The Littmann™ S.T.C Cardiology Stethoscope meets the exacting standards of health care professionals who demand the highest acoustic response. The Littmann Cardiology STC stethoscope's innovative design allows easy movement and handling by the health care provider while still providing Littmann stethoscopes outstanding acoustics. 3M™ Littmann® Stethoscopes — The Creators of Tunable Technology - Littmann stethoscope's tunable diaphragm technology offers enhanced acoustics, versatility and timesaving convenience. - Switching between bell and diaphragm modes is as easy as a simple pressure change on the chestpiece. There is no longer a need to remove, index and replace for same site auscultation. Bell Mode (low-frequency) Light contact with chestpiece allows you to hear low-frequency sounds. Diaphragm Mode (high-frequency) Without turning the chestpiece over, use firm pressure to hear high-frequency sounds. Tunable Diaphragm Specifics Traditional combination chestpieces have a bell and diaphragm. The bell is meant to be used for low frequency sounds. The diaphragm should be used for high frequency sounds. Several years ago, Littmann stethoscopes introduced a unique, single-sided chestpiece on the Master Cardiology and Master Classic II Stethoscopes. This single-sided chestpiece, combines both bell and diaphragm modes into one side. The construction of the suspended diaphragm membrane, combined with the internal attenuater ring within the chestpiece result in what is referred to as a "tunable diaphragm." Advantages of Using a Tunable Diaphragm When using a stethoscope with a tunable diaphragm, the user does not have to remove the chestpiece from the patient in order to change from the bell to diaphragm mode. Also, the chestpiece is shaped to provide a more comfortable grip for better feel and control. When listening to low frequency sounds with a tunable diaphragm as opposed to a bell, there will be an increase in amplitude, or loudness. This is because the sound is coming through a diaphragm with a larger surface area, as opposed to the smaller opening on a standard bell. The sound pressure level increases with an increase in contact area on the patient. |