Patent ID: 6011891
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: G01J,G02B

Abstract:
A method for measuring a temperature of a tympanic membrane within an ear canal, comprising the steps of:(a) inserting a distal end of a fiber optic cable into the ear canal, said fiber optic cable being inserted through a port of a speculum of an otoscope, such that said distal end of said fiber optic cable is within said speculum, said otoscope being provided with a plurality of contrarotating cylinders, rotatably attached to said otoscope, for moving said fiber optic cable longitudinally in said port, said fiber optic cable being inserted between said cylinders; and(b) positioning said distal end of said fiber optic cable sufficiently close to the tympanic membrane that infrared radiation enters said distal end substantially only from the tympanic membrane.