Ford bell stethoscope

Ford developed the Ford Bell Stethoscope, originally patented in 1882. The key innovation in the Ford Bell Stethoscope was its adjustable watch mechanism holding the ear tubes together and nozzle (bell) chest piece which aimed to enhance the acoustic properties of the stethoscope. The bell was designed to be more sensitive to low-frequency sounds, such as heartbeats and certain lung sounds. This made it especially useful for physicians when diagnosing conditions related to heart.