WO2021224835A1

WO2021224835A1 - A portable close-up camera probe for medical applications

Info

Publication number: WO2021224835A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/053822
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vijay Vishnu HARIBHAKTI
Original assignee: Haribhakti Vijay Vishnu
Priority date: 2020-05-08
Filing date: 2021-05-06
Publication date: 2021-11-11

Abstract

The present disclosure envisages a portable close-up camera probe (100) for medical applications. the probe (100) comprises a handle portion (H) and a probing portion (P). The handle portion (H) comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) (9) disposed with in a first casing (21), a female jack connector (8) fixed to one end of the PCB (9) and a USB charging connector (10) fixed at other end thereof. A power button (12) disposed on the first casing (21). The probing portion (P) comprises a cable (6) disposed within a second casing (22) having the camera with an illumination unit (5) coupled to one end thereof and the male jack connector (7) coupled to other end. The handle portion (H) configured to be detachably communicatively coupled with the probing portion (P), thereby enabling a physician to capture images/ videos of structures of mouth without being in aerosol trajectory of a patient.

Description

A PORTABLE CLOSE-UP CAMERA PROBE FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of specialized cameras used to facilitate clinical assessments in specific areas such as the mouth and throat; and to enable effective recording, archiving and sharing of high-definition (HD) images/videos derived from specialized photography in these and other areas as found applicable with continued use.

DEFINITIONS

The term “Lesion” used hereinafter refers to an area in an organ or tissue, which has suffered damage through injury or disease, and manifests as a wound, ulcer, mass, or tumor. The term “Oropharynx” used hereinafter refers to a part of the pharynx that lies between the soft palate and the hyoid bone.

The term “Laryngeal inlet” used hereinafter refers to as an opening that connects the pharynx and the larynx.

The term “Vallecula” used hereinafter refers to as the space between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis, forming the lower border of the oropharynx.

These definitions are those that are expressed in the art.

BACKGROUND

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art. Typically, during clinical examinations of the mouth and throat (as well as other locations), it is extremely important to capture images or record videos for purposes of initial diagnosis, treatment planning and follow-up.

Generally, image-capturing devices are used to capture images of lesions and record videos during examinations. Examples are the Hopkin’s telescope, naso-laryngoscope, and other Fiber-optic scopes that have been in use since decades. However, for routine examination of the mouth and throat, a physician typically has to be seated across the patient, using either a headlight or sometimes reflected light with a head- mirror. All these situations entail being near the mouth and nose of the patient, directly in aerosol trajectory. Thus, assessment of a patient infected by a virus (for example, the coronavirus) may put the physician at risk or vice versa. Moreover, it is often difficult / impossible to clearly assess lesions in a complex, under-illuminated area with numerous blind spots, especially in individuals with restricted mouth opening, which is extremely common in a country like India. Tobacco chewing habits are exceedingly common here, leading to a condition known as “sub-mucous fibrosis” which results in progressive reduction in mouth opening. Capturing images/ videos of lesions in these areas is correspondingly challenging, especially those located far up and behind, which are frequently assessable only by cross- sectional imaging like CT/ MRI.

Therefore, there is a need for a portable camera probe that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks, that not only allows detailed inspection of the entire area, but also permits high- resolution photography of lesions therein, without the need to sit across the patient, in the aerosol trajectory.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.

It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art and provide a useful alternative.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a portable close-up camera probe that is helpful for carrying out clinical assessment and documentation.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a portable close-up camera probe that ensures safety of a physician/ patient during clinical examinations during pandemic.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a portable close-up camera probe that is small, lightweight, and easy to carry around, and simple to use.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a portable close-up camera probe that easily fits in a pocket. Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a portable close-up camera probe that facilitates remote consultation and to seek a second opinion by obtaining high-resolution pictures of the area of concern.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a portable close-up camera probe that facilitates clinical assessment hitherto (which is? possible only with telescopes (with fiber-optic light) or mirrors (with reflected light), and that enable efficient documentation of the images.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a portable close-up camera probe that enables “real-time” viewing and sharing images of the areas of interest on a remote device such as a mobile phone or tablet or PC, thus greatly facilitating ease of expert opinion.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a portable close-up camera probe that enhances the quality of documentation, with high-resolution images and videos of lesions in anatomically complex areas, available to all practitioners.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure envisages a portable close-up camera probe for medical applications. The probe comprises a handle portion and a probing portion. The handle portion comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within a first casing, a female jack connector fixed at one end of the PCB and a charging connector fixed at the other end and a power button disposed on the first casing, the power button configured to be coupled with the PCB. The probing portion comprises a cable, a camera and a male jack. The cable is disposed within a second casing of the probing unit. The camera with an illumination unit is coupled to the distal end of the cable. The male jack connector is coupled to the proximal end of the cable. The handle portion is configured to be detachably communicatively coupled with the probing portion by connecting the male jack with the female jack, thereby enabling a physician or a surgeon to turn ON the camera and the illumination unit and manually swivel the probing unit about at least one axis with respect to the handle portion to allow capturing of images/ videos of structures of mouth and eliminating possibility of the surgeon/ physician being in aerosol trajectory of a patient. In an embodiment, the illumination unit is an LED light disposed around the camera.

In an embodiment, wherein outer surface of the first casing includes a clip protruding therefrom, the clip facilitates the probe to be held in pocket.

In an embodiment, the clip is of metal.

In an embodiment, the second casing conforms to the outer surface of the camera and cable and the male jack connector.

In an embodiment, the first casing conforms to the PCB, the female jack connector and the USB charging connector.

In an embodiment, the probing portion allows angulation in either direction relative to the axis of the handle portion, thereby enabling photography or recording videos at different angles, which allows detailed photography of complex natural contours.

In an embodiment, the swiveling of the probing portion enables moment-to-moment view as well as still / video photography at any point.

In an embodiment, the camera includes an inbuilt communication module configured to wirelessly transmit recorded videos or captured images to a nearby external device such as a handset or a tablet. In another embodiment, the wireless communication technique is selected from the group consisting of a Bluetooth, IR, Wi-Fi, Zigbee and the like.

In an embodiment, the handle portion includes a miniature screen in communication with the PCB, the miniature screen configured to display active function as well as captured images and videos.

In an embodiment, the camera, the illumination unit of the probe are powered by a rechargeable battery.

In an embodiment, the rechargeable battery is coupled with the USB charging connector.

In an embodiment, the length of the probe is ranging between 10cm to 12cm, thus allowing ease of a pocket fit.

In an embodiment, each of the first casing and the second casing includes a top cover and a bottom cover, each of the top cover and the bottom cover click-fits with each other to enclose the camera, the cable, the male jack connector, the female jack connector, the PCB and the USB charging connector.

In an embodiment, the handle portion includes an LED indicator configured to cooperate with the PCB, and further configured to provide indication of power ON/ OFF. In an embodiment, the camera includes a plurality of micro bulbs configured therearound to provide uniform, shadow-free illumination.

In an embodiment, the camera includes a hydrophobic lens coating configured to prevent fogging of the lens due to breath of patient during oral examination, thereby allowing the camera to capture uniform, shadow-free photos and videos. In an embodiment, the male jack and the female jack are cylindrical in shape, thereby facilitating angular displacement of the probing portion with respect to the handle portion without breaking the communicative coupling between the probing portion and the handle portion.

In an embodiment, the probing portion is configured to be manually swiveled or angulated with respect to the handle portion.

In an embodiment, the camera is configured to be moved about longitudinal axis and/or about transverse axis with respect to the remaining portion of the probing portion and the handle portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING The portable close-up camera probe of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an exploded isometric view of the portable close-up camera probe;

Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of complete assembly of the portable close-up camera probe; Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the portable close-up camera probe of Figure 2;

Figure 4 illustrates a rear view of portable close-up camera probe of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 illustrates a side view of portable close-up camera probe of Figure 2. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

100 - Portable close-up camera probe

1 - Second top case

2 - Second bottom case 3 - First top case

4 - First bottom case

5 - Camera with illumination unit

6 - Cable

7 - Male jack connector 8 - Female jack connector

9 - Printed circuit board (PCB)

10 - USB charging connector

11 - LED indicator

12 - Power button 13 - Clip

15 - Miniature screen

21 - First casing

22 - Second casing H - Handle portion P - Probe portion

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, operations, elements, components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Photography of certain areas during clinical examination is as difficult as it is important. For example, it has always been a challenge to record clear images of structures within the mouth, store them and share them. Just introducing this possibility would revolutionize diagnostics, treatment planning, follow-up and education in almost every conceivable way. For the nasal space and nasopharynx, which is equally complex, rigid or fiber-optic endoscopic assessment is currently the most accepted way.

The present disclosure therefore envisages a portable close-up camera probe. The portable close-up camera probe (hereinafter referred to as “probe 100”) is now described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 5. In an embodiment, the length of the probe 100 is such that it easily fits in to a pocket. In an embodiment, the length of the probe 100 is ranging between 10cm to 12cm, thus allowing ease of a pocket fit. The fundamental concept is that the probe portion P is to be moved into the oral space so as to visualize lesions, record images and store them.

The probe 100 comprises a handle portion H and a probing portion P. The handle portion H comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) 9 disposed within a first casing 21, a female jack connector 8 fixed to one end of the PCB 9 and a USB charging connector 10 fixed at the other end of the PCB 9. A power button 12 is disposed on the first casing 21. The power button 12 configured to be coupled with the PCB 9. In an embodiment, the outer surface of the first casing 21 includes a clip 13 protruding therefrom, the clip 13 facilitates the probe 100 to be held in pocket. In an embodiment, the clip 13 is of metal. In an embodiment, the first casing 21 conforms to the PCB 9, the female jack connector 8 and the USB charging connector 10. In an embodiment, the handle portion H includes an LED indicator 11 configured to cooperate with the PCB 9, and further configured to provide indication of power ON/ OFF. In an embodiment, the handle portion H includes a miniature screen 15 in communication with the PCB 9. The miniature screen 15 is configured to display active function and captured images and videos.

The probing portion P comprises a cable 6, a camera with an illumination unit 5 and a male jack connector 7. The cable 6 is disposed within a second casing 22 of the probing portion P. The camera with an illumination unit 5 is coupled to the distal end of the cable 6. The male jack connector 7 is coupled to the proximal end of the cable 6. In an embodiment, the handle portion H is configured to be detachably communicatively coupled with the probing portion P by connecting the male jack connector 7 with the female jack connector 8, thereby enabling a physician or a surgeon to turn ON the camera and the illumination unit 5 and manually swivel the probing portion P about at least one axis with respect to the handle portion H to allow capturing of images/ videos of structures of mouth and eliminating possibility of the surgeon/ physician being in aerosol trajectory of a patient. In an embodiment, the probe portion P is designed in such a way as to make it possible to swivel around both, horizontal and vertical axes, thereby enabling photography at all angles.

The camera 5 is configured to be moved about the longitudinal axis (and/or about transverse axis) with respect to the remaining portion of the probing portion P and the handle portion H. In an embodiment, the male jack connector 7 and the female jack connector 8 are cylindrical in shape, thereby facilitating angular displacement of the probing portion P with respect to the handle portion H without breaking the communicative coupling between the probing portion P and the handle portion H.

In an embodiment, the illumination unit 5 is in the form of an arc or a number of micro bulbs, aimed at providing uniform, shadow-free illumination of the area of interest. The camera 5 has a hydrophobic lens coating to prevent fogging from the breath and is essentially a close- up lens with a permanent focus up to infinity, the near point being 5 mm away from the lens. In an embodiment, the camera and illumination unit 5 is provided with a transparent disposable cap (not shown in figures) to prevent damage and cross-contamination of the camera and illumination unit 5 between patients. In an embodiment, the transparent disposable cap (not shown in figures) can be either rigid or flexible.

In an embodiment, the camera along with the illumination unit 5 of the probe 100 are powered by a rechargeable battery. In an embodiment, the rechargeable battery is coupled with the USB charging connector 10 to receive power therefrom when connected with an external charging device. In an embodiment, the camera 5 includes an inbuilt communication module configured to wirelessly transmit recorded videos or captured images to a nearby external device such as a handset or a tablet. In another embodiment, the wireless communication technique used by the communication module is selected from the group consisting of a Bluetooth, IR, Wi-Fi, Zigbee and the like. The tip portion i.e., the camera and illumination unit 5 is such that it can easily be taken into the mouth and back towards the throat (towards uvula). In an embodiment, the intensity and the direction of the illumination unit 5 can be changed. In an embodiment, the camera and illumination unit 5 can be fixed or angularly movable.

In an embodiment, the probe 100 facilitates high resolution photography. The probe 100 facilitates close-up photography with a maximum field size of 6x6 cm with digital zoom. In an embodiment, the power button 12 after turning ON the probe 100 acts as a clicking mechanism to click and switch between still and video functions (not shown in figure). In an embodiment, the mini-screen 15 is such that the entire area becomes a touch screen which enables all the aforementioned functions.

In an embodiment, the probing portion P is configured to be manually swiveled or angulated with respect to the handle portion H. In an embodiment, the probing portion P allows manual angulation in either direction relative to the axis of the handle portion H, thereby enabling photography or recording videos at different angles, which allows detailed photography of complex natural contours. In an embodiment, the swivelling of the probing portion P enables moment-to-moment view as well as still/ video photography at any point. The revolving of the male jack connector 7 with respect to the female jack connector 8 allows swivelling of the probing portion P and camera 5 to point towards desired structure within the mouth.

The illumination unit 5 includes an LED light disposed around the camera 5, preferably in the form of a ring of LEDs. In an embodiment, the second casing 22 conforms to the outer surface of the camera 5 and cable 6 and the male jack connector 7. Each of the first casing 21 and the second casing 22 includes a top cover 1, 3 and a bottom cover 2, 4. Each of the top cover 1, 3 and the bottom cover 2, 4 click-fits with each other to enclose the camera 5, the cable 6, the male jack connector 7, the female jack connector 8, the PCB 9 and the USB charging connector 10.

The probe 100 finds wide variety of applications in clinical examinations and provides following advantages as compared to the conventional devices:

1. For Oral cavity:

• Provides detailed visualization and recording of abnormal, pre-malignant patches.

• Helps in maintaining baseline and follow-up images of all suspicious lesions.

• Helps in recording all malignant lesions.

• Beneficial in post-treatment follow-up, i.e., the patient can on his/her on record images and can transmit them to the concerned physician. This would facilitate early detection of recurrences.

• For “borderline”/ rare lesions: High-resolution recording enables second opinion for improved diagnosis.

• Provides simplified viewing of all areas within the mouth including “difficult” areas such as the palate and upper sulcus.

• Renders inspection very safe for the examiner.

• Allows inspection even in individuals with restricted mouth opening.

• Most significantly, it does away with the need to sit in front of a patient for examinations of the oral cavity / oropharynx, and permits a detailed complete assessment of all parts of the oral cavity and oropharynx by standing on one side of the patient. It also permits detailed documentation, which is also possible to record.

2. For Oropharynx: • Provides recording of high-resolution images of the tonsils, palate and pharyngeal walls without exposing the examiner to direct aerosol trajectory.

3. For the Larynx and Hypopharynx:

• Provides recording of high-resolution images of the laryngeal inlet, vallecula, epiglottis without exposing examiner to direct aerosol trajectory.

• Provides recording of vocal cord mobility (IDL) without exposing examiner to aerosol trajectory.

4. For high-resolution photography of all surgical specimens.

5. Beneficial for intra-operative photography and facilitates switching between still and video functions.

6. Dermatology: Provides recording of high-resolution photography of all superficial skin lesions. This would enable expert opinion easily as well as artificial intelligence (AI) based diagnosis.

7. Clinical close-up photography for lesions over private parts (penile / vaginal/ anal lesions).

8. For dental procedures: Provides real-time video viewing of field could allow the surgeon to be away from the aerosol trajectory, and afford comfort and protection to the surgeon's back.

9. For follow-up assessments after major oral surgery: The patient’s own family member/ family doctor can be trained to take high resolution pictures/ videos and send them to the treating surgeon to facilitate maintaining close follow-up.

10. For screening: Health workers can be trained to take and relay high quality images of large number of individuals at risk and relay them to experts to enable early diagnosis of oral and oropharyngeal cancers. Thus, the probe 100 of the present application is light-weight, convenient, and is easy-to-use that actually fits into a normal shirt pocket. The probe 100 is useful for a variety of important applications, which are not possible with a usual handset, and will address numerous needs in the healthcare space and beyond. The probe 100 provides much needed quality and accuracy, while enhancing and ensuring safety to health care providers. Further, the probe 100 is specially designed for close ups that can record extremely clear and uniformly illuminated images/ videos of structures inside the mouth and throat (or any other under-illuminated areas/ cavities), as well as any other external objects/ lesions, and transmit them real-time for visualization on a mobile handset/ any other probe such as a tablet, enabling storage and sharing. Further, the probe 100 is used for creating high resolution video recording of any fine procedures anywhere. Furthermore, for inspecting, diagnosing and documenting any skin lesions which are largely assessed by good inspection, the very same concept of probe 100 can be used.

The most significant attribute of the probe 100 is that it permits the examiner/ physician to stand by the patient’s side, out of the aerosol trajectory, and permits inspection as well as to record high-definition (FID) images of various components of the mouth and throat, which was not possible with the conventional devices. Further, in an event of outbreak of a viral infection, the probe 100 permits the examiner/ physician to stand by patient’s side, which prevents both the physician as well as the patient to come in aerosol trajectory and from getting infected.

The probe 100 is not only helpful in carrying out oral examinations but also can be useful for examining under-illuminated areas and any other body parts where it is difficult to reach and record clear images and videos.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a portable close-up camera probe, that:

• allows high resolution images and videos to be captured and recorded; • is easy to use;

• ensures safety of a physician during clinical examinations during pandemic;

• facilitates wireless communication of recorded images and video; and

• easily fits into a pocket. The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A portable close-up camera probe (100) for medical applications, said probe (100) comprising: a. a handle portion (H) comprising: i. a printed circuit board (PCB) (9) disposed with in a first casing (21); ii. a female jack connector (8) fixed to one end of said PCB (9) and a USB charging connector (10) fixed at the other end of said PCB (9); and iii. a power button (12) disposed on said first casing (21), said power button (21) configured to be coupled with said PCB (9); b. a probing portion (P) comprising: i. a cable (6) disposed within a second casing (22); ii. a camera with an illumination unit (5) coupled to the distal end of said cable (6); and iii. a male jack connector (7) coupled to the proximal end of said cable (6), wherein said handle portion (H) is configured to be detachably communicatively coupled with said probing portion (P) by connecting said male jack connector (7) with said female jack connector (8), thereby enabling a physician or a surgeon to turn ON the camera and illumination unit (5) and manually swivel said probing portion (P) about an at least one axis with respect to said handle portion (H) to allow capturing of images/ videos of structures of mouth and eliminating possibility of the surgeon/ physician being in aerosol trajectory of a patient.

2. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said illumination unit (5) includes an LED light disposed around said camera (5).

3. The probe (100) as claimed in 1, wherein outer surface of said first casing (21) includes a clip (13) protruding therefrom, said clip (13) facilitates said probe (100) to be held in pocket.

4. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said clip (13) is of metal.

5. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second casing (22) conforms to the outer surface of said camera and illumination unit (5), said cable (6) and said male jack connector (7).

6. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first casing (21) conforms to the outer surface of PCB (9), said female jack connector (8) and the USB charging connector (10).

7. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the probing portion (P) allows angulation in either direction relative to the axis of the handle portion (H), thereby enabling photography or recording videos at different angles, which allows detailed photography of complex natural contours.

8. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the swiveling of said probing portion (P) enables moment-to-moment view as well as still/ video photography at any point.

9. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said camera and illumination unit (5) includes an inbuilt communication module configured to wirelessly transmit recorded videos or captured images to a nearby external device such as a handset or a tablet.

10. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein wireless communication technique is selected from the group consisting of a Bluetooth, IR, Wi-Fi, Zigbee and the like.

11. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein handle portion (H) includes a miniature screen (15) in communication with said PCB (9), said miniature screen (15) configured to display captured images and videos.

12. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said camera and illumination unit (5) are powered by a rechargeable battery.

13. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein said rechargeable battery is coupled with said USB charging connector (10).

14. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of said probe (100) is ranging between 10cm to 12cm, thus allowing ease of a pocket fit.

15. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first casing (21) and said second casing (22) includes a top cover (1, 3) and a bottom cover (2, 4), each of said top cover (1, 3) and said bottom cover (2, 4) click-fits with each other to enclose said camera and illumination unit (5), said cable (6), said male jack connector (7), said female jack connector (8), said PCB (9) and said USB charging connector (10).

16. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle portion (H) includes an LED indicator (11) configured to cooperate with the PCB (9), and further configured to provide indication of power ON/ OFF.

17. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said camera and illumination unit (5) includes a plurality of micro bulbs configured therearound to provide uniform, shadow- free illumination.

18. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said camera and illumination unit (5) includes a hydrophobic lens coating configured to prevent fogging of said lens due to breath of patient during oral examination, thereby allowing said camera (5) to capture uniform, shadow-free photos and videos.

19. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said male jack connector (7) and said female jack connector (8) are cylindrical in shape, thereby facilitating angular displacement of the probing portion (P) with respect to the handle portion (H) without breaking the communicative coupling between the probing portion (P) and the handle portion (H).

20. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said probing portion (P) is configured to be manually swiveled or angulated with respect to said handle portion (H).

21. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said camera and illumination unit (5) is configured to be moved about longitudinal axis and/or about transverse axis with respect to said remaining portion of said probing portion (P) and said handle portion (H).

22. The probe (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said camera and illumination unit (5) includes a transparent cap configured to prevent damage and cross-contamination between patients.