151 results about "Otoscope" patented technology

A hand-held digital camera for obtaining images of a portion of a patient's body and having a hand-held housing, a visible light source located within the housing for providing light along an illumination path from the housing aperture to the patient's body, an image sensor located within the housing that detects light returning from the patient's body along an imaging path that passes into the housing aperture, an optical system located within the housing with separate illumination and imaging paths, an external optical aperture common to the illumination and imaging systems, wherein the illumination and imaging sub-apertures are wholly contained within the common external aperture, are longitudinally coincident, and are laterally separated and non-overlapping, a digital memory device for storing captured images, an output display carried by the housing, and the ability to electronically transmit stored images. The camera can be used for retinal imaging and for otoscopy.

An otoscope kit includes a light source, an otoscope head for mounting on the light source; an adapter for removably mounting to the otoscope head, the adapter having a helical slit about its periphery; and at least one speculum for mounting on the adapter, the speculum having a projection wherein for engaging the slit for drawing the speculum into close contact with the adapter to removably secure the speculum to the adapter during use.

A tip element for an otoscopic apparatus includes engagement features that permit selective attachment to two different tip attachment mechanisms. The tip element includes both interior and exterior engagement features that provide interchangeability with otoscopes having different tip attachment schemes. The tip element includes an increased distal aperture formed from a decreased slope that enables a larger field of view, permitting the entire tympanic membrane to be viewed at once. External engagement features permit ejection of the tip from the otoscope, as well as stackability of a plurality of tip elements.

The present optical image viewing fiberoptic otoscope electromagnetically passive. A body portion is connectable to a light source and has mounted to it a fiberoptic cable and an optical viewer. The fiberoptic cable is thin and flexible, and contains separate light and image transmission paths. Its distal end is adapted for emitting and receiving light. The body includes a light source connection for interfacing an external light source. An optical-type image viewer attached to the body is in light communication with the image path for displaying a received image for viewing by a user. One or more tools are mountable to the otoscope body or fiberoptic cable for performing an operation at the distal end of the fiberoptic cable, e.g., removal of a material from the site. Optionally, the otoscope body may be mounted to a headband via an articulated support arm.

An otoscope permitting examination of a patient's ear is defined by an instrument head including a proximal end and a distal insertion portion that is insertable into the ear. The otoscope includes an imaging lens train disposed within the instrument head, wherein each of the imaging lens train, an eyepiece and a distal opening of said insertion portion are aligned along an optical axis. The otoscope further includes a focusing mechanism for selectively moving at least one of the imaging lens train and the optics contained within the eyepiece relative to one another along the optical axis. The imaging lens train and the optics in the eyepiece define an optical system such that an entrance pupil is substantially located in the distal insertion portion of the instrument head, thereby enabling the entire tympanic membrane to be viewed at once by the user.

A tip element for an otoscopic apparatus includes engagement features that permit selective attachment to two different tip attachment mechanisms. The tip element includes both interior and exterior engagement features that provide interchangeability with otoscopes having different tip attachment schemes. The tip element includes an increased distal aperture formed from a decreased slope that enables a larger field of view, permitting the entire tympanic membrane to be viewed at once. External engagement features permit ejection of the tip element from the otoscope, as well as stackability of a plurality of tip elements.

An otoscope provides a circular display allowing a compact housing providing improved simultaneous viewing of the display and the patient's ear for improved positioning and stabilization of the otoscope. A recorded image may be rotationally corrected, and non-image data displayed on the screen may be rotationally corrected with the use of an inclinometer.

The present otoscope attachment, when used with a cellular phone comprising a light source, provides a powerful otoscope that is both lightweight and portable. This otoscope is powered by one or more light sources comprising the cellular phone, which provides the light necessary to conduct a medical examination with the otoscope. A further feature of this device is its ability to be folded flat making it easy to carry in one's pocket.

Methods and apparatus for identifying microbiological constituents in the middle ear. A spectrometer receives Raman-scattered light from the region of the tympanic membrane and resolves spectral features of the Raman-scattered light. A processor receives the interferometry signal and the Raman signal, and generates a Raman spectrum of the tympanic membrane and material adjacent thereto. In some embodiments of the invention, low-coherence light and substantially monochromatic excitation light are directed onto a tympanic membrane of the ear of a person via an otoscopic tip that abuts the ear canal. An interferometer combines scattered low-coherence light from the ear tissue with a reference signal to generate an interferometric signal.

A plenoptic otoscope enables three-dimensional and / or spectral imaging of the inside of the ear to assist in improved diagnosis of inflammations and infections. The plenoptic otoscope includes a primary imaging system and a plenoptic sensor. The primary imaging system includes an otoscope objective and relay optics, which cooperate to form an image of an inside of an ear at an intermediate image plane. The plenoptic sensor includes a microimaging array positioned at the intermediate image plane and a sensor array positioned at a conjugate of the pupil plane. An optional filter module may be positioned at the pupil plane or one of its conjugates to facilitate three-dimensional and / or spectral imaging.

An otoscope kit includes a light source, an otoscope head for mounting on the light source; an adapter for removably mounting to the otoscope head, the adapter having a helical slit about its periphery; and at least one speculum for mounting on the adapter, the speculum having a projection wherein for engaging the slit for drawing the speculum into close contact with the adapter to removably secure the speculum to the adapter during use.

A plenoptic otoscope captures images used in making a medical diagnosis. For example, the plenoptic data can be processed to produce enhanced imagery of the ear interior, and this enhanced imagery can be used in making a medical diagnosis.

The otoscope including an elongated body member having a water resistant substantially hollow interior, a head member attached to the distal end of the body member, a power source positioned in the water resistant substantially hollow interior of the body member, a light emitting diode positioned in the water resistant substantially hollow interior portion of the body member and being in selective electrical communication with the power source, and a light emitting diode holder positioned within the water resistant substantially hollow interior portion of the body member and having a concave surface facing the head member, the light emitting diode holder having an aperture formed through a central axis thereof, the aperture being sized to receive the distal end of the light emitting diode. There is a seal between the end of light emitting diode that extends through the aperture and the aperture itself thus exposing only the end of the LED light to the external environment. Since the Light emitting diode burns cool unlike incandescent light sources there is no harm to it from moisture even after it has been burning for extended periods. The otoscope head member also contains a light reflecting surface positioned in the path of light being emitted from the end of the light emitting diode that extends out the aperture, the reflecting member being positioned at an angle to direct the light at a 90 degree angle down the otoscope speculum and into the ear canal for use in visualization via the magnifying lens.

Methods and apparatus for performing interferometric measurements on ear tissue within a person's ear, wherein the measurements are performed as a function of pressure within the ear canal. Measurements may be performed at a plurality of pressures, including pressures greater than, and less than, atmospheric pressure. Using an apparatus in accordance with the invention, methods are provided for characterizing a tympanic membrane, as well as a biofilm adjacent to the tympanic membrane, and an effusion in the middle ear. The tympanic membrane may be characterized as to geometrical features and mobility. Characterizations provided by the apparatus serve to diagnose ear pathology.

A diagnosis-and-display integrated optical tomographic imaging otoscope for examining otitis media. A hollow casing includes an ear specular disposed on a front surface, a display including an LCD disposed on a rear surface, and a manipulating handle on a lower part. An image-photographing part includes a CCD camera inside the casing, and photographs an ear drum image of a patient through the ear specular. A section-photographing part includes a collimator and a galvanometer mirror inside the casing, and photographs section images of the ear drum and a middle ear of the patient. The ear drum image obtained by the image-photographing part and the section images of the ear drum and the middle ear are obtained in a non-incision method by the section-photographing part, and are displayed in real time on the LCD such that desirable images can be stored.

Some embodiments provide an attachment for adapting an examination tool to identify a foreign object within a small orifice and to safely extract the foreign object using the examination tool. In some embodiments, the attachment is an enhanced otoscope cover for adapting an otoscope to simultaneously examine the ear canal and remove accumulated cerumen from the ear canal. The attachment includes a cover to couple the attachment to the otoscope and to provide a focal view point for the attachment. The attachment includes a support that extends from the cover. An extraction tip is located at the end of the support and is used to engage and extract cerumen and other objects.

A veterinary otoscope permitting examination of an ear is defined by an instrument head including a proximal end and a distal insertion portion that is insertable into the ear. The veterinary otoscope includes an imaging lens train disposed within the instrument head, wherein each of the imagine lens train, an eyepiece and a distal opening of said insertion portion are aligned along an optical axis. The veterinary otoscope further includes a focusing mechanism for selectively moving at least one of the imagine lens train and the optics contained within the eyepiece relative to one another along the optical axis. The imagine lens train and the optics in the eyepiece define an optical system such that an entrance pipil is substantially located in the distal insertion portion of the instrument head, thereby enabling the entire tympanic membrane to be viewed at once by the user.

An otoscope comprising a handle portion and a head portion being substantially tapered along its longitudinal axis, the head portion having a proximal end adjacent to the handle portion and a smaller distal end adapted to be introduced in an ear canal of a patient's outer ear. The otoscope further comprises an electronic imaging unit at the distal end of the head portion, and fixing means configured to fix an at least partially transparent probe cover adapted to be put over the head portion in a gas-tight manner to the head portion and / or to the handle portion, and wherein the otoscope further comprises a probe cover moving mechanism configured to move at least a portion of the probe cover. A probe cover for such an otoscope and a method of identifying objects in a subject's ear are also disclosed.

An otoscopic model is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the otoscopic model includes an artificial ear, an artificial head and at least one tympanic membrane portion. The artificial ear includes a base portion and an ear portion extending from the base and having ear-like features including an auditory canal. The artificial head includes an opening adapted to receive the base portion. The at least one tympanic membrane portion includes an artificial tympanic membrane. The tympanic membrane portion is configured to be coupled with the artificial ear such that the artificial tympanic membrane is located relative to the auditory canal in a generally anatomically correct manner.

An otoscope, comprising: (a) a flexible speculum, operable to be inserted into an ear canal; (b) a stopper, coupled to the flexible speculum, operable to limit penetration depth of the flexible speculum into the ear canal; and (c) an imaging sensor, located inside the flexible speculum, operable to capture an image of an eardrum of the ear canal; wherein a flexibility of the flexible speculum allows alignment of the imaging sensor according to a shape of the ear canal.

A veterinary otoscope permitting examination of an ear is defined by an instrument head including a proximal end and a distal insertion portion that is insertable into the ear. The veterinary otoscope includes an imaging lens train disposed within the instrument head, wherein each of the imagine lens train, an eyepiece and a distal opening of said insertion portion are aligned along an optical axis. The veterinary otoscope further includes a focusing mechanism for selectively moving at least one of the imagine lens train and the optics contained within the eyepiece relative to one another along the optical axis. The imagine lens train and the optics in the eyepiece define an optical system such that an entrance pipil is substantially located in the distal insertion portion of the instrument head, thereby enabling the entire tympanic membrane to be viewed at once by the user.

The present optical image viewing fiberoptic otoscope electromagnetically passive. A body portion is connectable to a light source and has mounted to it a fiberoptic cable and an optical viewer. The fiberoptic cable is thin and flexible, and contains separate light and image transmission paths. Its distal end is adapted for emitting and receiving light. The body includes a light source connection for interfacing an external light source. An optical-type image viewer attached to the body is in light communication with the image path for displaying a received image for viewing by a user. One or more tools are mountable to the otoscope body or fiberoptic cable for performing an operation at the distal end of the fiberoptic cable, e.g., removal of a material from the site. Optionally, the otoscope body may be mounted to a headband via an articulated support arm.

Systems and methods for a short wave infrared (SWIR) otoscope device are provided. The SWIR otoscope device can capture images of a patient's middle ear to aid in diagnosing one of a plurality of maladies. In one embodiment, the SWIR otoscope device can include a SWIR detector, a light source, and a plurality of optics that can enable the SWIR otoscope device to capture images of the middle ear of a patient.

An otoscope comprising a handle portion and a head portion substantially tapering along its longitudinal axis, wherein the head portion has a proximal end adjacent to the handle portion and a smaller distal end configured to be introduced in an outer ear canal. The otoscope comprises an optical electronic imaging unit at the distal end of the head portion, especially at a distal tip of the head portion, wherein the electronic imaging unit exhibits at least one optical axis which is radially offset from the longitudinal axis, and wherein the distal end is configured for accommodating the electronic imaging unit in such a way that the radial offset can be maximum with respect to the diameter of the distal end.

The present invention is a portable otoscope device that is mainly a single machine-operated structural design for convenient usage by users. It includes a grip styled main body with a protruding conical shape body set on the front end of its upper portion and a base portion set in the rear side, and it combines with a display panel. There is a control circuitry system set inside the main body that is including at least picture-taking and displaying mechanism. The protruding conical shape body is used to extend it into the patient's ears such that the images can be transferred to the display panel through the picture-taking mechanism. It then can provide a fast and simple surveillance and diagnosis, and it thus can obtain the practical advancement.