Littmann Acoustic Stethoscope Buyer’s Guide: Part 1POSTED: January 14, 2010 at 6:49 pm BY: Administrator |
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You’re on the market for a new stethoscope, or perhaps, your first. You made an easy decision to go with the industry leader in quality and acoustics – you’re going for a Littmann. Now the only question is which one? With over a dozen acoustic stethoscopes to choose from, the selection can be overwhelming. We’ll help you identify which stethoscope is best for your needs and budget.
This time, we’ll compare the high-performance cardiology stethoscopes. Check back soon for a guide to the Littmann Classic II and Select models, as well as a look at the new electronic stethoscopes.
3M Littmann Cardiology III Stethoscope
The Cardiology III is probably the most popular Littmann stethoscope out there. General practitioners, pediatricians, medical students, EMTs and nurses will tell you they wouldn’t trade in their Card III for the world. Why does everyone love this stethoscope? The Cardiology III provides excellent acoustics, both in terms of loudness and clarity. What sets it apart from the other Littmann cardiology scopes, however, is its impressive versatility. It has a double head with a tunable diaphragm on each side – the large side for adults, the small side for children. The smaller diaphragm also works well for irregular surfaces, such as bony patients. The hallmark Littman tunable diaphragm allows you to hear low- and high-frequency sounds without turning the chestpiece over. Use light pressure on the chest piece to hear the low-frequency sounds (bell mode), and firm pressure to hear the high-frequency sound (diaphragm mode). The Cardiology III can also be converted to a traditional bell by replacing the pediatric diaphragm with a bell sleeve. The Cardiology III comes with a five year warranty.
Is this the right stethoscope for you? If you are ready to invest in a Littmann cardiology stethoscope, you will be rewarded by the superb acoustics of the Cardiology III. And if you are looking for a versatile stethoscope that is suited to examining any type of patient, this is your scope.
3M Littmann Cardiology STC Stethoscope
The Cardiology STC, or “Soft Touch Cardiology,” also delivers outstanding acoustics, as you would expect from any Littmann cardiology stethoscope. In addition, the innovative chest piece is specially designed to be easy to hold in various hand positions. The unique shape of the Cardiology STC chest piece facilitates movement between auscultation sites. The single-sided, tunable diaphragm enables you to easily switch between the bell and diaphragm mode without the bulk of a double-sided scope, like the Cardiology III. EMTs and nurses appreciate that the sleek design of the Cardiology STC fits under blood pressure cuffs more easily than a dual-head stethoscope. The Cardiology STC comes with a six year warranty. If you are working primarily with adults, and looking for unparalleled acoustics and ease of use, the Cardiology STC was made for you.
3M Littmann Master Cardiology Stethoscope
The Master Cardiology is Littmann’s top-performing acoustic stethoscope. With superior acoustics and a 10 out of 10 Littman performance rating, this stethoscope is ideal for users who want the greatest diagnostic precision. Similar to the Cardiology STC, the Master Cardiology offers the convenience of a tunable diaphragm in a single-sided chest piece. The classy, hand crafted stainless steel definitely makes a statement and is also easier to hold than a dual-head. A special procedures adaptor is ideal for difficult sites or pediatric use. The Master Cardiology comes with a seven year warranty - the longest Littman warranty available. The Master Cardiology may be what you’re looking for if you need the best acoustic stethoscope available for high-performance auscultation.
The difference in price between these three models is slight, so base your decision on the design and features that are most important to you. Whether you select the versatility of the Cardiology III, the ergonomic design of the Cardiology STC, or the top-of-the-line acoustics of the Master Cardiology, you can be confident that your new Littman cardiology stethoscope will serve you well for many years.
Not sure these are the right scopes for you? Check back soon for the 3M Littmann Acoustic Stethoscope Buyer’s Guide: Part 2 to learn about the Littmann Classic II and Select models.
Share your stethoscope advice below by leaving a comment. Which model do you find works best for your field?
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