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.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit to provisional application no. 61/108,564 filed Oct. 27, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This device relates to compact and illuminated diagnostic equipment for use by medical professionals. More particularly it relates to a portable diagnostic instrument that is capable of folding into a protective casing allowing for easy carrying and protection from impact and environmental threats. Each portable diagnostic instrument is provided illumination through the use of one or more photodiodes from which the light intensity will not instantly decrease as the battery power is reduced. This allows the device to be useful until the batteries have been almost fully discharged. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Portable medical diagnostic equipment can be carried by a doctor or by other medical personnel to provide quick access when examining a patient. Additionally, such devices are generally kept in a pocket, so that they do not get misplaced and are available whenever needed. These devices must be capable of accepting disposable specula covers or other disposable pieces, so that they can be used on different patients without spreading germs. These devices must also be able to provide illumination of the part of the patient being examined and must be reliable. It is an advantage of these devices to be capable of providing more than one function, such as that of an otoscope and a flashlight. Therefore, it is beneficial if such devices can be capable of housing many different diagnostic tools in one piece of equipment, which can be easily transported and readily accessible to medical professionals. It can also be beneficial if such devices contain a power source and one or more self-contained illumination sources, which can provide a sufficient amount of light to effectively illuminate the part of the patient being examined. Additionally, it is beneficial if such devices can provide an indicator informing the user when power is getting low, before the device ceases to operate correctly. 
     A related invention, Moore U.S. Pat. No. 3,812,847, describes a “Combination battery handle-case for a pair of attached, outfolding illuminated medical instruments.” As with the present device, the Moore invention describes a portable diagnostic device that has different illuminated medical instruments that can be folded into a closed position within the case, and folded out of the case and into a usable position. However, the Moore invention, while capable of providing illumination to the instruments, does not control the intensity of the light, or attempt to extend the useful battery life in any way. Additionally, this device does not provide any warning that the battery power is getting low or that the illuminating features of the instruments will be useless in the near future. Furthermore, the Moore invention can only hold two diagnostic tools, one at each end of the case. 
     Another related invention, Griffin U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,119, existing in the prior art, describes a “hand-held compact diagnostic device.” The Griffin patent describes a diagnostic device for use in the medical profession, which provides a portable case containing multiple different medical instruments. The Griffin invention provides a stem to which multiple different instrument heads can be attached, illuminated and folded into the case. However, the Griffin patent does not describe any circuit feature that controls the output intensity of the light in relation to the battery power. Additionally, the Griffin patent does not describe medical instruments that do not require being screwed onto a stem. 
     What is needed is a portable diagnostic instrument comprising a circuit control that maintains the output of the light intensity constant, even when battery power is reduced. Additionally, a warning system is needed to provide information about the remaining battery life to the user. Furthermore, a portable diagnostic device is needed that comprises an otoscope further comprising one or more photodiodes in its specula providing a light source. Moreover, a device is needed that can house diagnostic instruments that do not require being attached to the device through the use of a hinge or screw system along with those that are attached through the use of a hinge. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an aspect of the present device to provide an improved portable diagnostic instrument. 
     The above aspect can be obtained by a portable diagnostic instrument comprising a case capable of housing the components of the portable diagnostic instrument; a specula assembly and a magnifying lens assembly capable of being used together to form an otoscope, wherein each can unfold from the case separately and the specula assembly contains a light source; processors and sensors capable of measuring the amount of electricity provided to the light source by a battery and increasing amperage from the battery in order provide constant light output until the battery can no longer provide voltage or amperage sufficient to maintain the constant light output; and a warning system comprising sensors and processors, which can determine when the battery is about to fail and notify the user of the portable diagnostic instrument. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the present device, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present device, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a portable diagnostic instrument according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a specula assembly of a portable diagnostic instrument according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a magnifying lens assembly of a portable diagnostic instrument according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a view of a portable diagnostic instrument with its cover in a closed position and its magnifying lens assembly and specula assembly in the open, usable position creating an otoscope according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a view of a portable diagnostic instrument with the cover in the open position and its magnifying lens assembly and specula assembly folded inside of the bottom housing according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 6  is view of a portable diagnostic instrument in the fully closed position with a tongue depressor removably connected to a slot in the housing bottom according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a portable diagnostic instrument  101  according to an embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the entire portable diagnostic instrument  101  can be contained within the housing bottom  102  and the housing cover  103 , which can be held together though the use of a hinge pin  104  that connects the two pieces together such that the housing cover  103  and housing bottom  102  can rotate relative to each other about a hinged joint created by the hinge pin  104 . This movement can allow the housing cover  103  and the housing bottom  102  to be in a closed position to protect the instruments inside the device  101  or in an opened position to allow access to the instruments inside the device  101 . 
     The housing bottom  102  can comprise an opening  105  under the hinge in which a blue film  106  can be inserted for use in observing damage to an eye, which is visible after the introduction of fluorescein dye into the eye. The opposite end of the housing bottom  102  can comprise another opening  107 , in which one or more light emitting diodes  108  can be located to provide a light source for examining a patient. The housing bottom  102  can also comprise a switch cap  109 , clear plastic light pipes  110  made of a fiber optic material and a gasket  111  to cover a charger port (not pictured). These pieces can all be held in place through the use of the housing bottom floor  112 , which can be located inside the housing bottom  102  and can provide a mount for the other pieces that can be located inside the device  101 . The housing bottom  102  can be comprised of plastic, metal, wood or any other material or combination of suitable material known to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Located adjacent to the housing bottom floor  112  can be a circuit board  113  and batteries (not shown). These batteries can be rechargeable and can supply power to illumination sources  108  and  204  and indicator lights for both battery life and charging status (not shown). The circuit board  113  can comprise sensors and processors which can maintain a constant intensity of the light, even if the batteries&#39; potential begins to diminish by increasing the electrical current. The circuit board  113  can be protected and held in place by a circuit board cover  114 , which can be attached to the circuit board  113 , the housing bottom floor  112  and the housing bottom  102  through the use of screws  115  or any other suitable fastener known to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Finally, the magnifying lens assembly  116  and the specula assembly  117  can be connected to the circuit board cover  114  through the use of pegs  118  that can be inserted into receptor holes (not shown) that allow the magnifying lens assembly  116  and the specula assembly  117  to rotate freely about the hinge from inside of the portable diagnostic instrument  101  to its outside, where both sections  116  and  117  can be used in conjunction to create a functioning otoscope. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a specula assembly  117  of a portable diagnostic instrument  101  according to an embodiment. 
     The specula assembly  117  can comprise a specula housing  201  and a molded plastic cover  202  which can hold the pieces of the specula assembly  117  in place. The specula housing  201  can be made of plastic, metal or other suitable material and can connect to the circuit board cover  114  to form a hinge movement. The specula housing  201  can have a conical shape for holding the ear open, while being examined. The specula housing  201  can also receive a disposable specula cover  206  that can fit over the specula housing  201 , which would make contact with the patient. By disposing of the specula cover  206  after examining each patient, the specula assembly  117  can remain sanitary. 
     The specula assembly  117  can comprise a flexible printed circuit board  203 , which can provide power to surface mount photodiodes  204 . The printed flexible circuit board  203  can also provide control of the power supplied to the surface mount photodiodes  204 . The surface mount photodiodes  204  provide illumination to the specula assembly  117  when it is in use as an otoscope. Light from the surface photodiodes  204  can pass through a clear acrylic light pipe  205  and travel through the specula housing  201  to be focused onto the subject being observed. In an alternative embodiment, a hollow, conical photodiode can be used in place of the surface mount photodiodes  204  and the clear acrylic light pipe  205 . 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a magnifying lens assembly  116  of a portable diagnostic instrument  101  according to an embodiment. 
     The magnifying lens assembly  116  can comprise four pieces, as shown in  FIG. 3 . A support piece  301  can connect the assembly  116  to a circuit board cover  114  using pegs  118  to form a hinge. The support piece also has a lens holder  302 , which can be rotatably connected to the end of the support piece  301  through the use of a screw  303  or other suitable connecting fastener. The screw attachment allows the lens holder  302  to pivot radially about the assembly  116 . This movement allows the user access to the specula assembly  117  or the specimen that is being examined allowing the user to remove an object from the ear. The lens holder  302  can hold a magnifying lens  304  made of a hard plastic material or any other material suitable for a magnifying lens. 
       FIG. 4  is a view of a portable diagnostic instrument  101  with its cover  103  in a closed position and its magnifying lens assembly  116  and specula assembly  117  in the open, usable position creating an otoscope according to an embodiment. 
       FIG. 4  demonstrates an otoscope configuration using the magnifying lens assembly  116  and specula assembly  117  of a portable diagnostic instrument  101  to create an otoscope. Both of the assemblies  116  and  117  can be extended in their open positions and the housing cover  103  can be in its closed position. This configuration allows for easy handling of the magnifying lens assembly  116  and specula assembly  117  and protection of the circuitry and instruments contained within the device  101 . 
     A power switch  109  can be used to control the illumination sources including the light emitted diodes  108  and the surface mount photodiodes  203  within the otoscope assembly  117 . Above the power switch  109  can be a clear plastic light pipe  110 , with a light emitting diode (not shown) of more than one color located to the inside of the light pipe  110 . The light emitting diode can be part of a warning unit which can provide an indication of the battery level. The diode can be one color when fully charged and another when a charge is needed soon and can flash when the device should not be used and needs to be recharged. 
     The housing bottom  102  can comprise a slot  401  which can receive a standard tongue depressor. The slot  401  can be a recessed area on the surface of the housing bottom  102 , having a lip running along the top of the recessed area and at least one end of the recessed area can be flush with the surface of the housing bottom  102 . This end of the recessed area that is flush with the surface of the housing bottom  102  can be receive a standard tongue depressor that is held in place by the lip running along the top of the recessed area. 
       FIG. 5  is a view of a portable diagnostic instrument  101  with the cover  103  in the open position and its magnifying lens assembly  116  and specula assembly  117  folded inside of the bottom housing  102  according to an embodiment. 
     A charging port  501  is visible in  FIG. 5 , which shows all of the components of the device  101  at their respective closed positions within the housing bottom  102  and the housing cover  103  is shown its open position. The charging port can be covered by a gasket  111  that can protect the port from environmental conditions. Located between the housing hinge  502  and the charging port  501  can be a clear plastic light pipe  110 , with a light emitting diode (not shown) of more than one color located to the inside of the light pipe  110 . The light emitting diode can indicate the charging status of the device  101  when it is connected to a power source. The diode can be one color when fully charged, another when charging and can flash a third color when the battery will not accept a charge. 
       FIG. 6  is view of a portable diagnostic instrument  101  in the fully closed position with a tongue depressor  601  removably connected to a slot in the housing bottom  102  according to an embodiment. 
     A second embodiment that indicates another use of the diagnostic device  101  is demonstrated in  FIG. 6 . The housing cover  103  is in the closed position with the housing bottom  102 . A tongue depressor  601  is inserted into a slot located on the outside of the housing bottom  102  and sized to receive a standard-sized tongue depressor. Two light emitting diodes  108  are located in an opening  107  in the housing bottom  103 . These diodes  108  provide illumination of the specimen during use of the tongue depressor  601  and the diodes&#39;  108  light intensity can be controlled by the circuit board  113  within the portable diagnostic instrument  101 . The circuit board  113  can control the amount of power that is received by the diodes  108  thereby maintaining the light output at a constant level even when the battery potential decreases. 
     Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention.