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WO-2026096899-A1 - MULTI-FUNCTIONAL OTOSCOPE SPECULUM SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES

WO2026096899A1WO 2026096899 A1WO2026096899 A1WO 2026096899A1WO-2026096899-A1

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein include an otoscope speculum device operable for attaching to a head of an otoscope device. The otoscope speculum device includes a speculum body having a first end with a first opening configured for mating with the head of the otoscope. The otoscope speculum device also includes a second end with a second opening configured for insertion into an ear canal. Furthermore, an extension tool is positioned at least partly within a slide channel of the speculum body, and an actuator is coupled to the extension tool. The actuator is movable to transition the otoscope speculum device between at least a first position and a second position. The first position is an observation position with the extension tool at least partly retracted. The second position is a tool utilization position with the extension tool at least partly extended past the second opening.

Inventors

  • Nasif, Lith Haitham
  • MITCHELL, Ron Benson

Assignees

  • THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251031
Priority Date
20241101

Claims (20)

  1. 1. An otoscope speculum device comprising: a speculum body having a first end with a first opening configured for mating with an otoscope head and a second end with a second opening configured for insertion into an ear canal; an extension tool positioned at least partly within a slide channel of the speculum body; and an actuator coupled to the extension tool, the actuator being movable to transition the otoscope speculum device between: a first position being an observation position with the extension tool at least partly retracted; and a second position being a tool utilization position with the extension tool at least partly extended past the second opening.
  2. 2. The otoscope speculum device of claim 1 , wherein, the speculum body includes an outer wall defining an interior space of the otoscope speculum device, and the slide channel is at least partly positioned within the interior space defined by the outer wall.
  3. 3. The otoscope speculum device of claim 2, wherein, the outer wall includes a side opening, and the actuator couples to the extension tool at the side opening of the outer wall. 16 300316632 Attorney Docket No.: UTSDP4339WO-1001366771
  4. 4. The otoscope speculum device of claim 1 , wherein, the actuator is slidable a predetermined distance to transition the otoscope speculum device between the first position and the second position.
  5. 5. The otoscope speculum device of claim 4, wherein, the predetermined distance is defined by a length dimension of a side opening in the speculum body with one or more edges of the side opening acting as a stop for the actuator.
  6. 6. The otoscope speculum device of claim 1 , wherein, the actuator is formed by a protrusion extending from an elongated stem of the extension tool.
  7. 7. The otoscope speculum device of claim 1 , wherein, the extension tool includes an elongated stem having: an actuation end coupled to the actuator, and a distal end, opposite from the actuation end, and including a functionalization feature.
  8. 8. The otoscope speculum device of claim 7, wherein, the functionalization feature includes an angled tip or a curved tip of the elongated stem. 17 300316632 Attorney Docket No.: UTSDP4339WO-1001366771
  9. 9. The otoscope speculum device of claim 7, wherein, the functionalization feature includes a hole formed into a material defining the distal end.
  10. 10. The otoscope speculum device of claim 7, wherein, the extension tool passes at least partly through the second opening when the otoscope speculum device is in the second position.
  11. 11. An otoscope speculum device comprising: a speculum body having a first end with a first opening and a second end with a second opening, the first opening having a greater width dimension than the second opening; an extension tool slidably coupled to the speculum body; and an actuator coupled to the extension tool, the actuator being movable to transition the otoscope speculum device between: a first position being an observation position with the extension tool at least partly retracted; and a second position being a tool utilization position with the extension tool at least partly extended past the second opening.
  12. 12. The otoscope speculum device of claim 11 , wherein, the speculum body includes: a base portion including the first opening, and an elongated portion extending from the base portion and including the second opening. 18 300316632 Attorney Docket No.: UTSDP4339WO-1001366771
  13. 13. The otoscope speculum device of claim 12, wherein, the actuator extends from a sidewall opening formed at least partly into the base portion of the speculum body.
  14. 14. The otoscope speculum device of claim 13, wherein, the sidewall opening is formed at least partly into the elongated portion of the speculum body.
  15. 15. The otoscope speculum device of claim 11 , wherein, the extension tool is slidable along a slide channel formed into a sidewall of the speculum body.
  16. 16. The otoscope speculum device of claim 15, wherein, the slide channel is at least partly defined between an inner wall of the speculum body and an interior surface of the sidewall.
  17. 17. A method of conducting an ear exam with an otoscope, the method comprising: connecting a first end of an otoscope speculum device to an otoscope head, the first end including a first opening formed into a speculum body of the otoscope speculum device; performing, with the otoscope in a first position being an observation position, an observation operation using a second opening formed into the speculum body; transitioning the otoscope between the first position and a second position being a tool utilization position by actuating an extension tool slidably coupled to the speculum body; and 19 300316632 Attorney Docket No.: UTSDP4339WO-1001366771 performing, with the otoscope in the second position, a tool operation by using an end of the extension tool.
  18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein, the observation operation includes an examination of an ear canal, and the tool operation includes a removal of ear wax from the ear canal.
  19. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein, the transitioning of the otoscope between the first position and the second position includes actuating an actuator protruding from an elongated stem of the extension tool.
  20. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein, the second opening of the speculum body defines an opening plane, and the end of the extension tool extends further past the opening plane when the otoscope is in the tool utilization position than when the otoscope is in the observation position. 20 300316632

Description

Attorney Docket No.: UTSDP4339WO-1001366771 TITLE MULTI-FUNCTIONAL OTOSCOPE SPECULUM SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/756,403, filed February 10, 2025, and titled “MULTI-FUNCTIONAL OTOSCOPE SPECULUM SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/715,409, filed November 1 , 2024, and titled “MULTI-FUNCTIONAL OTOSCOPE SPECULUM SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES,” the entireties of which are incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND 1. Field [0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of otoscope medical devices. 2. Discussion of Related Art [0003] Examining the ear is a fundamental aspect of pediatric healthcare, essential for routine checkups and diagnosing ear-related complaints. Cerumen often obstructs the view of the tympanic membrane during otoscopic examinations, posing challenges to accurate clinical assessments. Previous studies revealed that 29% of pediatric patients required earwax removal for adequate tympanic membrane visualization. Additionally, 57% of infants with otitis media required earwax removal to visualize the complete tympanic membrane. Current earwax removal methods are either time-consuming, ineffective, or not safe due to lack of visibility during cerumen removal. [0004] It is with these observations in mind that the presently disclosed technology was conceived. SUMMARY [0005] Systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein can address the aforementioned issues. For instance, an otoscope speculum device can include a speculum body having a first end with a first opening configured for mating with an otoscope head, and a second end with a second opening configured for insertion into an ear canal. The otoscope speculum device can also include an extension tool positioned at least partly within a slide channel of the speculum body. An actuator coupled to the extension tool can be movable to transition the otoscope speculum device between a first position and a second position. The first position can be an observation position with the extension tool at least partly retracted. The 1 300316632 Attorney Docket No.: UTSDP4339WO-1001366771 second position can be a tool utilization position with the extension tool at least partly extended past the second opening. [0006] In some examples, the speculum body can include an outer wall defining an interior space of the otoscope speculum device. The slide channel can be at least partly positioned within the interior space defined by the outer wall. Furthermore, the outer wall can include a side opening, and the actuator can couple to the extension tool at the side opening of the outer wall. The actuator can also be slidable a predetermined distance to transition the otoscope speculum device between the first position and the second position. For instance, the predetermined distance can be defined by a length dimension of a side opening in the speculum body with one or more edges of the side opening acting as a stop for the actuator. [0007] In some instances, the actuator can be formed by a protrusion extending from an elongated stem of the extension tool. Also, the extension tool can include an elongated stem having an actuation end coupled to the actuator. The extension tool can also include a distal end, opposite from the actuation end, and including a functionalization feature. The functionalization feature can include an angled tip or a curved tip of the elongated stem. Additionally, the functionalization feature can include a hole formed into a material defining the distal end. Moreover, the extension tool can pass at least partly through the second opening when the otoscope speculum device is in the second position. [0008] In some examples, an otoscope speculum device can include a speculum body having a first end with a first opening and a second end with a second opening. The first opening can have a greater width dimension than the second opening. The otoscope speculum device can also include an extension tool slidably coupled to the speculum body. Additionally, an actuator coupled to the extension tool can be movable to transition the otoscope speculum device between different positions. For instance, a first position can be an observation position with the extension tool at least partly retracted. A second position can be a tool utilization position with the extension tool at least partly extended past the second opening. [0009] In some scenarios, the speculum body can include a base portion including the first opening, and/or an elongated portion extending from the base portion and including the second opening. The actuator can extend from a sidewall opening formed at least partly into the base portion of the speculum body. Furthermore, the sidewall opening can be formed at least partly into the elongated portion of the speculum body. Additionally, the extension to