Patent attributes
Electronic stethoscopes may have various accessories, modular components, and various configurations for powering the various components and accessories of the electronic stethoscope. In one embodiment, an electronic stethoscope apparatus includes a microphone configured to generate an electrical signal in response to received sound from a living subject; amplification circuitry; a speaker operably coupled to the amplification circuitry to output the electric signal after amplification; and a power supply configured to power the amplification circuitry. Circuitry for advanced signal processing may also be included, such as noise cancelling circuitry. The electronic stethoscope may also include removable electronic modules for wired or wireless headphones, battery packs, lights, and/or an electronic device for implementing the percussive method. An electronic stethoscope may also include components for implementing a laser enhanced stethoscope that can be used to pick up sounds from the surface of a living subject without making direct contact with the living subject.
