New 3M Littmann Model 3000 Stethoscope

Try-Before-You-Buy program gives clinicians the opportunity to test drive

• 3M Littmann
• 2007 Sept 10

ST. PAUL, Minn. — For the first time, health care professionals can enjoy a one-month, risk-free, no-cost trial of the 3M Littmann Electronic Stethoscope Model 3000 to hear what they have been missing.  Under the program, clinicians can order the state-of-the-art Model 3000 and use it for 30 days for free.  Then they can keep and pay for it, or return it at no charge, with no questions asked.

“The Model 3000 brings auscultation technology to a new level,” said Ned Hancock, marketing manager, 3M Health Care.  “Our new Try-Before-You-Buy program will give clinicians the opportunity to test drive it in a wide range of real-world patient settings.”

Representing the next-generation electronic stethoscope, the Model 3000 features proprietary Ambient Noise Reduction (ANR) technology and amplification up to 18 times greater than non-electronic stethoscopes.  Much like noise-canceling headphones, ANR technology is designed to reduce distracting noise (such as from human voices and medical equipment like respirators, heart/lung machines and heart monitors) by an average of 75 percent without filtering away critical sounds.  Combine that with 18 times amplification and you have an instrument that is uniquely equipped to help clinicians detect the sounds they need to hear.

In a study with 191 cardiologists, participants missed an S3 gallop (an extra heart sound) 40 percent more often when using a non-electronic, cardiology-type stethoscope than with the Model 3000.  Additionally, 80 percent of the doctors indicated it was easier to detect an S3 gallop with the Model 3000 than with a non-electric cardiology stethoscope.

The stethoscope, one of the most identifiable symbols of medicine, is among the most basic and essential tools used by health professionals.  It is typically the first test to detect irregular heart, lung or other body sounds.   The ability to cancel external noise while considerably amplifying body sounds may ultimately help health professionals deliver better patient care.

The Try-Before-You-Buy program runs through October 31, 2007.  To learn more about the free trial or to sign up, health professionals can call 1-866-755-6611, visit  www.littmann.com or contact an authorized Littmann dealer.

A health care worker typically purchases five stethoscopes over his or her career, making the selection an important one.

The Model 3000 is the latest innovation from 3M Littmann brand stethoscopes, which have been trusted by millions of doctors, nurses and health care professionals worldwide for 40 years.  Renowned for acoustical superiority, Littmann stethoscopes have remained at the forefront of auscultation technology for nearly half a century.  Having pioneered key advances in the field, including a “two-sided” chestpiece - the basis for most stethoscopes used in medical practice today - and “tunable” technology that makes stethoscopes more convenient for clinicians, the Littmann engineers continue to push the boundaries of auscultation technology.

About 3M Health Care

3M Health Care, one of 3M’s six major business segments, provides world-class innovative products and services to help health care professionals improve the practice, delivery and outcome of patient care in medical, oral care, drug delivery and health information markets.

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Contact:          

Stephanie Sanderson  

3M

(651) 733-8588 

sjsanderson@mmm.com

 

Melissa Lang

WeissComm Partners

(212) 301-7208

mlang@weisscommpartners.com

 

3M and Littmann are trademarks of 3M.