By law, both instruments must initially be within 3mmHg of a reference standard. However, because aneroid gauges rely on gears and mechanical linkages, mercury instruments will likely REMAIN accurate for a longer period of time. However, there is a trade-off; mercury instruments are generally not as portable and necessitate the use of 99.9999% pure elemental mercury, which is being banned by more and more municipalities and states.

Aneroid sphygs utilize mechanical gears and a mechanical linkage which can wear out or be knocked out of calibration. ADC aneroids are designed to provide a visual indication of accuracy. Our aneroid will require re-calibration if the indicator needle is outside the oval at the bottom of the dial. Unfortunately, when the needle is inside the oval, you can't be absolutely sure that the gauge is in calibration, unless it is a brand new unit from a reputable manufacturer (that's because gauges can be tampered with - some more easily than others).

All medical device manufacturers and most medical devices are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has accepted the sphygmomanometer standards established by the American National Standards Institute. The ANSI/AAMI/ISO 81060 series of standards set performance requirements for non-automated (aneroid & mercurial) sphygmomanometers as well as automated (electronic) sphygmomanometers. You may obtain copies of these standards by contacting ANSI or visiting their website.

A pacemaker will not cause interference. Defibrillators may cause some interference, but only at those times that the defibrillator is actively firing.

Five factors – Performance, Quality, Durability, Warranty, and Value.

• Performance: According to independent lab tests, ADC PROSCOPE and ADSCOPE stethoscopes perform as well, or better than comparable competitive models. Depending on model, they may include AFD Technology, PVC diaphragm rims and bells, ADSOFT eartips, bi-lumen design internal spring binaurals and convertible chestpieces for unmatched versatility.

First and foremost, choose the scope that works best for YOU. Check the fit and comfort; you could be wearing your scope for extended periods of time. Eartips are critical as they are the interface between you and the instrument. Make sure they’re both comfortable and provide a proper seal to optimize sound transmission. ADSOFT eartips, found exclusively in our ADSCOPES provide the ultimate in wearing comfort and acoustic seal. Next, choose a scope that has the features you need within your budget.

ADC makes dozens of stethoscopes - from institutional models with a MSRP of about $2.00 to a professional electronic model costing nearly $300. The model you should choose depends on the application and your budget.

Laboratory tests have demonstrated that shorter tubing provides a better acoustic response. In reality, most people do not have the hearing acuity to detect any performance impact from changes in tubing length unless there is a dramatic change in that length. In fact, the acoustic transmission of lower frequencies, with their longer wavelength, benefit slightly from increases in tubing length. Longer tubing tends to make the scope more convenient to use, but also adds a bit to its weight. Bottom line - tubing length is generally a matter of personal preference.

Two-tube stethoscopes, such as the ADSCOPE 600, 601, 606 and 641 (the 600, 601 and 606) feature our two-tube in one design, while the 641 actually has two separate tubes) provide better stereo separation allowing you to hear the subtle characteristics of heart sounds and murmurs more distinctly. The heavier tubing also filters out the distracting noise typical of a busy medical environment.

Generally speaking, to attenuate certain frequencies. The flat side is equipped with a membrane that is generally referred to as the diaphragm side. The conical or bell shaped side is called the bell. Body sounds generally fall within a frequency range of 50 to 2000 Hz. The diaphragm side is designed to attenuate the lower frequency and accentuate higher frequencies within this range - from 500 to 1000 Hz. The bell side is designed for lower frequencies - from 50 to 500 Hz.