US 12,350,091 B2
Retractable stethoscope
Mark Gross, Denver, CO (US)
Filed by Mark Gross, Denver, CO (US)
Filed on Nov. 21, 2018, as Appl. No. 16/198,714.
Prior Publication US 2020/0155112 A1, May 21, 2020
Int. Cl. A61B 7/02 (2006.01); A61B 50/30 (2016.01); A61B 50/31 (2016.01); A61B 90/53 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 7/02 (2013.01) [A61B 50/31 (2016.02); A61B 90/53 (2016.02); A61B 2050/301 (2016.02); A61B 2050/311 (2016.02)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A portable retractable acoustic stethoscope, comprising:
a portable case having a top tubing exit, a bottom tubing exit, and having a retracting reel within the case;
a first length of acoustic tubing open to atmosphere having one continuous airpath within the acoustic tubing, the first length of the acoustic tubing being housed around the retracting reel, and having one top end extending from the top tubing exit, and
a second length of acoustic tubing open to atmosphere having one continuous airpath within the acoustic tubing, the second length of acoustic tubing having one bottom end extending from the bottom tubing exit;
at least one ear piece coupled to the top end of the first length of acoustic tubing; and
a chest piece coupled to the bottom end of the second length of acoustic tubing;
wherein each ear piece is in fluid communication with the chest piece via the at least one continuous airpath within the first length acoustic tubing; and
wherein the first length of the acoustic tubing extends and retracts through the top tubing exit and the second length of acoustic tubing extends and retracts through the bottom tubing exit;
a front tube connector having a rear end and a first prong portion at a front end, wherein the first prong portion is inserted into a bottom end of the first length of acoustic tubing to maintain fluid communication therebetween;
a back tube connector having a rear end and a second prong portion at a front end, wherein the second prong portion is inserted into a top end of the second length of acoustic tubing to maintain fluid communication therebetween; and
a gasket positioned and compressed between abutting rear ends of the front tube connector and the back tube connector such that the chest piece is in fluid communication with the at least one ear piece, wherein, as a function of the gasket, the front tube connector and the back tube connector freely rotate, increasing mobility of the first and second length of acoustic tubing during extension and retraction.