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Abstract

A compact hybrid stethoscope comprises a detachable headpiece for picking up auscultory sounds, a flexible tubing pneumatically connected to the headpiece for transmitting the auscultory sounds, an amplifier unit pneumatically connected to the flexible tube for receiving the auscultory sounds and reproducing amplified auscultory sounds, and a pair of auricles pneumatically connected to the amplifier for transmitting the reproduced sounds to the user's ears. An automatic on/off timer switch is connected to the amplifier so that even if inadvertently left on, the on/off timer automatically switches off the hybrid stethoscope after a predetermined interval, thus saving electric power. A tone control is connected to the amplifier so that the user may listen to the particularly desired auscultory sounds, such as respiratory or cardiac sounds while eliminating certain other auscultory sounds. A volume control is connected to the amplifier so that at the minimum volume the hybrid stethoscope works as a traditional acoustic stethoscope while at the maximum volume it enables a user to hear auscultory sounds through several layers of cloth in a noisy room.

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First Claim