ClearSteth
Bluetooth (Littman) Stethoscope Configuration
This article explains how to configure the Bluetooth (Littman) stethoscope within eNcounter and CapSure.
Launching ClearSteth and Initial Configuration within eNcounter/CapSure
- Click the stethoscope
icon on the eNcounter device panel to display the conferencing and ClearSteth panels.
- If a stethoscope device is not configured, the user will be prompted to configure a stethoscope by selecting a detected device under the Devices section or to configure a listening device by selecting the option that reads "I won't be using a stethoscope I'm just here to listen".
Configuring a Bluetooth Stethoscope (Littman)
- From the initial configuration screen, select the Add Stethoscope button and then select the Bluetooth stethoscope option.
- After selecting the bluetooth stethoscope type the user will be prompted to set the Littman stethoscope into pair mode. Select Next after the stethoscope is in pair mode.
To set the Littman stethoscope into pair mode press the ‘M’ button the stethoscope's directional pad to enter the main menu.
Scroll down and select ‘Pair' by pressing the 'M' button. Once the device is in ‘Pair’ mode, a four-digit code will be displayed.
- Enter the four-digit code provided on the stethoscope pair screen and select 'Pair'.
- Occasionally the pairing may be lost, and a connection cannot be made. To resolve this issue, utilize the following steps:
- Open the Windows Bluetooth Devices menu located in the system tray.
- Find the entry for the Littmann stethoscope, click the entry, and select Remove Device.
- Utilize the previous steps to pair the stethoscope again.
Configuring ClearSteth for Listening to Incoming Stethoscope Audio
- From the initial configuration screen, select the prompt at the bottom that reads "I won't be using a stethoscope I'm just here to listen".
- Select the applicable audio device under the ‘Listening Device’ section.
- The ‘Test’ button is available to verify the listening device is receiving audio. Click ‘Continue’ to proceed.
- If the initial configuration screen is no longer available there is also a ‘Listening Device’ section at the bottom of the ClearSteth home screen.
- Select the applicable audio device under the ‘Listening Device’ section.
Connecting with End Users
- To initiate a meeting, select the applicable user from the contacts tab on the conferencing panel to view the user’s contact options.
- Depending on the end users supported communication configuration, click the video or audio-only conference call icon to connect with the end user.
- Once connected, the end user’s conferencing window will appear.
- To begin sharing stethoscope sounds, switch the ‘Connect’ toggle to ON. An audio waveform will be displayed when the stethoscope is active.
Select “Adjust Stethoscope Volume” and adjust to the desired volume to successfully hear auscultations on your device.
- To discontinue the transmission of stethoscope audio, switch the ‘Connect’ toggle to OFF.
- To end the conference call, click the red phone icon.
Using Stethoscope Filters
ClearSteth offers various audio filters that isolate specific audio frequency ranges to allow users to better hear the organs systems of interest.
Clinical evidence indicates that heart sounds begin below the audible threshold of 20 Hz and do not exceed 1000Hz - with most being heard between the 20-500Hz range. High frequency heart sounds, such as murmurs of aortic insufficiency and mistrial insufficiency, are better heard with the use of a diaphragm that filters out the low frequency components of other heart sounds. Lung sounds are classified into the following groups: Low (under 100 Hz), middle (200-600Hz), and high frequency (600-1200Hz). These categories include the majority of clinically relevant respiratory sounds (crackles, wheezes, rubs, etc), even the highest pitched wheezes rarely exceed 2000 Hz.
- Littman Stethoscope Filters - users on the receiving end of a Littman stethoscope call will be presented with 3 options for filtering the stethoscope audio.
Littman Stethoscope Filters
| Filter | Frequency Range (Hz) | Description |
Bell |
20-200 | • Recommended for low frequency sounds, including heart sounds. |
Diaphragm |
100-500 | • Recommended for low to moderate frequency sounds. |
Extended |
50-500 | • Recommended for higher frequency breathing sounds, including wheezes and coughs. |
- To select a filter, press the filter button located on the device’s directional pad.