阅读说明：本技术 膜片和其听诊头组件 (Diaphragm and stethoscope head assembly thereof ) 是由 林资智 黄毓承 于 2018-06-01 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种听诊头组件。所述听诊头组件包括一膜片和一主体。所述膜片包括一薄膜部和一密封部,所述密封部是从所述薄膜部的一边缘延伸且包括一环形凸起平台和一连接部,所述连接部是从所述环形凸起平台的一边缘向下延伸。所述主体可拆卸地连接所述膜片,包括一收音构件。所述膜片的所述连接部和所述环形凸起平台共同形成一环形容置槽,所述环形容置槽用于容纳所述主体的所述收音构件。(The invention provides a stethoscope head component. The stethoscope head assembly includes a diaphragm and a body. The diaphragm comprises a film part and a sealing part, wherein the sealing part extends from one edge of the film part and comprises an annular raised platform and a connecting part, and the connecting part extends downwards from one edge of the annular raised platform. The main body is detachably connected with the diaphragm and comprises a sound receiving component. The connecting part of the diaphragm and the annular raised platform form an annular accommodating groove together, and the annular accommodating groove is used for accommodating the sound receiving component of the main body.)

1. A diaphragm for a stethoscope head assembly, comprising:

a thin film portion; and

the sealing part extends from one edge of the film part and comprises an annular raised platform and a connecting part, the connecting part extends downwards from one edge of the annular raised platform, and the connecting part and the annular raised platform form an annular accommodating groove together.

2. The membrane of claim 1, wherein said membrane is made of an elastic material with a shore hardness of 30-80, and said elastic material comprises silicone, thermosetting rubber, thermoplastic rubber, or a combination thereof.

3. The diaphragm of claim 1 wherein said membrane portion has a thickness less than a thickness of said annular raised platform of said sealing portion.

4. A diaphragm according to claim 3 wherein the thickness of the membrane portion is in the range 0.05mm to 1mm and the diameter of the membrane portion is in the range 30mm to 50 mm.

5. The diaphragm of claim 1 wherein said annular raised land comprises a land top surface, a land bottom surface, an annular first sidewall projecting inwardly from one edge of said land top surface, and an annular second sidewall projecting outwardly from another edge of said land top surface; and

the connecting part comprises a locking part and a resisting part, and the resisting part is connected between the locking part and the annular convex platform.

6. The membrane of claim 5 wherein the annular first sidewall of the annular raised platform and a top surface of the membrane portion form an included angle, the included angle being in a range of 120 degrees and 180 degrees.

7. The diaphragm of claim 1 wherein said sealing portion further comprises a first mating element disposed on a bottom surface of said annular raised platform adjacent to said membrane portion.

8. The diaphragm of claim 7 wherein said first mating member is a groove.

9. The diaphragm of claim 7 wherein said first mating element is a protrusion.

10. The membrane of claim 1, further comprising a coating layer disposed on a bottom surface of the film portion and a platform bottom surface of the annular raised platform.

11. A membrane according to claim 10, wherein said coating layer is made of silicone, leather lacquer resin (soft touch paint), thermoplastic polyurethane (thermoplastic polyurethane), thermoplastic rubber (thermoplastic rubber) or a combination thereof.

12. The membrane of claim 1, wherein the membrane is manufactured by 3D printing.

13. A stethoscope head assembly, comprising:

a diaphragm, comprising:

a thin film portion;

a sealing portion extending from an edge of the film portion, comprising:

an annular raised platform;

the first matching assembly is arranged on the bottom surface of the annular raised platform and is adjacent to the thin film part; and

a connecting portion extending downward from an edge of the annular raised platform;

a body removably coupled to the diaphragm, comprising:

a sound receiving component;

the sound receiving component comprises a second matching component, the second matching component is aligned to a top surface of the sound receiving component and matched with the first matching component of the annular raised platform, and the annular raised platform between the connecting part and the diaphragm jointly forms an annular accommodating groove to accommodate the sound receiving component of the main body.

14. The stethoscope head assembly of claim 13, wherein said diaphragm is made of an elastomeric material having a shore hardness of 30-80, said elastomeric material comprising silicone, thermoset rubber, thermoplastic rubber, or combinations thereof.

15. The stethoscope head assembly of claim 13, wherein the membrane portion has a thickness less than the thickness of the annular raised platform of the sealing portion.

16. The stethoscope head assembly of claim 15, wherein the membrane portion has a thickness ranging from 0.05mm to 1mm and a diameter ranging from 30mm to 50 mm.

17. The stethoscope head assembly of claim 13, wherein said annular raised platform comprises a platform top surface, a platform bottom surface, an annular first sidewall projecting inwardly from an edge of said platform top surface, and an annular second sidewall projecting outwardly from another edge of said platform top surface; and

the connecting part comprises a locking part and a resisting part, and the resisting part is connected between the locking part and the annular convex platform.

18. The stethoscope head assembly as defined in claim 17 wherein the annular first sidewall of the annular raised platform and a top surface of the membrane portion form an included angle in the range of about 120 degrees and about 180 degrees.

19. The stethoscope head assembly of claim 13, wherein the width of said second mating member ranges from 1mm to 3 mm.

20. The stethoscope head assembly of claim 12, further comprising a relaxed state, wherein the relaxed state is when the first mating member is not in contact with the second mating member; and a compressed state in which the first mating member is in contact with and in close proximity to the second mating member, wherein the relaxed state is transformed to the compressed state by external pressure on the stethoscope head assembly.

21. The stethoscope head assembly of claim 13, wherein the first mating member is a recess and the second mating member is a protrusion.

22. The stethoscope head assembly of claim 13, wherein the first mating member is a protrusion and the second mating member is a recess.

23. The stethoscope head assembly as defined in claim 13 wherein said annular receiving channel has an outer diameter equal to an outer diameter of said sound receiving member.

24. The stethoscope head assembly as defined in claim 13 wherein the sound receiving member further comprises a locking portion disposed at an edge of the sound receiving member, wherein the locking portion of the sound receiving member has a thickness equal to the height of the annular receiving groove.

25. The stethoscope head assembly of claim 13, further comprising a coating disposed on a bottom surface of the membrane portion and a platform bottom surface of the raised annular platform.

26. The stethoscope head assembly of claim 25, wherein said coating layer comprises silicone rubber made of silicone, leather lacquer (soft touch paint), thermoplastic polyurethane (thermoplastic polyurethane), thermoplastic rubber (thermoplastic rubber), or combinations thereof.

27. The stethoscope head assembly of claim 13, wherein the diaphragm is fabricated using 3D printing.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a stethoscope head component and a diaphragm for the stethoscope head component.

Background

Various stethoscope head assemblies are commercially available, and conventional stethoscope head assemblies generally consist of a main body, a Polycarbonate (PC) membrane, and a ring or O-ring metal, wherein the PC membrane is connected to the main body via the O-ring metal.

One drawback of conventional stethoscope head assemblies is that: the assembly process is time consuming and it is difficult to accurately align the multiple components in the membrane in a particular area. Moreover, the assembly of the PC diaphragm with the O-ring metal does not seal properly, reducing the conductive surface of the PC diaphragm, and therefore, the sound-absorbing capability of the conventional stethoscope head assembly is poor.

Yet another disadvantage of conventional stethoscope head assemblies is that: the auscultation of the human body can generate friction noise. Friction noise is often generated when the stethoscope head assembly is removed from the patient's body, slid over the body, or flipped over the other side of the stethoscope head assembly, and the volume of the friction noise is related to the size of the friction area on the contact surface of the diaphragm with the patient.

Another disadvantage of the conventional stethoscope head assembly is that: after the auscultation is completed, the conventional auscultation head assembly is wiped with alcohol to sterilize or another new diaphragm is replaced to ensure hygiene and prevent infection, and when the diaphragm is replaced, it is often difficult to seal the diaphragm with the main body, thereby possibly causing a bad auscultation experience.

Moreover, because the conventional PC diaphragm is made of hard material, the hard diaphragm is easy to cause discomfort to patients when the stethoscope head assembly is pressed on the human body.

Furthermore, considering various diagnostic applications of chest physiological sounds, physicians need a stethoscope head assembly that can switch between high and low frequencies. Generally, a doctor listens to high-frequency and low-frequency sounds by switching the contact surface of the head assembly, however, it is difficult for the doctor to precisely locate the position on the patient's body by switching the contact surface of the head assembly.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a stethoscope head assembly having excellent sound-receiving capabilities, low frictional noise, and easy switching between high and low frequencies.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a diaphragm for a stethoscope head assembly. The diaphragm comprises a thin film part and a sealing part. The sealing part extends from one edge of the film part and comprises an annular raised platform and a connecting part, the connecting part extends downwards from the annular raised platform, and the connecting part and the annular raised platform form an annular accommodating groove together.

In a preferred embodiment, the diaphragm is made of an elastic material having a Shore hardness of 30-80.

In a preferred embodiment, the elastic material comprises silicone, thermoset rubber, thermoplastic rubber or a combination thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the membrane portion is less than the thickness of the annular raised platform of the sealing portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the thin film portion ranges from 0.05mm to 1 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the membrane portion is in the range of 30mm-50 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the annular raised platform includes a platform top surface, a platform bottom surface, an annular first sidewall, and an annular second sidewall. The annular first sidewall projects inwardly from one edge of the platform top surface and the annular second sidewall projects outwardly from the other edge of the platform top surface. The connecting part comprises a locking part and a resisting part, and the resisting part is connected between the locking part and the annular convex platform.

In a preferred embodiment, the annular first sidewall of the annular raised platform and a top surface of the thin film portion form an included angle, and the included angle ranges from 120 degrees to 180 degrees.

In a preferred embodiment, the sealing portion further comprises a first mating member disposed on a bottom surface of the annular raised platform adjacent to the membrane portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the first mating member is a groove.

In a preferred embodiment, the first mating member is a protrusion.

In a preferred embodiment, the membrane further includes a coating layer disposed on the bottom surface of the annular raised platform and the film portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the coating layer is made of silicone, leather lacquer resin (soft touch paint), thermoplastic polyurethane (thermoplastic polyurethane), thermoplastic rubber (thermoplastic rubber), or a combination thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the coating layer of the membrane is in the range of 0.04mm to 0.1 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the coating layer is disposed on the bottom of the film portion and the annular protrusion platform.

In a preferred embodiment, the membrane is manufactured by 3D printing.

Another embodiment of the present invention also provides a stethoscope head assembly. The stethoscope head assembly includes a diaphragm and a body. The diaphragm includes a membrane portion and a sealing portion extending from an edge of the membrane portion. The seal portion includes an annular raised platform, a first mating member, and a connecting portion. The first matching component is arranged on one bottom surface of the annular raised platform and is adjacent to the thin film. The connecting portion extends downward from an edge of the annular raised platform. The main body is detachably connected with the diaphragm and comprises a sound receiving component. The sound receiving member includes a second mating element aligned with the sound receiving member on a top surface of the sound receiving member to mate with the first mating element of the annular raised platform. The connecting part and the annular raised platform of the diaphragm jointly form an annular accommodating groove which is used for accommodating the sound receiving component of the main body.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stethoscope head assembly further comprises a relaxed state and a compressed state. The relaxed state is the first mating component not in contact with the second mating component; the compressed state is when the first mating component is in contact and against the second mating component. The stethoscope head assembly transitions from the relaxed state to the compressed state by external pressure.

In a preferred embodiment, the shape of the second matching component substantially corresponds to the shape of the first matching component.

In a preferred embodiment, the second mating member is a protrusion.

In a preferred embodiment, the second mating member is a groove.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer diameter of the annular receiving groove is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the sound receiving member.

In a preferred embodiment, the sound receiving member further includes a fastening portion disposed at an edge of the sound receiving member, wherein a thickness of the fastening portion of the sound receiving member is substantially equal to a height of the annular receiving groove.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a disposable capsule for receiving a diaphragm of a stethoscope head assembly. The disposable capsule includes a soft shell for housing the membrane and a sealing membrane configured to seal the soft shell.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a package for containing a plurality of disposable capsules. Each disposable capsule includes a diaphragm for a stethoscope head assembly. The package includes a tear-off portion disposed on a surface of the package and configured to form an opening when torn off, and a plurality of the disposable capsules are received in the package.

Drawings

The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts of an embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a numbered schematic diagram illustrating a stethoscope head assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a stethoscope head assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a stethoscope head assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV in fig. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is another cross-sectional view of the stethoscope head assembly taken along line IV of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a stethoscope head assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is another exploded cross-sectional view of a stethoscope head assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a decibel value (dB) result for multiple stethoscope head assemblies using different diaphragms to collect different frequencies of sound according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a method step of manufacturing the diaphragm according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing a disposable capsule containing a diaphragm according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a disposable capsule and sealing membrane according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates the method steps for replacing a membrane of a disposable capsule according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a plurality of packages holding a plurality of disposable capsules according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale, but are drawn to emphasize relevant features of the invention. In the text and drawings of the present invention, like reference characters denote like elements.

The following detailed description will further illustrate the invention in conjunction with the above-described figures.

Detailed Description

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete. Reference numerals for corresponding components may correspond to similar components.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or "having," as used herein, are intended to specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of further features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The term "substantially" refers to features substantially conforming to a particular size, shape or other characteristic modified by the word such that the component need not be entirely accurate. For example, "substantially cylindrical" means that the object resembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. The term "comprising" when used, means "including, but not necessarily limited to"; it is expressly intended that all combinations, groups, series, etc. described above are included in the open or collective term. The terms "first," "second," "third," and other terms of the present disclosure are used as textual labels only where possible, but such coordination practices are not limited to only these terms. It should also be noted that these terms may be used interchangeably.

It is understood that the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Although the terms first, second, and third may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, components and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, components and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, component, and/or section from another element, component, region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, section or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein may be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terms should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with the context of the present invention and the relevant art, and terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should not be interpreted as having an idealized or overly formal meaning unless expressly so defined herein.

Referring to fig. 1, a diagram of a stethoscope head assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. A stethoscope head assembly 1 includes a main body 20 and a diaphragm 10, wherein the main body 20 is detachably connected with the diaphragm 10. The diaphragm 10 includes a thin film portion 11 and a sealing portion 12, the sealing portion 12 extends from an edge of the thin film portion 11, the thin film portion 11 and the sealing portion 12 can be integrally formed, so that the overall structure can improve sound-absorbing performance, and the diaphragm 10 can be easily mounted on the main body 20.

As shown in fig. 1, the thin film portion 11 and the sealing portion 12 together form a concave conductive space 13, thereby isolating the environmental noise during auscultation.

The membrane 10 may be made of an elastic material to facilitate comfortable use of the membrane 10. The elastomeric material may have thermal insulation properties and a Shore a hardness of approximately 30 to 80. The elastomeric material may also have a heat distortion temperature of at least greater than 50 degrees, high impact strength, and high wear resistance. The elastic material may be silicone, thermoset rubber, thermoplastic rubber, or a combination thereof. Accordingly, the material properties of the diaphragm 10 provide sufficient tension to secure the diaphragm 10 to the body 20 and improve the sound reception of the diaphragm 10 over a wide frequency range, and further, to facilitate the replacement or removal of the diaphragm 10 from the body 20.

In an exemplary embodiment, the diaphragm 10 may be circular. In another exemplary embodiment, the diaphragm 10 may be elliptical. The diaphragm 10 may be designed with a suitable size and/or shape to matingly receive the body 20.

Referring to FIG. 2, an exploded view of a stethoscope head assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Fig. 2 shows that the diaphragm 10 and the body 20 are circular, and the thin film portion 11 of the diaphragm 10 is also substantially circular. The thin film portion 11 is provided with: the membrane portion 11 is used to conduct vibrations when the stethoscope head assembly 1 is pressed on a patient. Preferably, the thickness of the thin film portion 11 may range from 0.05mm to 1mm, and the diameter of the thin film portion 11 may range from 30mm to 50 mm. An annular projection platform 121 extends from an edge of the thin film portion 11, and further, a connecting portion 122 extends downward from an edge of the annular projection platform 121.

The main body 20 includes a sound receiving member 21 and a sound conducting member 22, the sound conducting member 22 protrudes downward from the center of the sound receiving member 21, and the sound receiving member 21 and the sound conducting member 22 can be integrally formed. An engaging portion 211 is disposed on an edge of the sound receiving member 21. The sound-receiving member 21 includes a top surface 212, and the top surface 212 directly faces and contacts the diaphragm 10 when the diaphragm 10 is fixed to the main body 20. The body 20 is substantially funnel-shaped, and the body 20 may be made of an elastic material or a rigid material. A partial surface of the body 20 may be covered with a layer of aluminum alloy. The sound conduction member 22 includes a sound conduction hole 221, and the sound conduction hole 221 is connected to a sound conduction tube 222. The top surface 212 of the sound-receiving member 21 has a second mating element 213 adjacent to the engaging portion 211.

Referring to FIG. 3, an exploded cross-sectional view of a stethoscope head assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The sealing portion 12 includes an annular raised platform 121 and a connecting portion 122, wherein the connecting portion 122 extends downward from an edge of the annular raised platform 121; the connecting portion 122 may also extend perpendicularly from the edge of the annular raised platform 121. The annular raised platform 121 and the connecting portion 122 together form an annular receiving groove 123 for receiving the main body 20; when the main body 20 is received in the annular receiving groove 123, the thin film portion 11 is fixed by the sealing portion 12. The thin film portion 11 includes a top surface 111 and a bottom surface 112. The thickness of the thin film portion 11 is smaller than the thickness D1 of the annular raised platform 121.

The annular raised platform 121 includes a platform top surface 1211, a platform bottom surface 1212, an annular first sidewall 1213, and an annular second sidewall 1214. The annular first sidewall 1213 projects inwardly from the inner edge of the platform top 1211 and the annular second sidewall 1214 projects outwardly from the outer edge of the platform top 1211. A first matching element 1215 is disposed on the bottom 1212 of the raised platform 121 adjacent to the membrane portion 11, the annular first sidewall 1213 of the raised platform 121 extends from the top surface 111 of the membrane portion 11, and the annular first sidewall 1213 of the raised platform 121 and the top surface 111 of the membrane portion 11 together form a concave conducting space 13, as shown in fig. 1 and 2, thereby isolating environmental noise during auscultation, and thus reducing a friction area (not shown) or a potential friction area (not shown) between the patient's body and the diaphragm 10 to reduce noise.

The annular first side wall 1213 is a slope, the annular first side wall 1213 protrudes outward from the edge of the top surface 111 of the thin film portion 11, and the annular first side wall 1213 is gradually increased in thickness in a direction away from the thin film portion 11 to prevent the diaphragm 10 from being broken at the time of assembly. This annular first sidewall 1213, of progressive thickness variation, provides a resilient operation to allow the user to easily switch the low or high frequency modes of the stethoscope head assembly 1. The annular first side wall 1213 of the raised platform 121 and the membrane portion 11 form an angle a1 (as shown in fig. 4), the angle a1 falling within the range of 120 degrees to 180 degrees.

In fig. 3, an engaging portion 211 of the main body 20 is received in the annular receiving groove 123 of the diaphragm 10. The engaging portion 211 includes an engaging arc 2111, so that the engaging portion 211 is rotatably received in the annular receiving groove 123. The engaging portion 211 is adjacent to the second matching member 213, the second matching member 213 and the engaging portion 211 have the same center, and the shape of the second matching member 213 matches the shape of the first matching member 1215 of the annular raised platform 121. The width D2 of the second mating member 213 is approximately in the range of 1mm to 3 mm. An area of the top surface 212 projected onto the diaphragm 10 substantially coincides with an area of the diaphragm 10 surrounded by the second mating member 1215 of the annular raised platform 121.

The radius of the sound conduction hole 221 is not more than half of the peripheral radius of the sound receiving member 21, the bottom of the sound conduction hole 221 is connected to the sound conduction tube 222, the sound conduction tube 222 has an outlet at the side of the sound conduction member 22, and the sound conduction tube 222 protrudes inwardly from the side outlet to the bottom of the sound conduction hole 221.

Referring to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of a relaxed state of a stethoscope head assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The cross section of the connecting portion 122 is substantially L-shaped, the connecting portion 122 includes a latching portion 1221 and a resisting portion 1222, and the resisting portion 1222 is connected between the latching portion 1221 and the raised platform 121. The latching portion 1221 includes a resisting surface 1223 that is substantially parallel to the platform bottom surface 1212 of the annular raised platform 121. The resistive portion 1222 includes a first side 1224 and a second side 1225. The first side 1224 of the connecting portion 122 abuts the annular second side wall 1214 of the annular raised platform 121 with a smooth turn between the first side 1224 and the annular second side wall 1214. The resisting surface 1223, the second side surface 1225 and the platform bottom surface 1212 of the annular raised platform 121 together form an inner wall of the annular receiving groove 123, and the inner wall of the annular receiving groove 123 may be configured as a concave surface to facilitate sealing between the main body 20 and the sealing portion 12. In the relaxed state, the second mating component 213 does not contact the first mating component 1215.

The sound-receiving member 21 has a cross section including the second matching assembly 213 and the engaging portion 211, the outer radius of the sound-receiving member 21 is at least the same as or slightly larger than the outer radius of the annular receiving groove 123, and the thickness D3 of the engaging portion 211 of the sound-receiving member 21 is substantially the same as the height D4 of the annular receiving groove 123.

Referring to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of the stethoscope head assembly 1 according to the present invention is shown in a compressed state. The stethoscope head assembly 1 shown in fig. 4 is pressed by a user to be converted into the stethoscope head assembly 1 shown in fig. 5. In the compressed state, the second matching member 213 is in contact with the annular receiving groove 123, so that the second matching member 213 contacts the first matching member 1215 and abuts against the first matching member 1215, and further, the engaging portion 211 occupies the space of the annular receiving groove 123. The inclination of the sound receiving member top surface 212 in the relaxed state is steeper than in the compressed state, and the distance between the bottom of the sound conducting member 22 and the bottom surface 112 of the film portion 11 in the relaxed state is slightly longer than in the compressed state.

As shown in fig. 4, the relaxed state of the stethoscope head assembly 1 represents a high frequency mode. The stethoscope head assembly 1 is transformed from the relaxed state to the compressed state by an external pressure, which may be applied by the user, and the compressed state represents a low frequency mode.

Fig. 4 shows the stethoscope head assembly 1 applied to the skin of a patient in a high frequency mode (not shown), the diaphragm 10 of the stethoscope head assembly 1 is in light contact with the skin of the patient, and the second mating member 213 of the body 20 is not in contact with the first mating member 1215 of the annular raised platform 121, causing the bottom surface 112 of the membrane portion 11 to be spaced from the top surface 212 of the sound-receiving member 21, the engaging portion 211 abuts against the resisting surface 1223 of the latch 1221 and the second side surface 1225 of the resisting portion 1222, whereby, a resonance area (not shown) of the diaphragm 10 is large, so that high frequency sound can be concentrated in the diaphragm 10, the high frequency sound generated by the diaphragm 10 is concentrated in the sound receiving member 21 and the sound conducting member 22, and then transmitted to the earpiece (not shown).

Fig. 5 shows the auscultation component 1 applied to the skin of a patient in a low frequency mode, where a user gradually applies increased pressure to the sound conducting member 22, and additional force is applied to the skin of the patient, so that the diaphragm 10 is deformed until the first matching element 1215 is matched to the second matching element 213, at which time the diaphragm 10 of the auscultation head component 1 is in pressure contact with the skin of the patient. Due to the increased pressure, the second mating element 213 of the body 20 abuts against the first mating element 1215 of the annular raised platform 121, and the engaging portion 211 abuts against the platform bottom surface 1212 of the annular raised platform 121 and the second side surface 1225 of the resisting portion 1222, whereby the resonance area (not shown) of the diaphragm 10 is small, so that low frequency sound can be concentrated in the diaphragm 10, and the low frequency sound generated by the diaphragm 10 is concentrated in the sound receiving member 21 and the sound conducting member 22, and then transmitted to an ear piece (not shown).

When the second matching member 213 is a recess, the first matching member 1215 may be a protrusion, and when the stethoscope head assembly 1 is in the compressed state, the first matching member 1215 abuts against an inner wall of the second matching member 213, and the first matching member 1215 is received in the second matching member 213. In another embodiment, when the second mating member 213 is a protrusion, the first mating member 1215 may be a recess, and when the stethoscope head assembly 1 is in the compressed state, the second mating member 213 abuts an inner wall of the first mating member 1215, and the second mating member 213 is received within the first mating member 1215, as shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, a cross-sectional view of a stethoscope head assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. A film 100a including a film portion 110a and a coating layer 140 a; the thin film portion 110a further includes a top surface 111a, a bottom surface 112a and an annular raised platform 1210 a. A main body 200a comprises a sound conduction member 220a and a sound reception member 210a, and the sound reception member 210a comprises a clamping portion 2110a and a protrusion 2130a, and the protrusion 2130a is adjacent to and eccentric to the clamping portion 2110 a. The coating layer 140a can enhance the adhesion between the film 100a and the main body 200a, particularly the seal between the annular protrusion platform 1210a, the protrusion 2130a and the engaging portion 2110 a. The coating layer 140a is disposed on the bottom surface 112a of the thin film portion 110 a. In fig. 6, the coating layer 140a covers the bottom surface 112a, the coating layer 140a has high elasticity relative to the film portion 110a, and the coating layer 140a is made of an elastic material, that is, the elastic material constituting the coating layer 140a can be reversibly deformed when pressed against the engaging portion 2110a and the protrusion 2130a of the sound-receiving member 210 a. The elastic material of the coating layer 140a may be silicone, leather lacquer resin (soft touch paint), Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), or the like; the coating layer 140a has a thickness of approximately between 0.04mm and 0.1 mm; preferably between 0.04mm and 0.08 mm. The coating layer 140a may be sprayed, injection molded, or the like onto the film portion 110 a. In the exemplary embodiment, a liquefied elastic material is sprayed on the bottom surface 112a of the film portion 110a, and then a curing process is performed to cure the liquefied elastic material, thereby further forming the coating layer 140 a. The temperature of the curing process is between about 45 ℃ and 50 ℃.

The membrane 100a further includes a top layer (not shown) that can be disposed on the top surface 111a of the membrane portion 110a, the top layer being made of one or more elastic materials. The elastic material of the top layer may be silicone, leather lacquer resin, Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), or similar materials. The thickness of the top layer is approximately between 0.04mm and 0.1mm, preferably between 0.04mm and 0.08 mm. The top layer may also be sprayed, injection molded, form-injected or the like over the membrane portion 110 a.

Referring to FIG. 7, a cross-sectional view of another stethoscope head assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The membrane 100b includes a film portion 110b and an application layer 140b, and the film portion 110b further includes a top surface 111b, a bottom surface 112b and an annular raised platform 1210 b. The annular raised platform 1210b includes a platform bottom surface 1212b and a recess 1215 b. A main body 200b includes a sound conduction member 220b and a sound reception member 210b, and the sound reception member 210b includes a fastening portion 2110b and a protrusion 2130b, and the protrusion 2130b is adjacent to and eccentric to the fastening portion 2110 b. The coating layer 140b can enhance the adhesion between the film 100b and the main body 200b, and particularly, the coating layer 140b is disposed between the film portion 110b and the bottom surface 112b for the sealing between the annular protrusion platform 1210b, the protrusion 2130b and the engaging portion 2110 b. In fig. 7, the coating layer 140b partially covers the bottom surface 112 b. In particular, the coating layer 140b is disposed on the platform floor 1212b and the recess 1215b of the annular raised platform 1210 b.

Referring to FIG. 8, a diagram illustrating the collection of different frequencies of sound using multiple stethoscope head assemblies of several different specific materials and different sized bodies according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. An audiological head assembly 80a includes a PC membrane and a main body, the surface of the main body has an aluminum alloy layer, and the radius of the main body is 28.5 mm; the other stethoscope head unit 80b includes a silicon membrane and a body having an aluminum alloy layer on the surface thereof, and the radius of the body is 28.5 mm. Table 1 shows the sound intensity of the stethoscope head components 80a and 80b at different frequencies. Fig. 8 shows decibel (dB) values of the stethoscope head assemblies 80a and 80b in different frequency bands.

TABLE 1

Referring to Table 1, the auscultatory attenuation Value (acousticationvalue) of the stethoscope head assembly 80a is 19.4dB at 20 to 100Hz and 10.6 dB at 200 to 600 Hz. The stethoscope head assembly 80b has a sound attenuation value of 2.6dB at 20 to 100Hz and a sound attenuation value of 5.5dB at 200 to 600 Hz. The relative error between the stethoscope head components 80a and 80b ranges from 5.1dB to 15.8 dB. Because the stethoscope head assembly 80b has a lower sound attenuation value than the stethoscope head assembly 80a, the stethoscope head assembly 80b is preferred when diagnosing pathological conditions of patients at different frequencies.

Diaphragms with different radii were also tested. In FIG. 8, stethoscope heads 80c and 80d are provided according to embodiments of the present invention. The stethoscope head assembly 80c includes a PC diaphragm and a main body having an aluminum alloy layer on a surface thereof, and a radius of the main body is 43.5 mm. Another stethoscope head component 80d includes a silicon membrane and a main body, wherein the surface of the main body has an aluminum alloy layer, and the radius of the main body is 43.5 mm. Table 2 shows the sound intensity of the stethoscope head assemblies 80c and 80d at different frequencies.

TABLE 2

Referring to table 2, the relative error between the stethoscope head assemblies 80c and 80d ranges from 1.2dB to 2.7 dB. According to the results of table 2 and fig. 8, the stethoscope head assembly 80d is preferred for diagnosing pathological conditions of patients at different frequencies due to the lower sound attenuation of the stethoscope head assembly 80 d.

Tables 1 and 2 show that the sound attenuation of the stethoscope head components is affected by the material and radius of the stethoscope head components. The stethoscope head assembly 80b has a sound attenuation value of 2.6dB in 20 to 100Hz when a 28.5mm radius body is used; when a 43.5mm radius body is used, the stethoscope head assembly 80d has a sound attenuation value of 1.0dB in the range of 20 to 100 Hz. Accordingly, in the same frequency range, the larger the radius of the body of the stethoscope head assembly, the smaller the sound attenuation value.

TABLE 3

Table 3 shows the relationship between the acoustic energy ratio and the acoustic pressure ratio. According to the table 1, the difference of the sound attenuation values between the stethoscope head assemblies 80a and 80b is 10.1dB in the frequency range of 20 to 1000Hz, and table 3 shows that the sound energy ratio of the two stethoscope head assemblies 80a and 80b is 3.162 at a sound pressure ratio of 10 in the frequency range of 20 to 100Hz, so that the stethoscope head assembly 80b is 3.162 times better than the stethoscope head assembly 80 a. The difference in acoustic attenuation values between the stethoscope head assemblies 80c and 80d is 2dB over the frequency range of 20 to 1000Hz in table 2, and as indicated in table 3, the acoustic energy to mass ratio is 1.413 when the acoustic pressure ratio is 3; and when the sound pressure ratio is 1, the sound energy ratio is 1.122. Further, the interpolation calculation indicates that the sound energy ratio is 1.3 when the sound pressure ratio is 2. Accordingly, the head assembly 80d is 1.3 times superior to the head assembly 80 c.

Referring to fig. 9, a method for manufacturing the diaphragm according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. First, a flat film 50 is provided, which includes a first surface 501; the second step is that: performing a pre-forming and printing step on the flat film 50 to form a plurality of semi-finished films 6, each semi-finished film 6 including a flat film portion 60 and a pair of connecting portion semi-finished products 61, the pair of connecting portion semi-finished products 61 extending from an edge of the flat film portion 60 to a first surface 62 of the flat film portion 60; the third step: spraying a liquefied elastomeric material 7 on said first surface 62 of said semi-finished film 6; finally, a curing process is performed on the liquefied elastomeric material 7 to form an intermediate coating layer 80. Accordingly, a plurality of the membranes 100 including the coating layer 140 and the connection part products 1210 are manufactured.

In an exemplary embodiment, a four-axis dispenser 9 is used to rotationally spray the liquefied elastomeric material onto the first surface 62 of the flat membrane portion 60 and the connecting portion semi-finished product 61. The four-axis dispenser 9 helps to reduce the defective rate of the finished products in the manufacturing process.

In an exemplary embodiment, the membrane may be formed by a 3D printing process, such as Stereolithography (SLA), Digital Light Processing (DLP), Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), selective laser Sintering (SLD), Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Electron Beam Melting (EBM), or laminated object manufacturing (LQM).

In an exemplary embodiment, the membrane is designed for hygienic reasons as a single use, disposable product. Referring to fig. 10 and 11, a membrane disposable capsule according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown in fig. 10, the replaceable membrane 10 is housed in a disposable capsule 30, and the disposable capsule 30 may include a soft shell 31, a sealing membrane 32, and a membrane 10. The flexible shell 31 may be made of a polymer material, such as Polystyrene (PS), poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET), or Polycarbonate (PC), or a metal or cardboard, and the color of the flexible shell depends on the material used. The seal film 32 may be made of paper, Polystyrene (PS), poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET), Polycarbonate (PC), or a composite such as "Easy polyethylene film (TM)" or "tevik paper (Tavik paper)" 321, as shown in FIG. 11. The diaphragm 10 includes a sealing portion 12 for connecting with the engaging portion 211 of the stethoscope 20, and the sealing portion 12 may be made of silicone or other elastic materials. The method of sealing the soft case 31 and the sealing film 32 may be a hot-press gluing method or an ultrasonic welding method. In another exemplary embodiment, a score line has been stamped onto the soft shell 31, and the sealing film 32 is easily torn along the score line by bending or breaking a portion of the soft shell 31, as shown in fig. 10. Further, the entire disposable capsule is sterile.

Referring to fig. 12, a method for replacing an audioscope membrane with the disposable capsule according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The method for replacing the diaphragm comprises the following steps: s1: a used diaphragm 10a is removed from the body 20 of a stethoscope head assembly. S2: the sealing membrane 32 is torn off from the disposable capsule 30. S3: when the membrane 10 is within the disposable capsule 30, the body 20 of the stethoscope is moved closer to and aligned with the membrane 10 and against the soft shell 31 so that the sealing portion 12 of the membrane 10 is firmly attached to the body 20 of the stethoscope. S4: the body 20 is removed from the disposable capsule 30 along with the membrane 10. Thereby, the diaphragm 10 of the stethoscope can be replaced without being touched.

Fig. 13 is a schematic packaging diagram of the disposable capsule according to the embodiment of the present invention. Packaging 40 facilitates removal/retrieval of the disposable capsule 30 if the stethoscope head assembly needs to be replaced frequently. As shown in fig. 13, the package 40 includes a tear portion 41 and a plurality of disposable capsules 30. Tearing the tear portion 41, which forms an opening 42 to access the disposable capsule 30 from the package 40. The plurality of disposable capsules 30 may be stacked in the package 40 so that when one of the disposable capsules 30 is removed from the opening 42, the next adjacent disposable capsule 30 is advanced to the opening 42. In an exemplary embodiment, the package 40 further includes a fixing portion for fixing the package 40 at a specific position, such as on a table or a wall, and the fixing portion may be a fixing hook or an adhesive.

The above description is only an example of the present invention and does not limit the scope of the present invention. Many variations in accordance with the claims and the description of the invention remain within the scope of the invention. Moreover, the described embodiments and claims do not necessarily require that all disclosed technical advantages or features be achieved. Further, the abstract and the title are for the purpose of facilitating patent document retrieval only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.