Glow in the Dark Stethoscope and Method of Manufacturing the Same
A stethoscope ( 100 ) includes one or more earpieces ( 101,102 ), a sound receiving bell ( 104 ), and at least one acoustic conduit ( 103 ) coupling the one or more earpieces and the sound receiving bell. A photoluminsecent pigmented material ( 115 ) is applied to the at least one acoustic conduit to make it glow in the dark.
1 . A stethoscope, comprising:
one or more earpieces;
a sound receiving bell;
an acoustic conduit coupling the one or more earpieces and the sound receiving bell, the acoustic conduit comprising a Y-shaped region and an extension region; and
a photoluminescent pigmented material applied to a surface of the acoustic conduit so as to cover an entirety of the acoustic unit.
2 . The stethoscope of claim 1 , wherein the photoluminescent pigmented material is applied to an exterior of the acoustic conduit.
3 . The stethoscope of claim 2 , wherein the photoluminescent pigmented material comprises europium doped strontium aluminate.
4 . The stethoscope of claim 2 , wherein the photoluminescent pigmented material has the chemical formula SrAl.sub.2O.sub.4:Eu.sup+2,Dy.sup.+3.
5 . The stethoscope of claim 2 , wherein the photoluminescent pigmented material comprises an inorganic admixture.
6 . The stethoscope of claim 5 , wherein the inorganic admixture comprises at least ninety-eight percent dialuminum strontium tetraoxide by weight.
7 . The stethoscope of claim 6 , wherein the inorganic admixture comprises less than one percent europium oxide by weight.
8 . The stethoscope of claim 6 , wherein the inorganic admixture comprises less than one percent dysprosium oxide by weight.
9 . The stethoscope of claim 6 , wherein the acoustic conduit comprises a single acoustic conduit.
10 . The stethoscope of claim 1 , wherein the photoluminescent pigmented material is yellow-green in color.
11 . The stethoscope of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic conduit comprises vinyl tubing.
12 . (canceled)
13 . A method of manufacturing a stethoscope, the method comprising:
selectively applying a photoluminescent pigmented material only to portions of an acoustic tubing; and
attaching the acoustic tubing to one or more earpieces and a sound receiving bell.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the applying comprises:
adding the photoluminescent pigmented material to a solvent; and
submerging the acoustic tubing in the solvent.
15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising stirring the solvent while the acoustic tubing is submerged in the solvent.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the stirring comprises continuously stirring the solvent while the acoustic tubing is submerged in the solvent.
17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the applying comprises spraying the photoluminescent pigmented material on the acoustic tubing.
18 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the applying comprises selectively applying the photoluminescent material only to the portions of the acoustic tubing in a striped pattern.
19 . A stethoscope, comprising:
one or more earpieces;
a sound receiving bell;
glow in the dark acoustic conduit coupling the one or more earpieces and the sound receiving bell.
20 . The stethoscope of claim 19 , wherein the glow in the dark acoustic conduit comprises:
transparent vinyl tubing; and
a photoluminescent pigmented material applied to an exterior of the transparent vinyl tubing.