WO2019029299A1

WO2019029299A1 - A viewing device

Info

Publication number: WO2019029299A1
Application number: PCT/CN2018/094435
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wong SHUN; Ming Wai Kenny HO
Original assignee: Anise Technology Limited
Priority date: 2017-08-08
Filing date: 2018-07-04
Publication date: 2019-02-14

Abstract

A viewing device comprising: a camera module (10) having an image sensor (11); a tool-head attachment body (41C, 42C, 43C, 44C, 45C) having a first end including a tool-head (41A, 42A, 43A, 44A, 45A) disposed thereon, and a second end (41B, 42B, 43B, 44B, 45B) having an attachment member disposed thereon configured for releasably attaching the tool-head attachment body (41C, 42C, 43C, 44C, 45C) to the camera module (10); whereby the image sensor (11) is configured for capturing a stream of images indicative of an area of inspection, and, the tool-head (41A, 42A, 43A, 44A, 45A) is operable for interaction with the area of inspection whilst the stream of images is being captured in real-time.

Description

A VIEWING DEVICE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a viewing device such as for inspecting an ear canal, eyes or other region of a human body.

Background of the Invention

In order to clean cerumen and other foreign bodies from the ear canal, a user may use a cotton bud or other tool to scrape such matter from the ear canal. It is difficult to perform this task with accuracy and in a safe manner due to the lack of visibility faced by the user when performing this activity. Fiberscopes, otoscopes and the like may be used to view the inner region of the ear canal, however it is impractical for the user to handle such viewing devices whilst at the same time operating the tool to remove the cerumen. Certain specialist medical equipment allows for simultaneous viewing and interaction with a region of the ear canal to clean out the ear canal, however such equipment is relatively expensive, cumbersome and generally inaccessible to the home user market.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention seeks to alleviate at least one of the above-described problems.

The present invention may involve several broad forms. Embodiments of the present invention may include one or any combination of the different broad forms herein described.

In one broad form, the present invention provides a viewing device comprising: a camera module having an image sensor; a tool-head attachment body having a first end including a tool-head disposed thereon, and, a second end having an attachment member disposed thereon configured for releasably attaching the tool-head attachment body to the camera module; whereby said image sensor is configured for capturing a stream of images indicative of an area of inspection, and, said tool-head is operable for interaction with the area of inspection whilst said stream of images is being captured in real-time.

Preferably, the area of inspection may include at least one of an ear canal, eyes, or other region of a human body.

Preferably, the tool-head may include at least one of a scraper, a spatula, a pair of tweezers, a shaver, clippers, scissors, a blade, a suction tube, a substance dispenser, a sponge, a massager, a thermometer, a sonar sensor, and a vibrating element..

Preferably, the camera module may include at least one of a still camera and a video camera.

Preferably, the tool-head attachment body may include a hollow core and said image sensor of the camera module may be configured for viewing and capturing images indicative of the area of inspection via the hollow core.

Preferably, the present invention may include an optical system disposed within the hollow core configured for directing light reflected from the inspected area towards the image sensor of the camera module to effect capture of an image indicative of the inspected area by the camera module.

Preferably, the present invention may include an adapter member configured for attaching the second end of the tool-head body to the camera module.

Preferably, the adapter member may include a first adapter member configured for fixed attachment to the camera module and a second adapter member configured to be movable relative to the first adapted module.

Preferably, the first and second adapter members may be configured for rotational movement relative to each other.

Preferably, the present invention may include a detent mechanism configured for effecting incremental rotational movement of the first adapter member relative to the second adapter member.

Preferably, the second adapter member may include an annular member.

Preferably, the second end of the tool-head attachment body may be configured for attachment to the second adapter member.

Preferably, the second end of the tool-head attachment body may be configured for attachment to the second adapter member by way of at least one of screw-thread engagement and magnetic engagement.

Preferably, the present invention may include a control mechanism operably-connected to the tool-head, wherein responsive to actuation of said control mechanism, the tool-head may be configured to move in a predefined manner.

Preferably, the control mechanism may include at least one of a control lever and a control button.

Preferably, the control mechanism may be disposed on the second adapter member.

Preferably, the present invention may include an illumination module configured for illuminating the inspection area.

Preferably, the present invention may include at least one of an incandescent bulb, a compact fluorescent bulb, an LED, and an OLED.

Preferably, the illumination module may be disposed on the second adapter member.

Preferably, the present invention may include a power module configured for supplying power to at least one of the tool-head and the illumination module.

Preferably, the power module may include a rechargeable battery.

Preferably, the present invention may include a power interface via which power from an external power source may be supplied to the rechargeable battery to recharge the rechargeable battery.

Preferably, the power interface may include a USB port configured for electrically connecting the external power source to the rechargeable battery.

Preferably, the present invention may include a communication module configured for communicating the stream of images to an external viewing device in real-time.

Preferably, the communication module may be configured for communicating the stream of images to the external viewing device via a wireless communication link.

Preferably, the external viewing device may include at least one of a smartphone, a tablet device, and a laptop computer.

Preferably, the present invention may include a protective sleeve configured for covering a portion of the first end of the tool-head.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description of preferred but non-limiting embodiments thereof, described in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 depicts an exploded view of an example adapter element, annular member and camera module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 depicts a reverse view of the example adapter element and annular member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 depicts the adapter member and annular member attached to the camera module, and examples of different types of modular tool-head attachments and protective sleeves which may be releasably attached to the camera module via the adapter member and annular member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 depicts a cut-away view of an example modular tool-head attachment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 depicts an example spatula tool-head attachment releasably attached to the camera module via the adapter member and annular member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 depicts an example tweezers tool-head attachment releasably attached to the camera module via the adapter member and annular member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 depicts an example shaver tool-head attachment releasably attached to the camera module via the adapter member and annular member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 depicts an example spatula tool-head attachment releasably attached to the camera module via the adapter member and annular member and with a USB cable connected to a USB port disposed on the annular member for recharging a rechargeable battery housed therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 depicts an example ophthalmoscope tool-head attachment releasably attached to the camera module via the adapter member and annular member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 depicts a transparent view of an example spatula tool-head attachment integrally formed with an annular member which is releasably attached to the camera module via the adapter member wherein 4 wires operably-connect the spatula tool-head with 4 corresponding control buttons disposed on the annular member that may be actuated to control movement of the tool-head via the respective wires, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 11 depicts another embodiment of the present invention whereby the tool-head attachment is releasably attached to an application-specific camera module which is constructed using an HTC Re Camera;

Figure 12 depicts another embodiment of the present invention whereby the tool-head attachment is releasably attached to an application-specific camera module;

Figure 13 depicts how an embodiment of the present invention may be held in a user’s hand and the annular member rotated by the user’s fingers to vary the angle/position of the tool head whilst holding the camera module in a stationary orientation;

Figure 14 depicts the tool head inserted into an ear canal to clean cerumen from the ear canal, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 15 depicts a functional block diagram of a camera module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 16 depicts a functional block diagram of a smartphone configured for wireless communication with the camera module to display in real-time a video image stream received wirelessly from the camera module, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 16. The embodiments comprise both a viewing device to allow real-time viewing of a subject’s ear canal, ear drum, and eyes (in similar manner to an otoscope or opthalmoscope and the like) , and, a modular tool-head attachment device for physical interaction with the inspected area as the inspected area is being viewed in real-time. The modular tool-head may for instance be used for clearing cerumen or other foreign bodies from the inspected area. The embodiments are also configured to wirelessly communicate a stream of images of the inspected area to a mobile device such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop for real-time viewing of the inspected area as it is being inspected and cleaned.

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a camera module (10) , a plurality of modular tool-heads (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) that are releasably attachable to the camera module (10) via an adapter member (20) , an illumination module (32) , and a rubber sleeve (50) which is configured to fit over the modular tool head attachments (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) when they are releasably attached to the camera module (10) .

The adapter member (20) includes a shape-contour that is configured to complement and securely attach to an outer shape-contour of the camera module (10) surrounding the image sensor (11) of the camera module (10) . Differently-shaped adapter members may be provided which are suitable for attachment to different camera module models as well as different models of smartphones or tablets having in-built camera modules. By way of example only, the embodiments of the present invention that are described herein may be configured for attachment to an off-the-shelf type video camera of relatively compact size such as the Hero4 manufactured by GoPro and the Re Camera manufactured by HTC. Such types of video cameras may be equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or any other wired or wireless communication capability so as to enable video image data to be communicated to a connected smartphone, tablet, laptop computer or the like.

A shown in Fig. 2, an annular member (30) is attached to the adapter member (20) by a locking mechanism comprising of hooks (34) protruding from the annular member (30) that are configured for securement to engagement surfaces (21) disposed on a surface of the adapter member (20) . In alternate embodiments, the annular member (30) may comprise a hexagonal, square, octogonal or any other shape configuration.

In alternate embodiments such as depicted in Figs. 11 and 12, the camera module (10) may be an application specific camera module configured for releasable attachment of modular tool-head attachments (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) via an intermediate adapter member. In this embodiment, the camera module is constructed using for example an HTC Re Camera. The example otoscope type device depicted in Figs. 11 and 12 demonstrate how the annular member may be integrally formed with the camera module (10) which may reduce the depth of the annular member occupying the body of the camera module. An image sensor and a speculum of the camera module may also be built in different angle depends on the application. In the example of an application specific camera module shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the camera module body is L-shaped which may assist in providing an ergonomic hand-feel.

The modular tool-head attachments (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) may include a tool-head comprising for instance a spatula (41A) , tweezers (42A) , an ophthalmoscope (43A) , and a shaver (44A) . A spatula (41A) or tweezers (42A) tool-head may be utilised to clean cerumen, other unwanted foreign bodies or blockages from within the ear canal or other recesses of the human body. Embodiments of the present invention may also be adapted for use in inspecting and clearing unwanted bodes or blockages in outside of the human body, in drains, or, in building cavities and other difficult to access locations. The tool-heads (41A, 42A, 43A, 44A, 45A) may comprise any functional shape such as a rod-shaped body, a spiral-shaped body, a speculum-shaped body, or a scissors-shaped body depend upon the required application. Accordingly, the plurality of modular tool-head attachments (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) may be interchangeably fitted to the embodiment to inspect a range of difficult to reach regions of the body such as the throat or ear canal.

These example modular tool-head attachments (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) may be formed from any suitable type of material including for instance a 3D printable ABS plastic or a 3D printable and bio-degradable material such as PLA. Certain tool-heads such as the spatula and tweezers may also be formed from a transparent or opaque material. The modular tool-head attachments (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) include attachment bodies (41C, 42C, 43C, 44C, 45C) having hollow cores extending between first ends (41A, 42A, 43A, 44A, 45A) upon which the tool-heads are disposed, and, second ends (41B, 42B, 43B, 44B, 45B) which include threaded regions that are configured for screwing-thread engagement with a corresponding threaded region (31) of the annular member (30) so that the modular tool-head attachments (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) may be securely and releasably attached to the annular member (30) . In alternate embodiments, the modular tool-heard attachments (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) may be releasably attached to the annular member (30) by way of a magnetic locking mechanism or a sliding locking mechanism. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, it is possible for the modular tool-head attachments to be releasably attached to the annular member (30) by use of other suitable attachment mechanisms, including for example, a magnetic-type attachment mechanism.

Referring to the example cut-away view of the spatula tool-head attachment (41) in Fig. 4, an optical system (41 E) is shown comprising of at least one lens (41 E) housed within the hollow core (41D) of the tool-head attachment body (41C) and is suitably calibrated to direct light reflected from the inspected area therethrough and towards the image sensor (11) of the camera module (10) such that the image sensor (11) may suitably capture video images of the inspected area via the lens (41E) . The optical system (41E) ensures that the image sensor (11) of the camera module (10) continues to suitably capture the video images of the inspected area when the camera module (10) changes focus, zooms in and out, or changes operation. Advantageously, by virtue of the optical system (41E) being disposed within the hollow core (41D) , this enables the tool-head and optical system (41E) to be contained in a single compact configuration that may be inserted into a user’s ear canal or other body cavity.

Certain tool-heads are configured for controllable movement. For instance, the angle and orientation of engagement of the spatula (41) and tweezers (42) tool-heads with the inspected area may be rotatably adjustable relative to the camera module (10) in either of a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction by rotating the annular member (30) to which it is securely attached. Such rotational movement of the modular tool-head is incremental in nature and controlled by a detent (21) mechanism disposed on the annular member such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Further, the tweezers (42) tool-head includes a lever (42F) disposed on the exterior of the tweezers (42) which is operably-connected with the jaws of the tweezers (42) to effect opening and closing motion of the tweezer (42) jaws. Yet further, in certain embodiments such as depicted in Fig. 10, the scoop of the spatula (41) tool-head attachment may be integrally formed together with the annular member (30) . The spatula (41) tool-head may be articulated and operably-connected via 4 wires (41G) to 4 corresponding physical buttons (34) disposed on the annular member (30) each of which may be actuated by the user’s fingers to pull on the respective wires (41G) and controllably tilt the spatula scoop within a small space. In certain embodiments, a ruler may be printed along a length of the tool-head to provide a visual aid for determining the depth of penetration of the tool-head into the ear canal or other orifice of the subject when viewed in real-time via a wirelessly connected smartphone, table or laptop device. Advantageously, movement of the tool-head relative to the camera module (10) may be controlled by actuation of the physical control buttons (34) , or maneuvering of the lever (42F) with one-hand such that the user may have a free hand to hold the smartphone (300) to view the video stream of the inspected area in real-time. Advantageously, the camera may be held stationary in the palm of the user’s hand whist the tool-head is easily maneuvered by small single-handed movements of the user’s hand to actuate the physical control buttons or to rotate the annular member. Further, this ensures that the view of the inspected area appears unobscured and remains stationary when displayed on the smartphone (300) whilst the tool-head is being moved about to interact with the inspected area in response to the user’s actuation of the control lever (42F) or physical control buttons (34) .

A protective sleeve (50) is also provided which is shaped to fit snugly over the modular tool-head (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) when attached to the camera module (10) . The protective sleeve (50) may be formed from rubber or any other suitable material which may provide comfortable contact with the area of inspection as well as preventing the modular tool-head (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) from penetrating too deeply in to the subject’s ear canal so as to cause damage to the inspected area.

Further, the illumination module comprises 6 lamps (32) that are arranged in spaced-apart fashion around a periphery of the annular member (30) and which are configured to provide suitable illumination of the inspected area so that a clear video image of the inspected area may be captured by the camera module (10) . The lamps (32) in these embodiments may for instance comprise incandescent light bulbs, compact fluorescent bulbs, LEDs, OLEDs, or other non-heating low power electric lighting sources and may be configured to output a white light or any coloured light. The lamps (32) may be configured for simultaneous activation/deactivation or individual activation/deactivation to avoid over-illumination when inspecting light-sensitive area or to provide directional lightning. Although 6 lamps (32) are used in these embodiments, a different number of lamps (32) may be used in other embodiments and the lamps (32) may be mounted around the periphery of the annular member in (30) a variety of different configurations. The lamps (32) are powered by a battery unit that is housed within the annular member (30) and which is electrically connected to the plurality of lamps (32) via wiring within the annular member (30) . The battery may include an alkaline type battery, or, may include a rechargeable battery that may be recharged from an external power supply via a USB cable (60) that is plugged in to the USB recharging socket (33) . In this embodiment, the USB recharging socket (33) is located on the annular member however it may alternately be disposed on the adapter member, or may be dispensed with entirely in embodiments which draw power from a disposable power source such as an alkaline type battery. An ON/OFF button (35) is disposed on the annular member and configured for activating and deactivating operation of the plurality of lamps (32) . Additionally, a visual or audio indicator disposed on the annular member may be operably-connected to the battery module to sense a level of charge of the battery module and to output a light or sound alert indicative of the level of charge. The battery module in the annular member (30) may also supply power to certain tool-head attachments which require power to operate, for instance, an infrared thermometer or a distance sensing sonar tool-head.

Referring to Figs. 15 and 16 the smartphone (300) includes an input module (330) , a memory module (320) such as a flash memory module, a processor module (310) , a WI-Fl protocol compatible communication module (340) for wirelessly communicating with a communication module (12) of the camera module (10) and an interactive touch-sensitive display module (350) operably-connected together. The smartphone (300) could comprise an application specific remote control device comprising hardware and embedded software components suitable for communication with and remotely controlling operation of the camera module (10) . A software application may be downloadable into the memory module (320) from an online computer server and is executable by the processor module (310) to provide an interactive graphical user-interface operable on the interactive touch-sensitive display (350) via which a user may enter control inputs for remotely controlling operation of the camera module (10) , and for viewing video images of the inspected area captured by the camera module (10) and communicated wirelessly to the smartphone (300) . The software application may further be configured to allow recording of streamed video image data into a memory module (320) or the smartphone (300) which may then be analysed by a server-side processor module (310) to perform a medical diagnosis for instance using image pattern recognition software to identify characteristics of the inspected area such as colour and texture of the inspected area and by matching such identified characteristics with known image pattern corresponding to known medical conditions, stored in an online database.

When the battery levels of the camera module (10) and the annular member (30) are sufficiently charged, the ON/OFF (35) button is activated to switch on the lamps (32) , the camera module (10) is switched on and wirelessly paired to the smartphone (300) , and, the software application on the smartphone (300) is launched to allow live streaming of video images captured by the camera module (10) . With the camera module (10) gripped in the palm of the user’s hand such as shown in Fig. 13, the tool-head (41A) is inserted into the ear canal such as shown in Fig. 14, the live video images of the interior of the ear canal captured by the image sensor (11) of the camera module (10) are streamed onto the display module (350) of the smartphone (300) . The real-time video stream provides user with spatial awareness to navigate the interior of different body areas, such as throats, nostrils, and in the example case, the ear canal to enhance safety during inspection. Different modular tool-heads may be useful for interacting with the inspected area in different ways -for instance, the spatula tool-head (41) may be useful in removing cerumen or foreign bodies by an outward scooping motion with the scoop to pull cerumen out to a pinna for proper disposal. Dry, bigger piece of cerumen as well as bigger foreign bodies can also be pulled out by the tweezers (42) tool-head which may be readily interchanged with the modular spatula (41) tool-head attachment on the annular member. The tweezers (42) tool-head may be opened or closed by pushing or releasing a lever (42F) that is operably-connected to the tweezer (42A) jaws. Additionally, the rotational motion of the annular member (30) increases the maneuverability of the modular tool-head attachments (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) so as to circumvent obstacles within the ear canal or any other small body cavities.

It would be apparent that embodiments of the present invention may assist in providing certain advantages over the existing art. For instance, embodiments of the present invention provide a relatively cost-effective and practical alternative option in the context of the home user market by virtue of its ease of attachment with affordable and accessible off-the-shelf type video cameras, compared to the use of specialised medical equipment which is relatively expensive, not readily accessible to the home-user market, and non-portable in nature. Further, embodiments of the present invention may extend the functionality and value of off-the-shelf type video cameras and may provide medical professionals with a portable and relatively inexpensive alternative medical diagnosis and interaction tool when travelling. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention provide flexibility of readily interchangeable modular tool-heads to perform a range of different functions whilst certain specialist medical equipment available in the existing art are designed for a single-purpose only -that is, inspection capability only without any integrated interactive tool-head capability. Further by virtue of the optical system being housed within the hollow body of the tool-head attachment to allow video images of the inspection area to be captured through the hollow body of the tool-head attachment, this may assist in providing a relatively compact integrated tool-head for both inspection and interaction with a site suitable for insertion and maneuverability within an ear canal or other small cavity of the human body. Further, embodiments of the present invention may allow for movement of the tool-head to be controlled single-handedly by actuation of a control lever or physical control buttons whilst the camera module may be maintained in a relatively stationary position to maintain a stationary video image feed to the smartphone as the tool-head is being moved. Further, embodiments of the present invention may conveniently include a wireless communication link capability with a smartphone, tablet or the like to provide the user with spatial awareness in real-time whilst the user is inspecting and interaction with an area of the human body. In contrast, certain specialist medical equipment available in the existing art utilise an optical fiber to transmit video images instead of via a wireless communication link.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described without departing from the scope of the invention. All such variations and modification which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as broadly hereinbefore described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps and features, referred or indicated in the specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Claims

A viewing device comprising:

a camera module having an image sensor;

a tool-head attachment body having a first end including a tool-head disposed thereon, and, a second end having an attachment member disposed thereon configured for releasably attaching the tool-head attachment body to the camera module;

whereby said image sensor is configured for capturing a stream of images indicative of an area of inspection, and, said tool-head is operable for interaction with the area of inspection whilst said stream of images is being captured in real-time.
A viewing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the area of inspection includes at least one of an ear canal, eyes, or other region of a human body.
A viewing device as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the tool-head includes at least one of a scraper, a spatula, a pair of tweezers, a shaver, clippers, scissors, a blade, a suction tube, a substance dispenser, a sponge, a massager, a thermometer, a sonar sensor, and a vibrating element.
A viewing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the camera module includes at least one of a still camera and a video camera.
A viewing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the tool-head attachment body includes a hollow core and said image sensor of the camera module is configured for viewing and capturing images indicative of the area of inspection via the hollow core.
A viewing device as claimed in claim 5 including an optical system disposed within the hollow core configured for directing light reflected from the inspected area towards the image sensor of the camera module to effect capture of an image indicative of the inspected area by the camera module.
A viewing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including an adapter member configured for attaching the second end of the tool-head body to the camera module.
A viewing device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the adapter member includes a first adapter member configured for fixed attachment to the camera module and a second adapter member configured to be movable relative to the first adapted module.
A viewing device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first and second adapter members are configured for rotational movement relative to each other.
A viewing device as claimed in claim 9 including a detent mechanism configured for effecting incremental rotational movement of the first adapter member relative to the second adapter member.
A viewing device as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the second adapter member includes an annular member.
A viewing device as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the second end of the tool-head attachment body is configured for attachment to the second adapter member.
A viewing device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the second end of the tool-head attachment body is configured for attachment to the second adapter member by way of at least one of screw-thread engagement and magnetic engagement.
A viewing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a control mechanism operably-connected to the tool-head, wherein responsive to actuation of said control mechanism, the tool-head is configured to move in a predefined manner.
A viewing device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the control mechanism includes at least one of a control lever and a control button.
A viewing device as claimed in claims 14 or 15 wherein the control mechanism is disposed on the second adapter member.
A viewing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including an illumination module configured for illuminating the inspection area.
A viewing device as claimed in claim 17 including at least one of an incandescent bulb, a compact fluorescent bulb, an LED, and an OLED.
A viewing dewce as claimed in any one of claims 17 or 18 wherein the illumination module is disposed on the second adapter member.
A viewing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a power module configured for supplying power to at least one of the tool-head and the illumination module.
A viewing device as claimed in claim 20 wherein the power module includes a rechargeable battery.
A viewing device as claimed in claim 21 including a power interface via which power from an external power source may be supplied to the rechargeable battery to recharge the rechargeable battery.
A viewing device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the power interface includes a USB port configured for electrically connecting the external power source to the rechargeable battery.
A viewing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a communication module configured for communicating the stream of images to an external viewing device in real-time.
A viewing device as claimed in claim 24 wherein the communication module is configured for communicating the stream of images to the external viewing device via a wireless communication link.
A viewing device as claimed in any one of claims 24 or 25 wherein the external viewing device includes at least one of a smartphone, a tablet device, and a laptop computer.
A viewing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a protective sleeve configured for covering a portion of the first end of the tool-head