Medisave.net have now launched engraving onto all Littmann electronic model stethoscopes. Using state of the art latest engraving technology, electronic stethoscopes can now be neatly security marked and an ID tag is no longer needed. Medisave can now personalise full names onto the stainless steel tubing before it meets the chestpiece. This exciting new development now means the electronic versions can be personalised and as safe and secure as all other models. The popularity of electronic models, particularly in areas where ambient noise reduction is essential, has grown greatly in the last few months and the launch of this service means those investing in an career tool will not miss out on an essential service. You can view other articles explaining the benefits of the electronic model also on www.medisave.net/articles

3M Littmann has recently seen the successful launch of 2 new colors for the Classic II SE range. Ocean Blue and Peach are the latest variations in the now extensive range available.

www.medisave.net will be stocking these shortly and along with our lean pricing policy, our free laser engraving service not only personalizes your stethoscope but ensures a great security mark. With our shipping charged at cost, and dispatch until 6pm, you can guarantee to receive your stethoscope within your selected time frame and the engraving option is fulfilled in house. Our unique lazer engraving using state of the art technology means your order is not delayed in any way due to the speed and accuracy of the process.

Filming

For our videos we use a green screen and ‘chromakeying’ - a technique that enables us to put whatever background we like behind the presenter - even an animated one. Our filming studio is set up as shown:

We use five lights - two bright ones directed at the presenter, one acting as a backlight, and two directed at the green screen itself so that it is a flat colour onscreen. We also use two cameras, one positioned centrally which records the full view of the presenter and the product, and one which zooms in on certain aspects of the product for close-ups during a demonstration. We record with both cameras simultaneously and then edit the close-up shots in over the full view later. We have one microphone set up around the presenters neck which is connected to the main camera so we can record high quality sound without any background noise.

Editing

To edit our videos we use an editing program called Sony Vegas which is perfect for what we intend to do. First we import the full-view video into the main workspace, then we import the close-up video into the ‘trimmer’ workspace. This enables us to see both videos at the same time and to work on them together. Excess video at the beginning and end are trimmed off first, then we start matching up the close-up shots in with the wide shots, clipping sections of the close-ups so they correspond with the sound and video of the main video. This can be tricky to master, as we only use the sound recording from the full-view camera, and if the clipped section is even slightly out of synch it will look very strange. Once the various close-ups are included in the main video we begin chromakeying the background. We black out the green screen behind using the chromakeying function in Sony Vegas, adjust it so that we have a solid definition between the presenter and the background and then simply drag and drop the required background image onto another layer behind the main movie and stretch it out so it covers the entire length of the film. We use another separate layer for the Medisave TV logo, this time above the movie itself, and this again covers the entire length of the film. For the ending, we simply fade to solid black, then use the background and a big logo together with a shimmering visual effect and a twinkly sound effect to finish off the film.

We save and render this video, adjusting it to the right size for our website and then upload it so it shows in the video section of the product that is being demonstrated. The Littmann Stethoscope Spares video is an excellent example of what our finished videos look like and contains all the elements described above.

Using an ophthalmoscope may seem simple, and is not difficult to use but it does require practice. If used for every neurological examination, it will soon become second nature.

Some obvious things to bear in mind are checking the batteries are working - they may be flat which will affect reliability, or as with some ophthalmoscopes, the small cover over the aperture may be closed which may lead you to believe it is not working.

Important factors to consider are room lighting (off or dimmed), preparing your patient, (warn them it could be dazzling and ask to fixate on exact area), and make sure you examine eye to eye (your left with their left, your right with their right).

Advice indicates to follow a routine: red reflex, anterior segment, disc, vessels and then lastly macula. If you find an abnormality, keep looking for a second one.The red-free filter is useful for enhancing the appearance of blood vessels and bleeds by showing them as black.

The most common error made by physicians when using an ophthalmoscope is not getting close enough. Advice suggests being almost cheek to cheek to enable the widest field of view.

An Internet journal has, on the basis of experience from Jacob Urkin (M.D., M.P.H. Ben Gurion University of the Negev) listed various uses of the physicians office primary tool, the otoscope . The otoscope was originally developed in France and Germany in the 19th century and has not really changed since it’s development. Beyond its primary role, Jacob Urkin (M.D., M.P.H) cites the otoscope as a valuable tool and lists uses below from his experience.

The otoscope as a tool for transillumination includes finding a vein for venipuncture, examination of the content of the scrotal sac, diagnosis of intracranial fluids and diagnosis of sinusitis. In dermatology, examination of surface lesions, controlling the spray while performing cryotherapy and removal of small mites have been listed.

Other than ear examination, the otoscope has also been used for examination of intaranasal deformities/lesions, detection of intraurethral warts, detection of foreign bodies, removal of splinter in umbilicus, paediatric genital examination and suction of cerumen. Also listed is detection of strabismus, red reflex, cataracts, hyphema and foreign bodies in the eyes plus checking eye movement and pupil’s reflex.

The journal lists other uses of the light and the pump for reduction of anxiety, encouraging forced experium and checking fine motor coordination.

It also has uses for laboratory and vetinary medicine including intubation of small mammals, liver biopsy, detection of avian gender, detection of cataract in fish and checking animal body orifices. And finally, for non medical use “looking into small dark places”

Many physicians may well already be familiar with some of the applications listed above, but the wealth of different applications may not be as widely known. The perception of the otoscope as a tool for ear examination only however is slowly changing with the pace and diversity of a modern physicians office.

This month sees the successful launch of the Medisave USA affiliate programme. Websites with a similar audience to www.medisave.net have been signing up to earn 5% commission for completed sales transactions which arise as a direct result of a click through from their site to Medisave. Because Medisave is reponsible for the entire process (secure card processing, storage, postage, packing and after sales support), affiliates are seeing this as an ideal way to earn extra income as well as being associated with a site renowned for stocking and selling quality brands. Feedback so far indicates affiliates are enjoying an easy and hassle free way to gain extra revenue and enjoying recommending potential customers towards personalised products such as diagnostic sets and stethoscopes and engraving whilst maintaining and enhancing their own brands.

Welch Allyn, the company who for nearly 100 years have provided products and solutions for doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers, are to attend the American Academy of Family Physicians next month. Well known leaders in the diagnostic and blood pressure management field, Welch Allyn also specialize in family medicine products, pediatric medicine, inpatient care and emergency medicine. From thermometry to patient monitors, physician focused products have long been a part of the Welch Allyn portfolio. Event details are listed below.

Date: September 18, 2008
Time: 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Location:
San Diego Convention Center
San Diego, CA

Booth 3027

Advances in technology with the introduction of electronic stethoscopes mean that early detection of heart disease is fast becoming a reality in primary care settings. Evaluating the acoustic properties of the heart using auscultation methods with a traditional stethoscope has long been the trusted method of assessment. However, the continually evolving technology over the past ten years of microchip development means that electronic stethoscopes have the facility to analyse and measure heart sounds in a more objective manner. Now practitioners can rely less on their subjective judgement and own hearing ability to gain an accurate representation of sounds using the electronic version. Software versions allow downloads to computer after digitally recording heart sounds for data analysis. Noise reduction technology reduces noise by 75% on average but still allows critical body sounds to be heard. Researchers now use this facility to provide valuable new insight into the diagnostic value of the heart sounds and the analysis techniques adopted using PC downloaded recordings include wavelet transform and neural network. It is anticipated that with further technical advances in the field of the development of electronic models, the possible detection of heart disease early in a patients examination is likely to be a scenario seen far more predominantly in a physicians office.

3M, the manufacturers of the Littmann range of high quality stethoscopes have launched two new tubing colors for 2008.

The two new colors come in ocean blue and peach. The will be available for the Littmann select range as well as the popular classic II SE range.

Stethoscope colors are not only fun, they allow the medical professional to choose a color personal to them. It also helps distinguish your stethoscope from somebody else’s as they are easy recognize
The colours will be a permanent edition to the Littmann range, already joining the recently introduced All Black Editions which feature black ear tips, black ear tubes, black plated chest piece and a black binaural tubing. they also make a great gift idea for a medical professional to replace their existing stethoscope.

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