I was shocked to see that a "brand name" stethoscope is $100+ and even generic ones are $30.
unsupp0rted•59m ago
Is that a lot or a little?
hungryhobbit•45m ago
This "recipe" produces them for $5 ... that's 5% of the market price.
mikeyouse•37m ago
Assuming equivalent capabilities and longevity.. I know physicians who have used their "20x too expensive" Littmann for 30 years.
Agingcoder•45m ago
À lot
donaltroddyn•42m ago
They can become a lot more expensive than $100, but the difference between a Littman Cardiology and the $15 EMT student stethoscope is night and day.
> Currently, the stethoscope resulting from this project functions as well as the market gold standard, the Littmann Cardiology III
If this is true, it's a major achievement.
elAhmo•36m ago
It is somewhat of a critical tool, so you don't wanna be checked by a doctor who made their own stethoscope or got one for 3 USD on AliExpress.
recursivegirth•29m ago
Our one that DIY'd one like one would do a dosing rod in their garage.
NewsaHackO•15m ago
It’s funny, most physicians agree that the cheap disposable stethoscopes in isolation rooms are the best, mostly because they are so loud it’s difficult miss anything with them. However, I am not a cardiologist so they may have a different opinion.
deknos•34m ago
You probably pay for tests and that the company has to be audited for medical diagnostics standards
jcims•27m ago
I'm shocked that you're shocked lol.
$100 for a somewhat specialized, durable medical device that has to meet regulatory standards and will be used daily, possibly for years, by healthcare providers to do patient assessments?
A 3D printed option is going to require a 3D printer, appropriate filament and should be unit tested to ensure it's within spec. The durability is going to be suspect no matter what. It's an awesome project and I'm sure would be a welcome addition to the 'boostrap humanity' catalog of 3D printed parts, but for everyday doctors plunking a hundo on a good tool is going to be a no-brainer.
samantha_greene•1h ago
No pictures? Missed opportunity. Seems cool though!
Do the design and materials take into account how well it can be sterilized?
zabzonk•49m ago
Never seen a UK doctor or nurse attempt to clean, much les sterilize, one.
jwcacces•46m ago
There are disposable, single-patient stethoscopes, but I've seen my Dr do a casual wipe with an alcohol swab often enough...
xyzzy_plugh•43m ago
I think this is a good point, insofar that how bacterial resistant the stethoscope is relevant. Stethoscopes made of stainless steel are going to beat anything 3d printed by a significant margin.
The thing is that I can get just as good if not better ones (metal) for $7 all day long, and not have to spend time sourcing and assembling materials, and I don't even have to leave my house to do it.
abdullahkhalids•23m ago
What's the price per use compared to a standard industrial metal one?
colinbartlett•1h ago
unsupp0rted•59m ago
hungryhobbit•45m ago
mikeyouse•37m ago
Agingcoder•45m ago
donaltroddyn•42m ago
> Currently, the stethoscope resulting from this project functions as well as the market gold standard, the Littmann Cardiology III
If this is true, it's a major achievement.
elAhmo•36m ago
recursivegirth•29m ago
NewsaHackO•15m ago
deknos•34m ago
jcims•27m ago
$100 for a somewhat specialized, durable medical device that has to meet regulatory standards and will be used daily, possibly for years, by healthcare providers to do patient assessments?
A 3D printed option is going to require a 3D printer, appropriate filament and should be unit tested to ensure it's within spec. The durability is going to be suspect no matter what. It's an awesome project and I'm sure would be a welcome addition to the 'boostrap humanity' catalog of 3D printed parts, but for everyday doctors plunking a hundo on a good tool is going to be a no-brainer.