Abstract: The invention provides a medical device, kit, system, and method that may be used for viewing the ear during surgery on a subject. The invention may allow a surgeon to view the surgical site with a camera mounted on a probe and maintain patency of the ear canal, while keeping both hands free for surgical techniques.

Abstract: An imaging head of a medical scope comprises a capsule that encapsulates an image sensor and electronics associated with the image sensor. The imaging head further comprises a light guide, within or attached to the capsule, that conveys illumination to a field of view of the image sensor. The imaging head can be disassembled by breaking or cutting the capsule to separate the image sensor and the electronics from the light guide. The imaging head is manufactured by encapsulating the image sensor and electronics, and optionally also the light guide, in a capsule. The light guide may be overmoulded in a first overmoulding step to embed the light guide in an overmoulded body. The image sensor and electronics may then be positioned beside or against the overmoulded body and overmoulded in a second overmoulding step to complete the capsule.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for estimating the value of a physical parameter of biological tissue. The method comprises acquiring a colour image of the biological tissue from a single image capture device; extracting from the colour image at least two images in respective optical wavebands having a different spectral sensitivity from one another, whereby a given location in the biological tissue is present in each of the extracted images; providing a physical model of the optical properties of the biological tissue, wherein the optical properties of the biological tissue are sensitive to the value of said physical parameter; and estimating the value of the physical parameter at said given location based on an intensity value at that location for each extracted image. The estimating utilises the physical model of the optical properties of the biological tissue and the spectral sensitivity for each respective waveband.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for estimating the value of a physical parameter of biological tissue. The method comprises acquiring a colour image of the biological tissue from a single image capture device; extracting from the colour image at least two images in respective optical wavebands having a different spectral sensitivity from one another, whereby a given location in the biological tissue is present in each of the extracted images; providing a physical model of the optical properties of the biological tissue, wherein the optical properties of the biological tissue are sensitive to the value of said physical parameter; and estimating the value of the physical parameter at said given location based on an intensity value at that location for each extracted image. The estimating utilises the physical model of the optical properties of the biological tissue and the spectral sensitivity for each respective waveband.

Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating an object with electro-magnetic radiation comprising spectrally distinct features, the apparatus comprising: a) a probe for illuminating the object and having a proximal end and a distal end; b) a receiver for receiving reflected light from the object; and c) a processor operatively connected to the receiver for processing the reflected light, wherein the probe comprises a bundle of waveguides, each of which waveguides transmits light of a particular wavelength, wavelength band or spectrum.