Abstract: Methods of producing corrosion-inhibiting aluminum foil products suitable for culinary use involve metallurgical sequestration of aluminum radicals by applying a copper-containing barrier metal layer to a substrate aluminum foil, followed by application of a biocompatible, lipid-based sealant layer to seal any gaps in the barrier layer and provide a non-stick coating. The sealant, which has a vegetable cooking oil, or oil mixture, as its primary ingredient, may also function as a natural antimicrobial and/or anti-fungal agent. Various sealant additives may increase the thermal stability of the oil base, enhance the antimicrobial properties thereof, and increase shelf life. Aluminum foil products include a coated aluminum foil with a copper-containing barrier layer applied to an aluminum substrate layer, with a sealant layer applied to the barrier layer. The coated foil may be wound in a coil around a hollow tube which contains a desiccant.

Abstract: A pneumatic audio system, and particularly a stethoscope, provides enhanced user comfort using ear tips that anchor to the user's ears. The anchoring of the ear tips allows lower binaural spring pressure. The stethoscope offers enhanced audio performance by using an acoustically-smooth air column that transmits sound pressure with maximum audio fidelity. Optional inner air tubes carry the air column from the chest piece to the ear tips, thus avoiding air column obstructions and material changes and enhancing audio quality. The ear tips provided enhanced audio isolation from the ambient environment. The air column is carried by a structure that provides enhanced acoustic isolation from the ambient environment. The air column is vented to optimize balance between audio isolation and audio fidelity. A replaceable transducer cell enhances acoustic isolation and sound quality. The stethoscope includes visual indicators to aid the user in readily identifying the stethoscope and its adjustment parameters.

Abstract: The stethoscope has a chest piece and two earpieces and two continuous passages, one from each earpiece to the chest piece. The passages may be in separate tubes which may be connected side-by-side over a portion of their lengths or the passages may be in a single part called a passage member which is bifurcated to allow one passage to go to each earpiece. The earpieces and portions of the tubes or passage member are attached by a leaf spring which positions the earpieces relative to each other.

Abstract: The earpiece assembly includes two parts: a base and a compliant part. The base has flange with a post extending perpendicular from one of its sides. There is a center hole through the base. The compliant part is shaped like a frustum of a cone, the diameter of its base being equal to the diameter of the flange. There is a center hole in the compliant part so that it can be installed on the post of the base and held in place by friction or, if desired, soluble adhesive. The smaller end of the compliant part extends beyond the end of the post. The compliant part is pliable in shape but is essentially non-compressible. When in use the amount of insertion into an outer ear canal is determined when, at the line of contact between the assembly and canal surface, the cross sectional area of the compliant part and its cross sectional area equal those of the ear canal.

Abstract: The earpiece is characterized by having a harder portion which connects it to a stethoscope tube and supports its share of the weight of the stethoscope and a soft, compliant portion which extends farther into the ear passage than the hard portion and serves as the acoustic seal for the earpiece. In one embodiment the earpiece is a single piece made of foam plastic with the hardened portion including the surface of the lumen hardened using techniques well known in the art. In a second embodiment the harder portion is one piece and the softer, acoustic sealing portion a separate part which may be adhesively attached to the harder portion or be held in place by friction and therefore separately replaceable.

Abstract: An electronic auscultation aid improves the performance and convenience of auscultation. The auscultation aid may include means for emphasizing sounds that may be associated with pathological or pre-pathological conditions. The auscultation aid may include a wireless interface for distributing a detected signal to one or more remote devices. The auscultation aid may comprise a mount for temporary attachment to a conventional acoustic stethoscope. The auscultation aid may include an apparatus for switching between active and sleep modes for the conservation of battery life.

Abstract: The diaphragm assembly includes a diaphragm adhesively attached to a rim. The rim has a C-shaped cross section with the C-shape facing inward and a membrane extending radially inward from one of the radial portions of the C-shaped portion. The diaphragm is attached to the membrane. The thickness of the membrane is about two tenths of the thickness of the section of the C-shaped portion. The groove formed by the C-shape engages a rib on a stethoscope chest piece to install the diaphragm assembly.

Abstract: The tube assembly is made up of an outer, elastomeric tube, a close wound metal spring inside the outer tube and a layer of material inside the spring to provide a smooth inner surface for the assembly. The layer may be a thin-walled elastomeric plastic tube or a layer of elastomeric material applied to the inside of the spring. Also, the spring wire may be coated with elastomeric plastic.