WO2011141925A1

WO2011141925A1 - Ear nose throat multiscope and recorder

Info

Publication number: WO2011141925A1
Application number: PCT/IN2010/000756
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chadurvedi Jagadish
Original assignee: Chadurvedi Jagadish
Priority date: 2010-05-10
Filing date: 2010-11-19
Publication date: 2011-11-17

Abstract

An ear nose throat multi scopes and recorder (EMR) includes an inbuilt camera/recording system along with an inbuilt light source. By means of an adapter (5) the inbuilt light source can be connected to three types of scopes (6) which can examine the ear nose and throat utilizing the same instrument. The scopes will receive light through a connector (13) that will attach to the outlet (2) on the neck of the EMR hence transmitting light from the EMR into the scope. The images/videos formed as visualized on an LCD screen (11) at the view piece can be stored in the memory card incorporated or can be transferred to a computer/laptop via a USB port situated on the base of the EMR.

Description

EAR NOSETHROAT MULTISCOPE AND RECORDER ( E.M.R)

This invention relates to improvement in device for practicing Ear Nose Throat (ENT) Surgeons and physicians who cannot afford a complete set up for Endoscopic examination of the ear nose and throat (space occupying set up and expensive), and also for those medical practitioners who require a portable recording device that can examine the ear nose and throat using the same instrument at a rural community or for emergency purposes.

For many medical practitioners and practicing ENT surgeons the diagnosis of an ENT condition is dependant upon examination of the ear, nose and throat using an external light source (Bull's eye lamp), various types of mirrors and speculums and basic otoscopes that can help visualize inside the ear. But these require skill and experience of the doctor and the findings are often inconsistent if the examination is improperly conducted. This leads to expenditure of time in making a confirmed diagnosis and warrants the need for confirmation or more detailed examination. Hence the patient is asked to undergo either a nasal endoscopy (to visualize the entire length of the nose using an elongated scope) for a nasal pathology or video laryngoscopy (to visualize the larynx/throat) for a laryngeal pathology. To confirm ear findings microscopic examination is often required and an otoscopy ( to visualise inside the ear ) for ear pathologies. This leads to added expense and time loss for the patient. The patient also has to travel to hospitals where these facilities are available.

There have been many proposals for faster and portable examination by the addition of camera's and connections to computers/laptops but these have been implied to only Otoscopic examination(ear examination). These problems are overcome by the present device comprising of a portable battery operated instrument that has an inbuilt light source and an in built camera , that can store and record images /videos , and can examine inside the ear, nose and throat using the same instrument by the help of interchangeable detachable scopes.

In one form of the invention, the main instrument will contain a battery that generates light through an outlet and also generates functioning of the inbuilt camera. Various elongated scopes can be attached in front of the camera and the light outlet will fix into the attached scope hence illuminating the scope and its lens. The images then produced will be seen on the (Liquid crystal Display) LCD screen situated along the axis of the camera and with help of zooming buttons appropriate findings can be focused and can be recorded by pressing the record button.

In another form of the invention, the battery can be recharged utilizing solar energy by incorporating a solar panel on the back side of the device. Here an elongated scope will be fixed to the camera with only the tip being flexible so that it can bend upto 90 degrees which can be used to examine the throat. When the tip of the scope is angled to 0 degrees it can be used to visualize the ear and nose. The recording and display will remain the same as explained above.

In another form of invention the properties of both the above mentioned i.e detachable scopes (to attach scopes of standard sizes) and the flexible tip scope can be incorporated into the same instrument. The battery can recharge by both electricity and solar energy. Hence advantages of both the above mentioned forms of inventions can be brought into a single device.

The visual display will be made up of a Liquid Crystal display screen or any other suitable material. The main instrument will be made up of metal/ impact resistant polycarbonate or any other suitable material. A 3X magnifying swivel lens will be attached to the camera (5 megapixel resolution) or any other suitable magnification. A 3.5V Halogen bulb or any other suitable voltage / type of bulb will be used for the illumination of lens and light source. The detachable scope/flexible tip scope will be made up of glass fibers /metal with incorporated optic fibers / lenses or any other suitable material. Lithium polymer rechargeable batteries or any other suitable rechargeable battery will be utilized .Solar rechargeable panels to utilize solar energy will be incorporated.

To assist with understanding the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which show one example of the invention.

Brief description of the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows one example of an Ear Nose Throat Multiscope and Recorder EMR showing its various parts and their locations.

FIG. 2 shows an assembled Ear Nose Throat Multiscope and Recorder EMR in various views.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments:

Referring to FIG. 1 it can be seen that the 16.5 cm long E.M.R comprises of a 7 x 6 cm rectangular view piece (1) containing a Liquid crystal display (LCD) screen(l 1) of the same dimensions. This screen receives power from the lithium rechargeable battery (9) placed in the 10 x 5 cm metallic / impact resistant polycarbonate base (4) of the EMR via the camera (21) which is incorporated in the view piece (1) after turning on the power button(22). At the opposite end of the view piece is a flat / circular adapter (5) made up of impact resistant polycarbonate/metal which allows attachment to different types of scopes (6,7,8) depending on the area of examination. This adapter contains a circular aperture/slot(18, FIG 2) in the centre which contains the open end of the lens in the view piece(l).This slot (18, FIG 2) widens in circumference by rotating the adapter anticlockwise(5a) / or by pressing buttons on the surface to allow the attachment of the wide end of the scope/base of scope(20). On releasing the button/ un-rotating the adapter the slot returns to its normal circumference (5b) holding the base of scope(20) tightly.

The cylindrical light outlet/port (2) of 3 cms length, made up of metal is situated on the impact resistant polycarbonate/metallic narrow neck (3) of the EMR. It receives power from the lithium rechargeable battery (9) and emits the light from the outlet/port(2). It contains serrations so that an "L" shaped 4 cm metallic cylindrical connector

(13) can be attached to the light outlet (2) by rotating it on to the light outlet by screwing action. This connector on the other end attaches to the light outlet (19) of the selected scope (6,7 8) so that the light travels through the scope and image is visualized onto the LCD Screen. Three scopes - 15 cm length, glass/metal, fiber optic scope for examination of throat (6), 10 cm length, glass/metal, fiber optic scope for examination of nose (7), 5 cm length, glass/metal, fiber optic scope for examination of the ear (8).Each contains a lens in its base of the scope/casing (20) from which optic fibers carry light up to the tip of the scope. The image seen from the scope is then carried back to the lens by these optic fibers. A single 12 cm glass/metal fiber optic scope with the last two cms flexible (23 FIG 2) for 0 degree to 90 degree angulations is also made so that the same scope can examine the ear nose and throat. A 4 x 8 cm solar panel (12) is placed on the posterior surface of the base (4) to allow recharging of battery without electricity by using solar energy.

FIG.2 shows the assembled EMR with the scope (6) attached. It is connected to the light outlet (2) with the "L" shaped connector (13). Light is seen emitting from the tip of the scope. The tip is flexible and can be manually turned from 0 degrees to 90 degrees as required depending upon region of examination. The image from the scope is formed on the LCD Screen (1 1). This image can be recorded using plastic/metal buttons placed on the sides of the EMR for recording

(14) , stop/pausing (15), zooming in (16) and zooming out (17).The recorded images are stored in a ( 2 to 16 GB) memory card(10a) or can be transferred to a computer/laptop by connection through a USB port(lOb) located at the inferior surface of the base and also using inbuilt bluetooth and wi-fi software..

Claims

I claim,

1. A multiscope recording device (EMR) that is portable and can examine the ear with an inbuilt recording system and an inbuilt light source by utilizing scope for ear examination.

2. A multiscope recording device (EMR) that is portable and can examine the nose with an inbuilt recording system and an inbuilt light source by utilizing scope for nose examination.

3. A multiscope recording device (EMR) that is portable and can examine the throat using the same device with an inbuilt recording system and an inbuilt light source by utilizing scope for throat examination.

4. The Ear Nose Throat Multiscope and Recorder device of claim 1 to 3 wherein an adapter at the end of the view piece enables attachment to the scopes of varying lengths and angles such that ear, nose and throat can be examined by the same device.

5. The Ear Nose Throat Multiscope and Recorder device of claim 4 wherein the rotating of the adapter allows resizing of the slot to enable firm gripping of the scope to the adapter.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1 to 3 wherein an LCD screen is used to visualize the object imaged through the lens of the scope.

7. The Ear Nose Throat Multiscope and Recorder device of claims 1 to 4 wherein an "L" shaped connector connects the light outlet from the EMR to the port in the scope.

8. The Ear Nose Throat Multiscope and Recorder device of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein a memory card and USB port are utilized to record the images/video which can be transferred using blue tooth and wi-fi softwares..

9. The Ear Nose Throat Multiscope and Recorder device of any one of the claims 1 to 4 wherein solar energy is utilized to recharge the lithium battery.

10. The Ear Nose Throat Multiscope and Recorder device of any one of the claims 1 to 4 wherein a single scope which is flexible at its tip is used to examine the ear, nose and throat.

1 1.The Ear Nose Throat Multiscope and Recorder device(EMR) substantially as herein described and illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings.