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US 12,702,284 B2Granted
Imaging speculum for otology
AssigneeInfinity Research Inc.
InventorsJohn Tesar, Steve Charles
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved imaging ear speculum is disclosed. The speculum retains a small imaging module such as a camera near is distal opening. The imaging module is retained in a carrier, which is slid into a track or guide in an interior wall of the speculum. Improved specula may also include annular inflatable bladders arranged on their outside distal surface, which bladders can engage with the patient's ear and render the speculum selectively self-retaining.
Claims5
An ear speculum system, comprising:
- a speculum having a distal rim defining a distal aperture, a proximal rim defining a proximal aperture, a central axis passing through a center of the distal and proximal apertures, and a body having an inner and an outer surface, the body connecting the distal and proximal apertures, wherein the inner surface defines a track extending from the proximal aperture along the inner surface to the distal aperture;
- wherein the system comprises a carrier slidingly received in the track, the carrier having a proximal end and a distal end and includes a central portion defining a hollow through passage having a closed inner surface extending from the proximal end to the distal end, an imaging system being slidingly captured within the through passage of the carrier;
- wherein the carrier further comprises a first and second flattened wing portions arranged on either side of the central portion, the wing portions being curved to define a curved concave surface facing the central axis when the carrier is received in the track.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.