Otoscope

• US 20050043591A1
• Filed: 11/27/2002
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Witte + Sutor GmbH
• Original Assignee: Witte + Sutor GmbH
• Inventors: Witte, Waldemar
• Application Number:
  US10/496,771
• Publication Number:
  US 20050043591A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/227 for ears, i.e. otoscopes

Abstract

An otoscope, preferably for medically examining the human auditory canal, comprising a handle and a head piece, whereby the head piece is connected to an ear funnel, which is provided for partially inserting into an auditory canal, while forming an optical channel therein. The optical channel is terminated on the head piece, specifically, on the side thereof facing away from the ear funnel with an integrated magnifying lens for enabling an enlarged viewing of the auditory canal. A luminous means for illuminating the auditory canal is assigned to the optical channel, whereby the luminous means is at least one light-emitting diode, preferably a white light-emitting diode.

Claims

1. Otoscope, preferably for medically examining the human auditory canal, having a handle piece (2) and a head piece (3), whereby the head piece (3) is connected with an ear funnel (4) for partial insertion into an auditory canal, enclosing an optical channel (11) that ends on the head piece (3), on the side facing away from the ear funnel (4), with an integrated magnifying lens (5) for enlarged viewing of the auditory canal, whereby a luminous means (10) for illuminating the auditory canal is assigned to the optical channel (11),

characterized in that

the luminous means is at least one light-emitting diode (10), preferably a white light-emitting diode.

2. Otoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that the light-emitting diode (10) has a light spectrum that is at least approximately similar to daylight.

3. Otoscope according to claim 2, characterized in that the handle piece (2) of the otoscope is configured as a charging handle (2), in such a manner that at least one battery (12) or at least one rechargeable battery is arranged within the handle piece (2) to supply the voltage of the light-emitting diode (10) assigned to the optical channel (11).

4. Otoscope according to claim 3, characterized in that the rechargeable battery arranged in the handle piece (2) and the light-emitting diode (10) are coordinated with one another in such a manner that the threshold voltage U_S of the light-emitting diode (10) is greater than or equal to a final discharge voltage (U_o) of the rechargeable battery, in each instance.

5. Otoscope according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the rechargeable battery has several cells, whereby the number (z) of the rechargeable battery cells, the final discharge voltage (U_o) of these cells, and the threshold voltage (U_S) of the light-emitting diode (10) are selected in such a manner that the following applies, in each instance:

U _S ≧

U _o ×

z.

6. Otoscope according to claim 5, characterized in that the rechargeable battery cell(s) (12) is/are nickel/metal hydride rechargeable batteries, in each instance.

7. Otoscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light-emitting diode (10) is arranged within the optical channel (11) in such a manner that the distance of the light-emitting diode (10) from the insertion tip (6) of the ear funnel (4) is selected in such a manner that when the otoscope (1) is used for its intended purpose, a uniform illumination of the auditory canal to be examined is obtained.

8. Otoscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head piece (3) is connected with the handle piece (2) of the otoscope (1) in articulated manner.

9. Otoscope according to claim 8, characterized in that the head piece (3) is releasably connected with the handle piece (2) of the otoscope (1).

10. Otoscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging handle piece (2) of the otoscope (1) is provided with an adapter piece (23) for snapping on an otoscope head piece (30) and/or a flashlight head.

11. Otoscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging handle piece (2) is provided with a snap-on contact (25), particularly for connecting to a household outlet.