Patent Description:
A reflex hammer is a medical instrument which is used to test reflexes, and which is a basic instrument for a medical doctor. Medical doctors regularly need other basic instruments such as a light source for viewing the proximal mouth of a patient and a stethoscope for listening the lungs and heartbeat of a patient. The instruments need to be sterilized regularly to avoid contamination and transfer of contaminants from a patient to another. So, there are many instruments that are used regularly and many times a day and they have to be at hand and cleaned all the time.

Publication <CIT> discloses a multifunctional percussion hammer. Publication <CIT> discloses an electronic thermometer. Publication <CIT> discloses an intelligent percussion hammer and publication <CIT> discloses a multifunctional percussion hammer.

Prior art documents <CIT> and <CIT> both disclose a medical testing apparatus comprising: a body part and a handle part connected together, the body part forming a reflex hammer having an impact surface, the medical testing apparatus further comprising:.

One of the problems associated with the prior art is that the number of instruments needed by a medical doctor is large and as they are used regularly during the day, a lot of time is required for cleaning the instruments.

An object of the present invention is to provide a medical testing apparatus which alleviates the problems of prior art and diminishes time spend on cleaning the instruments.

The invention relates to a medical testing apparatus as defined in independent claim <NUM>. The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea of combining basic instruments that are needed by a medical doctor during a normal working day. A medical testing apparatus according to the invention comprises a body part and a handle part connected together. The body part forms a reflex hammer having an impact surface. The medical testing apparatus further comprises a medical testing instrument, a control unit and a motion sensor. The medical testing instrument is electrically operable for medical testing, which means that in order to function the medical testing instrument requires electricity, which is provided through a power source, for example battery, arranged within the medical testing apparatus. The battery can be a rechargeable battery which can be recharged through a charging point in the medical testing apparatus. The control unit is arranged in electrical communication with a power source and with the medical testing instrument and the motion sensor is provided in connection with the control unit. The motion senor forms a switch to the medical testing instrument such that the motion sensor is arranged to provide a first operating signal to the medical testing instrument to switch on the medical testing instrument for medical testing and a second operating signal to the medical testing instrument to switch off the medical testing instrument. In other words, the motion sensor switches on the medical testing instrument and switches off the medical testing instrument according to movements of the medical testing apparatus which the motion sensor detects. The motion sensor is preferably arranged to detect certain movements of the medical testing apparatus and to ignore other movements of the medical testing apparatus.

In an embodiment of the invention the medical testing apparatus comprises a first axis which is perpendicular to the impact surface of the reflex hammer and defines a first operating direction of the apparatus, and the motion sensor is arranged to provide the first operating signal to the medical testing instrument in response to a first movement of the apparatus other than the movement along the first axis of the apparatus, and the second operating signal in response to a second movement of the apparatus other than the movement along the first axis of the apparatus. Alternatively, the medical testing apparatus comprises a first axis through the body part which the first axis is extending between a first end having the impact surface of the reflex hammer and a second end which is opposite to the first end. The first axis defines a first operating direction of the apparatus, and the motion sensor is arranged to provide the first operating signal to the medical testing instrument in response to a first movement of the apparatus other than the movement along the first axis of the apparatus, and the second operating signal in response to a second movement of the apparatus other than the movement along the first axis of the apparatus.

In an embodiment of the invention the operating signals provided by the motion sensor to the medical testing instrument are provided in response to one or more movements of the medical testing apparatus in a direction other than along the first axis of the apparatus.

In an embodiment of the invention the motion sensor is arranged to recognize a first movement of the medical testing apparatus and to provide the first operating signal to the medical testing instrument in response to the first movement to switch on the medical testing instrument, and a second movement of the medical testing apparatus and to provide the second operating signal to the medical testing instrument in response to the second movement to switch off the medical testing instrument.

In an embodiment of the invention the one or more movements of the medical testing apparatus recognized by the motion sensor are linear movements. Alternatively, or in addition the one or more movements of the medical testing apparatus recognized by the motion sensor are rotational movements.

According to the present disclosure, but not falling within the scope of the claimed subject-matter, the medical testing instrument is a light unit arranged in the body part of the medical testing apparatus. Alternatively, the medical testing instrument is a light unit arranged in the handle part of the medical testing apparatus.

According to the present disclosure, the light unit is provided on the opposite end of the body part than the impact surface of the reflex hammer.

In an embodiment of the invention the control unit is arranged within the body part. Alternatively, the body part comprising a space for the control unit within the body part and a lid for closing the space and for forming a closed structure.

In an embodiment of the invention the body part comprises a space for the control unit within the body part and a lid for closing the space and for forming a closed structure. According to the present disclosure, the space further comprises a light unit provided within the space and said lid is transparent such that the light unit is operable through the transparent lid for transmitting light outside the apparatus. Alternatively, a light unit is provided within the space and said lid is a lens that amplifies the light from the light unit to outside of the apparatus.

In an embodiment of the invention the stethoscope also comprises a lid in a form of a membrane.

According to the claimed invention as defined in independent claim <NUM>, the medical testing instrument is a stethoscope having an operational surface for medical testing a human body, the stethoscope comprising a microphone for amplifying sound coming from said human body and a transmitter for transferring the sound from the microphone to a separate receiver.

In an embodiment of the invention the stethoscope comprises a Bluetooth transmitter for transferring the sound through a Bluetooth connection from the microphone to a separate receiver comprising a Bluetooth receiver.

In an embodiment of the invention the stethoscope is arranged in the handle part of the medical testing apparatus such that the end of the handle part is arranged to form the operational surface for medical testing.

In an embodiment of the invention the body part of the medical testing apparatus is arranged to form a watertight housing for the control unit and the power source provided inside the body part. Alternatively, the medical testing instrument is provided to the body part of the medical testing apparatus in a watertight manner.

In an embodiment of the invention the handle part of the medical testing apparatus is arranged to form a watertight housing for the control unit and the power source provided inside the handle part. Alternatively, the medical testing instrument is provided to the handle part of the apparatus in a watertight manner.

In an embodiment of the invention the power source provided inside the medical testing instrument is a battery or a rechargeable or a disposable battery.

In an embodiment of the invention the motion sensor is an accelerometer.

The verb "amplify" means in the context of this application increasing intensity or range. The verb "amplify" is used in connection with a lens and a microphone as a common verb meaning mainly intensifying but also for example focusing, dispersing or converting.

An advantage of the invention is that the medical testing apparatus does not comprise an outsider switch for switching on and off the medical testing instrument such that the switch is arranged on a housing of the medical testing apparatus or on the outer surface of the medical testing apparatus. An advantage of the invention is that the medical testing apparatus forms a closed structure which is watertight and is therefore easy to clean. A further advantage is that time spent on cleaning the medical testing instruments is decreased because of combining the medical testing instruments into one medical testing apparatus and providing a closed structure for the medical testing apparatus which is watertight. A further advantage of the medical testing instrument is that it is a wireless device.

The invention is described in detail by means of specific embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of a medical testing apparatus according to the invention in which the medical testing apparatus comprises a body part <NUM> and a handle part <NUM> connected to the body part <NUM>. The body part <NUM> comprises a reflex hammer <NUM> provided to a first end <NUM> of the body part <NUM>. In this embodiment shown in <FIG> the impact surface of the reflex hammer is in a form of a hemisphere, but the impact surface may also be in another form for example flat or substantially flat. A first axis x extends through the body part <NUM> from the first end <NUM> to the second end <NUM>. The second end <NUM> of the body part comprises in this embodiment of the invention a light unit <NUM> provided in connection with the body part <NUM>. The light unit <NUM> is electrically operable and receives electricity from a power source provided within the body part <NUM>. In other embodiments of the invention the power source may be provided within the handle part <NUM>. The light unit <NUM> is arranged to provide light through the body part <NUM> such that the body part <NUM> comprises a transparent structure in the area of the light unit <NUM> or at least partially in the area of the light unit <NUM>. The structure of the body part <NUM> is watertight also in the area of the light unit <NUM> such that the medical testing apparatus can be sanitized. In a preferable embodiment of the invention the light unit <NUM> comprises a lens forming part of the outer surface of the body part <NUM> and forming a watertight structure together with the body part <NUM>. The lens is a transparent structure which gives refractive power to a light source provided in the light unit <NUM>. The lens can be made for example of plastic, acrylic or polycarbonate. In an embodiment of the invention the light unit <NUM> is arranged to provide light in different colours so that for example patient's ability to react can be tested. The body part <NUM> and/or the handle part <NUM> is preferably made of aluminium or titanium. In another embodiment of the invention the body part <NUM> and/or the handle part <NUM> is coated with aluminium or titanium.

As can be seen from <FIG> the first axis x is arranged through the body part <NUM> such that it extends between the first end <NUM> having the impact surface of the reflex hammer <NUM> and a second end <NUM> which is opposite to the first end <NUM>, and which comprises in this embodiment the light unit <NUM>. The first axis x defines a first operating direction of the medical testing apparatus which the first operating direction is the direction into which the reflex hammer is used. The medical testing apparatus further comprises the motion sensor which is arranged to provide the first operating signal to the medical testing instrument <NUM>, <NUM> in response to a first movement of the medical testing apparatus other than the movement along the first axis x of the medical testing apparatus, and the second operating signal in response to a second movement of the medical testing apparatus other than the movement along the first axis x of the medical testing apparatus. In other words, in order to give an operating signal to the medical testing instrument <NUM>, <NUM>, the medical testing instrument moves into a direction other than along the first axis of the medical testing apparatus and the motion sensor detects the movement and in response to the movement the motion sensor provides the operating signal to the medical testing instrument. The motion sensor may be arranged to give only two signals to the medical testing instrument: to switch on and off the medical testing instrument; or the motion sensor may be arranged give several signals to the medical testing instrument for different purposes. The operating signal from the motion sensor to the medical testing instrument may be a signal for switching on the medical testing instrument <NUM>, <NUM> or for switching off the medical testing instrument, or the signal may be for dimming the light of the light unit <NUM> or changing colour of the light in the light unit <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG> the handle part <NUM> comprises a stethoscope <NUM> having an operational surface <NUM> for medical testing of a human body. The stethoscope <NUM> comprising a microphone for amplifying sound coming from said human body and a transmitter for transferring the sound from the microphone to a separate receiver. The separate receiver can be for example an earpiece. The microphone and the transmitter can be arranged in connection with the control unit <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). The control unit <NUM> preferably further comprises a printed circuit board and the motion sensor such that the motion sensor can be arranged in connection with the printed circuit board. The stethoscope <NUM> is arranged in the handle part <NUM> of the medical testing apparatus such that the end of the handle part <NUM> is arranged to form the operational surface <NUM> for medical testing. Transferring the sound from the microphone to the separate receiver is arranged to be wireless.

Switching on and off the stethoscope <NUM> is arranged through a movement detected by the motion sensor, which the movement is different than the movement for operating the light unit <NUM>. In other words, movements of the medical testing apparatus for using the reflex hammer <NUM> along the first axis are different than the movements for operating the light unit <NUM> and different that the movement for operating the stethoscope <NUM> which the movements for operating the light unit <NUM> and the stethoscope <NUM> are also different. For example, in a normal use of a reflex hammer for reflex testing, the motion sensor does not control the light unit or the stethoscope, but when the medical testing apparatus is moved for example at a <NUM>° angle from a normal operating direction for the reflex hammer, the light unit or the stethoscope operates. In other words, the motion sensor is arranged to form a switch for the light unit <NUM> and a switch for the stethoscope.

<FIG> shows an alternative placement for the light unit <NUM> such that the light unit <NUM> is provided in the body part <NUM> between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the body part <NUM>. The light unit <NUM> provides therefore light direction which is transverse relative to the impact surface and preferably perpendicular to the impact surface. In other words, <FIG> shows two placements for the light unit <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the medical testing apparatus shown in <FIG> as an exploded view in which the control unit <NUM> and a lid <NUM> covering the control unit <NUM> are separated from the body part <NUM>. The body part <NUM> comprises a space <NUM> for the control unit <NUM> within the body part <NUM> and a lid <NUM> for closing the space <NUM> and for forming a closed structure. The lid <NUM> is arranged in connection with the body part <NUM> such that a watertight structure is formed. In an embodiment of the invention the space <NUM> may further comprise a light unit <NUM> provided within the space <NUM> and said lid <NUM> is transparent such that the light unit is operable through the transparent lid <NUM> for transmitting light outside the medical testing apparatus. Alternatively, the light unit <NUM> is provided within the space <NUM> and said lid <NUM> is a lens that amplifies the light from the light unit <NUM> to outside of the medical testing apparatus. In another example of the invention the light unit <NUM> is arranged within the space <NUM> and the second end of the body part <NUM> is arranged to be transparent or comprises a lens such that the space <NUM> extends at least partially to the second end of the body part <NUM> for transmitting light from the light unit through the transparent second end <NUM> of the body part <NUM> or through the second end <NUM> comprising the lens to outside of the medical testing apparatus.

The control unit <NUM> preferably comprises the printed circuit board together with the motion sensor and preferably with the microphone and the transmitter. The space <NUM> may further comprise the power source such as battery.

<FIG> shows another embodiment of the medical testing apparatus according to the invention in which the body part <NUM> is extending from the handle part <NUM> and forming the reflex hammer <NUM> on the outer surface of the body part <NUM>. The reflex hammer <NUM> is provided in a form of rubber ring around the body part <NUM>. The body part <NUM> further comprises the light unit <NUM> and the stethoscope <NUM> in a more compact form than presented in <FIG> and <FIG>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG> the light unit <NUM> and the stethoscope <NUM> are provided superimposed, i.e. the stethoscope <NUM> is provided on top of the light unit <NUM> whereby the stethoscope <NUM> having a membrane that is light transmitting or transparent. However, the light unit <NUM> and the stethoscope <NUM> may be provided superimposed such that the light unit <NUM> is provided on the opposite side of the body part <NUM> than the stethoscope <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A medical testing apparatus comprising a body part (<NUM>) and a handle part (<NUM>) connected together, the body part (<NUM>) forming a reflex hammer (<NUM>) having an impact surface, the medical testing apparatus further comprising:
a medical testing instrument (<NUM>, <NUM>) which is electrically operable for medical testing;
a control unit (<NUM>) in electrical communication with a power source and with the medical testing instrument (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
a motion sensor provided in connection with said control unit (<NUM>), the motion sensor forming a switch to the medical testing instrument (<NUM>, <NUM>) such that the motion sensor is arranged to provide a first operating signal to the medical testing instrument (<NUM>, <NUM>) to switch on the medical testing instrument (<NUM>, <NUM>) for medical testing and a second operating signal to the medical testing instrument (<NUM>, <NUM>) to switch off the medical testing instrument (<NUM>, <NUM>),
the medical testing apparatus comprises:
- a first axis (x) defining a first operating direction of the medical testing apparatus which is the direction into which the reflex hammer is used; or
- a first axis (x) through the body part (<NUM>), the first axis (x) extending between a first end (<NUM>) having the impact surface of the reflex hammer (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>) which is opposite to the first end (<NUM>), the first axis (x) defines a first operating direction of the medical testing apparatus;
the medical testing apparatus comprising the motion sensor which is arranged to provide the first operating signal to the medical testing instrument (<NUM>, <NUM>) in response to a first movement of the medical testing apparatus other than the movement along the first axis (x) of the medical testing apparatus, and the second operating signal in response to a second movement of the medical testing apparatus other than the movement along the first axis (x) of the medical testing apparatus,
the medical testing instrument (<NUM>, <NUM>) is a stethoscope having an operational surface for medically testing a human body, the stethoscope comprising a microphone for amplifying sound coming from said human body and a transmitter for transferring the sound from the microphone to a separate receiver.