Cheap, 3D-Printed Stethoscope Challenges Top-of-the-Line Model

mask.of.sanity writes: Tarek Loubani, an emergency physician working in the Gaza strip, has 3D-printed a 30-cent stethoscope that beats the world's best $200 equivalent as part of a project to bottom-out the cost of medical devices. Loubani together with a team of medical and technology specialists designed the stethoscope and tested it against global standard benchmarks, finding it out performed the gold-standard Littmann Cardiology 3. They now intend to make a range of ultra-low cost medical devices for the developing world.

It cost about US$10,000 to develop, and has been released as an open source model for anyone to use. Loubani says the project is following the footsteps of the free software movement and aims to replace expensive proprietary solutions. He hopes that within 25 years the devices will be common-place in the Third World, and be the "Apache of the medical world."

Comments

Re:WTF, a "Top of the Line" Stethoscope?!?

[Dr_Barnowl]

Littmann is mostly about brand recognition and status ; nurses buy £3.50 cheap mass produced stethoscopes, doctors buy £50 Littmanns.

The Littmann units are arguably superior in quality. On the other hand, I had a £10 stethoscope (it costs a bit more now) built like a piece of Russian miltary surplus that all my professional colleagues wanted to borrow because they thought it sounded clearer and louder than their expensive Littmanns.

It also lasted longer - the plastic Littmann use for their tubes is prone to fatigue and cracking. The rubber tubes on this thing lasted for years.

There's nothing in the Littmann that's inherently expensive or difficult to manufacture, it's just brand recognition, patents, and the fact that it's a niche product with a limited market.

Re:Do doctors still use them?

[KGIII]

You seem to know the words but not the process. Lemme share...

You wrap the cuff around their bicep. You turn the knob and then turn it again so that you have finally locked the value. Nope, turn it again.
You pump the bulb up enough to make the wearer wince in pain - that should be good.
Cram the scope under the cuff above the joint.
You release the air with the knob too quickly so you put it back in - again, wincing is required.
Cram the scope back in.
Let the air out more slowly.
Listen and watch the gauge.
When you hear thump thump thump - note the number on the gauge.
Let more air out. Slowly...
When the thump thump thump noises stop note the number on the gauge.
Smile and nod at the patient but do not tell them anything.

I learned this when I was a young Marine. I am pretty sure it is standard practice.

Anyhow, the scope is kind of required. It lets you hear the thump thump thump noise. They probably do not have expensive equipment in the middle of a war zone. Well, no. They probably do not have expensive medical equipment. I can just see them pushing around the little cart with the attached cuff and thermometer to reach injured soldiers. Those little wheels will do well on uneven surfaces and standing up will certainly not make them a target. They can just put a red cross on it and nobody will think that makes an excellent target.

Later, I will tell you how to do injections.