Adjustable aural speculum

Abstract

This invention introduces an adjustable aural speculum composed of two main components: a speculum base and a speculum head. The base connects to an otoscope or microscope via a cylindrical disc and includes a male threaded rod. The speculum head, shaped like a standard aural speculum, features a tip with four circumferential slits, allowing it to expand outward under internal pressure. The internal female threading of the head engages with the base's male threaded rod, enabling precise diameter adjustment as the rod presses against the tip. Both components are made of medical-grade plastic with reflective black inner surfaces to improve light illumination. Configurations are available for both otoscope and microscope attachments, addressing diverse clinical needs. This design allows incremental size adjustments, improving versatility and reducing the need for multiple speculums while maintaining optimal hygiene and light reflection.

Description

[0001] ADJUSTABLE AURAL SPECULUM

[0002] Description The present invention relates to medical devices, specifically an adjustable aural speculum designed to address the inefficiencies associated with the need for multiple speculum sizes.

[0003] Background of the invention Aural speculums are essential tools used by medical practitioners to examine the ear canal. These speculums typically come in various fixed sizes, requiring practitioners to maintain multiple speculums of different diameters. This practice leads to increased costs, materials wastage, storage challenges, and unnecessary resource consumption. Additionally, practitioners often use only a subset of the available speculums, leaving the rest underutilised. It is to these ends that the present invention has been developed.

[0004] Brief description of the several views of the drawings The figures may not be drawn to scale to ensure better clarity and understanding of the different elements and embodiments of the present invention. Also, commonly understood elements in the industry may be omitted to provide a clearer view of the various embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an illustrative representation of an adjustable aural speculum, showing the otoscope version in front view, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an illustrative representation of an adjustable aural speculum, showing the otoscope version in bottom isometric view, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and FIG. 3 is an illustrative representation of an adjustable aural speculum, showing the microscope version in front view, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and FIG. 4 is an illustrative representation of an adjustable aural speculum, showing the microscope version in bottom isometric view, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0005] Detailed description of the invention

[0006] The detailed description provided herein is solely intended to serve as an example and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or their applications and uses. The terms "exemplary" or "illustrative" used in this document mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," and do not imply any preferred or advantageous implementation over others. The implementations described in this document are provided as examples to enable those skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure, without limiting the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, no expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary, or the following detailed description should be considered binding. The specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts, and therefore, any characteristics, should not be considered limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise. FIG. 1 is an illustrative representation of an adjustable aural speculum, showing the otoscope version in front view, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 100. Speculum base. 102. Otoscope attachment point. 104. Male threaded rod. 106. Speculum head. 108. Tip that enters the ear. 110. Split / cutout. Allows tip to splay outwards. FIG. 2 is an illustrative representation of an adjustable aural speculum, showing the otoscope version in bottom isometric view, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 200. Speculum base. 202. Otoscope attachment point. 204. Male threaded rod. 206. Speculum head. 208. Opening for viewing of the internal ear by the practitioner. 210. Split / cutout. Allows tip to splay outwards. FIG. 3 is an illustrative representation of an adjustable aural speculum, showing the microscope version in front view, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 300. Speculum base. 302. Otoscope attachment point. 304. Male threaded rod. 306. Speculum head. 308. Tip that enters the ear. 310. Split / cutout. Allows tip to splay outwards. FIG. 4 is an illustrative representation of an adjustable aural speculum, showing the microscope version in bottom isometric view, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 400. Speculum base. 402. Otoscope attachment point. 404. Male threaded rod. 406. Speculum head. 408. Opening for viewing of the internal ear by the practitioner. 410. Split / cutout. Allows tip to splay outwards. The invention may be used with otoscopes, microscopes, smartphones, or any other variations known in the art. The speculum head may have three splits / cutouts, four splits / cutouts, five splits / cutouts, or any other variations known in the art. The manufacturing method may make use of injection molding, rotational molding, CNC milling, laser cutting, 3D printing, or any other variations known in the art. The invention may be formed of medical grade plastic, aluminium, stainless steel, or any other variations known in the art. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the present application.

Claims

Adjustable Aural SpeculumProposed Claim:1 . A disposable adjustable aural speculum comprising: a speculum base, configured to attach to an otoscope or microscope, said base including a male threaded rod protruding outwardly; a speculum head, having a tip designed for insertion into the ear canal and featuring a plurality of circumferentially spaced slits to allow the tip to splay outwardly upon application of internal pressure; wherein the internal surface of the speculum head comprises a female thread that engages with the male threaded rod such that rotation of the speculum head adjusts the diameter of the tip, enabling incremental adjustments to fit various ear canal sizes.

2. The speculum of claim 1 , wherein the speculum head and base are made of medicalgrade plastic.

3. The speculum of claim 1 , wherein the tip is coated with a reflective black plastic to enhance light illumination within the ear canal.

4. The speculum of claim 1 , further comprising multiple configurations of the speculum base for compatibility with otoscopes and microscopes.

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