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Littmann Stethoscopes |
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Why HM
International? |
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FREE
shipping in the US
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When you
buy from us direct, you get genuine Omron and 3M Littmann products at great
prices because we are authorized distributors of Omron
Healthcare, Inc. and 3M Littmann Stethoscopes.
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We do not
sell refurbished merchandise.
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| History |
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| History of
Littmann Stethoscopes at a glance: |
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| 1963 |
David
Littmann, M.D., (1906-1981), noted
cardiologist, Harvard Medical School
professor, researcher and inventor,
patented a revolutionary new stethoscope
with greatly improved acoustics. |
| 1967 |
3M acquires
Dr. Littmann's company, Cardiosonics Inc.,
selling stethoscopes under the Littmann
brand name. Dr. Littmann continues work as
consultant to 3M. |
| 1987 |
3MT
Littmann® Master Cardiology Stethoscope
introduced, featuring unique, patented
single-sided chestpiece design for
top-of-the-line acoustic performance. |
| 1990 |
3MT
Littmann® Master Classic Stethoscope
introduced, with a single-sided chestpiece
design for general exam use. |
| 1992 |
25th
Anniversary 3MT Littmann® Black Edition
and Gold Edition Master Stethoscopes
available. |
| 1994 |
Introduction
of 3MT Littmann® Cardiology II S.E.
Stethoscope |
| 1995 |
Introduction
of 3MT Littmann® Select and 3MT Littmann®
Master Classic II Stethoscopes |
| 1996 |
Introduction
of 3MT Littmann® Classic II S.E.
Stethoscope |
| 1997 |
Introduction
of 3MT Littmann® Cardiology III
Stethoscope |
| 1999 |
Introduction
of 3MT Littmann® Electronic Stethoscope
Model 2000 |
| 2001 |
Introduction
of 3MT Littmann® Electronic Stethoscope
Model 4000 |
| 2002 |
Introduction
of 3MT Littmann® Cardiology STC
Stethoscope |
| 2002 |
Introduction
of 3MT Littmann® Lightweight II S.E.
Stethoscope |
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More than 175 years ago in the year 1819, the
French physician Rene Laennec developed a
wooden monaural stethoscope with a large
diameter base that was placed on the chest.
The sound was funneled through a smaller
opening into one ear of the listening
physician.
In 1843, George P. Cammann (New York City)
developed the first flexible binaural
stethoscope from which sound could be heard
simultaneously with both ears. By 1855,
Cammann's stethoscope was made with an ebony
chestpiece and flexible tubing made of spirals
of wire covered with layers of silk dipped in
gum elastic. The eartips were made of ivory.
In 1890, the original Cammann stethoscope was
refined with a steel spring between the metal
ear tubes. Several other minor refinements
were made to stethoscopes until in the early
1960's Dr. Littmann, a Harvard Medical School
professor, created a new stethoscope with
vastly improved acoustical performance.
Dr. Littmann was a distinguished cardiologist
and recognized international authority on
electrocardiography. In 1961, Dr. Littmann
described his "ideal" stethoscope in the
November issue of the AMA journal. The device
included an "open chestpiece for the
appreciation of low-pitched sounds, a closed
chestpiece with a stiff plastic diaphragm to
filter-out low-pitched sounds, firm tubing
with a single lumen bore, the shortest
practical overall length, a spring with
precise tension to hold the ear tubes apart,
and light and convenient to carry and use."
Dr. Littmann's description of his invention is
what is now referred to as a "combination " or
"two-sided chestpiece " stethoscope... a major
advancement in stethoscope technology at the
time. The current 3MT Littmann® Classic II
S.E. Stethoscope, a very popular 3M product,
incorporates many similar features as found in
Dr. Littmann's original stethoscope designs.
On April 1st, 1967, 3M acquired Cardiosonics,
Inc. a small Cambridge, Massachusetts company.
Dr. Littmann was the founder and medical
director of this company with his partner, Gus
Machlup. At that time the stethoscope line
consisted of two key models, the doctor's
stethoscope and the nurse's stethoscope.
By 1970, the doctor's "combination
stethoscope" line had grown to 10 models... in
stainless steel and aluminum featherweight,
gold-plated and pediatric size chestpieces.
Tubing color was still limited to gray and
black, but lengths were 22 and 28 inches.
By the end of a four or five year period of
new product activity, there were six major
lines of stethoscopes and a total of 40 models
available. In the late 70's, the 3MT Littmann®
Cardiology Stethoscope was born. The product
was developed by asking fifty of the world's
leading cardiologists to help 3M "design the
ultimate stethoscope." This "cardiologists'
dream stethoscope", as it was called, had a
revolutionary two-tubes-in-one design, new
softer eartips and a deeper bell for improved
low frequency response.
Throughout the years, product improvements
continued. In 1987, 3M introduced the 3MT
Littmann® Master Cardiology Stethoscope as its
new top of the line product. This product,
invented by 3M engineer Tom Packard,
represented a significant leap in stethoscope
technology and appearance since Dr. Littmann's
doctor's stethoscope was developed in the
early 1960's.
The Littmann Master Cardiology Stethoscope is
a unique single-sided chestpiece stethoscope
which features 3M's tunable diaphragm
technology. As opposed to conventional
"two-sided" or "combination" chestpiece
stethoscopes, the Master Cardiology is able to
capture high and low frequency sound ranges by
alternating pressure on the chestpiece.
In 1999, 3M introduced the 3MT Littmann®
Electronic Stethoscope Model E2000 and in 2001
3M introduced the 3MT Littmann® Electronic
Stethoscope Model E4000. With state-of-the-art
amplification and filtering systems in an
ergonomic design, the Littmann Electronic
Stethoscopes are exceptional tools for
advanced auscultation. Both superior acoustics
and enhanced clarity make normal and difficult
sounds easier to hear. These electronic
stethoscopes are specially designed to pick up
difficult-to-hear heart and other body sounds.
The chestpiece houses the electronic
stethoscope's innovative technology, including
microphone and low-noise amplifiers, that
offers up to 14 (E2000) to 18 (E4000) times
the amplification of the most advanced
conventional Littmann stethoscope.
In 2003, 3M introduced the 3MT Littmann®
Lightweight II S.E. Stethoscope. This
stethoscope replaced the 3MT Littmann®
Lightweight Stethoscope. It was designed as a
general-purpose stethoscope with an improved
design that provides reliable acoustics for
basic blood-pressure and limited physical
assessment.
Today Littmann stethoscopes are used
worldwide. A wide variety, in both traditional
and single-sided tunable diaphragm chestpiece
designs, are available to meet virtually every
auscultation need. Littmann stethoscopes'
amenities for doctors and patients include
nonchill rims, patented 3MT Littmann® Snap
Tight Soft-Sealing Eartips, anatomically
correct eartubes, excellent warranty and
service programs, and a choice of contemporary
tubing colors. The standards for stethoscope
performance, sound transmission, efficiency
and comfort for both wearer and patient have
come a long way from Rene Laennec's rolled
paper. Listening to body sounds and
interpreting their meaning is truly an art in
the hands of a trained health care
professional using today's advanced acoustical
stethoscopes. |
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