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Modified3019 5 hours ago

Do the design and materials take into account how well it can be sterilized?

zabzonk 5 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Never seen a UK doctor or nurse attempt to clean, much les sterilize, one.

jwcacces 5 hours ago | parent | next [-]

There are disposable, single-patient stethoscopes, but I've seen my Dr do a casual wipe with an alcohol swab often enough...

xyzzy_plugh 5 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I think this is a good point, insofar that how bacterial resistant the stethoscope is relevant. Stethoscopes made of stainless steel are going to beat anything 3d printed by a significant margin.

bsza 4 hours ago | parent [-]

It definitely doesn’t help that prints from filament printers are very porous, 100% infill or not. Maybe sealing it with epoxy after printing would help?

bluGill 3 hours ago | parent [-]

This seems like another case where the hobby has discovered the 3d printer hammer and forgot that cnc tools (lathe, milling machines) are often better and faster for the job. Or if plastic is what you want injection molding is something you can do on a hobby scale and it is much better (but unlike the others this isn't something you can go from CAD to widget)

matheusmoreira 4 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

The usual procedure is to wipe with 70% ethyl alcohol.

classichasclass 4 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

I regularly wipe my stethoscope, but I have never sterilized it. I doubt many would survive an autoclave.