Otoscope Providing Multi-Directional Illumination

Abstract

An otoscope provides a disposable speculum sleeve that conducts light to a narrow tip holding an electronic camera. By removing the light source from the tip, the diameter of the tip may be further reduced to allow the space of the ear canal to be shared between the otoscope and a tool such as a curette for removing foreign objects or to permit the tip to navigate around ear obstructions. The sleeve may provide for multidirectional illumination of the ear structure for improved visualization. The tip and sleeve may be flexible for increased patient comfort when using a compact tip design.

What we claim is: 
     
         1 . An otoscope comprising:
 a housing adapted for support by a hand of a healthcare professional with the housing in an inspection position adjacent to an outer ear of a patient;   an elongate probe element having a proximal end supported by the housing so that a distal end of the elongate probe element may extend along an axis into the ear canal of the outer ear in the inspection position;   an electronic camera supported by a distal end of the elongate probe element for viewing into the ear canal when the distal end of the probe element is in the inspection position in the ear canal; and   a coaxial sheath positioned around the probe element to conduct light from a proximal end of the sheath to a distal end of the sheath proximate to the electronic camera.   
     
     
         2 . The otoscope of  claim 1  wherein the coaxial sheath is a tubular light pipe. 
     
     
         3 . The otoscope of  claim 1  wherein an outer diameter of the coaxial sheath at a distal 0.5 centimeter length of the coaxial sheath is less than 5 millimeters. 
     
     
         4 . The otoscope of  claim 3  wherein the outer diameter of the coaxial sheath at a distal one centimeter length of the coaxial sheath is less than three millimeters. 
     
     
         5 . The otoscope of  claim 1  wherein the coaxial sheath is coated with an elastomer having greater compliance under pressure than the coaxial sheath. 
     
     
         6 . The otoscope of  claim 5  wherein the elastomer is silicone. 
     
     
         7 . The otoscope of  claim 1  wherein the coaxial sheath is constructed at least in part of a transparent elastomeric material. 
     
     
         8 . The otoscope of  claim 1  wherein a distal portion of the coaxial sheath before the distal end of the coaxial sheath emits light in a direction having a lateral component perpendicular to the axis. 
     
     
         9 . The otoscope of  claim 8  wherein the distal portion is a substantially light conducting tube emitting light radially with respect to the axis. 
     
     
         10 . The otoscope of  claim 9  wherein the distal portion includes a light diffusing outer surface. 
     
     
         11 . The otoscope of  claim 1  wherein the distal portion provides an outer surface presenting radially extending ridges or bristles for removal of material from the ear canal. 
     
     
         12 . The otoscope of  claim 1  wherein the coaxial sheath includes mechanical retention elements cooperating with corresponding elements on the housing for releasably attaching the coaxial sheath to the housing through an applied force to the coaxial sheath. 
     
     
         13 . The otoscope of  claim 12  wherein the applied force is a torsional force about the axis. 
     
     
         14 . The otoscope of  claim 1  wherein the elongate probe is supported on the housing by a retraction mechanism allowing extension and retraction of the elongate probe along the axis with respect to the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The otoscope of  claim 14  wherein the sheath cooperates with the retraction mechanism to retract the elongate probe when the sheath is removed from around the elongate probe and to extend the elongate probe when the sheath is installed around the elongate probe. 
     
     
         16 . The otoscope of  claim 15  wherein the cooperation between the sheath and the retraction mechanism includes a helical internal thread on the sheath. 
     
     
         17 . The otoscope of  claim 1  wherein the sheath includes an optically transparent portion covering the camera so that the camera field of view extends through the optically transparent portion. 
     
     
         18 . The otoscope of  claim 1  wherein the housing includes a detachable grip portion extending in a direction having a component perpendicular to the axis for supporting the otoscope with a single hand gripping the grip portion. 
     
     
         19 . The otoscope of claim I further including a barcode decoder for receiving signals from the camera imaging a barcode to decode the barcode.