Remote Exam Attachment for Smartphone ENT Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of telemedicine is constrained in fields requiring intensive examination procedures, such as ENT practices, due to limited access and usability of at-home examination devices for both patients and physicians.
Innovation Solution
A remote exam attachment that couples with a user device, including a magnifying lens and external light, to capture and transmit images of anatomical features, allowing for remote ENT examinations using tools like speculums and tongue depressors, with adjustable camera settings for enhanced image capture and diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional examination tools (otoscope, speculum, tongue depressor) are used in telemedicine context, then examination capability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumbersome nature of these tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera device as an intermediary tool that captures images through the traditional examination tools (otoscope, speculum, tongue depressor). This mediator converts the complex physical examination process into simple image capture, allowing physicians to perform ENT examinations remotely while maintaining diagnostic reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy (image) of the anatomical feature being examined. Instead of requiring the physician to directly observe through complex optical instruments, the camera captures an image copy that can be viewed on a screen, simplifying the examination process while preserving diagnostic information.
2Reliability
If traditional examination tools are used in telemedicine, then examination capability is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to limited accessibility for patients
Solution Approach 1:
The camera device serves as an intermediary that simplifies the examination process for patients. Instead of requiring patients to manipulate complex optical instruments like otoscopes or speculums, they simply need to position the camera with its attachment, making the process accessible to non-medical personnel while maintaining examination quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables patients to perform self-examinations or be examined by caregivers using the camera attachment on their own mobile devices. This self-service capability eliminates the need for specialized medical equipment and training, allowing examinations to be performed anywhere with a smartphone or tablet.
3Device complexity
If standard camera settings are used for anatomical feature capture, then device simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision and image quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts camera parameters (zoom, field of view, aperture, focus) to optimize image quality for anatomical examination. By dynamically changing these parameters based on the examination needs, the system achieves high measurement precision while keeping the device interface simple for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback through the display screen, allowing users to adjust positioning and focus until the anatomical feature is clearly visible. This feedback mechanism enables non-experts to achieve diagnostic-quality images without needing to understand complex camera settings.
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 remote ENT examinations by providing magnified and illuminated images for accurate diagnosis, extending ENT specialist services to remote locations and enhancing telemedicine capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The remote exam attachment may include a magnifying lens, which may magnify an image of an object obtained at a camera of the user device
Implementation Method 2
the remote exam attachment may couple to an external light attachment, which may illuminate the anatomical feature such that a user (e.g., a physician) may distinguish aspects of the anatomical feature
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to remote medical examination of a patient, and, more specifically, to a remote exam attachment that, along with a user device, may capture images of an anatomical feature for examination of a patient. The remote exam attachment may include a lens and may couple to an examination tool, such as a speculum, a scope, or a tongue depressor, which may be used with a camera of the user device. The user device may be configured to adjust one or more settings of the camera, such as the zoom, field of view, aperture, and/or the like. The user device may further be configured to transmit an image captured in conjunction with the remote exam attachment to another user device. Accordingly, the remote exam attachment, along with the user device, may capture, display, and/or transmit images of an anatomical feature, facilitating remote examination of a patient.