United States Patent
`US 6,361,489 Bl
`(10) Patent No.:
`(12)
`Tsai
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Mar. 26, 2002
`
`
`US006361489B1
`
`(54) MEDICAL INSPECTION DEVICE
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor:
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Jory Tsai, 14 Orchard Dr., Hudson, MA
`(US) 01749
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C, 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/409,127
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Sep. 30, 1999
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`5/1998 Chaleki et al.
`5,751,341 A
`6/1998 Cancctal.
`5,762,605 A
`BZ/1999) Adair ......... ccc cee cceeeeeeee 600/109
`5,873,814 A *
`--- 600/179
`3/1999 Yarushetal. ......
`5,879,289 A *
`
`.......
`.-- 600/407
`3/1999 Monroe et al.
`5,885,214 A *
`
`7noeer “ . asoon pronroe ‘ aL verteresses 600/200
`on
`ereins eral
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`wo
`wo
`
`8/1993 Lee 600/112
`WO-93/15648 Al :
`A997 Lice 600/112
`WO-97/15144 Al
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`.
`sone
`.
`Website http:/Avww.rfsystem.co.jp/rinfo.html, printed Jul.
`30, 2001 (1 sheet).
`Website http://www.rsystem.co.jp/kjibissm21-html, printed
`Jul. 30, 2001 (3 sheets).
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—John P. Leubecker
`
`30 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/199,963, filed on
`Nov. 25, 1998, now Pat. No. 6,186,944.
`4
`
`(32) Hee o vee<OOl10.GooDaeooo/tao.
`600/167; 600/179
`(58) Field of soI35T3L1081e7 a50.sisies,
`>
`>
`>
`>
`?
`6 6: 433129
`aoa
`toc
`Ct
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, orKirm—Sampson &Associates, P.C.
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`4 dental/medical instrumentis provided for use in diagnos-
`tic and related patient inspection/examination. The device
`includes a body having an integral speculum with a video
`image capture device or camera, a power supply and a video
`nas
`P
`:
`pov
`PPty
`display. These components, in addition to user actuatable
`controls, are disposed integrally with the body. The body is
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`adapted for convenient engagement and manipulation by a
`aria
`«
`oe
`.
`.
`user’s hand to provide a unitary, hand-held device capable of
`4,604,992 A :
`8/1986 Sato .....Leseeereeeeeeeseeneenes 600/108
`
`
`
`4,633,304 A*12/1986 Nagasaki oo... 348/69 handlopuser's \ y ice Caparre |
`
`
`
`
`
`5/1988 George 0.0...
`.. 600/109
`4,742,819 A *
`illuminating and capturing an imageofa patient, and dis-
`4,884,133 A * 11/1989 Kannoet al. vce 348/65
`playing the image. The video display is disposed on a
`5,363,838 A
`11/1994 George
`display portion of the speculum, while components of the
`5,373,317 A * 12/1994 Salvatti et al. oe. 348/65
`image capture device, such as a lens and light emitter, are
`5,527,261 A
`6/1996 Monroeet al.
`disposed on a nose portion of the speculum. The nose
`5,634,790 A
`6/1997 Pathmanabhanetal.
`portion is modularly replaceable with alternate nose portions
`eee a
`nytooy priest et ar
`sized and shapedto facilitate various discrete medical/dental
`>
`>
`ood
`cl al.
`:
`.
`5,701,904 A
`12/1997 Simmonsetal.
`examination procedures.
`5,702,345 A
`12/1997 Wood etal.
`5,733,029 A *
`3/1998 Monroe ...... eee 362/572
`
`10.
`
`“\
`
`54
`
`17
`
`14
`
`/ 34
`32 48 30 36
`
`
`
`
`52 50
`
`20
`“——S
`42
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.26, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
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`US 6,361,489 B1
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`
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`26 28
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`FIG. 1
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar.26, 2002
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`Sheet 2 of 5
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`US 6,361,489 B1
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`32 48 30 36
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` J 34
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`16
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.26, 2002
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`Sheet 3 of 5
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`US 6,361,489 B1
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`iINSPECT
`DEVICE 110
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`POWER
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`IMAGE
`CAPTURE
`SOURCE
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`SENSOR
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`52
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`62
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`60
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`VIDEO
`DC-DC
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`CONVERTER
`CONVERTER
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`DISPLAY
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`54
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`EXTERNAL
`CHARGER
`CONNECTOR
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`WALL MOUNT a
`LCD DISPLAY
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`64
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`AC POWER
`AND CHARGER
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`58
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`U.S. Patent
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`US 6,361,489 B1
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`Mar.26, 2002
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`Sheet 4 of 5
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`FIG. 4
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar.26, 2002
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`Sheet 5 of 5
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`US 6,361,489 B1
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`9685
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`

`

`US 6,361,489 B1
`
`1
`MEDICAL INSPECTION DEVICE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`This application is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 09/199,963, filed on Nov. 25, 1998,
`entitled “Medical Inspection Device”, now U.S. Pat. No.
`6,186,944.
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to medical and dental optical
`diagnostic instruments, and more particularly to an inte-
`grated hand held viewing scope and display for use as an
`otoscope, ophthalmoscope, larynx illumination, nasophar-
`ynx illuminator, dermatologic magnifier and anoscope.
`2. Background Information
`Various hand held instruments for use by a physician or
`dentist during examination of a patient have been known in
`the art for many years. Such hand held instruments include
`the otoscope for examination of the ear, ophthalmoscope for
`examination of the eye, larynx illuminator (throat), nasal
`pharynx illuminator (nasal passages), dermatologic magni-
`fier (skin) and anoscope (lower G.I. tract).
`Also,
`in the prior art,
`it has been known to employ
`miniature or micro-video cameras in connection with vari-
`ous surgical procedures which occur in the operating room.
`Examples of such video cameras are known as remote head
`color CCD cameras. These cameras typically employ an
`array of semiconductive chips using a technology known as
`charge coupled diode sensors. Such micro-cameras are
`capable of yielding more than 500 lines of resolution per
`axis, resulting from the use of 400,000 or more pixels. Use
`of such micro-video cameras and related equipment, such as
`cendocouplers, have becn known for some time in connection
`with certain types of surgery and, particularly, surgery
`conducted through the use of small incisions in the body
`wall in videoendoscopy procedures. Such procedures have
`become increasingly commonplace in connection with pro-
`cedures upon the gall bladder, appendix,
`intestine, etc.,
`where the problem is of an internal nature.
`In addition to relatively widespread use of such micro-
`video technology in the operating room, which includes the
`display of a procedure upon separate monitors, this technol-
`ogy has also been utilized in the dentist’s or physician’s
`office in the context of otherwise routine examination and
`
`diagnosis. An cxample of an instrument incorporating this
`technology is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,
`605, issued to Cane et al. This device discloses a hand held
`optical diagnostic instrument including a CCD sensor and an
`external light source. The instrumentis coupled to a discreet
`monitor which may permit both patient and physician to
`observe an image of the examination. Moreover, devices of
`this type may be utilized to produce a video record of such
`an examination and/or provide either a video tape of the
`examination or selected print frames thereof.
`Such devices may also be used to provide a video link to
`a satellite or other communications means from a video
`
`interface of the system. This may cnable consultants to be
`utilized either in real time, or in a batch mode, to provide
`“second opinions” to the examining medical personnel or
`paramedic who may be located in a geographically remote
`region and/or may possess limited skills in the specialty to
`which the examination relates. Such activity has become
`known as telemedicine.
`
`Adisadvantage of such devices, however, is that they tend
`to be awkward to use, as such instruments tend to be difficult
`for the examining physician to hold, to manipulate and to
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`obtain the necessary views for the examination while simul-
`taneously viewing the image on the remote monitor. ‘his is
`due to the need for the examining care provider to manipu-
`late the instrument relative to the patient, while looking
`away from the patient to the monitor. Thus, while many prior
`art instruments may be designed to facilitate manipulation
`by the user, the crgonomics of such devices tends to divert
`the user’s attention away from the patient during
`examination, which may result in discomfort to the patient
`due to errant manipulation of the instrument. This drawback
`maybe particularly problematic with respect to new users,
`or those with minimal training in the use of such instru-
`ments.
`
`Thus, a need exists for an ergonomically improved hand-
`held dental/medical
`instrument which enables a user to
`simultaneously observe both the patient and the instrument
`while viewing an image captured thereby.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention, a dental/medical
`According to the present
`instrument includes a body adapted for engagement by a
`user’s hand, a speculum integrally disposed within the body,
`an image capture device, a light source and a video display.
`The image capture device, light source and video display are
`disposed integrally within the body.
`invention, a dental/
`In another aspect of the present
`medical instrumentincludes a body adapted for engagement
`by a user’s hand, the body including a speculum disposed
`integrally therewith, and an image capture device disposed
`integrally within the body, the image capture device having
`a central optical axis. A light source is also disposed inte-
`grally within the body, the light source being adapted to emit
`light along at least one light emission axis disposed sub-
`stantially parallel to the central optical axis. A video display
`is disposed integrally with the body and is coupled with the
`video capture device to display an image captured thereby.
`A still further aspect of the present invention includes a
`method of examining a patient, which comprises the steps
`of:
`
`(a) utilizing an instrument including:
`a body adapted for cngagement by a uscr’s hand, the
`body including a speculum disposed integrally there-
`with;
`an image capture device;
`a light emitter;
`the image capture device and the light emitter being
`disposed integrally with the body; and
`a video display disposed integrally with the body; and
`(b) manipulating the instrumentrelative to a patient while
`the uscr simultancously faces both the paticnt and the
`video display.
`In another aspect, the present invention includes an instru-
`ment having a body adapted for engagement by a user’s
`hand. The body includes an integral speculum, a lens and a
`light outlet, and an integral video display.
`In a variation of these aspects, the lens and light outlet are
`disposed integrally within a nose portion of the speculum. In
`a further variation, the nose portion comprises a modular
`unit adapted for alternate engagement and disengagement
`with said body. Further still, a plurality of modular nose
`portions may be provided with various sizes and shapes to
`facilitate discrete examining procedures.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a partially perspective elevational view of a
`dental/medical instrument of the present invention in use
`relative to a patient;
`
`

`

`US 6,361,489 B1
`
`3
`FIG. 2 is an enlarged, broken-away elevational view of a
`portion of the instrument of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the componentry of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the instrument of FIG. 1
`including an additional componentof the present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a plurality of instruments
`of FIG. 1 disposed in an optional charging device; and
`FIGS. 6a—6e are elevational views of alternate embodi-
`
`ments of the dental/medical inspection instrument of the
`present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the present invention includes a
`dental/medical
`instrument 10 for use in diagnostic and
`related paticnt inspection/examination. The device includes
`a body 12 including an integral speculum 14 with a video
`image capture device or camera 16, a power supply and a
`video display 20. These components, in addition to user
`actuatable controls including a power switch 22 and image
`focus control 24, are preferably disposed integrally with the
`body 12. (Portions of the image capture device, such as
`image sensor 34, as will be discussed hereinbelow, may be
`disposed remotely from the body 12, and coupled thereto
`through a port 28.) The body 12 is adapted for convenient
`engagement and manipulation by a user’s hand. The video
`display is disposed on a display portion of the speculum,
`while components of the image capture device, such as a
`lens and light emitter, are disposed on a nose portion of the
`speculum. As shown in FIGS. 6a—6e, the nose portion is
`modularly replaceable with alternate nose portions sized and
`shaped to facilitate various discrete medical/dental exami-
`nation procedures. The present invention thus provides a
`unitary, hand-held device capable of illuminating and cap-
`turing an image of a patient, and displaying the image.
`As used herein, the term “light” is defined as electromag-
`netic energy within the range of frequencies or wavelengths
`extending from infrared to ultraviolet radiation and includ-
`ing visible light. The term “speculum” as used herein, shall
`refer to a portion of an instrument adapted for being inserted
`into a body passage and/or placed externally of a patient, for
`inspection of the patient.
`Turning now to the Figures in greater detail, as shown in
`FIG. 1, dental/medical instrument 10 comprises a unitary
`body 12 including a manually engagable pistol-type grip
`portion 13 and a speculum portion 14. As also shown, body
`12 includes an integral video display 20 as well as user
`actuatable controls including a power or on/off switch 22
`and a focus control 24. The instrument 10 also includes
`
`integral battery recharging contacts 26 and one or more
`external ports 28, which will be discussed hereinbelow.
`Turning now to FIG. 2, lens 30 of the image capture
`device 16 is disposed within the speculum 14of the instru-
`ment 10. Moreover,
`in the embodiment shown, various
`components of the image capture device 16, including lens
`30 disposed within a lens housing 32, and an image sensor
`34, are preferably disposed within the speculum 14. As also
`shown, lens 30, housing 32 and sensor 34 are all disposed in
`image capturing alignment with one another to capture
`images disposed along an axis of examination 36. Such
`image capturing alignment may be provided by disposing
`both the lens 30 and sensor 34 along a commonaxis (Le.,
`axis 36) as shown. Alternatively, this image capturing align-
`ment may be provided by utilizing an optic coupling such as
`a lightpipe, fiber optic coupling or other wave guide (similar
`
`4
`to fiber-optic coupling 46 discussed hereinbelow) to couple
`the lens 30 with the sensor 34. One skilled in the art will
`recognize that use of such an optic coupling advantageously
`permits the sensor 34 to be disposed at various locations
`within the instrument 10, either on or off the axis of
`examination 36. Moreover, as mentioned hereinabove, such
`an arrangement may also facilitate use of a remote sensor 34,
`such as a remote digital camera, coupled optically and/or
`electronically to lens 30 through a port 28. Instrument 10
`also includes an internal light source 38 which includes a
`light generator 40 such as an array of light emitting diodes
`(LEDs) 42 disposed on a printed circuit board 44. Light
`source 38 further includes an optical coupling such asa light
`pipe or fiber-optic coupling 46 optically coupled to a light
`outlet 48. As shown,light outlet 48 preferably includes distal
`or terminal portions of the light pipe 46 which are splayed
`for disposition about the periphery of lens housing 32. As
`shown, each of these terminal portions extends substantially
`parallel to axis of examination 36 to emit light along light
`emission axes 37 which are substantially parallel to the
`examination axis 36. Depending on the application (as
`discussed hereinbelow with respect to FIGS. 6a—6e), such
`substantially parallel light emission may include light emit-
`ted along one or more light emission axes 37 oriented to
`extend either slightly convergently towards axis 36, or
`slightly divergently away from axis 36. In this regard, the
`instrument 310 of FIG. 6d may utilize one or more slightly
`convergently disposed light emission axes to illuminate a
`relatively small area of a patient. Conversely, instrument 210
`of FIG. 6c mayutilize slightly divergent light emission axes,
`or a combination of convergent and divergent light emission
`axes, to illuminate a relatively larger area of the patient(i.e.,
`to inspect a region of a patient’s skin). In this manner outlet
`48 emits light nominally coaxial with axis of examination
`36.
`
`Although light generator 40 preferably includes LEDs 42
`as shown, any suitable light generation means, such as
`miniature incandescent bulbs, compact florescent lighting,
`or one or more lasers may beutilized. Image sensor 34 may
`be any suitable miniature video image capture device known
`to those skilled in the art, such as, for example form factor
`video cameras, semiconductor chip mounted CCD devices,
`or other devices commonly utilized in the field of electronic
`or digital photography. In this regard, the image capture
`device 16 of the present invention provides nominally the
`same capabilities commonly associated with conventional
`digital cameras and the like, namely, the ability to digitally
`capture, store and retrieve images for display and/or trans-
`mission. Such image transmission may be accomplished in
`a known manner, such as by use of port 28.
`As also shown, a focus control switch 24, such as a user
`actuatable thumb wheel as shown,is operatively coupled by
`cable 50 to the lens housing 32 to focus the image captured
`by image sensor 34. In one embodiment, focus control 24
`may include a mechanical gear-type control which actuates
`a cable 50 to effect focusing movement of the lens 30
`relative to sensor 34 in a known manner.
`In such an
`
`embodiment, cable 50 may be a conventional mechanical
`cable. In an alternate embodiment, cable 50 may include an
`electric wire which serves to couple electrical signals from
`focus control 24 to an electrical actuator (not shown)
`coupled to the lens 30 to effect the focusing movement.
`Moreover, all or a portion of speculum 14 is advanta-
`geously coupled modularly,
`te.,
`in a snap-fit
`type
`arrangement, to the body 12 to permit convenient replace-
`ment and/or substitution thereof to facilitate various discrete
`uses. For example, a nose portion 15 (also referred to as
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`US 6,361,489 B1
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`5
`“Jens sub-system’) of the speculum 14 may be modularly
`engagable with the display portion 17 thereof, as will be
`discussed in greater detail hereinbelow with respect to FIGS.
`6a-6e.
`
`The instrument power supply includes a DC-DC con-
`verter 52 electrically coupled to a DC-AC powerinverter 54.
`Power inverter 54 is, in turn, electrically coupled to video
`display 20. In a preferred embodiment, as shown,instrument
`10 includes an internal power source such as a rechargeable
`or non-rechargeable battery 56 electrically coupled to
`DC-DC converter 52. Video display 20 is preferably a color
`liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor disposed integrally
`within body 12 in spaced relation to lens housing 32 along
`axis of examination 36 at a proximalend of speculum 14. An
`example of a suitable display 20 is known as a 1.8 inch (4.6
`cm) high density LCD display available from Prime View
`International Co., Ltd., Model number
`is PISBD1.
`Moreover,
`in a preferred embodiment,
`the substantially
`planar screen portion 21 of display 20 is disposed substan-
`tially orthogonally to the axis of examination 36. Such
`placement of monitor 20 advantageously places a displayed
`image generally within a natural line of sight of speculum 14
`defined by axis of examination 36. This use of the integral
`video display 20 advantageously provides an integrated
`one-piece instrument 10 which enables a user to view an
`image which moves in a natural and intuitive manner in
`response to movement of the instrument 10 by a user.
`Advantageously, this action facilitates proper use with little
`or no training to generally enable a user to operate the
`instrument with greater tactile sensitivity than prior devices
`which utilize discreet video displays located remotely from
`the image sensing device. The use of an integral display 20
`disposed within the axis of cxamination 36 also advanta-
`geously tends to improve the efficiency of the examination
`procedure by enabling the user to look in a single direction
`for viewing the image captured on the monitor 20,
`the
`instrument 10 and the patient while manipulating the instru-
`ment 10. This aspect thus provides improved ergonomicsto
`enable manipulation of the instrument 10 with greater accu-
`racy than prior art devices which generally require the user
`to manipulate the device while looking away from the
`patient to view a remote monitor.
`Turning now to FIG. 3, a rechargeable power source 56 is
`electrically coupled to contacts 26 which,
`in tum, are
`adapted for connection to an AC powersource 58. Internal
`power source 56 is coupled to DC-DC converter 52 which,
`as shown,is coupled to a light generator 40 which is coupled
`to light pipe 46. DC-DC converter 52 is also coupled to the
`DC-AC inverter 54 to supply power to a backlight 60 of
`video display 20. As further shown, DC-DC converter 52
`provides powerto a video converter 62 which provides an
`electronic image signal
`to the display 20 as well as to
`external video port 28. Port 28 may be coupled a remote
`video display 64, either directly, or via a computer network
`(ie., an intranet or the Internet. As also shown, lens 30 is
`optically coupled to sensor 34 whichis, in turn, electroni-
`cally coupled to the video converter 62. Focus control 24 is
`electrically and/or mechanically coupled to the lens 30.
`Turning now to FIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment inspec-
`tion device 10 is adapted for being coupled by its external
`video port 28 to a remote monitor 64. The remote monitor
`64 may comprise a LCD display, television monitor, and the
`like, and is preferably wall mounted or movably mounted to
`enable a patient to view captured images in real time as the
`dentist or physician views the captured images on the
`integral display 20. This aspect of the present invention thus
`provides the user with a useful tool for explaining and or
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`describing the examination process to the patient. Moreover,
`the image may be recorded by connecting the video output
`to a suitable image recorder such as a computer or VCR or
`other recording device.
`As shown in FIG. 5, an AC powered recharging base 66
`may be utilized to receive one or more instruments 10 for
`recharging power source 56 by coupling external charger
`contacts 26 (FIG. 1) to AC power supply 58 (FIG. 3).
`Turning now to FIGS. 6a—6e, in addition to the instrument
`10 discussed hereinabove, various alternate embodiments of
`the present invention are shown as instruments 110, 210, 310
`and 410. These embodiments are substantially similar to
`instrument 10 while utilizing various modular nose portions
`to facilitate discrete medical/dental examination procedures,
`as mentioned hereinabove. Nose portion 15 (FIG. 6a) of the
`speculum 14 is thus modularly engagable with the display
`portion 17 thereof for convenient replacement with various
`alternate nose portions 115, 215, 315 and 415 (FIGS. 6b-6e,
`respectively).
`In this regard, an electric focus control
`arrangement utilizing an electric cable 50, as discussed
`hereinabove with respect to FIG. 2, is preferably provided.
`Moreover, a light source 38 and image capture device 16
`(FIG. 2) are preferably disposed entirely within each modu-
`lar (removable) nose portion. These arrangements advanta-
`gcously simplify modular connection between the nose
`portions and the display portion 17, by permitting use of
`conventional modular electrical connectors. Alternatively,
`the light source 38 may be disposed within the display
`portion 17, with the light pipe 46 (FIG. 2) fabricated as two
`discrete portions that are axially aligned with one another
`when a particular modular nose portion is engaged with the
`display portion 17.
`As shown,instrument 10 may be conveniently utilized to
`enable a physician to examine a patient’s ear, nose, and
`throat. As shown in FIG. 6b, an extended and slightly angled
`nose portion 115 may be utilized to examine a patient’s
`middle meatus,
`inferior meatus, superior meatus, and
`oropharynx. A reversed cone nose portion or lens subsystem
`215 as shown in FIG. 6c, may be utilized to examine a
`patient’s skin. An extended nose portion 315, as shown in
`FIG. 6d, may be utilized to examine animals such as horses,
`cows, and the like. As shown in FIG. 6e, an offset lens
`subsystem 415 may be utilized to facilitate rectal cxamina-
`tions and the like.
`
`the
`In these alternate embodiments of FIGS. 6b—6e,
`substantially planar screen portion 21 of display 20 is
`disposed substantially orthogonally to either the respective
`axis of examination 136, 236, 336 or 436, or to a plane
`whichincludes the axis of examination. As discussed above
`
`with respect to instrument 10, such placement of monitor 20
`advantageously places a displayed image generally within a
`natural line of sight of speculum 14 defined by the axis of
`examination.
`‘This use of the integral video display 20
`advantageously provides an integrated one-piece instrument
`10 which enables a user to view an image which moves in
`a natural and intuitive manner in response to movement of
`the instrument 10 by a user.
`Although various components of the present invention
`have been shown and described as being disposed within
`various nose portions 15, 115, 215, 315 and 415, it should be
`recognized by those skilled in the art that any arrangement
`of components may be included or removed from the nose
`portions without departing from the spirit and scope of the
`present invention.
`Moreover, although several alternate configurations of
`nose portions or lens subsystems have been provided, those
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`US 6,361,489 B1
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`7
`skilled in the art should recognize that nose portions or lens
`subsystems of substantially any geometry or construction
`may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope
`of the present invention.
`The foregoing description is intended primarily for pur-
`poses ofillustration. Although the invention has been shown
`and described with respect to an exemplary embodiment
`thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art
`that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions, and
`additions in the form and detail thereof may be made therein
`without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
`Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:
`1. A portable unitary hand-held dental/medical instrument
`of the type selected from the group consisting of otoscopes,
`ophthalmoscopes, larynx scopes, nasopharynx scopes, der-
`matologic scopes, anoscopes, or veterinary scopes, said
`instrument comprising:
`a body having a pistol-grip adapted for engagement by a
`user’s hand;
`said body including a rigid frusto-conical speculum dis-
`posed thereon, said speculum having a nose with a
`distal opening disposed along an axis of examination,
`said speculum being sized and shaped to allow location
`of said distal opening a predetermined distance from a
`target;
`an image capture device and a light source, said image
`capture device and said light source being disposed
`integrally within said body, to capture a target image
`viewedby said image capture device through said distal
`opening; and
`a video display housed within said body, said video
`display being disposed within said axis of examination,
`to locate a displayed image of the target within said axis
`of examination.
`instrument of claim 1, further
`2. The dental/medical
`comprising a power supply disposed integrally with said
`body.
`instrument of claim 2, further
`3. The dental/medical
`comprising a power source disposed integrally with said
`body.
`4. The dental/medical instrument of claim 2, wherein said
`image capture device and said light source are disposed
`integrally within said speculum.
`5. The dental/medical instrument of claim 2, wherein said
`image capture device further comprises a lens disposed in
`optical communication with an image sensor.
`6. The dental/medical instrument of claim 5, wherein said
`light source emits light substantially coaxially with a central
`optical axis of said image capture device.
`7. The dental/mcdical instrument of claim 6, whercin said
`light source further comprises a light emitting diode.
`8. The dental/medical
`instrument of claim 2, further
`comprising a user actuatable power switch disposed inte-
`grally on said body.
`9. The dental/medical instrument of claim 8, wherein said
`power switch is operable by a user’s thumb.
`10. The dental/medical
`instrument of claim 2, further
`comprising a power supply disposed integrally within said
`body.
`11. The dental/medical instrument of claim 10, wherein
`said power supply is adapted for being coupled with an
`external power source.
`12. The dental/medical instrument of claim 11, wherein
`said power supply further comprises charging circuitry
`adapted to recharge rechargeable batteries disposed inte-
`grally with said body.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`55
`
`60
`
`8
`13. The dental/medical instrument of claim 12, wherein
`said charging circuitry further comprises contacts disposed
`externally on said body, said contacts adapted for power
`coupling contact with an external power source whensaid
`body is received within a charger.
`14. The dental/medical
`instrument of claim 1, further
`comprising video circuitry adapted to couple said image
`capture device with said video display.
`15. The dental/medical instrument of claim 14, wherein
`said video circuitry further comprises an external port dis-
`posed on said body, said external port adapted to couple with
`an external video display.
`16. The dental/medical instrument of claim 15, further
`comprising an external video display.
`17. The dental/medical instrument of claim 1, wherein
`said video display further comprises a substantially planar
`screen portion, said screen portion being disposed substan-
`tially orthogonally to said axis of examination.
`18. The dental/medical instrument of claim 1, wherein
`said video display further comprises a substantially planar
`screen portion, said screen portion being disposed substan-
`tially orthogonally to a plane which includes said axis of
`examination.
`instrument of claim 1, further
`19.
`‘The dental/medical
`comprising an image recorder.
`20. A dental/medical instrument of the type selected from
`the group consisting of otoscopes, ophthalmoscopes, larynx
`scopes, nasopharynx scopes, dermatologic scopes,
`anoscopes, or vetcrinary scopes, said instrument compris-
`ing:
`a body having a pistol-grip adapted for engagement by a
`user’s hand;
`said body including a rigid speculum disposed thereon;
`an image capture device disposed integrally within said
`body, said image capture device having a central optical
`axis;
`a light source disposed integrally within said body, said
`light source being adapted to emit light along at least
`one light emission axis disposed substantially parallel
`to said central optical axis; and
`a substantially planar video display disposed integrally
`within said body, said video display being disposed
`within an axis of examination in substantially orthogo-
`nal relation thereto, said display being coupled with
`said video capture device to display an image captured
`thereby.
`21. A method of examining a patient comprising:
`(a) utilizing a portable hand-held instrumentof the type
`selected from the group consisting of otoscopes,
`ophthalmoscopes, larynx scopes, nasopharynx scopes,
`dermatologic scopes, anoscopes, or veterinary scopes,
`said instrument including:
`a body havinga pistol-grip adapted for engagement by
`a user’s hand, said body including a rigid speculum
`disposed thereon;
`an image capture device;
`a light emitter;
`said image capture device and said light emitter being
`disposed integrally with said body; and
`a substantially planar video display housed within said
`body, said video display being disposed within an
`axis of examination in substantially orthogonal rela-
`tion thereto; and
`(b) manipulating the instrumentrelative to a patient while
`the user simultaneously faces both the patient and the
`video display.
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`US 6,361,489 B1
`
`of:
`
`of:
`
`(c) transmitting the image to a remote display.
`23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step
`
`9
`22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step
`
`10
`25. The instrument of claim 24, wherein said lens and
`light outlet are disposed integrally within a nose portion of
`said speculum.
`26. The instrumentof claim 25, wherein said nose portion
`further comprises a modular unit adapted for alternate
`engagement and disengagement with said body.
`(d) recording the image on an image recorder.
`27. The instrument of claim 26, further comprising a
`24. A portable hand-held instrument of the type selected
`plurality of said nose portions