Otoscope Sensing Head Layout for Unobstructed Ear Canal Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional otoscopes face issues with light blocking due to the placement of light sources and sensing elements inside a conical housing, leading to reduced illumination efficiency and sensing accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The otoscope design places light sources and sensing elements on the front end face of the sensing head, eliminating the need for optical fibers and preventing light blocking, with an air supply device integrated on the front end face to avoid interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If light sources and sensing elements are disposed inside the conical housing, then the structure is compact and integrated, but part of the light is blocked by the housing and sensing accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light sources and sensing elements from the interior of the conical housing and relocates them to the front end face of the sensing head. This extraction eliminates the blocking effect of the housing on light transmission, allowing unobstructed light paths for both illumination and sensing, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural integration and sensing accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional interior placement (inside the conical housing) to a two-dimensional surface placement (front end face). This dimensional change allows the light sources and sensing elements to be positioned on the outer surface where they cannot be blocked by the housing structure, maintaining compactness while improving optical performance
2Use of energy by moving object
If optical fibers are used for light transmission, then light can be transmitted from the handle to the sensing part, but the system becomes more complex and light blocking issues persist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the optical fiber transmission system from the device. By placing light sources directly on the sensing head, the patent eliminates the need for optical fibers to transmit light from the handle, thereby simplifying the system structure while maintaining effective light delivery to the sensing area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates optical fibers (the intermediary medium for light transmission) by implementing direct light emission from the sensing head. This removal of the intermediary simplifies the light transmission path and eliminates associated complexity while maintaining illumination functionality
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
This configuration enhances illumination efficiency and sensing accuracy by ensuring unobstructed light transmission and reception, improving the overall performance of the otoscope.
Implementation Method 1
The light source may be a light-emitting diode or an incandescent bulb
Implementation Method 2
a lens disposed on the front end face of the housing. The lens is configured to converge light to be sensed onto the sensing element
Implementation Method 3
a sensing element disposed on the front end face... prevent part of the light reflected and/or scattered from the sensed area to be blocked
Data Source
AI summary
An otoscope is provided, which includes a sensing part. The sensing part includes a housing and a sensing head. The sensing head is disposed in the housing, and includes at least one light source and a sensing element. The light source is disposed on a front end face of the sensing head. The sensing element is disposed on the front end face. The light emitted by the light source can be fully used for illuminating the ear canal. Therefore, the energy consumption of the otoscope is low. The sensing element can completely receive the light reflected and scattered by the ear canal. Therefore, the sensing accuracy of the otoscope is high.