Lighted speculum
An otoscope speculum includes a body having a neck and a stopper portion, a cap having a flange overhang and a flat distal face, a channel having a proximal opening in the cap and a distal opening in the neck, and at least one light embedded within the neck. A length of the body can be defined by a first axis. A length of the cap can be defined by a second axis, and a height of the cap can be defined by the first axis. The at least one light may be completely embedded near the distal tip of the neck.
1 . An otoscope speculum comprising:
a body having a neck and a stopper portion, the stopper portion comprising an anterior bump and a posterior bump configured to aid in aligning the otoscope speculum in an ear, wherein a length of the body is defined by a first axis, and wherein the posterior bump has a shorter height in a direction along the length than height of the anterior bump;
a cap having a flange overhang and a flat distal face, wherein a length of the cap is defined by a second axis and a height of the cap is defined by the first axis;
a channel having a proximal opening in the cap and a distal opening in the neck;
at least one light embedded within the neck.
2 . The otoscope speculum of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light is completely embedded near the distal tip of the neck.
3 . The otoscope speculum of claim 2 , wherein the at least one light is comprised of two light emitting diodes positioned adjacent to each other.
4 . The otoscope speculum of claim 3 , wherein the two light emitting diodes are located on a posterior portion of the neck.
5 . The otoscope speculum of claim 2 , wherein the at least one light is aligned between a parallel position to the first axis of the body and a 30-degree angle toward a central axis of the channel.
6 . The otoscope speculum of claim 2 , wherein the at least one light is either a fiber optic cable or a light pipe, and wherein the at least one light has an emitting end near the distal tip of the neck.
7 . The otoscope speculum of claim 1 , wherein the neck is approximately cylindrical.
8 . The otoscope speculum of claim 1 , wherein the anterior bump extends along the length closer to the distal opening in the neck than the posterior bump.
9 . The otoscope speculum of claim 1 , wherein the body and the cap are comprised of a transparent silicone.
10 . The otoscope speculum of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light is connected to a circuit board that is embedded within the otoscope speculum.
11 . The otoscope speculum of claim 10 , wherein the circuit board is embedded within the flange of the cap.
12 . The otoscope speculum of claim 11 , wherein the circuit board includes a switch.
13 . The otoscope speculum of claim 12 , wherein the switch is one of a reed or hall effect switch.
14 . The otoscope speculum of claim 13 , wherein the switch is activatable by a component in the channel.
15 . The otoscope speculum of claim 13 , wherein the circuit board interfaces with a battery.
16 . The otoscope speculum of claim 15 , wherein the battery is embedded within the flange of the cap.
17 . The otoscope speculum of claim 16 , wherein the circuit board further includes a current limiting diode.
18 . The otoscope speculum of claim 1 , wherein
the cap is approximately cylindrical, and
the height of the cap is less than the length of the cap.
19 . The otoscope speculum of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light having a beam range of up to 120 degrees.
20 . The otoscope speculum of claim 19 , wherein the beam range is 45-60 degrees.
21 . The otoscope of claim 1 , wherein the neck extends at a skewed angle relative to the flat distal face of the cap.