Oral scope system with image sensor and method for visual examination of oral cavity and upper airway

An oral scope instrument for facilitating visual examination and inspection of a person's oral cavity and upper airway comprising:

• an elongate, flexible arm having first and second ends;
• a temperature sensor connected to the flexible arm adjacent the first end;
• an image sensor mounted adjacent the second end in electrical communication with an image display device;
• a processor in electrical communication with the image sensor and an image display device;
• an illumination unit located adjacent the second end for providing illumination for the image sensor;
• a handle connected to the first end for enabling manual guiding and insertion of the flexible arm into the mouth along at least a portion of the top of the tongue to engage the temperature sensor therewith and to position the image sensor for viewing and recording the anatomical features of a selected area of the oral cavity or the upper airway, wherein the processor is configured to store normal anatomical images and transmit images of the recorded anatomical features to the image display device;
• and
• an adjustment mechanism associated and cooperating with the flexible arm for enabling the second end of the flexible arm and the image sensor mounted thereon to be selectively extended and retracted, relative to the handle.

An oral scope instrument for facilitating visual examination and inspection of a person's oral cavity and upper airway comprising:

• an elongate, flexible arm having first and second ends;
• a temperature sensor connected to the flexible arm adjacent the first end;
• an image sensor mounted adjacent the second end in electrical communication with an image display device;
• a processor in electrical communication with the image sensor and an image display device;
• an illumination unit located adjacent the second end for providing illumination for the image sensor;
• a handle connected to the first end for enabling manual guiding and insertion of the flexible arm into the mouth along at least a portion of the top of the tongue to engage the temperature sensor therewith and to position the image sensor for viewing and recording the anatomical features of a selected area of the oral cavity or the upper airway, wherein the processor is configured to store normal anatomical images and transmit images of the recorded anatomical features to the image display device;
• and
• an actuator mounted on the handle operatively connected to the image sensor to selectively pivot and position the image sensor at a selected angle relative to the long axis of the scope.
• an illumination unit located adjacent the second end for providing illumination for the image sensor.

An oral scope instrument for facilitating visual examination and inspection of a person's oral cavity and upper airway comprising:

• an elongate, flexible arm having first and second ends;
• a temperature sensor connected to the flexible arm adjacent the first end;
• an image sensor mounted adjacent the second end in electrical communication with an image display device;
• a processor in electrical communication with the image sensor and an image display device;
• an illumination unit located adjacent the second end for providing illumination for the image sensor;
• a handle connected to the first end for enabling manual guiding and insertion of the flexible arm into the mouth along at least a portion of the top of the tongue to engage the temperature sensor therewith and to position the image sensor for viewing and recording the anatomical features of a selected area of the oral cavity or the upper airway, wherein the processor is configured to store normal anatomical images and transmit images of the recorded anatomical features to the image display device;
• an adjustment mechanism associated and cooperating with the flexible arm for enabling the second end of the flexible arm and the image sensor mounted thereon, to be selectively extended and retracted, relative to the handle;
• and
• an actuator mounted on the handle operatively connected to the image sensor to selectively pivot and position the image sensor at a selected angle relative to the long axis of the scope.

A method for facilitating visual examination, inspection and analysis of a person's oral cavity and upper airway comprising:

• providing an elongate, flexible arm having a temperature sensor adjacent one end thereof and an image sensor mounted adjacent the other end in electrical communication with an image display device;
• illuminating the image sensor;
• manually guiding and inserting the flexible arm into the mouth along at least a portion of the top of the tongue to engage the temperature sensor therewith and to position the image sensor for viewing and recording images of the anatomical features of a selected area of the oral cavity or the upper airway;
• and
• displaying images of the selected, viewed area of the oral cavity or upper airway on a monitor and recording and storing temperature data obtained during the inspection.