An optical system and optical adapter for clinical inspection

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an optical system for selective clinical examination, the system comprising a medical device connectable to an optical adapter: the medical device comprising: an image capturing device; and an opening for receiving electromagnetic radiation to capture images; a processor; and the optical adapter comprising: a connection end; an examination end comprising a view-providing area which is configured to be in contact with or proximal to the surface of the patient; wherein the system is configured to allow the medical device to capture at least one image wherein the system is configured to provide one sub-image which corresponds to a first section of the view-providing area, and another sub-image which corresponds to a second section, and wherein the system is configured to allow selective display of the sub-images and thereby selectively view different parts of the surface of the patient.

Description

AN OPTICAL SYSTEM AND OPTICAL ADAPTER FOR CLINICAL INSPECTIONFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an optical system for medical devices for clinical examination of a patient’s body comprising an optical adapter.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to the optical adapter for clinical examination of a patient’s body.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0003] Medical devices, such as dermatoscopes, ophthalmoscopes, or otoscopes, can be used for inspecting regions of a patient’s body, such as the surface of their skin. A dermatoscope is a medical device used to closely examine the skin, specifically for diagnosing skin lesions, moles, and other skin abnormalities, while an otoscope is commonly used to check for ear infections, blockages, or other issues affecting the ear.

[0004] Optical adapters are a common means of enhancing the view that a medical device can provide. For example, a long and narrow optical adapter may provide a suitably small view for inspecting a narrow region of the body, such as an ear canal, while a flatter and wider adapter may be suitable for inspection of a flat region of the skin.

[0005] Typically, dermatoscopes are devices with a glass plate for inspection of the skin of about 30mm in diameter. A problem with these devices is that small bodily regions like the nose, ears, fingers and eyes cannot be properly examined. These areas are too small or narrow to apply the 30mm glass plate which should be applied on the surface or parallel to for a nondistorted inspection. Even if these areas can be covered with the periphery of the glass plate, optical distortion of the periphery, which commonly occurs with optical lens can hinder examination. This results in the area examined using the periphery of the glass plate being too unclear for diagnosis.

[0006] Adapters can used to, such as a 10mm glass plate adapter, to examine smaller areas. However, it can be cumbersome and inconvenient for a medical professional to remove and replace optical adapters when examining different bodily regions that require different views.

[0007] It is desirable for embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved optical adapter for clinical examination of a surface of a patient in view of the above problems.

[0008] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided an optical system for selective clinical examination of a surface of a patient, the system comprising a medical device connectable to an optical adapter: the medical device comprising: an image capturing device; and an opening for receiving electromagnetic radiation from the optical adapter to capture images at the image capturing device; a processor for processing the captured image, and means to communicate the captured image to a display for displaying the captured images; and the optical adapter comprising: a connection end configured to connect to the opening of the medical device; an examination end opposite to the connection end and comprising a viewproviding area which is configured to be in contact with or proximal to the surface of the patient; wherein the view-providing area is configured to allow the medical device to capture at least one image of a portion of the surface of the patient, wherein the system is configured to provide one sub-image of the at least one image which corresponds to a first section of the view-providing area, and another sub-image of the at least one image which corresponds to a second section of the view-providing area, and wherein the system is configured to allow selective display of the sub-images to allow a user to view different sections of the viewproviding area and thereby selectively view different parts of the portion of the surface of the patient.

[0010] According to an embodiment, the medical device or the optical adapter or both the medical device and the optical adapter are configured to allow selective display of the subimages.

[0011] This provides an advantage in that multiple types of views of the surface of a patient can be provided with a system comprising a single optical adapter and a single medical device. Different sections of the surface of the patient may thus be examined without a need for switching between two different optical adapters or two different medical devices or perhapswithout even moving the optical system. Thus, the invention can desirably provide a single adapter which provides an optical system with multiple views.

[0012] In an embodiment, the medical device is configured to allow selective display of the sub-images, and in response to an instruction, the processor is configured to provide one sub-image of the at least one image which corresponds to a first section of the view-providing area, and in response to another instruction, the processor is configured to provide another subimage of the at least one image which corresponds to a second section of the view-providing area.

[0013] In an embodiment, the optical adapter is configured to allow selective display of the sub-images.

[0014] In an embodiment, the optical adapter is switchable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the optical adapter is configured to provide one sub-image of the at least one image which corresponds to a first section of the view-providing area, and in a second configuration, the optical adapter is configured to provide another sub-image of the at least one image which corresponds to a second section of the viewproviding area.

[0015] In an embodiment, the optical adapter is configured to provide the sub-images at the opening of the medical device for capture of the sub-images at the image capturing device.

[0016] In an embodiment, the switching of the sub-images between the first and second configurations is effected by an optical arrangement.

[0017] In an embodiment, the optical arrangement comprises: in the first configuration, providing the sub-image from the first section of the view-providing area by a first optical pathway and, in the second configuration, providing the sub-image from the second section of the view-providing area by a second optical pathway which is different to the first optical pathway, wherein changes in the optical pathway are effected by arranging one or more optical elements.

[0018] In another embodiment, the optical arrangement comprises: in the first configuration, illuminating the first section of the view-providing area with a first polarizationof light and, in the second configuration, illuminating the second section of the view-providing area with a second polarization of light which is different to the first polarization of light.

[0019] In another embodiment, the first polarization of light is s-polarized light and the second polarization of light is p-polarized light, or vice versa.

[0020] In another embodiment, the optical elements comprises one or more of the following: mirrors, irises, shutters, beamsplitters and lenses.

[0021] In another embodiment, the switching of the sub-images between the first and second configurations is effected by a mechanical switching arrangement.

[0022] In another embodiment, the second portion is rotatable between the first and second positions.

[0023] In another embodiment, the second portion is slidable between the first and second positions.

[0024] In another embodiment, the optical adapter has a first portion comprising the connection end and a second portion comprising the examination end, the second portion being movable with respect to the first portion between a first position and a second position to effect switching between the first and second configurations and wherein in the first position, the second portion is configured to provide the sub-image which corresponds to the first section to the opening of the medical device, and in the second position, the second portion is configured to provide the sub-image which corresponds to the second section to the opening of the medical device.

[0025] This provides an advantage in that multiple views or types of views of the surface of a patient can be provided with a single optical adapter. Different sections of the surface of the patient may thus be examined without a need for switching between two different optical adapters.

[0026] In an embodiment, the first section of the view-providing area is a central section having a centre substantially at an optical axis of the optical adapter and wherein the medical device is configured to display a central sub-image which is a central view of a central part of the portion of the patient’s surface.

[0027] In an embodiment, the second section of the view-providing areas comprises a peripheral section of the view-providing area and wherein the medical device is configured to display a peripheral sub-image which is a peripheral view of the portion of the patient’s surface.

[0028] In an embodiment, the peripheral section is a section which is off-set relative to the optical axis.

[0029] In an embodiment, the peripheral section is proximal to or at a periphery of the examination end.

[0030] In an embodiment, the medical device is configured to allow selectively switch between displaying the central sub-image which corresponds to the central section image and the peripheral sub-image which corresponds to the peripheral section.

[0031] In an embodiment, the view-providing area is configured such that the second or peripheral section of the view-providing area which has a greater area than the first or central section of the view-providing area, such that the medical device is able to switch between displaying the sub-images of the surface of the patient wherein the one sub-image is an enlarged view of the other sub-image.

[0032] In an embodiment, the view-providing area comprising the central section and the peripheral section is in the form of a shaped aperture.

[0033] In an embodiment, the aperture comprises a shape of a circle or ellipse, wherein the centre of the circle or ellipse is displaced from the optical axis.

[0034] In an embodiment, the view-providing area is configured such that the second or peripheral section of the view-providing area which has a lesser area than the first or central section of the view-providing area, such that the medical device is able to switch between displaying the sub-images of the surface of the patient wherein the one sub-image is an enlarged view of the other sub-image.

[0035] In an embodiment, the view-providing area comprises a third section being a second peripheral section.

[0036] In an embodiment, the second peripheral section comprises a smaller area than the first peripheral section.

[0037] In an embodiment, the second peripheral section is located on an opposite side of the central portion to the first peripheral section.

[0038] In an embodiment, the aperture comprises a tear-drop shape wherein the second peripheral portion being located in the tail of the tear drop shape.

[0039] In an embodiment, the view-providing area comprising two apertures wherein the central section and the first peripheral sections comprises a first aperture, and the second peripheral section comprises a second aperture.

[0040] In an embodiment, the examination end is shaped to conform substantially to a perimeter of the view-providing area for ease of examination.

[0041] In an embodiment, the examination end tapers in a direction from the connection end towards the view-providing area for ease of examination.

[0042] In an embodiment, the examination end tapers from the central section to the second periphery section for ease of examination. In a preferred embodiment, the second peripheral section is configured for access to crevices and folds in the surface of the patient. The second peripheral section can be sized and shaped to allow it to be placed within the folds and crevices of the patient, such as between fingers, or behind the ear. Most preferably, the second peripheral section is an elongate protrusion.

[0043] In an embodiment, the central section and / or periphery sections are circular to allow the medical device to display sub-images which are substantially circular.

[0044] In an embodiment, the image capturing device is a digital camera. The image capturing device could be one of multiple image capturing devices. Alternatively, the image capturing device can be one or more imaging devices or sensors which can be used for a variety of imaging technologies, such as optical imaging, spectroscopy, fluorescence imaging, reflectance confocal microscopy, and optical coherence tomography and the like. The image capturing device can capture still images or videos.

[0045] In an embodiment, the optical adapter comprises illumination means for illumination of the surface of the patient, the illumination means being connectable to the medical device for receiving power.

[0046] In an embodiment, the illumination means comprises one of the following electromagnetic radiation: polarized radiation, non-polarized light, or blue light. The electromagnetic radiation can include any part of the electromagnetic spectrum, including visible light such as red, orange, green or blue light, or UV or infrared radiation.

[0047] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical adapter when used in the optical system as described above.

[0048] According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided an optical adapter for use with a medical device for selectively adjusting clinical examination views of a surface of a patient, the optical adapter comprising: a connection end configured to connect to an opening of the medical device for receiving electromagnetic radiation for capturing images; and an examination end opposite to the connection end and comprising a view-providing area which is configured to be in contact with or proximal to the surface of the patient, wherein the examination end being optically coupled to the connection end for allowing electromagnetic radiation through the opening of the medical device for capturing at least one image, wherein the optical adapter is configured to allow the medical device to provide two or more sub-images of the at least one image which correspond to different sections of the view-providing area and to allow the system to selectively display the sub-images to allow a user to view different sections of the view-providing area and thereby selectively view different parts of the portion of the surface of the patient.

[0049] In some embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation can be ambient light or electromagnetic radiation from a source external to the optical adapter which is suitable for use with the medical device.

[0050] In an embodiment, the view-providing area is configured to allow a processor of the medical device to provide two or more sub-images of the at least one image which correspond to different sections of the view-providing area, to allow the medical device to selectively display the sub-images to allow a user to view different sections of the viewproviding area and thereby selectively view different parts of the portion of the surface of the patient.

[0051] In an embodiment, the optical adapter is configured to allow selective display of the sub-images.

[0052] In an embodiment, the optical adapter is switchable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the optical adapter is configured to provide one sub-image of the at least one image which corresponds to a first section of the view-providing area, and in a second configuration, the optical adapter is configured to provide another sub-image of the at least one image which corresponds to a second section of the viewproviding area.

[0053] In an embodiment, the optical adapter is configured to provide the sub-images at the opening of the medical device for capturing the sub-images at the image capturing device.

[0054] In an embodiment, the switching of the sub-images between the first and second configurations is effected by an optical arrangement.

[0055] In an embodiment, the optical arrangement comprises: in the first configuration, providing the sub-image from the first section of the view-providing area by a first optical pathway and, in the second configuration, providing the sub-image from the second section of the view-providing area by a second optical pathway which is different to the first optical pathway,

[0056] In an embodiment, changes in the optical pathway are effected by arranging one or more optical elements.

[0057] In an embodiment, the optical arrangement comprises: in the first configuration, illuminating the first section of the view-providing area with a first polarization of light and, in the second configuration, illuminating the second section of the view-providing area with a second polarization of light which is different to the first polarization of light.

[0058] In some embodiments, the first polarization of light is s-polarized light and the second polarization of light is p-polarized light, or vice versa.

[0059] In some embodiments, the switching of the sub-images between the first and second configurations is effected by a mechanical switching arrangement.

[0060] In some embodiments, the optical adapter has a first portion comprising the connection end and a second portion comprising the examination end, the second portion being movable with respect to the first portion between a first position and a second position to effect switching between the first and second configurations and wherein in the first position, thesecond portion is configured to provide the sub-image which corresponds to the first section to the opening of the medical device, and in the second position, the second portion is configured to provide the sub-image which corresponds to the second section to the opening of the medical device.

[0061] In some embodiments, the first portion and the second portion is rotatable between the first and second positions.

[0062] In some embodiments, the first portion and the second portion is slidable between the first and second positions.

[0063] In an embodiment, the view-providing area comprises a central section which is arranged to allow the medical device to capture a sub-image which is centred about an optical axis of the optical adapter, and the view-providing area further comprises a peripheral portion to allow the medical device to display a peripheral sub-image which comprises a view of the view-providing area which is at a periphery of the examination end.

[0064] In this manner, the optical adapter is provided with an advantage in facilitating two viewing modes, one being central and the other being peripheral.

[0065] In some embodiments, there is provided an optical adapter wherein the viewproviding area comprises two peripheral sections, wherein one peripheral portion allows the medical device to display a peripheral sub-image which provides a view having a larger part of the portion of the patient’s surface than the central sub-image, and the other peripheral portion allows the medical device to display a peripheral sub-image which provides a view having a smaller part of the portion of the patient’s surface than the central sub-image.

[0066] In some embodiments, the other peripheral section is configured for access to crevices and / or folds in the surface of the patient.

[0067] In some embodiments, the other peripheral section is shaped as an elongate protrusion.

[0068] In this manner, the optical adapter is provided with an advantage in facilitating three viewing modes of different sizes.

[0069] In some embodiments, there is provided an optical adapter wherein the medical device is a dermatoscope. It is also envisaged that a variety of medical devices can be used with the optical adapter without extending beyond the scope of the present invention, such as otoscopes or ophthalmoscopes, spectrometers, fluoroscopes, surgical or medical microscopes and the like.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] One or more embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:

[0071] Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective front view of an optical system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the optical system’s optical adapter, optical device, and the optical adapter’s view-providing area;

[0072] Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective front view of the optical device of Fig. 1, showing it separate from the optical adapter of Fig. 1;

[0073] Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective rear view of the optical system of Fig. 1;

[0074] Fig. 4 illustrates a front view of the optical adapter of Fig. 1, separate from the optical device of Fig. 1, showing the optical adapter’s view-providing area;

[0075] Fig. 5 illustrates a rear view of the optical adapter of Fig. 4, showing its internal shape as can be viewed from its connection end;

[0076] Fig. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the optical adapter of Fig. 4 from a low angle which shows the adapter’s internal shape visible from its connection end;

[0077] Fig. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the optical adapter of Fig. 4 from a high angle which shows the examination end and view-providing area.

[0078] Fig. 8 illustrates a diagrammatic version of the front view of the optical adapter examination end and view-providing area, similar to Fig. 4, showing preferred measurements and sub-regions of the view-providing area.

[0079] Fig. 9 illustrates an optical adapter according to another embodiment in a front view similar to Fig. 4, showing this embodiment’s view-providing area which consists of a single shaped aperture, and showing an LED printed circuit board;

[0080] Fig. 10a illustrates a rear view of the optical adapter of Fig. 9, showing its internal configuration visible from its connection end.

[0081] Fig. 10b illustrates an enlarged view of circle A in Fig. 10a.

[0082] Fig. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the optical adapter of Fig. 9 from a high angle which shows the examination end and view-providing area;

[0083] Fig. 12 is a high-level process flow chart that describes how the processor of the medical device switches between viewing modes in both embodiments;

[0084] Fig. 13 is a high-level architecture diagram of the optical system,

[0085] Fig. 14 is a cross-section view of another optical system according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention having an optical adapter for the medical device of Fig. 1.

[0086] Fig. 15 A is a view of an optical adapter comprising a portion in a first configuration according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0087] Fig. 15B is a side view of the optical adapter of Fig. 15A on the medical device;

[0088] Fig. 16A is a view of an optical adapter where the portion is rotated from a first configuration to a second configuration according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0089] Fig. 16B is a side view of the optical adapter of Fig. 16A on the medical device;

[0090] Fig. 17A is a view of an optical adapter comprising a portion in a first configuration according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0091] Fig. 17B is a side view of the optical adapter of Fig. 17A on the medical device;

[0092] Fig. 18A is a view of an optical adapter where the portion is slidably moved from a first configuration to a second configuration according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0093] Fig. 18B is a side view of the optical adapter of Fig. 18A on the medical device.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0094] Referring now to Figs. 1 to 18B, there is described preferred embodiments in the form of an optical system 10 comprising a medical device 30 connected to an optical adapter 20 which allows improved visual inspection of a surface of a patient, such as the skin, ears, or eyes by a user, such as a medical professional. Figure 13 shows a schematic diagram of the system 10.

[0095] As shown in Fig. 2, the medical device 30, has a body which has an opening 32 for receiving light from the optical adapter 20, and through which the medical device 30 can allow direct inspection by the user from the opposite site of the medical device 30. The opening 32 also may serve as the point of connection between the optical adapter 20 and the medical device 30. The medical device 30 is in the form of a dermatoscope as exemplified in the drawings, is a preferred, but not essential, form of medical device 30. Forms of the medical device could include fundoscopes, medical or surgical microscopes, endoscopes as well as dermatoscopes.

[0096] The optical adapter 20 has a connection end 21 configured to connect to the opening 32 of the medical device 30 as illustrated in Figures 6 and 10. The connection end 21 and the opening 32 have complimentary geometries to facilitate a mechanical engagement which allows replaceable attachment, such as a screw, snap-fit or bayonet-type engagement. While this engagement is mechanical, it need not be. Any other suitable connections means may be used, such as a magnetic engagement which may assist in convenient removal and replacement.

[0097] As shown clearly in the example of Figs. 6 and 7, the optical adapter 20 has an examination end 22 opposite to the connection end 21. The examination end 22 has a viewproviding area 23 which is for placing in contact with or proximal to the surface of the patient to be examined which allows a portion of the surface of the patient to be viewed through the optical adapter body. The view-providing area 23 is configured to allow the optical system 10to selectively view different sections of a portion of the surface of the patient which will be discussed further in the paragraphs below.

[0098] The medical device 30 includes an image capturing device 31, for capturing images at the image capturing device 31. Any other suitable medical device 30, such as an ophthalmoscope or otoscope, may be used in performing the invention, and any suitable image capturing device 31 may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the image capturing device 31 is a digital camera. The image capturing device can be one or more imaging devices or sensors which can be used for a variety of imaging technologies, such as optical imaging, spectroscopy, fluorescence imaging, reflectance confocal microscopy, and optical coherence tomography and the like. The image capturing device can capture still images or videos.

[0099] It is envisaged that multiple image capturing devices could provide a functional equivalent to the single image capturing device 31 without extending beyond the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the single image capturing device 31 could form a subcomponent of a larger image capturing device.

[0100] The system 10 includes a processor for processing the captured image, and a means to communicate, whether wirelessly or not, the captured image to a display 33. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, the display 33 is a part of the medical device 30, however it need not be. Alternatively, the processor and / or display could be remote from the medical device 30. Alternatively, the display 33 may be external to the optical system 10, such as a desktop monitor.

[0101] The processor 50 is configured to receive at least one image 35 of the viewproviding area, and thus an image of a portion of the patient surface, and is configured to provide one or more sub-images 36A, 36B, 36C of the at least one captured image 35. Each of the sub-images 36A, 36B, 36C can correspond to different sections 23 A, 23B, 23C of the view-providing area 23 and the system 10 is configured to allow these sub-images 36A, 36B, 36C to be displayed on the display 33 as selected by the user and to switch between the subimages to be displayed easily and quickly.

[0102] It is considered that video functionally falls within the term “image” for the purposes of the present invention, as video consists of a plurality of images in succession. Therefore, the terms video and image could be used interchangeably without extending beyond the scope of the present invention which would be understood by a person skilled in the art.

[0103] Thus the system 10 can allow a user to choose all or part of the view provided by the view-providing area 23 which can assist the user to more easily view one or more sections 23 A, 23B, 23C of the portion of the patient surface via the sections 23 A, 23B, 23C without moving the optical adapter 20. For example, the system 10 could allow viewing of a section having a greater area to be viewed or having a reduced area. In another example, the system 10 could allow viewing of a section with a central first section 23 A or an area which is offset from the centre of the view-providing area 23 such as on the periphery of the viewproviding area 23, i.e. a peripheral section 23B, 23C.

[0104] This provides an advantage in that multiple types of views of the surface of a patient can be provided with a system 10 comprising a single optical adapter 20 and a single medical device 30. Different sections of the surface of the patient may thus be examined without a need for switching between two different optical adapters or two different medical devices or perhaps without even moving the optical system 10. Thus the need for multiple optical adapters is obviated.

[0105] As illustrated in Figure 8, there is shown a diagrammatic view of an image 35 taken by the image capturing device 31 of the view-providing area 23. The image 35 is a full image that corresponds to the whole of the view-providing area 23 of an optical adapter as shown in Figures, 5, 7 and 9. In this example of Figure 9, the view-providing area 23 is in the form of a tear-drop shaped aperture 24. In other embodiments illustrated in Figures 5 and 7, the view-providing area 23 could be in the form of two circular apertures 24 A, 24B. Both of the view-providing areas 23 can provide the same sub-images as described more in the following paragraphs.

[0106] The processor is configured to process the image 35 received by the image capturing device 31 into different sub-images of the total image of the full view-providing area 23. In the example of Figure 9, the different sub-images 36A, 36B, 36C represent corresponding sections 23 A, 23B, 23C (shown as dotted circles), of the view-providing area 23. These sub-images are then selectively displayed on display 33 as desired by a user. As illustrated, the sub-image 36A is a central circular image which corresponds to a similarly sized central first section 23 A of the image 35 of the view-providing area 23. In a preferred embodiment, the sub-image 36A shows a 30mm diameter circular section of the patient’s skin which corresponds to a familiar shape and size which is usually viewed on dermatoscopes. Sub-images 36B and 36C, as illustrated in Figure 8 can also be peripheral sections, where atleast part of the sub-images 36B, 36C, is close to the periphery of the image 35. In particular sub-image 36B corresponds to a second section 23B of the view-providing area 23 which is well away from the centre of the view-providing area 23.

[0107] The different sub-images 36A, 36B, 36C are only a mere selection of different sub-images which could be displayed. For instances, the processor could easily be configured to process image 35 into smaller or larger portions and different shapes to accommodate the user’s needs. For example, by providing a sub-image of a smaller section (i.e 20mm diameter) of the view-providing area 23 on the same display 33, the sub-image is effectively an enlarged image of sub-image 36A. Similarly, the sub-image 36B is an image which is zoomed-out relative to sub-image 36 A.

[0108] The processor can further be configured to cause display of the different subimages 36A, 36B, 36C as multiple different viewing modes 40 of the optical system 10. While the preferred embodiment describes how the medical device 30 and the optical adapter 20 interact to facilitate these different viewing modes 40, the person skilled in the art would appreciate how the way in which the optical adapter 20 is configured to allow display of different sub-images 36A, 36B, 36C of the different sections 23 A, 23B, 23C can be used with different medical devices to facilitate multiple different viewing modes 40.

[0109] The configuration of the view-providing area 23 depends on the selection of which desired sections of the patient’s surface are to be viewed as sub-images of which the illustrated embodiments only shown a limited selection. For instance, the view-providing area 23 could be in any shape or size, i.e. square, rectangular or a many-sided shape, such as an octagon, triangular, pentagon or any other odd-shape in which the total image could be processed by the processor into the desired sub-images.

[0110] The processor 50 can be configured to cause display of the sub-image 36A which corresponds to a 30mm central first section 23 A of the view-providing area 23 with a centre substantially at an optical axis of the optical adapter 20. This allows the medical device 30 to display, on the display 33, a central sub-image 36A. This central sub-image 36A provides a central view, via central first section 23 A, of a central part of the portion of the patient’s surface being examined. The sub-image 36A can be displayed on display 33 to facilitate a preprogrammed medium viewing mode 42. The processor can be configured to cause display of the sub-image 36B which corresponds to a second section 23B in the form of a 45mm section,also a peripheral section, of the view-providing area 23, is displayed on display 33 to facilitate a large, pre-programmed viewing mode 43. The sub-image 36B corresponds to a larger second section 23B of the view-providing area 23 having a larger area so that the processor can provide a larger sub-image 36B which in turn facilitates a large viewing mode 43. This peripheral subimage 36B also provides a peripheral view of a peripheral part of the portion of the patient’s surface being examined. The peripheral second section 23B is off-set relative to the optical axis and proximal to or at a periphery of the examination end 22. This provides the optical system 10 with not only the medium viewing mode 42 for standard skin examination, but also a large viewing mode 43 for examination of a larger region. One use case example for the large viewing mode 43 is for examining a large skin lesion, such as one greater than 30mm.

[0111] The processor 50 can be configured to cause display of the sub-image 36C which corresponds to a peripheral third section 23 C in the form of a 10mm section of the viewproviding area 23. This sub-image 36C is a small peripheral sub-image which provides a small peripheral view of a peripheral third section 23 C of the view-providing area 23. The small peripheral third section 23C is off-set relative to the optical axis and proximal to or at a periphery of the examination end 22.

[0112] The processor 51 can be configured to cause display of sub-image 36C on display 33 to facilitate a pre-programmed small viewing mode 41. The small viewing mode 41 allows for examination of a small region, such as between fingers, toes, ears, or eyes.

[0113] The medical device 30, as chosen by the user, selectively displays the subimages 36A, 36B, 36C on display 33 to view different sections 23 A, 23B, 23C of the viewproviding area 23 and thereby selectively view different parts of the portion of the surface of the patient being examined in different pre-programmed viewing modes 40. The person skilled in the art would recognise that a number of different pre-programmed modes displaying different sub-images corresponding to different sections could be programmed.

[0114] The view-providing area 23 of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 is in the form of two apertures 24A, 24B. The processor 50 is able to provide sub-images 36A and 36B from a part of image 35 which corresponds to the aperture 24A. Figures 9 to 11 illustrate another embodiment wherein the view-providing area 23 is a single aperture 24, and the first, second, and sub-images correspond to sections 23B, 23C of this single aperture 24 having the shape of the view-providing area 23. In the embodiment of Figures 9 to 11, the view-providingarea 23 forms a tear-drop shape, and the sub-image 36C corresponds to a third section 23C of the view-providing area 23 which is located in the tail of the tear drop shape. The tail of the tear drop shape containing section 23C is formed by the tapering of the view-providing area 23 about section 23C thereby forming a narrow or elongate protrusion. This narrow protrusion is shaped so as to easily fit between crevices or folds of the human body, for instance, the skin between the fingers or toes, behind the ears and the like.

[0115] The examination end 22 of both embodiments is shaped to conform substantially to a perimeter of the view-providing area 23, as shown clearly in at least Figures 1 and 7. The examination end 22 also tapers from the connection end 21 towards the viewproviding area 23. In this manner, the optical adapter 20 is provided with a particular configuration that allows a part of the view-providing area to be placed proximal to or in contact with hard-to-reach regions of the surface of the patient, , without the examination end 22 periphery impeding access. Examination of small and hard-to-reach areas is thus made possible or easier. The apertures preferably circular or elliptical in shape, with their centre displaced from the optical axis however it would be understood by a person skilled in the art that other aperture shapes are possible.

[0116] While a tear drop shape is preferable, the improved access of the third section 23 C to hard-to-reach areas may be achieved by other suitable examination end 22 topologies that are complimentary to the area being examined.

[0117] It is preferred that the image capturing device is a digital camera 31. There could be two or more digital cameras. Utilising a digital camera 31 advantageously removes or reduces the optical distortion of the peripheral sections of the sub-images typically seen with analogue devices which use optical lenses. This overcomes the problem of examination using the periphery section i.e. 23B or 23C of a view-providing area 23 being too unclear for diagnosis which would usually be the case for use with optical lenses.

[0118] Figure 12 is a high-level process flow chart that illustrates a method 100 of use, and in particular how different viewing modes 40 are implemented by the processor of the medical device 30.

[0119] First, the processor 50 of the medical device 30 starts and completes its boot sequence in step SI 02.

[0120] Then in step S104, scope selection is initiated. In scope selection, the user can choose between which type of scope to implement.

[0121] By selecting the dermatoscope at step S106, the user is now able to select between preset zoom parameters for operation of the digital camera 31 in relation to image capture of the view-providing area 23. Upon selection of the dermatoscope, the user may select between viewing modes 40, which include small viewing mode 41, medium viewing mode 42, and large viewing mode 43. The method can then operate to cause display 33 to display subimages of the third, first, or second sections 36 A, 36B, 36C, in accordance with the selected viewing mode 40 zoom parameters provided by the small, medium, and large viewing modes 41, 42, 43, respectively. The method can also cause the processor 50 to output sub-images 36A, 36B, and 36C to cloud server 60 for WebApp integration.

[0122] Depending on which alternative scope is selected i.e. otoscope or ophthalmoscope at step S108, the zoom will output to zoom set which is the default view of 30mm (medium viewing mode), followed by main process at step SI 10, which controls normal operation of digital camera 31 and also performs image processing, in accordance with the defaulted zoom parameter. Main process 130 at step SI 10 can also re-initiate scope selection for the user as desired by returning to step SI 04.

[0123] Figure 13 is a schematic system diagram that illustrates the system elements of the optical system 10, which includes optical adapter 20, medical device 30, processor 50, and display 33. As illustrated, the medical device 30 can also communicate with cloud server 60 external to the optical system 10. In this manner, the optical system 10 can output data for external image storage and processing, such as for WebApp integration. While optical system 10 includes display 33, an external display may also be used, such as a desktop monitor. As illustrated in Figure 13, the system architecture of optical system 10 connects the system elements as follows: optical adapter 20 interfaces with medical device 30, which in turn interfaces with processor 50 and display 33. Through these system element connections, optical system 10 functions described herein are implemented. The system 10 can also be configured to allow digital measurement functions, for example the user can use the measurement function to provide a dimension to any anomaly or lesion on the surface of the patient in inches or centimetres. The system 10 can also be configured to communicate with the cloud server 60 which can allow communication with artificial intelligence (Al) to allow images sent from themedical device to be assessed by Al for risk assessment. Preferably, the communication with Al is in real-time for optimal use by the user when assessing a patient.

[0124] The system 10 can also include that the optical adapter 20 comprises illumination means 46 which can assist to illuminate the portion of the patient’s skin being examined. The illumination means 46 can be in the form of one or more LEDs. In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 11, the illumination means 46 is in the form of a strip of LEDs 46 located internal to the body of the optical adapter 20 and located a distance away from the view-providing area 23 to allow the illumination means 46 to illuminate the view-providing area 23 evenly. The illumination means 46 can include white light, polarized radiation, nonpolarized light, or blue light. The illumination means 46 can include any part of the electromagnetic spectrum, including visible light such as red, orange, green or blue light, or UV or infrared radiation. The optical adapter 20 could also include one or more filters (not shown) which can be configured to be attachable to the examination end 22 for selectively filtering of the illumination means 46. For example the filter could be a polarising filter. The optical adapter 20 could also include one or more filters attachable to the connection end 21 for providing cross polarisation. There may also be included polarised LEDs. The electromagnetic radiation received by the image capturing device can also include ambient light or electromagnetic radiation from a source external to the optical adapter which is suitable for use with the medical device.

[0125] The optical adapter 20 can also be configured to have a connector 25 as exemplified in Figures 10a and 10b which allows electrical connection and communication with the medical device 30. The connector 25 may be configured to allow power transfer from the medical device 30 to the illumination means 46 so as to power the illumination means 46, which can include light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Further, the connector 25 could allow communication between the medical device 30 and the optical adapter 20 to facilitate control of the illumination means 46. For example, the system 10 can be configured so as to control the illumination means, i.e. on, off, brightness level, red, blue, polarised, from the medical device 30 or processor 50 via a touchscreen, buttons or other input devices which are configured to communicate with the processor 50.

[0126] Fig. 14 shows an optical system 10 comprising a medical device 30 and an optical adapter 20 according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the optical adapter 20 is configured to allow selective display of the sub-images36 A, 36B. The applicant envisages that further embodiments of the invention include both the medical device 30 and the optical adapter 20 being configured to allow selective display according to the embodiments already described. The embodiments described below also include the features as disclosed above in relation to Figs 1 to 13, including the shape and configuration of the optical adapter, where the peripheral sub-image comprises a view of the view-providing area 23 which is a periphery of the examination end of the optical adapter, and the periphery is shaped as a protrusion which is formed to fit within crevices and / or folds of the patient, such as between fingers or toes.

[0127] In this example shown in Fig. 14, the optical adapter 20 is configured to be optically switchable between two configurations. The optical adapter 20 has an optical switching arrangement which allows the switching between the two configurations. In the first configuration the optical adapter 20 is configured to provide one sub-image 36A of the at least one image which corresponds to a first section 23A of the view-providing area 23, and in a second configuration, the optical adapter 20 is configured to provide another sub-image 36B of the at least one image which corresponds to a second section 23B of the view-providing area 23. The optical switching arrangement allows the sub-image 36A to be directed from the first section 23 A by a first optical pathway 48A and the sub-image 36B to be directed from the first section 23B by a first optical pathway 48B. The system 10 is configured such that the optical adapter 20 can selectively choose between the sub-images 23 A or 23B to be directed along the optical pathways 48A and 48B to be provided at the opening 32 of the medical device 30 to be captured by the image capturing device 31 and thereby be displayed for viewing by the user.

[0128] The applicant envisages a number of optical arrangements which can direct the sub-images 36 A, 36B along different optical pathways 48 A, 48B to be provided at the opening 32 for display by the medical device 30. In one simple arrangement, a simple optical arrangement comprising mirrors, beamsplitters and lens, with one or more shutters or irises at the apertures 24A, 24B could permit or occlude sub-images 36A, 36B for selective display at the opening 32. The beamsplitters can be polarising beamsplitters.

[0129] In another example shown in Fig. 14, illumination means 46 A, 46B could be provided which can illuminate the respective sections 23 C and 23B of the view-providing area 23. The illumination means can be lamps or LEDs. For example, LEDs 46A, can emit P- polarised light while the LEDs can emit S-polarised light, or vice versa. Therefore, in a first configuration, by selectively illuminating section 23C with P-polarised light from LEDs 46A,the P-polarised light can be directed along optical pathway 48A, via a mirror 52 and a beamsplitter 54 to the opening 32 and thus the sub-image 36C is captured by the medical device 30. Then by switching off LEDs 46A, and switching on LEDs 46B which emits S-polarised light, the S-polarised light can be directed along optical pathway 48B, via the beamsplitter 54 to the opening 32 and thus the sub-image 36B is captured by the medical device 30. Thus by selective illumination of the sections 23C, 23B, the user can select between capture and display of different sub-images 36A, 36B. Thus, the system 10 is advantageously able to capture and display different sub-images 36A, 36B, by selective use of polarised light, and avoids any moving or mechanical parts.

[0130] The optical adapter 20 can also include one or more lenses 56 which can be provided at any appropriate location in the optical pathway 48A, 48B for the purposes of magnification, collimation or any optical correction such as reducing or eliminating aberrations or colour corrections. The lenses 56 can include standard lenses made of known transparent materials, such as glass or polymers. In other embodiments, the lenses 56 can be an electronic lens which can allow fast adjustments in focal length changes, for example a liquid-filled lens.

[0131] Embodiments of the system 10 can also include that the optical adapter 20 is configured to switch between sub-images, such as between the first and second configurations, by a mechanical switching arrangement as exemplified in Figs 15A to 18B. In these embodiment, the optical adapter 20 has two portions 62, 64. Specifically, the optical adapter 20 has a first portion 62 comprising the connection end 21 and a second portion 64 comprising the examination end 22 where the second portion 64 is movable with respect to the first portion 62. The second portion 64 is movable with respect to the first portion 62 between a first position and a second position to effect switching between the first and second configurations.

[0132] In the first position, as illustrated in Figs 15 A, 17A the second portion 64 of the optical adapter 20 is configured to provide the sub-image 36B which corresponds to the second section 23B to the opening 32 of the medical device 30, by alignment of the centre of the axis of the aperture 24B with the opening 32 and subsequently the image capturing device 31 as shown in Fig 15B and 17B. By moving the second portion 64 into the second position, as illustrated in Figs 16A, 18A the second portion 64 is configured to provide the sub-image 36C which corresponds to the third section 23C to the opening 32 of the medical device 30, by alignment of the centre of the axis of the aperture 24B with the opening 32 and subsequently the image capturing device 31 as shown in Figs 16B and 18B. and wherein the second portion64 is movable between the first and second positions to effect switching between the first and second configurations.

[0133] The second portion 64 of the optical adapter 20 can thus be slidably or rotatably moved to the first position so as to be able to selectively provide the desired sub-image 36A or 36B to the opening 32 for capturing and displaying the sub-image 36A or 36B. Therefore, by a simple mechanical switching arrangement, the optical adapter 20 can be used to effect apertures of different sizes for examination of the surface of the patient. The arrow in Fig. 15A indicates the direction of rotational movement of the second portion 64, while the arrow in Fig. 17A indicates the direction of sliding movement of the second portion 64.

[0134] In Figs. 15A to 18B, although the profile of the examination end 22 is shown as a cylindrical shape for the purposes of simplicity, the applicant envisages that the profile of the examination end 22 will be similar to that shown in Figs 4 to 11. As discussed in paragraphs 85 and 86 above, the examination end 22 can be shaped such that the view-providing area 23 has a tapering or tear drop shape forming a narrow or elongate protrusion which allows it to be fitted into crevices or folds of the human body for ease of examination.

[0135] In the illustrated embodiments, the apertures 24A, 24B are shown as being parallel or in the same plane. However, the applicant envisages that the optical adapter 20 could be configured such that the apertures 24A, 24B can be oriented at non-parallel angles so as to allow differing views. Preferably, the angle between the apertures 24A, 24B can be movably adjusted to allow for greater flexibility by the user. Using the example of Fig. 14, the applicant considers that optical adapter 20 can be configured such that aperture 24A is oriented 90 degrees from the aperture 24B. Alternatively, apertures 24 A and 24B could be directed in opposing directions depending on a selection by the user.

[0136] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.REFERENCE NUMERALS

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An optical system for selective clinical examination of a surface of a patient, the system comprising a medical device connectable to an optical adapter: the medical device comprising: an image capturing device; and an opening for receiving electromagnetic radiation from the optical adapter to capture images at the image capturing device; a processor for processing the captured image, and means to communicate the captured image to a display for displaying the captured images; and the optical adapter comprising: a connection end configured to connect to the opening of the medical device; an examination end opposite to the connection end and comprising a view-providing area which is configured to be in contact with or proximal to the surface of the patient; wherein the view-providing area is configured to allow the medical device to capture at least one image of a portion of the surface of the patient, wherein the system is configured to provide one sub-image of the at least one image which corresponds to a first section of the view-providing area, and another sub-image of the at least one image which corresponds to a second section of the view-providing area, and wherein the system is configured to allow selective display of the sub-images to allow a user to view different sections of the view-providing area and thereby selectively view different parts of the portion of the surface of the patient.

2. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the medical device or the optical adapter or both the medical device and the optical adapter are configured to allow selective display of the sub-images.

3. The optical system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the medical device is configured to allow selective display of the sub-images, andin response to an instruction, the processor is configured to provide one sub-image of the at least one image which corresponds to a first section of the view-providing area, and in response to another instruction, the processor is configured to provide another subimage of the at least one image which corresponds to a second section of the view-providing area.

4. The optical system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the optical adapter is configured to allow selective display of the sub-images.

5. The optical system of claim 4, wherein the optical adapter is switchable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the optical adapter is configured to provide one sub-image of the at least one image which corresponds to a first section of the view-providing area, and in a second configuration, the optical adapter is configured to provide another sub-image of the at least one image which corresponds to a second section of the view-providing area.

6. The optical system of claim 5, wherein the optical adapter is configured to provide the sub-images at the opening of the medical device for capture of the sub-images at the image capturing device.

7. The optical system of claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the switching of the sub-images between the first and second configurations is effected by an optical arrangement.

8. The optical system of claim 7, wherein the optical arrangement comprises: in the first configuration, providing the sub-image from the first section of the viewproviding area by a first optical pathway and, in the second configuration, providing the sub-image from the second section of the view-providing area by a second optical pathway which is different to the first optical pathway, wherein changes in the optical pathway are effected by arranging one or more optical elements.

9. The optical system of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the optical arrangement comprises: in the first configuration, illuminating the first section of the view-providing area with a first polarization of light and,in the second configuration, illuminating the second section of the view-providing area with a second polarization of light which is different to the first polarization of light.

10. The optical system of claim 9, wherein the first polarization of light is s-polarized light and the second polarization of light is p-polarized light, or vice versa.

11. The optical system of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the optical elements comprises one or more of the following: mirrors, irises, shutters, beamsplitters and lenses.

12. The optical system of claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the switching of the sub-images between the first and second configurations is effected by a mechanical switching arrangement.

13. The optical system of claim 12, wherein the optical adapter has a first portion comprising the connection end and a second portion comprising the examination end, the second portion being movable with respect to the first portion between a first position and a second position to effect switching between the first and second configurations and wherein in the first position, the second portion is configured to provide the sub-image which corresponds to the first section to the opening of the medical device, and in the second position, the second portion is configured to provide the sub-image which corresponds to the second section to the opening of the medical device.

14. The optical system of claim 13, wherein the second portion is rotatable between the first and second positions.

15. The optical system of claim 13, wherein the second portion is slidable between the first and second positions.

16. The optical system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first section of the view-providing area is a central section having a centre substantially at an optical axis of the optical adapter and wherein the system is configured to display a central sub-image which is a central view of a central part of the portion of the patient’s surface.

17. The optical system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second section of the view-providing areas comprises a peripheral section of the view-providing area andwherein the system is configured to display a peripheral sub-image which is a peripheral view of the portion of the patient’s surface.

18. The optical system of claim 17, wherein the peripheral section is a section which is offset relative to the optical axis.

19. The optical system of claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the peripheral section is proximal to or at a periphery of the examination end.

20. The optical system of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the system is configured to allow selectively switch between displaying the central sub-image which corresponds to the central section image and the peripheral sub-image which corresponds to the peripheral section.

21. The optical system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the view-providing area is configured such that the second or peripheral section of the view-providing area which has a greater area than the first or central section of the view-providing area, such that the system is able to switch between displaying the sub-images of the surface of the patient wherein the one sub-image is an enlarged or a partial view of the other sub-image.

22. The optical system of claim 21, wherein the view-providing area comprising the central section and the peripheral section is in the form of a shaped aperture.

23. The optical system of claim 22, wherein the aperture comprises a shape of a circle or ellipse, wherein the centre of the circle or ellipse is displaced from the optical axis.

24. The optical system of claim 22 or claim 23, wherein the view-providing area is configured such that the second or peripheral section of the view-providing area which has a lesser area than the first or central section of the view-providing area, such that the medical device is able to switch between displaying the sub-images of the surface of the patient wherein the one sub-image is an enlarged or a partial view of the other sub-image.

25. The optical system of any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the view-providing area comprises a third section being a second peripheral section.

26. The optical system of claim 25, wherein the second peripheral section comprises a smaller area than the first peripheral section.

27. The optical system of claim 25 or claim 26, wherein the second peripheral section is located on an opposite side of the central portion to the first peripheral section.

28. The optical system of any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the aperture comprises a teardrop shape wherein the second peripheral portion being located in the tail of the tear drop shape.

29. The optical system of any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the view-providing area comprises two apertures wherein the central section and the first peripheral sections comprises a first aperture, and the second peripheral section comprises a second aperture.

30. The optical system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the examination end is shaped to conform substantially to a perimeter of the view-providing area for ease of examination.

31. The optical system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the examination end tapers in a direction from the connection end towards the view-providing area for ease of examination.

32. The optical system of any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein the examination end tapers from the central section to the second peripheral section for ease of examination.

33. The optical system of any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein the second peripheral section is configured for access to crevices and folds in the surface of the patient.

34. The optical system of claim 33, wherein the second peripheral section is an elongate protrusion.

35. The optical system of any one of claims 16 to 29, wherein the central section and / or periphery sections are circular to allow the system to display sub-images which are substantially circular.

36. The optical system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the image capturing device is a digital camera.

37. The optical system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical adapter comprises illumination means for illumination of the surface of the patient, the illumination means being connectable to the medical device.

38. The optical system of claim 37, wherein the illumination means comprises one of the following: polarized radiation, non-polarized light, or blue light.

39. An optical adapter when used in the optical system of any one of claims 1 to 38.

40. An optical adapter for use with a medical device for selectively adjusting clinical examination views of a surface of a patient, the optical adapter comprising: a connection end configured to connect to an opening of the medical device for receiving electromagnetic radiation for capturing images; and an examination end opposite to the connection end and comprising a viewproviding area which is configured to be in contact with or proximal to the surface of the patient, wherein the examination end being optically coupled to the connection end for allowing electromagnetic radiation through the opening of the medical device for capturing at least one image, wherein the optical adapter is configured to allow the medical device to provide two or more sub-images of the at least one image which correspond to different sections of the viewproviding area and to allow the system to selectively display the sub-images to allow a user to view different sections of the view-providing area and thereby selectively view different parts of the portion of the surface of the patient.

41. The optical adapter of claim 40, wherein the view-providing area is configured to allow a processor of the medical device to provide two or more sub-images of the at least one image which correspond to different sections of the view-providing area, to allow the medical device to selectively display the sub-images to allow a user to view different sections of the viewproviding area and thereby selectively view different parts of the portion of the surface of the patient.

42. The optical adapter of claim 40 or claim 41, wherein the optical adapter is configured to allow selective display of the sub-images.

43. The optical adapter of claim 42, wherein the optical adapter is switchable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the optical adapter is configured to provide one sub-image of the at least one image which corresponds to a first section of the view-providing area, and in a second configuration, the optical adapter is configured to provide another sub-image of the at least one image which corresponds to a second section of the view-providing area.

44. The optical system of claim 43, wherein the optical adapter is configured to provide the sub-images at the opening of the medical device for capturing the sub-images at the image capturing device.

45. The optical system of claim 44 or claim 44 wherein the switching of the sub-images between the first and second configurations is effected by an optical arrangement.

46. The optical system of claim 45, wherein the optical arrangement comprises: in the first configuration, providing the sub-image from the first section of the viewproviding area by a first optical pathway and, in the second configuration, providing the sub-image from the second section of the view-providing area by a second optical pathway which is different to the first optical pathway, wherein changes in the optical pathway are effected by arranging one or more optical elements.

47. The optical system of claim 45 or claim 46, wherein the optical arrangement comprises: in the first configuration, illuminating the first section of the view-providing area with a first polarization of light and, in the second configuration, illuminating the second section of the view-providing area with a second polarization of light which is different to the first polarization of light.

48. The optical system of claim 47, wherein the first polarization of light is s-polarized light and the second polarization of light is p-polarized light, or vice versa.

49. The optical system of claim 44, wherein the switching of the sub-images between the first and second configurations is effected by a mechanical switching arrangement.

50. The optical system of claim 49, wherein the optical adapter has a first portion comprising the connection end and a second portion comprising the examination end, the second portion being movable with respect to the first portion between a first position and a second position to effect switching between the first and second configurations and wherein in the first position, the second portion is configured to provide the sub-image which corresponds to the first section to the opening of the medical device, and in the second position, the second portion is configured to provide the sub-image which corresponds to the second section to the opening of the medical device.

51. The optical system of claim 50, wherein the first portion and the second portion is rotatable between the first and second positions.

52. The optical system of claim 51, wherein the first portion and the second portion is slidable between the first and second positions.

53. The optical adapter of any one of claims 39 to 52, wherein the view-providing area comprises a central section which is arranged to allow the medical device or the optical adapter to capture a sub-image which is centred about an optical axis of the optical adapter, and the view-providing area further comprises a peripheral portion to allow the medical device or the optical device to display a peripheral sub-image which comprises a view of the view-providing area which is at a periphery of the examination end.

54. The optical adapter of claim 53, wherein the view-providing area comprises two peripheral sections, wherein one peripheral portion allows the medical device or the optical device to display a peripheral sub-image which provides a view having a larger part of the portion of the patient’s surface than the central sub-image, and the other peripheral portion allows the medical device to display a peripheral sub-image which provides a view having a smaller part of the portion of the patient’s surface than the central sub-image.

55. The optical adapter of claim 54, wherein the other peripheral section is configured for access to crevices and / or folds in the surface of the patient.

56. The optical adapter of claim 54 or claim 55, wherein the other peripheral section is shaped as an elongate protrusion.

57. The optical system or the optical adapter of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the medical device is a dermatoscope, a fundoscope, a medical or surgical microscope or a endoscope.

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