Ear Thermometer Endoscope Integration for Remote Ear Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermometers that measure body temperature through the ear struggle to provide a comprehensive health assessment, as they lack the ability to visualize the ear condition, limiting remote diagnosis capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A thermometer with an integrated endoscope that allows for both temperature measurement and inner ear imaging, enabling simultaneous body temperature measurement and visualization of the ear condition, with optional communication to external devices for remote diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a non-contact ear thermometer is used to measure body temperature, then temperature measurement is achieved, but the ability to check ear condition and enable remote diagnosis is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a thermometer and an endoscope module into a single integrated device. The thermometer measures body temperature through the eardrum while the endoscope module captures images of the ear canal and eardrum, allowing simultaneous temperature measurement and visual inspection without requiring separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a temperature measurement device and an imaging device for ear examination. This multi-functionality allows the single device to provide comprehensive ear health assessment including both thermal data and visual imagery
2Device complexity
If only temperature measurement is performed, then the device remains simple, but comprehensive health assessment and remote diagnosis capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermometer and endoscope module into a single integrated device. The thermometer measures body temperature through the eardrum while the endoscope module captures images of the ear canal and eardrum, allowing simultaneous temperature measurement and visual inspection without requiring separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication device as an intermediary that receives captured images from the endoscope module and displays them. This intermediary component enables the transmission and viewing of ear images on external devices such as smartphones or computers, facilitating remote diagnosis without significantly complicating the core measurement device
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy recognition of ear conditions and facilitates remote diagnosis by providing real-time imaging and temperature data, allowing for timely intervention and tracking of ear health changes.
Implementation Method 1
the non-contact type ear thermometer includes an infrared sensor that is coupled to a probe, and the probe is partially inserted into an ear canal and is aimed toward an eardrum. The device is fundamentally a non-contact type optoelectronic device that measures an intensity of infrared radiation that is emitted from a surface area of the ear canal
Implementation Method 2
an endoscope module installed in the handle part, and that photographs the inner ear
Data Source
AI summary
A thermometer with an endoscope includes a handle part, a thermometer installed in the handle part, and that measures a body temperature while being inserted into an inner ear, and an endoscope module installed in the handle part, and that photographs the inner ear.