Foldable Medical Instrument with Integrated Imaging and Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical instruments lack portability, real-time image and data capture capabilities, adequate lighting, and are costly, making them difficult to maintain and unsuitable for patient-centered care, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Innovation Solution
A portable, foldable, and handheld multipurpose medical instrument with integrated image capturing units, temperature sensors, and lighting, allowing real-time data display and transmission to a server or user device for telemedicine applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional medical instruments are used for examining ears, mouth, eyes, and nasal cavity, then diagnostic functionality is provided, but portability and ease of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple medical examination functions (otoscope for ear, ophthalmoscope for eye, dermatoscope for skin, and thermometer) into a single handheld device with integrated optical systems, sensors, and display, enabling portability without sacrificing diagnostic capability
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed as a multipurpose medical instrument that can perform various examinations (ear, eye, skin, temperature) using a single unified platform with interchangeable or adjustable examination heads, eliminating the need for multiple separate instruments
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate medical instruments are used for different examinations, then specialized functionality is achieved, but cost and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a single multipurpose device that replaces multiple specialized instruments, the patent reduces overall cost and simplifies maintenance while maintaining all necessary examination functions through integrated design
3Measurement precision
If real-time image capture and display are added to medical instruments, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates image capturing units, display screens, and examination optics into a unified handheld device, enabling real-time visualization while maintaining portability through consolidated electronic systems
4Illumination intensity
If adequate lighting is integrated into examination instruments, then visualization quality is improved, but device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements lighting specifically at the examination tip where it is most needed, using LED or similar efficient light sources that provide adequate illumination for diagnostic purposes while consuming minimal power and avoiding unnecessary energy use in other parts of the 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 cost-effective, portable, and versatile examination of ears, mouth, nasal cavity, and temperature measurement at home or office, facilitating patient-centered care through real-time data capture and remote consultation.
Implementation Method 1
The head portion includes a speculum and optical spectroscopy (OS) data acquisition components positioned within the head portion. The OS data acquisition components are configured to (i) emit light toward the tissue under analysis, (ii) receive light reflected at least in part from the tissue under analysis based on the emitted light
Implementation Method 2
The medical instrument includes a first housing, and a second housing placed over the first housing. The second housing includes a disposable examining tip having an image capturing unit, a temperature sensor, and a light source
Data Source
AI summary
A portable, foldable and handheld multipurpose medical instrument for use in a telemedicine application including a first housing and a second housing placed over the first housing. The second housing includes a disposable examining tip having an image capturing unit, a temperature sensor and a light source. The medical instrument includes a plurality of buttons for operating the image capturing unit, the temperature sensor and the light source. The medical instrument includes a plurality of display screens for displaying the images, or recorded video and displaying the temperature readings during the examination of ears, eyes, nasal cavity and mouth and detection of body's temperature. In one implementation, the medical instrument transmits the data remotely to a server or a user device.