Stethoscope

Abstract

To provide an unprecedented, highly practical stethoscope.SOLUTION: A stethoscope comprises a sound collector 1 to be brought into contact with a sound source H to collect sound generated from the sound source H. The sound collector 1 includes a first base body 2 having a first recess 2a at a tip, and a second base body 4 movably provided on the first base body 2 and having a second recess 4a at a tip. The sound collector consists of a first sound collector 3 including a sound source contact diaphragm 3a in an opening of the first recess 2a of the first base body 2, and a second sound collector 5 using an opening edge of the second recess 4a of the second base body 4 as a sound source contact part 5a, where the sound source contact part 5a is configured to freely protrude and retract with respect to the sound source contact diaphragm 3a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a stethoscope.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a stethoscope used for examination in a medical field, for example, a stethoscope (hereinafter, a conventional example) disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed.

[0003] This conventional example has a structure in which a sound collecting part (chest piece) and a sound listening part (ear tip) are connected by a sound transmission tube, and the sound collecting part is abutted against a sound source (such as the chest), and the sound generated from the sound source is listened to by the sound listening part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, the sound collecting part of this conventional example has two types of sound collecting structures on the base body. That is, a diaphragm part for collecting high-frequency band sound (sound wave) is provided at one end of the base body, and a bell part for collecting low-frequency band sound (sound wave) lower than the diaphragm part is provided at the other end of the base body (opposite side of the diaphragm part). It is a so-called double type, and the base body is turned over and used according to the application. However, every time it is used, the orientation of the base body must be confirmed and it must be moved. Moreover, in the actual field, although it is disinfected every time, because of the structure of holding the unused side part by hand, there are also patients who feel resistance to having the part held by hand applied to the body from the hygienic point of view.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a stethoscope with extremely high practicality that has never existed before.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The gist of the present invention will be explained with reference to the attached drawings.

[0008] A stethoscope equipped with a sound-collecting unit 1 that is in contact with a sound source H to collect sound generated from the sound source H, wherein the sound-collecting unit 1 comprises a first base body 2 having a first recess 2a at its tip, and a second base body 4 movably mounted on the first base body 2 and having a second recess 4a at its tip, and the first base body 2 in The first sound collection unit 3 has a sound source contact diaphragm 3a provided in the opening of the first recess 2a, and the second base 4 in It consists of a second sound collection unit 5, the opening edge of the second recess 4a being the sound source contact portion 5a, and the sound source contact portion 5a is provided to be able to protrude and retract relative to the sound source contact diaphragm 3a. Re, Also, The second base 4 is movably mounted on the first base 2 via a movable structure 6, and an operating part 7 for operating the movable structure 6 is provided at the base end of the first base 2. This invention relates to a stethoscope characterized by the following features.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a stethoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that the first sound-collecting section 3 is a diaphragm section that collects high-frequency sounds, and the second sound-collecting section 5 is a bell section that collects low-frequency sounds lower than those of the first sound-collecting section 3.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a stethoscope according to either claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sound source contact diaphragm 3a is provided in a manner that surrounds the sound source contact portion 5a. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] As described above, this invention is a highly practical stethoscope that is extremely easy to use, provides excellent performance, and offers a sense of hygienic safety. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the main part of this embodiment. [Figure 3] It is an end view showing the main part of this embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view explaining the main part of this embodiment. [Figure 5] It is an operation explanatory view of the main part of this embodiment. [Figure 6] It is an explanatory view of the main part of this embodiment. [Figure 7] It is an explanatory view of the usage state of this embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention considered to be suitable will be briefly described based on the drawings showing the operation of the present invention.

[0014] When collecting sound using the first sound collecting part 3, the sound source contact part 5a is in a submerged state with respect to the sound source contact diaphragm 3a, and with the first base body 2 supported, the sound source contact diaphragm 3a is brought into contact with the sound source H to collect sound. At this time, since the sound source contact part 5a does not contact the sound source H, no sound is collected by the second sound collecting part 5.

[0015] On the other hand, when collecting sound using the second sound collecting part 5, the sound source contact part 5a is in a protruding state with respect to the sound source contact diaphragm 3a, and in the same manner as above, with the first base body 2 supported, the sound source contact part 5a is brought into contact with the sound source H to collect sound. At this time, since the sound source contact diaphragm 3a does not contact the sound source H, no sound is collected by the first sound collecting part 3.

[0016] That is, by performing a switching operation to project and submerge the sound source contact part 5a with respect to the sound source contact diaphragm 3a, in the state of supporting the first base body 2, without having to move it around such as turning the base body over as in the conventional example described above, the sound collecting operations can be performed by both the first sound collecting part 3 and the second sound collecting part 5, and moreover, the sound collecting operation can be performed without touching either the first sound collecting part 3 or the second sound collecting part 5.

[0017] Therefore, there is no need to move it around such as turning the base body over as in the conventional example described above, it is very easy to use and a good usage state can be obtained, and moreover, it is also good in terms of hygiene.

Example

[0018] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0019] This embodiment is a stethoscope provided with a sound collecting part 1 that abuts against a sound source H and collects the sound generated from the sound source H. Incidentally, in this embodiment, although it is configured as a medical stethoscope with the target sound source H being the human body, it may also be configured to listen to mechanical sounds, and it can be appropriately applied as long as it is an application that exhibits the characteristics of this embodiment.

[0020] Specifically, the stethoscope according to this embodiment is composed of a sound collecting part 1 and a sound listening part 21 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0021] The sound collecting part 1 includes a first base body 2 having a first recess 2a at its tip, and a second base body 4 that is movably provided on the first base body 2 and has a second recess 4a at its tip. The sound collecting part 1 further includes a first sound collecting part 3 provided with a sound source abutting vibration plate 3a at the opening of the first recess 2a of the first base body 2, and a second sound collecting part 5 having a sound source abutting part 5a at the opening edge of the second recess 4a of the second base body 4. The sound source abutting part 5a (the surface of the annular part) is provided so as to be able to protrude and retract with respect to the surface of the sound source abutting vibration plate 3a.

[0022] The first base body 2 is formed of an appropriate metal member (stainless steel) as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and has a shape that gradually increases in diameter from the base end part with a smaller diameter to the tip part with a larger diameter, having a hollow recess with an opening at the tip part. In this hollow recess, an appropriate circular dish-shaped sound collecting plate 2' made of metal is arranged, and the first recess 2a is provided. Incidentally, the first base body 2 and the sound collecting plate 2' may be made of synthetic resin.

[0023] At the center of this first recess 2a, a circular cylindrical recess 2b for arranging the second base body 4 described later is provided as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Further, in this embodiment, a partition plate 2c is provided between the inner surface of the first recess 2a and the outer surface of the recess 2b, and the first recess 2a is divided into left and right parts.

[0024] Furthermore, a semi-donut shaped sound source contact diaphragm 3a (membrane) is installed (stretched) across the opening (opening edge) of each first recess 2a, and this sound source contact diaphragm 3a is provided so as to surround the sound source contact portion 5a, which will be described later, when viewed from the tip direction of the sound collection portion 1.

[0025] Furthermore, a sound-collecting microphone 8 (left and right stereo microphones) is provided at the bottom of each first recess 2a.

[0026] Therefore, when the sound source contact diaphragm 3a is brought into contact with the sound source H, the sound generated from the sound source H is collected from the sound source contact diaphragm 3a into the first recess 2, and this sound (mainly high-frequency sound waves) is collected by each sound-collecting microphone 8, thus forming the first sound-collecting unit 3 (diaphragm unit) that collects sound from the sound source H.

[0027] The sound (sound waves) collected by the sound-collecting microphone 8 is converted into an electrical signal (biological sound signal) by the electrical signal conversion unit 9, and this electrical signal (biological sound signal) is transmitted to the sound-gathering unit 21 via the wireless communication unit 10 (for example, Bluetooth®) provided on the first base unit 2.

[0028] Reference numeral 2d denotes the battery compartment with a cover 2d', 2e denotes the socket for connecting the terminals 15b of the charger described later, 2g denotes a ventilation hole for properly vibrating the sound source contact diaphragm 3a, 11 denotes the battery housed in the battery compartment 2d, and 17 denotes a protruding finger rest that can be used to grip when switching between the first sound collection unit 3 and the second sound collection unit 5, and can also be used as a grip when attaching or detaching the cover 2d'.

[0029] Furthermore, the first base body 2 is provided with a movable structure 6 that allows the second base body 4, which will be described later, to move freely.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the movable structure 6 is a knock-type structure consisting of a knock rod 6a having a serrated tip, a rotor 6b having vanes that engage with the serrated tip of the knock rod 6a, and a cylindrical cam body 6c having a cam that receives the vanes of the rotor 6b. The base end of the knock rod 6a is positioned to protrude from an opening provided at the base end of the first base body 2 and is configured as an operating part 7 that is pushed in.

[0031] Furthermore, the tip of the rotor 6b is supported by an action rod 6e that is biased toward the base end by a biasing member 6d, and the tip of this action rod 6e is connected to the second base 4.

[0032] Therefore, when the operating part 7 (knock rod 6a) is pressed once, the rotor 6b rotates relative to the cam body 6 and descends and stops, causing the working rod 6e to move towards the tip and maintain this state (sound source contact part 5a protruding relative to the sound source contact diaphragm 3a). Next, when the operating part 7 (knock rod 6a) is pressed once, the rotor 6b rotates relative to the cam body 6 and rises and stops, causing the working rod 6e to move towards the base and maintain this state (sound source contact part 5a retracted relative to the sound source contact diaphragm 3a).

[0033] Furthermore, the first base body 2 (sound collection section 1) is provided with a connecting recess 2f for connecting a gripping rod 12 having a predetermined length (approximately 30 cm).

[0034] This connecting recess 2f is made of a magnetic material to which a magnet can be detachably attached, and is configured so that a spherical magnet portion 12a provided at the tip of the gripping rod 12 can be movably fitted into it and connected via a ball joint.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the gripping rod 12 includes both an extendable type formed by connecting multiple rod members 12b as shown in Figure 1, and a type equipped with a flexible arm 12c that can be bent and deformed. Both types are provided with a spherical magnet 12a at the tip that magnetically attaches to a connecting recess 2f. It is also possible to have both functions (extendable function and bendable function).

[0036] Therefore, it becomes possible to auscultate while holding the gripping rod 12 and maintaining a predetermined distance from the sound source H, and moreover, it becomes difficult to touch either the first sound collection section 3 or the second sound collection section 5.

[0037] Reference numeral 18 denotes a remote control switch having the same function as switch 16, which will be described later.

[0038] The second base body 4, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, is made of a suitable metal material (stainless steel) and has a circular cross-section that gradually increases in diameter from the small base end to the large tip end, and is a bottomed cylindrical shape (bell shape), with a second recess 4a that opens at the tip.

[0039] A partition plate 13 is provided in the second recess 4a, and the second recess 4a is divided into left and right sections. The second base 4 may also be made of synthetic resin.

[0040] Furthermore, each second recess 4a is provided with a sound source contact portion 5a made of synthetic resin at the opening edge and the tip of the partition plate 13.

[0041] Furthermore, a pair of holes 4a' are provided on the left and right sides of the partition plate 13 at the bottom of each second recess 4a, and a cylindrical part 4b is provided at the base end of each second recess 4a (second base 4), with the interior divided into left and right sections and each section having a sound-collecting microphone 14 (left and right stereo microphones). The tip of the operating rod 6e of the aforementioned movable structure 6 is connected to the base end of this cylindrical part 4b.

[0042] Therefore, the second base body 4 is positioned in the recess 2b located in the center of the first recess 2a, and the movable structure 6 causes the sound source contact portion 5a to protrude relative to the sound source contact diaphragm 3a. When the sound source contact portion 5a is brought into contact with the sound source H, the sound generated from the sound source H is collected in each of the second recesses 4a, and this sound (sound waves ranging from a wide range of frequencies to mainly in the low-frequency band) is collected by each sound-collecting microphone 14, thus forming a second sound-collecting unit 5 (bell section) that collects sound from the sound source H.

[0043] The sound (sound waves) collected by each of these sound-collecting microphones 14 is converted into an electrical signal (biological sound signal) by the electrical signal conversion unit 9, and this electrical signal (biological sound signal) is transmitted to the sound-gathering unit 21 via the wireless communication unit 10 (for example, Bluetooth®) provided on the first base unit 2.

[0044] Furthermore, the second base 4 is detachably attached to the cylindrical portion 4b (first base 2) (so that it can be screwed on and off), and by removing the second base 4 as needed, the second base 4, the cylindrical portion 4b, and the surrounding area can be wiped and disinfected, thus maintaining a hygienic condition.

[0045] Reference numeral 19 denotes a lid that closes the second base 4 (the opening of the second recess 4a).

[0046] The sound-gathering unit 21 employs a structure that utilizes bone conduction, as shown in Figures 1 and 7 (for example, a bone conduction earphone / wireless device with vibrating parts 21a at both ends of a mounting band 21b that is worn on the head or neck), and is configured to receive electrical signals transmitted from the wireless communication unit 10 of the sound-collecting unit 1 and convert them into sound for listening.

[0047] Furthermore, the listening unit 21 may be a U-shaped connecting base with wireless earphone units (ear tips) attached to both ends (free ends). Also, in this embodiment, sound (sound waves) are transmitted wirelessly from the sound collection unit 1 to the listening unit 21, but a configuration using a tube for transmission is also possible.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first base unit 2 is also provided with a switch 16 for starting and stopping the aforementioned sound-collecting microphones 8 and 14 and electronic equipment (electrical signal conversion unit 9 and wireless communication unit 10).

[0049] This switch 16 is a ring-shaped button located around the operating unit 7. It can be started and stopped by pressing and holding it, and the volume of the sound-collecting microphones 8 and 14 can be adjusted by pressing and holding it briefly.

[0050] Furthermore, when the sound source contact part 5a is submerged relative to the sound source contact diaphragm 3a, the sound-collecting microphone 8 is on and the sound-collecting microphone 14 is off, allowing for volume adjustment (amplification) of the sound-collecting microphone 8. When the sound source contact part 5a protrudes relative to the sound source contact diaphragm 3a, the sound-collecting microphone 8 is off and the sound-collecting microphone 14 is on, allowing for volume adjustment (amplification) of the sound-collecting microphone 14. Therefore, even faint sounds that are difficult to hear can be reliably detected.

[0051] Furthermore, this embodiment includes a dedicated charger 15.

[0052] As shown in Figure 6, this portable charger 15 has a holder portion 15a on its front that houses and holds the sound collection unit 1 (first base 2), and is configured to be locked in place when stored in a clothing pocket. Reference numeral 15b indicates a terminal that connects to the socket 2e provided on the sound collection unit 1.

[0053] As this embodiment is configured as described above, when collecting sound using the first sound collection unit 3, the sound source contact part 5a is set to be submerged from the sound source contact diaphragm 3a (see Figure 2), and the sound source contact diaphragm 3a is brought into contact with the sound source H while the first base 2 is supported (in Figure 7, it is held via the gripping rod 12) to collect sound. In this case, the sound source contact part 5a does not come into contact with the sound source H, and therefore is not collected by the second sound collection unit 5.

[0054] On the other hand, when collecting sound using the second sound collection unit 5, the sound source contact part 5a is made to protrude from the sound source contact diaphragm 3a (see Figure 5), and the sound source contact part 5a is brought into contact with the sound source H while supporting the first base 2 in the same manner as above (in Figure 7, it is held via the gripping rod 12) to collect sound. In this case, the sound source contact diaphragm 3a does not come into contact with the sound source H, and therefore is not collected by the first sound collection unit 3.

[0055] In other words, by switching the sound source contact portion 5a to protrude from the sound source contact diaphragm 3a, sound collection work can be performed on both the first sound collection unit 3 and the second sound collection unit 5 while the first base 2 is being supported (held via the gripping rod 12 in Figure 7), and moreover, sound collection work can be performed without touching either the first sound collection unit 3 or the second sound collection unit 5.

[0056] Therefore, according to this embodiment, there is no need to flip the base over (reverse the front and back) or change how you hold it, as in the conventional example described above, resulting in a very easy-to-use and good user experience, as well as a sense of hygienic security.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first sound collection unit 3 is a diaphragm unit that collects high-frequency sounds, and the second sound collection unit 5 is a bell unit that collects low-frequency sounds lower than those of the first sound collection unit 3. Therefore, these two functions (diaphragm function and bell function) can be switched as needed for optimal use.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second base 4 is movably mounted on the first base 2 via a movable structure 6, and an operating unit 7 for operating the movable structure 6 is provided at the base end of the first base 2. Therefore, the two functions described above can be switched using the operating unit 7 provided at the base end of the first base 2 on the side opposite to where the first sound collection unit 3 and the second sound collection unit 5 are provided.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the sound source contact diaphragm 3a is provided in a manner that surrounds the sound source contact portion 5a, the aforementioned effects can be reliably achieved with a simple structure.

[0060] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the specific configuration of each constituent element can be designed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] H sound source 1 Sound collection section 2 First base 2a First recess 3. First sound collection section 3a audio source connected to vibrating board 4 Second matrix 4a Second concave area 5 Episode 2 Sound Department 5a Sound source connection 6. Movable Structure 7. Operations Section

Claims

1. A stethoscope equipped with a sound-collecting section that contacts a sound source to collect sound generated from the sound source, wherein the sound-collecting section comprises a first base body having a first recess at its tip, and a second base body movably mounted on the first base body and having a second recess at its tip, and consists of a first sound-collecting section in which a sound source contact diaphragm is provided at the opening of the first recess in the first base body, and a second sound-collecting section in which the opening edge of the second recess in the second base body is used as the sound source contact section, wherein the sound source contact section is provided so as to be able to protrude from and retract with respect to the sound source contact diaphragm, and the second base body is movably mounted on the first base body via a movable structure, and an operating section for operating the movable structure is provided at the base end of the first base body.

2. A stethoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that the first sound-collecting section is a diaphragm section that collects sounds in the high-frequency band, and the second sound-collecting section is a bell section that collects sounds in the low-frequency band lower than that of the first sound-collecting section.

3. A stethoscope according to either claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sound source contact diaphragm is provided in a manner that surrounds the sound source contact portion.

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