Coldest Chestpiece ?

What brand of stethoscope do you all think has the coldest chestpiece?

Definitely not Littman. In my experience; I would say Tycos/Welch Alyn.

Those sprague ones I believe ADC makes them.

Germany stethocopes Erka.

Remove plastic rubber ring.

Chestpiece is cold and heavy 😃 (ALU version low cost no)

I would think any that doesn't have rubber or plastic on the chestpiece.....

The rappaport does not have rubber, but has a raised step of the entire membrane. So it doesn't get cold

The rappaport does not have rubber, but has a raised step of the entire membrane.

The original Sanborn/HP/Philips models had flat diaphragms and metal retaining rings, and certainly did get cold. It’s only the cheaper knockoff ones that have the stepped diaphragm.

Well, in the high end category, the KaWe Planet Air has a lovely cold chest piece. Also the classic Welch Allyn/Tyco Harvey DLX gets nice and chilly. Neither have a non chill ring. I agree with the poster above who mentioned Erka if you just slide the rubber ring off. If you search Tycos stethoscope on that auction site, you'll see some used steths with the DLX head, also vintage Howell design heads without any sort of ring. Vintage Littmann steths often have no non chill ring as well. The Sprague may not be as cold due to the diaphragms sticking out past the end of the metal ring, but they aren't exactly warm. Nothing a few minutes in the freezer can't improve.

And Rappaport Rirap Riester have flat membrane. However, it must be a rirap model.

https://blumed24.pl/p/1873/1576/stetoskop-dwukanalowy-typu-rappaport-riester-ri-rap-rozne-rodzaje-i-kolory-stetoskopy-typu-rappaport-stetoskopy.html

The Ri-rap diaphragm is slightly corrugated and the centre does stand proud of the retaining ring, much as the corrugated diaphragm that Welch Allyn offer does.

Been trying to find a company that will ship a Ri-rap to the USA! On a positive note, I ordered a new old stock Made in Japan Sprague off of ebay. I think it's a win! Aside from excellent acoustics, it seems heavier and more finely crafted than the chepo Spragues of today. Bonus, the adult bell attachment is actually made of black coated metal, not cheapo plastic. Can't guarantee that they'll all be like this but if you search ebay for Sprague Stethoscope made in Japan and find one that has a box that looks 20-30 years old, it's probably what you want! It's a nice, cold chest piece on both sides!!

Maybe the chestpiece could be made from beer or redbull cans instead of plastic

In my personal experience, the Harvey DLX is very cold. My old primary care used to use one and never warmed it up before placing it directly on my skin. 😂😅

I've just been for a pre-op where the nurse stethed me very thoroughly. She had a Sprague steth which was freezing on both sides of the chest piece

I've just been for a pre-op where the nurse stethed me very thoroughly.

Was your shirt off at the time?

I've just been for a pre-op where the nurse stethed me very thoroughly.

Was your shirt off at the time?

Yes I was bare chested

Yes I was bare chested

I’ll bet it felt good. Was she hot?

For me:

- Tycos Triple Head

- Littmann Cardiology 1

- HP Rappaport (the original model)

I have a Littmann Cardiology Master. And a couple of days ago, i took away the membrane from the chestpiece. It was than a piece of steel. If you have one of these stethoscope, you should try it. I think it must be like heaven to get someone to auscultate you with it. I am unfortunatly alone. But i tried it on myself, and listen to my back. And i was freezing. 😃

Aside from excellent acoustics, it seems heavier and more finely crafted than the chepo Spragues of today. Bonus, the adult bell attachment is actually made of black coated metal

@feelthebelly how do your patients like the feeling of the stethoscope? I really miss when they used to be cold to the touch.

It seems to me that this is a Rappaport with a removed membrane or older stethoscopes from the last century...