Medical inspection device

A method of examining a patient comprising:

• (a) utilizing a portable hand-held instrument of the type selected from the group consisting of otoscopes, ophthalmoscopes, larynx scopes, nasopharynx scopes, dermatologic scopes, anoscopes, or veterinary scopes, said instrument including:
• a body having a pistol-grip adapted for engagement by a user's hand, said body including a speculum disposed thereon, said speculum having a proximal end and a distal end, said speculum being disposed along an axis of examination, the axis of examination extending along the length of the speculum from the proximal end to the distal end;
• at least one lens immovably disposed in said speculum;
• at least one light outlet disposed in said speculum;
• an image sensor disposed to capture a target image viewed through said lens;
• an autofocus module coupled to said image sensor;
• the autofocus module configured to move the image sensor relative to the lens;
• and
• a substantially planar video display housed within said body, said video display being disposed on a proximal portion of the axis of examination extending through the proximal end;
• a wireless communication module disposed within said instrument,configured to communicate with a remote device;
• a voice recognition module disposed within said instrument, configured to operate said instrument in response to voice commands;
• a controller disposed within the instrument;
• a tube extending from the controller to the distal end of the speculum;
• and
• (b) manipulating the instrument relative to a patient while the user simultaneously faces both the patient and the video display.

A portable hand-held instrument of the type selected from the group consisting of otoscopes, ophthalmoscopes, larynx scopes, nasopharynx scopes, dermatologic scopes, anoscopes, or veterinary scopes, said instrument comprising:

• a body having a pistol-grip adapted for engagement by a user's hand;
• said body including a speculum disposed thereon;
• said speculum having a proximal end and a distal end, said speculum being disposed along an axis of examination, the axis of examination extending along the length of the speculum from the proximal end to the distal end, said speculum being sized and shaped to allow location of said distal end a predetermined distance from a target;
• a fixed lens array disposed in said speculum;
• said fixed lens array including a filter and a plurality of lenses disposed in spaced relation along the axis of examination;
• at least one light outlet disposed integrally with said body;
• an image sensor disposed in said body to capture a target image viewed through said lens;
• an autofocus module coupled to said image sensor;
• the autofocus module configured to move the image sensor relative to the lens, wherein the movement is confined to the body;
• a video display disposed within said body, said video display being disposed on a proximal portion of the axis of examination extending through the proximal end.

A portable hand-held eyescope comprising:

• a body having a pistol-grip adapted for engagement by a user's hand;
• said body including a speculum disposed thereon;
• said speculum having a distal end disposed along an axis of examination;
• a fixed lens disposed in said speculum;
• at least one light outlet disposed integrally with said body;
• an image sensor disposed in said body to capture a target image viewed through said lens;
• an autofocus module coupled to said image sensor;
• the autofocus module configured to move the image sensor relative to the lens, wherein the movement is confined to the body;
• a video display disposed within said body, said video display being disposed on said axis of examination;
• a controller disposed within the instrument;
• a semi-spherical cup slidably coupled to the speculum;
• the cup configured for superposed orientation with a patient's eye;
• the cup fabricated from an optically transluscent material;
• the speculum being slidable among various locations along the surface of the cup;
• wherein images of the patient's eye may be captured from a plurality of angles thereto.