Otoscope Providing Multi-Directional Illumination

An otoscope disposable cover system comprising:

• an otoscope having a grip supporting a head having an elongated probe assembly extending along an axis and adapted for insertion along the axis into a human ear canal for viewing structure within the human ear canal;
• a funnel-shaped thermoplastic sleeve extending along the axis and open at a proximal and distal end, the thermoplastic sleeve sized to provide a protective cover over the elongated probe assembly wherein an outer surface of the thermoplastic sleeve is adapted to diffusely release light internally reflected within the thermoplastic sleeve outwardly from the thermoplastic sleeve;
• locking portions distributed between the proximal end of the thermoplastic sleeve and the proximal end of the elongated probe assembly for releasable attachment of the thermoplastic sleeve to the elongated probe assembly;
• and
• at least one illumination source positioned adjacent to the proximal end of the thermoplastic sleeve and within the thermoplastic sleeve to project light toward an interior wall of the thermoplastic sleeve to be received within the thermoplastic sleeve and transmitted by internal reflection along the thermoplastic sleeve toward the distal end.

A method of using an otoscope to view inside an ear canal comprising:

• providing an otoscope probe assembly including
• an otoscope having a grip supporting a head having an elongated probe assembly extending along an axis and adapted for insertion along the axis into a human ear canal for viewing structure within the human ear canal;
• a funnel-shaped thermoplastic sleeve extending along the axis and open at a proximal and distal end, the thermoplastic sleeve sized to provide a protective cover over the elongated probe assembly wherein an outer surface of the thermoplastic sleeve is adapted to diffusely release light internally reflected within the thermoplastic sleeve outwardly from the thermoplastic sleeve;
• locking portions distributed between the proximal end of the thermoplastic sleeve and the proximal end of the elongated probe assembly for releasable attachment of the thermoplastic sleeve to the probe assembly;
• and
• at least one illumination source positioned adjacent to the proximal end of the thermoplastic sleeve and within the thermoplastic sleeve to project light toward an interior wall of the thermoplastic sleeve to be received within the thermoplastic sleeve and transmitted by internal reflection along the thermoplastic sleeve toward the distal end;
• installing the thermoplastic sleeve over the elongated probe assembly by attaching the locking portions of the thermoplastic sleeve and the proximal end of the elongated assembly;
• and
• projecting light toward the interior wall of the thermoplastic sleeve to release diffuse light outwardly through the thermoplastic sleeve;
• and
• inserting the distal end of the thermoplastic sleeve into the human ear canal.