# US 8,465,423 B2 · Portable diagnostic instrument and a method for its use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,465,423 B2 - Document ID: US8465423B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/606,996 - Filed: 2009-10-27 - Published: 2010-04-29 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2008-10-27 - Applicants: William M. Hasbun - Inventors: William M. Hasbun - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465423B2 ## CPC - A61B 1/227: for ears, i.e. otoscopes - A61B 1/00032: {internally powered} - A61B 1/00036: {Means for power saving, e.g. sleeping mode} - A61B 1/00055: {for alerting the user} - A61B 2560/0214: of power generation or supply - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A portable diagnostic instrument for use by medical professionals. The portable diagnostic instrument can comprise a circuit control that can maintain the output of the light intensity constant, even when battery power is reduced. The circuit control system can also comprise a warning system to provide information about remaining battery life to the user. Furthermore, the portable diagnostic instrument can comprise an otoscope further comprising a separate, folding magnifying lens assembly and a separate, folding specula assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A portable diagnostic instrument comprising: a case comprising: a specula assembly adapted to fold and unfold from the case and a magnifying lens assembly adapted to fold and unfold from the case independently from the folding and unfolding of the specula assembly and comprising a light source, the specula assembly and the magnifying lens configured to operate together as an otoscope; a sensor measuring an amount of electricity provided to the light source by a battery and a processor increasing current from the battery to the light source in order to provide constant light output until the battery no longer provides sufficient current to maintain the constant output; and a warning unit to determine when the battery is about to fail and upon failure to notify a user of the portable diagnostic instrument. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The portable diagnostic instrument as described in claim 1 wherein the case operates as a handle when the portable diagnostic instrument is used as an otoscope. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The portable diagnostic device as described in claim 1 wherein the magnifying lens assembly comprises a support piece which is connected to the case and is also connected to a hinged lens capable of moving laterally form the support piece providing access to the specula assembly and the patient. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The portable diagnostic device as described in claim 1 wherein the specula assembly and the magnifying lens assembly are moveably connected to the case by a hinge. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The portable diagnostic instrument as described in claim 1 wherein the light source comprising the specula assembly further comprises one or more photodiodes and a light pipe capable of allowing light from the photodiodes to be transmitted through the light pipe to the patient. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The portable diagnostic instrument as described in claim 5 wherein the light pipe is conical in shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The portable diagnostic instrument as described in claim 5 wherein the specula assembly comprises a flexible printed circuit board, which transmits and controls electricity supplied to the surface mount photodiodes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The portable diagnostic instrument as described in claim 5 wherein a conical photodiode is used in place of the photodiodes and light pipe combination. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The portable diagnostic instrument as described in claim 1 wherein the specula apparatus comprises a specula housing that is capable of receiving a disposable specula cover. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The portable diagnostic instrument as described in claim 1 wherein the case comprises a slot for removably connecting a standard tongue depressor to the portable diagnostic instrument. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The portable diagnostic instrument as described in claim 9 wherein photodiodes are located in an opening in the case allowing the user to illuminate the inside of a patient's mouth while using a tongue depressor removably connected to the slot comprising the case. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The portable diagnostic instrument as described in claim 1 wherein a housing bottom comprising the case further comprises an opening containing a blue film which is used to observe damage to an eye, which is visible after the introduction of fluorescein dye into the eye. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The portable diagnostic instrument as described in claim 1 wherein the battery is rechargeable. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The portable diagnostic instrument as described in claim 1 wherein the warning unit comprises a diode which is one color when fully charged and another when a charge is needed soon and flashes when the device should not be used and needs to be recharged.