Among the instruments which are frequently used for the initial diagnosis of health-related complications, stethoscopes occupy a place of their own. Primarily employed for sensing the heart rate, a stethoscope can indicate if a cardiac ailment is present in a patient by merely assisting in the identification of the abnormal cardiac rhythm. Numerous companies manufacture and market stethoscopes of different types and qualities designed to serve a common purpose. One such product is the Littmann stethoscope, a product of 3M Health Care. Let us take a deeper look at the instrument as well as its characteristic features.
Littmann stethoscope
A stethoscope is a diagnostic instrument used to detect and listen to the auditory signals coming from a person’s heart. The Littmann stethoscopes designed by 3M Health Care are extensively used in critical as well as non-critical environments. Their smart designs provide the opportunity for the physician to listen to the heart sounds with such clarity that the detection of diseases becomes easier. Moreover, the company keeps on improving the existing designs to generate newer products with the aim of line extension.
Parts of Littmann stethoscope
Parts of a stethoscope comprise the following:
– Tunable diaphragm
– Rim assembly for the chest piece
– Non-chill bell sleeve
– Soft-sealing ear tips Â
– Stem
– Tubing
Types of Littmann stethoscopes
The Littmann stethoscopes come in various types based on their intended use. These types include the following:
Littmann Classic III Monitoring Stethoscope:Â
The Littmann classic stethoscope is furnished to use in non-critical care units such as general wards, OB/GYN, ambulatory care, or medical offices. It is convenient for both pediatric and adult patients. Its dual-sized, tunable, stainless steel chest piece gives clear and accurate identification of heart sounds. The classic Littmann stethoscope is marketed with a warranty of 5 years.
Littmann Classic II Pediatric Stethoscope:Â
The Littmann pediatric stethoscope is a diagnostic instrument designed especially for children. With a floating diaphragm of 3.3 cm affixed with a dual-sized chest piece, the stethoscope has the potential for detecting low bell as well as high-frequency sounds. The non-chill rim as well as the soft-sealing ear tips enhance the comfort while the product is in use. Furthermore, to avoid allergies, the instruments are prepared free of latex. The Littman pediatric stethoscope has a 3-year warranty.
Littmann Classic II Infant Stethoscope:Â
The Littmann classic infant stethoscope, just like the Littmann classic pediatric stethoscope, is a latex-free product with an even smaller floating diaphragm of 2.7 cm. Its unique design has an angled headset to meet the path of the ear canal. The rest of the features of the Littmann infant stethoscope are similar to those of the pediatric one.
Littmann Lightweight II S.E. Stethoscope:Â
The Littmann lightweight stethoscope is a reliable diagnostic apparatus with a tear-drop-shaped chest piece which renders it easy to tuck under blood pressure cuffs or bandages. The soft-sealing ear tips make it even more comfortable to use. The item comes with a 2-year warranty.
Littmann Cardiology IV Diagnostic Stethoscope:Â
The Littmann Cardiology IV stethoscope is a diagnostic tool employed during critical care i.e. in ED, step-down units, ICU, as well as in cardiac ICU. It has the capability to note minute changes in cardiac activity, a property that comes in handy while dealing with critically ill patients. The design comprises a steel chest piece that is made up of stainless steel and is latex free. With a warranty of 7 years, the item is manufactured in a way to enhance comfort as well as accuracy. It is suitable for both pediatric patients as well as adults.
Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope:Â
The Littmann digital stethoscope is the latest advancement in the product line. It is connected to Eko software through which the sound can be listened to clearly after 40X amplification. It has an active noise cancellation system along with an in-app sound visualization feature. The CORE digital stethoscope comes in two types i.e. 8570 and 8480 both of which are suitable for adult and pediatric patients.
Advantages of Littmann stethoscopes
Among all the stethoscopes used in healthcare facilities, Littmann stethoscopes occupy a certain place often due to their reliability and convenience while employed. Here are some of the advantages of the Littmann stethoscope which render them superior to other products of a similar kind:
– By a simple adjustment of pressure applied on the chest piece, it is possible to differentiate the frequencies in order to listen to more feeble sounds.
– Upon light pressure, the Littmann stethoscopes make it easier for the listener to detect low-frequency sounds such as S1 and S2. However, as soon as the pressure is elevated, the diaphragm movement is hindered thus rendering the low-frequency sounds blocked. In this state, the high-frequency sounds become more pronounced and easy to listen to e.g. respiratory sounds, etc.
– Due to the diaphragm being tunable, the need for the removal, turnover, or repositioning of the chest piece with an aim to listen to varying frequencies is eliminated.
Conclusion
Stethoscopes are one of the items used in healthcare for diagnostic purposes. Among several brands manufacturing and marketing stethoscopes, Littmann stethoscopes dominate the market due to their efficiency in performance and reliability of results. They also come in a wide variety to choose from based on the needs of the patient. Moreover, digital versions of Littmann stethoscopes are even more convenient to employ and utilize. With such ever-improving features and promising performance, the Littmann stethoscopes are here to stay.
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
