Imaging speculum for otology
An improved imaging ear speculum is disclosed. The speculum retains a small imaging module such as a camera near is distal opening. The imaging module is retained in a carrier, which is slid into a track or guide in an interior wall of the speculum. Improved specula may also include annular inflatable bladders arranged on their outside distal surface, which bladders can engage with the patient's ear and render the speculum selectively self-retaining.
1 . An ear speculum system, comprising:
a speculum having a distal rim defining a distal aperture, a proximal rim defining a proximal aperture, a central axis passing through a center of the distal and proximal apertures, and a body having an inner and an outer surface, the body connecting the distal and proximal apertures, wherein the inner surface defines a track extending from the proximal aperture along the inner surface to the distal aperture;
wherein the system comprises a carrier slidingly received in the track, the carrier having a proximal end and a distal end and includes a central portion defining a hollow through passage having a closed inner surface extending from the proximal end to the distal end, an imaging system being slidingly captured within the through passage of the carrier;
wherein the carrier further comprises a first and second flattened wing portions arranged on either side of the central portion, the wing portions being curved to define a curved concave surface facing the central axis when the carrier is received in the track.
2 . The speculum system of claim 1 , further including a barrel attached to the imaging system configured for rotating the imaging system with respect to the carrier.
3 . The speculum system of claim 1 , wherein the speculum includes a first of said tracks including the imaging system slidingly engaged in the first track, and a second of said tracks including an illumination system slidingly engaged in the second track.
4 . The speculum system of claim 1 , wherein the body is split into at least two mating halves, which together, define a perimeter surface arranged about said axis.
5 . The speculum system of claim 1 , further including an inflatable bladder arranged proximal to the distal aperture and on one side of a distal end of the imaging system, the inflatable bladder configured to, in an inflated state, bend the distal end of the imaging system relative to a proximal end of the imaging system so as to alter a look angle of the imaging system.