Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
An improved otoscope and rhinoscope device, said device comprising, in combination: a) a resilient, flexible deformable ring with elastic memory having a front end, a rear end and an annular sidewall, said ring being adapted to be held between the thumb and forefinger of a caregiver, said ring defining a central cavity extending from said rear end to said front end; and, b) a spaced pair of spreaders secured to opposite sides of said ring and disposed in said central cavity at about the longitudinal midline thereof, each said spreader comprising a transversely extending support bar having a free end and an opposite end secured to said sidewall, each said support bar bearing a spreader blade projecting forwardly from said free end to a position in front of said ring, said two spreader blades being spaced laterally from each other at about said midline, whereby compressing said ring vertically between said thumb and forefinger ovals said ring and increases the spacing between said spreader blades for widening the field of view through an ear canal or nostril of a patient into which said spreader blades are inserted and whereby terminating said compression moves said spreader blades toward each other for easy withdrawal from an ear canal or nostril and returns said ring to its original shape for reuse.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
An improved otoscope and rhinoscope device, said device comprising, in combination: a) a resilient, flexible deformable ring with elastic memory having a front end, a rear end and an annular sidewall, said ring being adapted to be held between the thumb and forefinger of a caregiver, said ring defining a central cavity extending from said rear end to said front end; and, b) a spaced pair of spreaders secured to opposite sides of said ring and disposed in said central cavity at about the longitudinal midline thereof, each said spreader comprising a transversely extending support bar having a free end and an opposite end secured to said sidewall, each said support bar bearing a spreader blade projecting forwardly from said free end to a position in front of said ring, said two spreader blades being spaced laterally from each other at about said midline, whereby compressing said ring vertically between said thumb and forefinger ovals said ring and increases the spacing between said spreader blades for widening the field of view through an ear canal or nostril of a patient into which said spreader blades are inserted and whereby terminating said compression moves said spreader blades toward each other for easy withdrawal from an ear canal or nostril and returns said ring to its original shape for reuse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improved device of claim 1 wherein said spreader blades have curved outer surfaces to non-frictionally engage the walls of an ear canal or nostril, and whereby said spreader blades are at about a 90 degree angle from said support bars.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The improved device of claim 2 wherein said ring has an annular recess along the top thereof into which the forefinger of the caregiver can be placed and wherein said ring has a similar annular recess along the bottom thereof into which the thumb of the caregiver can be placed when using said device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improved device of claim 1 wherein said ring in the uncompressed state is about circular in outline.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improved device of claim 1 wherein said ring in the uncompressed state is oval with a greater horizontal diameter than vertical diameter and wherein said ring in the compressed state has an increased horizontal diameter over that of the uncompressed state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improved device of claim 5 wherein said support bars extend along the horizontal midline of said ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improved device of claim 1 wherein said ring comprises one of resilient plastic and rubber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The improved device of claim 1 wherein said ring comprises a pair of springs, one end of each said spring being connected to a first connector at one side of said ring and wherein the opposite end of each said spring being connected to a second connector at the opposite side of said ring.