EAR AILMENT DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND METHOD

• US 20110224493A1
• Filed: 02/20/2011
• Published: 09/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zipline Health, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Zipline Health, Inc.
• Inventors: Oyadiran, Olabisi, Roach, Windell
• Granted Patent: US 8,858,430 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00009 of image signals during a use of endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00114 Electrical cables in or with an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00119 Tubes or pipes in or with an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00128 mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/045 Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/227 for ears, i.e. otoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2275 with controlled air pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/12 Audiometering
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/126 measuring compliance or mechanical impedance of the tympanic membrane
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound

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.

Claims

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 insufflator 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.