Medical diagnostic instruments

Abstract

A novel construction for electrically illuminated medical diagnostic instruments, particularly otoscopes and ophthalmoscopes. The invention fills a need for instruments that are relatively low cost and yet of good quality, the lower cost being achieved in part by the materials used and in part by the ease with which the components can be assembled. In addition to being economical, the instruments disclosed are easy to use and maintain. They are lightweight and compact, and for ease of maintenance are provided with an easily removable light source unit in which the lamp and batteries are mounted. This greatly facilitates changing these expendable items when such becomes necessary. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to medical instruments, and has particular reference to a novel construction for electrically illuminated diagnostic instruments such as otoscopes and ophthalmoscopes. Heretofore, medical diagnostic instruments such as otoscopes and ophthalmoscopes have usually been built for durability as well as quality and to this end have been constructed with precisely machined stainless steel and/or chrome plated parts and high grade optical components. However, with the ever increasing costs of labor and materials, the cost of manufacturing instruments of this type has also increased substantially making it desirable to make available less expensive instruments without seriously sacrificing quality. Beyond the cost consideration, a disadvantage of the prior art instruments has been that they usually are constructed so as to discourage disassembly or tinkering by the physician or his nurse. This has resulted in many instances in making it difficult to even change the lamp or a battery. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The medical instrument construction disclosed herein is particularly for otoscopes and ophthalmoscopes although it will be apparent as the description proceeds that features of the invention can be advantageously utilized in other instruments also. The principal objective of the invention is to provide electrically illuminated diagnostic instruments that are relatively low cost and yet of good quality. The lower cost is achieved through use of less expensive metals and by simplifying the assembly of the instruments. Thus, the instruments are made of molded plastic components, including the optical components, and during assembly these components, to a large degree are simply dropped in position. Good quality, however, is maintained by holding close tolerances and insuring proper alignment of the optical components. Another important objective of the invention is to provide medical diagnostic instruments that are easy to use and maintain. To this end, the instruments are lightweight and compact, and for ease of maintenance they are provided with an easily removable light source unit in which the lamp and batteries are mounted so as to be readily accessible for changing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.