# US 9,775,500 B2 · Polarizing endoscopy system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,775,500 B2 - Document ID: US9775500B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/548,882 - Filed: 2014-11-20 - Published: 2016-05-26 - Granted: 2017-10-03 - Earliest claimed: 2014-11-20 - Assignees: GlobalMedia Group, LLC - Applicants: Globalmedia Group, LLC - Inventors: Michael D. Harris - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9775500B2 ## CPC - A61B 1/0646: {with illumination filters} - A61B 1/00096: {Optical elements} - A61B 1/00142: {with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath} - A61B 1/05: characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion - A61B 1/227: for ears, i.e. otoscopes - A61B 1/00165: {with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics (A61B1/07 takes precedence)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A medical device comprising an instrument head integral to the medical device having a distal portion, a light source internal to the instrument head coupled to a first channel, a first polarizing filter positioned within the first channel of the instrument head, a second polarizing filter positioned within the second channel for receiving reflected light from the light source, the reflected light received through a sensor axially aligned with the second channel is disclosed herein. The second channel may comprise a distal opening. The second channel may be configured to restrict light from entering the second channel other than by the distal opening. The first polarizing filter may be configured to polarize light from the light source. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A medical device comprising: an instrument head having a distal insertion portion and a first channel and a second channel; a light source inside the instrument head coupled to the first channel; an optical system housed within the second channel of the instrument head, said optical system comprising a plurality of otoscopy lenses; a first polarizing filter positioned within the first channel, wherein the first polarizing filter is configured to polarize light from the light source; and a second polarizing filter positioned within the second channel for receiving reflected light from the light source, the reflected light received through a sensor axially aligned with the second channel; wherein the second polarizing filter is rotatably adjustable relative to the first polarizing filter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The medical device of claim 1, wherein the second channel is configured to block ambient light from illuminating the sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first channel and the second channel are concentric. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a fiber-optic cable positioned within the first channel between the light source and the first polarizing filter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first polarizing filter is concentric to and positioned within the same plane as an otoscopy lens of the plurality of otoscopy lenses. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The medical device of claim 1, wherein an outer wall of the second channel is configured to block light from the light source from passing through an otoscopy lens of the plurality of otoscopy lenses. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a control ring configured to rotatably adjust the second polarizing filter about an axis. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The medical device of claim 7, wherein the control ring is configured for manual manipulation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The medical device of claim 1, wherein the instrument head tapers in diameter from a proximate portion to the distal insertion portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The medical device of claim 1, wherein the second channel tapers in diameter from a proximate portion to a distal portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first polarizing filter is concentric to the second channel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first polarizing filter and the second polarizing filter are linear polarizing filters. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The medical device of claim 1, wherein the second polarizing filter is configured to alter the polarity of the received reflected light. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The medical device of claim 1, wherein the lens is at least one of a digital still camera lens or a digital video camera lens. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The medical device of claim 1, wherein a derm hood is removably coupled to the instrument head and configured to protect the distal insertion portion from contact with foreign bodies. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The medical device of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the first channel and a distal end of the second channel comprise a common end plane. ### Claim 17 A medical device comprising: a housing having a first channel and a second channel; a light source coupled to the first channel; an optical system housed within the second channel, said optical system comprising a plurality of otoscopy lenses; a first polarizing filter positioned within the first channel, wherein the first polarizing filter is configured to polarize light from the light source; and a second polarizing filter positioned within the second channel for receiving reflected light from the light source, the reflected light received through a sensor axially aligned with the second channel, wherein a distal end of the first channel and a distal end of the second channel comprise a common radial plane; wherein the second polarizing filter is rotatably adjustable relative to the first polarizing filter. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The medical device of claim 17, further comprising a control ring configured to rotatably adjust the second polarizing filter about an axis. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The medical device of claim 17, wherein the first polarizing filter is concentric to and positioned within the same plane as an otoscopy lens of the plurality of otoscopy lenses. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The medical device of claim 1, wherein the medical device comprises an otoscope. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The medical device of claim 1, wherein the medical device comprises a dermatology apparatus. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The medical device of claim 1, wherein the medical device comprises a dermascope. ### Claim 23 A method of polarizing light for medical examination comprising: producing light from a light source within a first channel of a medical device; polarizing the light produced from the light source by a first polarizing filter; transmitting the polarized light from the first channel to a first radial plane; reflecting the light off a target; receiving the reflected light into a second channel of the medical device at the first radial plane; polarizing the reflected light by a rotatably adjustable second polarizing filter; and receiving the polarizing reflected light by a lens.