Visual-Axis Circular Display Otoscope for Simultaneous Ear Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing otoscopes obstruct the healthcare professional's view of the patient during examination due to the necessary size of the display needed for proper readability and resolution, particularly when the otoscope is rotated or positioned laterally, requiring constant attention to maintain alignment and positioning.
Innovation Solution
An otoscope with a circular electronic display aligned with the visual axis of the camera tip, minimizing obstruction by integrating a circular display that is directly aligned with the visual axis of the camera tip, allowing simultaneous viewing of the patient's external ear and display, and incorporating a speculum with a window that reduces internal reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large display is used to provide proper readability and resolution, then display readability is improved, but obstruction of the healthcare professional's view of the patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display is repositioned from a lateral mounting position to a position directly over the camera tip, aligned with the visual axis. This spatial reconfiguration in the third dimension (along the optical axis rather than perpendicular to it) allows the display to be viewed simultaneously with the patient without lateral obstruction, resolving the contradiction between display size/readability and view obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The display is positioned asymmetrically directly over the camera tip rather than symmetrically on the lateral side. This asymmetric placement aligns the display with the visual axis, creating a configuration where the display and patient view occupy different spatial planes, thereby reducing mutual obstruction while maintaining readability.
2Ease of operation
If the otoscope is rotated with handle positioned laterally for improved bracing, then ease of operation is improved, but display obstruction increases
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the display directly over the camera tip along the visual axis, the display is placed in a different spatial dimension relative to the handle orientation. This allows the handle to be rotated laterally for improved bracing while the display remains visible above the camera field, eliminating the trade-off between bracing comfort and display visibility.
3Ease of operation
If the display is mounted on the otoscope itself to minimize looking away, then ease of operation is improved, but display obstruction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display is positioned directly over the camera tip in alignment with the visual axis, placing it in the optical path's vertical dimension rather than lateral dimension. This allows the display to be mounted on the otoscope for continuous viewing while occupying a spatial position that does not obstruct the lateral view of the patient's external ear and canal during positioning and bracing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An otoscope provides a circular display allowing a compact housing providing improved simultaneous viewing of the display and the patient's car for improved positioning and stabilization of the otoscope. A recorded image may be rotationally corrected, and non-image data displayed on the screen may be rotationally corrected with the use of an inclinometer.