupled to the at least one continuous airpath at the bottom end of the acoustic tubing such that the chest piece is in fluid communication with the at least one ear piece; and wherein the length of the acoustic tubing extends and retracts through the top tubing exit and the bottom tubing exit.

6. The retractable stethoscope of claim 5 wherein the retractable case further comprises: an extension lock configured to lock the acoustic tubing in an extended position to prevent retraction through the top tubing exit or the bottom tubing exit.

7. The retractable stethoscope of claim 5 wherein at least one of the front and back independently retracting reels within the case further comprise: at least one locking tooth configured to lock the acoustic tubing in extended positions corresponding to the size and number of the locking teeth.

8. The retractable stethoscope of claim 5 wherein the retractable stethoscope further comprises: a belt clip.

9. A retractable stethoscope, comprising: a case having a top tubing exit, a bottom tubing exit, a front independently retracting reel, a back independently retracting reel, a front tube connector, a back tube connector, and a gasket, wherein the gasket couples together the front tube connector and the back tube connector; a length of acoustic tubing having at least one top end extending from the top tubing exit and at least one bottom end extending from the bottom tubing exit, the top end having at least one continuous airpath within the acoustic tubing and being housed around the back independently retracting reel, and the bottom end having at least one continuous airpath within the acoustic tubing and being housed around the front independently retracting reel, wherein the top end couples to the back tube connector and the bottom end couples to the front tube connector; at least one ear piece coupled to a single top end of the acoustic tubing; a chest piece coupled to at least one bottom end of the acoustic tubing; wherein the at least one continuous airpath at the top end of the acoustic tubing is coupled to the at least one continuous airpath at the bottom end of the acoustic tubing such that the chest piece is in fluid communication with the at least one ear piece; and wherein the length of the acoustic tubing extends and retracts through the top tubing exit or the bottom tubing exit.

10. The retractable stethoscope of claim 9 wherein the retractable case further comprises: an extension lock configured to lock the acoustic tubing in an extended position to prevent retraction through the top tubing exit or the bottom tubing exit.

11. The retractable stethoscope of claim 9 wherein at least one of the front and back independently retracting reels within the case further comprise: a plurality of locking teeth configured to lock the acoustic tubing in extended positions corresponding to the size and number of the locking teeth.

12. The retractable stethoscope of claim 9 wherein the retractable stethoscope further comprises: a belt clip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the DETAILED DESCRIPTION when considered in connection with the figures. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements or acts. While the figures provide several examples of aspects, elements, modifications, or components that may or may not be variously involved with the systems, methods, and devices described herein, the figures are not provided to define, limit, or affect the scope of the inventions claimed or described herein.

[0023] FIGS. 1 through 5 are views of a retractable stethoscope in a retracted position showing the acoustic tubing housed within the case and coupled to a chest piece on an end, and at least one ear piece on another end.

[0024] FIGS. 6 through 12 are views of a retractable stethoscope case showing the top and bottom tubing exits, an extension lock, and a belt clip coupled to the case.

[0025] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a one-way retractable stethoscope showing a single retracting reel around which the acoustic tubing may spool within the case.

[0026] FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of two-way retractable stethoscope showing two retracting reels around which the top and bottom pieces of acoustic tubing may spool within the case.

[0027] FIG. 15 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a two-way retractable stethoscope showing the freely rotatable tube connectors that improve mobility of the acoustic tubing.

[0028] FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a two-way retractable stethoscope showing the feed-thru path of the acoustic tubing.

[0029] FIG. 17 is a front-to-back cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a two-way retractable stethoscope showing the reel tension springs and the tube connectors loaded into the reels.

[0030] FIG. 18 is a side-to-side cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a two-way retractable stethoscope showing an extension lock and showing a reel tension spring loaded into a reel.

[0031] Elements and acts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not been rendered according to any particular embodiment or example and are not to depict any essential or required limitations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the relevant arts that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices, and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.

[0033] FIGS. 1 through 5 show a retractable stethoscope. A retractable stethoscope may comprise a case 101, at least one length of acoustic tubing 102 having at least one continuous airpath, a chest piece 103, and at least one ear piece 104. The chest piece 103 may be used during diagnostic auscultation to pick up sounds within the body to be transferred through the acoustic tubing 102 to be heard by the user through the ear pieces 104. The chest piece 103 may be used by pressing it up against a patient's body. An ear piece 104 may be used by inserting the ear piece into the user's ear. Each ear piece 104 may be in fluid communication with the chest piece 103 via the at least one continuous airpath within the acoustic tubing 102. The length of the acoustic tubing 102 may be housed within the case 101. A retractable stethoscope may further comprise a belt clip 105 coupled to the case 101. The belt clip 105 may be used to conveniently store and access the retractable stethoscope by clipping onto an article of the user's clothing, such as a belt, a shirt, or a lanyard.

[0034] The case 101, shown in FIGS. 6 through 12, may feature an extension lock 201 that can be used to engage or disengage a locking function at the user's will. An extension lock 201 can be engaged to provide the acoustic tubing 102 with relief from the retracting pull force, allowing the acoustic tubing 102 to remain in an extended position. Once the extension lock 201 is disengaged, the retracting pull force will resume and the acoustic tubing 102 will be retracted from the extended position back into the case 101. The case 101 further comprises a top tubing exit 202 and a bottom tubing exit 202 through which the acoustic tubing 102 passes during extension and/or retraction.

[0035] FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of a one-way retractable stethoscope. A one-way retractable stethoscope may be configured to extended and retract either the ear piece 104 end or the chest piece 103 end of the acoustic tubing 102. A one-way retractable stethoscope case 101 may comprise a front case member 301 and back case member 302. Within the case 101, the retractable stethoscope may further comprise a retracting reel 303 and a reel tension spring 304. The retracting reel 303 may feature one or more locking teeth 501. The acoustic tubing 102 may be spooled around the retracting reel 303 having one end pass through the top tubing exit 202 and another end pass through the bottom tubing exit 203. The retractable stethoscope may be locked in various extended positions corresponding to the size and number of locking teeth 501 on the retracting reel 303. The retractable stethoscope may also be configured such that the reel tension spring 304 may apply a constant rotational force on the retracting reel 303. The constant rotational force results in a retracting pull force that is constantly applied to the acoustic tubing 102 by the retracting reel 303. In a constantly retracting configuration, a case 101 may further comprise an extension lock 201 that may comprise a lock top piece 201a coupled by a switch tension spring 201b to a locking switch 201c. The extension lock 201 may relieve and reapply the retracting pull force to the acoustic tubing 102 at the user's will. When engaging or disengaging the extension lock, the user can use the lock top piece 201a which remains accessible when the case is fully assembled.

[0036] FIG. 14 shows an exploded view of a two-way retractable stethoscope. A two-way retractable stethoscope may be configured to extend and retract both the ear-piece 104 end and the chest-piece 103 end of the acoustic tubing 102. A two-way retractable stethoscope case 101 may comprise a front case member 401, a center case member 402, and a back case member 404. Within the case 101, the retractable stethoscope may further comprise front and back independently retracting reels 404a, 404b, and front and back reel tension springs 405a, 405b. The acoustic tubing 102 may comprise a top end 102a and a bottom end 102b. The top end 102a may spool around the back independently retracting reel 404b and pass through the top tubing exit 202, and the bottom end 102b may spool around the front independently retracting reel 404a and pass through the bottom tubing exit 203. The top end 102a and the bottom end 102b of the acoustic tubing may be coupled by the center case member 402 such that the chest piece 103 may be in fluid communication with the at least one ear piece 104

[0037] The two-way retractable stethoscope may be configured to lock in various extended positions corresponding to the size and number of locking teeth 501 on one or both of the independently retracting reels 404a, 404b. The retractable stethoscope may also be configured such that one or both of the reel tension springs 405a, 405b may apply a constant rotational force on the corresponding independently retracting reel 404a, 404b. The constant rotational force results in a retracting pull force that is constantly applied to the acoustic tubing 102a, 102b by the corresponding independently retracting reel 404a, 404b. In a constantly retracting configuration, a case 101 may further comprise an extension lock 201 that may comprise a lock top piece 201a coupled by a switch tension spring 201b to a locking switch 201c. The extension lock 201 may relieve and reapply the retracting pull force to the acoustic tubing 102 at the user's will. When engaging or disengaging the extension lock, the user can use the lock top piece 201a which remains accessible when the case is fully assembled.

[0038] FIGS. 15 through 18 show views of an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment of a two-way retractable stethoscope. The center case member 402 of this embodiment may further comprise a front and back piece 402a, 402b, front and back tube connectors 406a, 406b, and a gasket 407. Additionally, the acoustic tubing 102 may be configured such that a top end 102a couples to the back tube connector 406b and a bottom end 102b couples with the front tube connector 406a such that the chest piece 103 may be in fluid communication with the at least one earpiece 104. The front and back tube connectors 406a, 406b are freely rotating, increasing the mobility of the acoustic tubing 102 during extension and retraction. The gasket 407 is tightly compressed between the front and back tube connectors 406a, 406b. Alternatively, the tube connectors 406a, 406b and gasket 407 may be exchanged for similar components, such as washers, an axle or spindle, or tacks.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 16 which provides a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the acoustic tubing 102 of a retractable stethoscope may be fed through in the following manner: (1) The top end of the acoustic tubing 102a starts where it is coupled to an ear piece 104, then passes through the top tubing exit 202; spools around and feeds through the back independently retracting reel 404b; then passes through the center of the back independently retracting reel 404b, the back reel tension spring 405b, and the back piece of the center case member 402b; and finally couples to the back tube connector 406b. (2) The bottom end of the acoustic tubing 102b starts where it is coupled to the chest piece 103, then passes through the bottom tubing exit 203; spools around and feeds through the front independently retracting reel 404a; then passes through the center of the front independently retracting reel 404a, the front reel tension spring 405b, and the front piece of the center case member 402a; and finally couples to the front tube connector 406a.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the internal components of an embodiment of a retractable stethoscope fit together in a compact manner where the front and back reel tension springs 405a, 405b may be loaded into the front and back independently retracting reels 404a, 404b, respectively. Then, the front and back tube connectors 406a, 406b may be configured head-to-head and pass through the center of the front and back pieces of the center case member 402a, 402b to couple with the bottom and top ends of the acoustic tubing 102b, 102a, respectively. In this configuration, the front and back tube connectors 406a, 406b may be pressed together such that the gasket 407 is tightly compressed between them.

[0041] Many of the components of the embodiments described above may be commercially available. Those components that are not commercially available may be manufactured using a variety of materials suitable for their intended purposes, including but not limited to various metals and polymers. Exemplary materials may include 7075 aluminum alloy for the case 101, PVC microbore tubing for the acoustic tubing 102, 102a, 102b, ABS plastic for the reels 303, 404a, 404b and neoprene for the gasket 407. Alternatively, the case 101 may be made of a magnetic material such that a user may quickly access or store the stethoscope on a compatible magnetic surface.

[0042] Inventions pertaining to a retractable stethoscope are described above. Various changes may be made to the inventions without departing from their scope. The above descriptions of non-limiting, exemplary embodiments are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, with the invention being defined by the claims and equivalents thereof.