Otoscopes

An Octoscope is an optical insertion device used to examine the ear cavity. The device has a handle and a head equipped with a small magnifying lens and a light source. A removable speculum is attached to the front end of the head which is inserted into the ear cavity. The examiner can see the inside of the ear (illuminated by the light source) through the magnifying lens.
 Octoscopes can be mounted on the wall and are also available in portable sets. Mounted octoscopes run on A.C. power whereas portable ones need batteries to run. Former ones are installed in doctors’ clinics and are more useful in examinations that are a bit little longer.
  An Octoscope is indispensible for an ENT (Ear-nose-throat) specialist doctor and is used to check infections that could affect the ear/auditory canal and the tympanic membrane (ear drum). Sometimes they are also used to examine the throat and the nostrils. Some common infections that are examined by octoscopes are Otitis media and Otitis externa-medical terms for the infections in the middle ear and the outer ear respectively. The design mentioned here above is that of a conventional octoscope; modern octoscopes are far more efficient due to their flexibility and the technology incorporated. In a Pneumatic octoscope, the attached speculum can be used as a hose through which air is blown. The air blown strikes the Tympanic membrane causing it to vibrate; the examiner can then observe these vibrations and can assess whether the membrane is working properly or not.
A video octoscope has a miniature video camera attached to the front end of its head. Image captured by the camera is displayed on the monitor of a computer and hence the display can be adjusted (for example zoomed in) to attain better clarity and improved visibility. The patient can also see the images of the inside of his ear while being examined. Some otoscopes are equipped with small motors so that the camera or lens can be slid to one side if required.
Specula of different sizes can be attached to the head of an octoscope, depending upon the requirement. For example, a small speculum is more adequate when the person to be examined is a child. Similarly a sleek and longer speculum is more suitable for examining a person’s ear cavity that is narrower and lengthier than normal.
Otoscope should be used delicately and extra care is recommended as far as maintaining cleanliness and hygiene is concerned.