Find HS Code and trade information for stethoscope

Stethoscope

A stethoscope is an acoustic medical device for auscultation, or listening to the internal sounds of an animal or human body.

Material:

Historically, stethoscopes were constructed from wood. Modern stethoscopes are typically made from:

• Chestpiece: Stainless steel is the most common material, providing durability and good acoustic transmission.
• Tubing: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or rubber are common, offering flexibility and non-conductivity. More advanced models utilize thicker, multi-lumen tubing to reduce noise.
• Eartips: Silicone or rubber, designed for comfortable and secure fit within the ear canal, providing acoustic seal.
• Diaphragm & Bell: Diaphragms are typically made of plastic polyester film. Bells are constructed from stainless steel.

Purpose:

The primary purpose of a stethoscope is to listen for sounds within the body, aiding in the diagnosis and monitoring of various conditions. These sounds include:

• Heart Sounds: Rate, rhythm, and presence of murmurs or abnormal sounds.
• Lung Sounds: Presence of wheezes, crackles, rhonchi, or diminished breath sounds.
• Bowel Sounds: Assessing gastrointestinal activity.
• Blood Pressure: Used in conjunction with a sphygmomanometer to measure systolic and diastolic blood pressure (using the bell).
• Other Sounds: Arterial bruits, fetal heart tones, and sounds related to fluid accumulation.

Function:

The stethoscope works by transmitting sounds through three pathways:

1. Airborne Conduction: Sounds travel directly through the air to the chestpiece.
2. Direct Contact: Sounds travel through the chestpiece via direct contact with the skin.
3. Tubing Transmission: Vibrations are transmitted through the tubing to the earpieces.

The diaphragm amplifies higher-frequency sounds, while the bell is better suited for lower-frequency sounds.

Usage Scenarios:

• Clinical Examinations: Routine physical exams by physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
• Cardiology: Detailed assessment of heart function and detection of cardiac abnormalities.
• Pulmonology: Evaluation of lung function and diagnosis of respiratory conditions.
• Emergency Medicine: Rapid assessment of patients in critical situations.
• Veterinary Medicine: Examination of animals.
• Pregnancy: Monitoring fetal heart rate.

Common Types:

• Acoustic Stethoscopes: The most common type, relying on sound transmission through tubing.
  • Dual-Head Stethoscopes: Feature both a diaphragm and a bell for versatile sound detection.
  • Single-Head Stethoscopes: Utilize either a diaphragm or a bell.
• Electronic Stethoscopes: Amplify sounds electronically and can often filter background noise. Some models can record and transmit sounds digitally.
• Fetal Stethoscopes: Specifically designed for listening to fetal heart tones, often featuring a bell-shaped chestpiece.
• Cardiology Stethoscopes: Higher quality acoustic stethoscopes with enhanced sound clarity and noise reduction, designed for specialized cardiac examinations.
• Teaching Stethoscopes: Often have two chestpieces, allowing both the instructor and student to listen simultaneously.

Stethoscope Classification and Tariff Information

Stethoscopes fall under the category of medical instruments. Here's a breakdown of relevant HS codes and associated tariff details:

• 9018.90.4000: This HS code covers instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, specifically other instruments and appliances, and parts thereof. This includes percussion hammers, stethoscopes, and parts of stethoscopes.
  • 90: Chapter 90 pertains to Instruments and appliances which are used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences.
  • 18: Heading 18 specifies Instruments and appliances which are used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences.
  • 90: Subheading 90 indicates Other instruments and appliances.
  • 4000: This further specifies percussion hammers, stethoscopes and parts of stethoscopes.
  • Tariff Details: The base tariff is 0.0%, with a 0.0% additional tariff. However, a 30.0% additional tariff will be applied after April 2, 2025, resulting in a total tariff of 30.0%.

According to the provided reference material, the HS code options related to 'stethoscope' are limited, with only the following 1 found.