Ear Ailment Diagnostic Device and Method

Abstract

An ear ailment diagnostic device and method in accordance with the present disclosure generally comprises a pair of earpieces, which both further comprise a light source, a magnification lens, an air conduction channel and a miniature camera. The earpieces may optionally comprise a thermometer and/or tympanometer. Each earpiece is coupled to an air conduction tube, an insufflator and an electrical wiring/data tube which is coupled to a computer. The insufflator may be manually, electronically, or battery powered. In the preferred embodiment the computer comprises a smart phone with data processing capability and wireless communication capability. Any data sent from the device can then be interpreted and diagnosed in a remote location so that an accurate treatment is prescribed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for examining an outer and middle ear, capturing data, recording data and transmitting data relating to the ear or a pair of ears comprising:
 at least one earpiece;   said at least one earpiece further comprising a bulbous housing, a tip of said housing sized to fit within an ear canal, a light source, and a digital camera;   an air tube directly connected to said tip and an electrical wire directly coupled to said camera, wherein the air tube and the electrical wire merge to form a combined tube;   an insufflator directly connected to said combined tube; and   a computer electrically coupled to said insufflator.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one clip for securing said at least one earpiece. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a digital thermometer within said tip, said thermometer electrically coupled to said electrical wire. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a tympanometer within said housing, said tympanometer electrically coupled to said electrical wire. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a junction node between said air tube and said combined tube. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said tip may swivel, pivot, be maneuverable, extendable, flexible or moldable. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said light source comprises a light-emitting diode. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said camera captures both still pictures and video clips. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said camera further comprises a remotely controlled adjustable lighting source, magnification, aperture speed, position, focus and recording quality. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said air tube is ring-shaped and lines the inner circumference of said tip. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said infufflator is either manually powered or electrically powered. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said air tube and said electrical wire remain separate and do not merge to form said combined tube, and said insufflator is directly coupled to said air tube. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said air tube and said combined tube are composed of a mixture of rubber, plastic and cloth. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said computer is selected form one of the group consisting of: a smart-phone, a custom dedicated device, a laptop computer, a tablet computer and a net-book. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said computer further comprises a monitor screen, a means for user input, a data input port, a data exit port, a computer-readable medium and a means for wireless transmission of data. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said computer comprises wireless communication capability. 
     
     
         17 . A method of using the device of  claim 1  to diagnose and treat ear ailments comprising the steps of:
 inputting user-specific data into a computer; 
 inserting said tip of said housing into an ear canal; 
 positioning said tip of said housing and securing with at least one ear clip; 
 activating a camera within said earpiece to capture an image; 
 transmitting said data and said image; and 
 remotely diagnosing a condition of said ear and returning a treatment plan. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of recording readings from a thermometer or tympanometer while capturing said image. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of activating said insufflator while capturing said image. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of receiving instructions from a speaker within said housing, said instructions describing how to best fit and initiate said device.