Abstract: A stethoscope chest piece has a chest piece housing containing a piezoelectric (piezo) element mounted within a housing. The piezo element converts body signals to an electrical representation that is processed by circuitry on a circuit board. A back stop is affixed to the circuit board to prevent excess excursion by the piezo element and may be one of the circuit elements on the circuit board. The circuitry includes a USB interface for passing the electrical representation to a receiving device such as a personal computer. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A stethoscope chest piece has a chest piece housing containing a piezoelectric (piezo) element mounted within a housing. The piezo element converts body signals to an electrical representation that is processed by circuitry on a circuit board. A back stop is affixed to the circuit board to prevent excess excursion by the piezo element and may be one of the circuit elements on the circuit board. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A passive stethoscope chest piece has a chest piece housing containing a passive piezoelectric (piezo) element mounted within a metal housing. The piezo element converts body signals to an electrical representation. A pair of electrical connections attached to the metal plate and the piezoelectric layer of the piezo element pass the electrical representation outside the housing for processing by external circuitry. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A weight scale consistent with certain implementations has a case having a weight supporting surface that supports an object being weighed. An array of load cells is provided upon which the weight supporting surface rests. A weight measuring circuit receives output signals from the array of load cells and calculates a weight responsive thereto. A first switch trips when a weight is applied to the weight supporting surface while the weight scale is situated on a soft surface. A second switch trips when a weight is applied to the weight supporting surface while the weight scale is situated on a hard surface. A power source is provided and a turn-on circuit responsive to the first and second switch applies power from the power source to the weight measuring circuit upon detection that either the first or second switch has tripped as a result of a weight being applied to the weight supporting surface.