ORAL SCOPE SYSTEM WITH IMAGE SENSOR AND METHOD FOR VISUAL EXAMINATION OF ORAL CAVITY AND UPPER AIRWAY

摘要

An oral scope instrument for facilitating visual examination and inspection of a person's oral cavity and upper airway includes an elongate, flexible arm having first and second ends, a temperature sensor connected to the flexible arm adjacent the first end, an image sensor mounted adjacent the second end, a processor in electrical communication with the image sensor and an image display device. An illumination unit located adjacent the second end provides illumination for the image sensor. A handle connected to the first end enables manual insertion of the flexible arm into the mouth along a portion of the top of the tongue to engage the temperature sensor therewith and position the image sensor for viewing and recording anatomical features of the oral cavity or the upper airway. The processor stores normal anatomical images and may transmit images of recorded anatomical features to the image display device.