Abstract: The invention concerns a method for locating foreign objects on the internal surface of ear and ear canal whereby a probe having a light emitting distal portion is inserted into the ear canal, the method further comprising the steps of:—directing light from the distal portion of the probe to illuminate at least one point or the internal circumferential surface of the ear and/or ear canal,—receiving the light reflected from the illuminated surface, and directing the received light to at least one light sensitive element to generate an output,—analyzing the output with respect to spectral composition in order to identify foreign objects. The invention also relates to an apparatus for locating foreign objects on the internal surface of ear and ear canal.

Abstract: A method for obtaining position data relating to a probe in the ear canal whereby a probe is inserted into the ear canal, the method further comprising the steps of:—determine the distance from the distal portion of the probe to at least one point of the internal circumferential surface of the ear and/or car canal,—obtaining position data using first transducing means associated with the distal portion of the probe and second transducing means fixed relative to the head of the person, where the first transducing means is transmitting a magnetic field, and the second transducing means are detecting the magnetic field generated by the transmitter. The invention also relates to an apparatus for obtaining position data relating to a probe in the ear canal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining geometrical data relating to the internal surface of the ear canal and/or ear whereby a probe having a light emitting distal portion is inserted into the ear canal, the method including the steps of: directing light from a distal portion of a probe to illuminate at least one point of the internal circumferential surface of the ear and/or ear canal, receiving the light reflected from the illuminated surface, and directing the received light to at least one light sensitive element to generate an output, and analyzing the output to determine the distance from the probe to the internal surface of the ear and/or ear canal at points of the circumference.

Abstract: The invention uses light to determine the distance from the tip of a probe to the internal wall of the canal, and based on the position of the probe, this information is used to generate information about the shape of the canal. Light with a first and a second wavelength range is directed onto a semi-transparent mirror surface at the distal portion of the probe. Light in the first wavelength range is reflected from the mirror surface to illuminate a circumferential area of the internal surface of the canal, and light in the second wavelength range is transmitted through the mirror surface to illuminate an area in front of the distal portion of the probe. The received light is analyzed in the first wavelength range to determine the distance from the probe to the internal surface of the canal at points of the circumference, and analyzed in the second wavelength range to determine the distance from the probe to an object in front of the probe.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for locating foreign objects on the internal surface of ear and ear canal whereby a probe having a light emitting distal portion is inserted into the ear canal, the method further comprising the steps of directing light from the distal portion of the probe to illuminate at least one point or the internal circumferential surface of the ear and/or car canal, receiving the light reflected from the illuminated surface, and directing the received light to at least one light sensitive element to generate an output, analyzing the output with respect to spectral composition in order to identify foreign objects. The invention also relates to an apparatus for locating foreign objects on the internal surface of ear and ear canal.

Abstract: A method for obtaining position data relating to a probe in the ear canal whereby a probe is inserted into the ear canal, the method further comprising the steps of:—determine the distance from the distal portion of the probe to at least one point of the internal circumferential surface of the ear and/or car canal,—obtaining position data using first transducing means associated with the distal portion of the probe and second transducing means fixed relative to the head of the person, where the first transducing means is transmitting a magnetic field, and the second transducing means are detecting the magnetic field generated by the transmitter. The invention also relates to an apparatus for obtaining position data relating to a probe in the ear canal.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for obtaining geometrical data relating to the internal surface of the ear canal and/or ear whereby a probe having a light emitting distal portion is inserted into the ear canal, the method further comprising the steps of: directing light from a distal portion of a probe to illuminate at least one point of the internal circumferential surface of the ear and/or ear canal, receiving the light reflected from the illuminated surface, and directing the received light to at least one light sensitive element to generate an output, analyzing the output to determine the distance from the probe to the internal surface of the ear and/or ear canal at points of the circumference. The invention also relates to an apparatus for obtaining geometrical data relating to the internal surface of ear and ear canal.

Abstract: A flexible tool for handling small objects, as well as a method for handling small objects using the flexible tool. The flexible tool comprises one or more mini robots, such as a free arm robot and one or more hexapod(s) working in an internal workspace when performing operations on small objects. Furthermore, an external space can be used for storing the objects during non-operation. The hexapods are to engage with a small object and to move a small object between the internal workspace and the external space, and the free arm robot is to move one or more hexapod(s). Fast measurements of robot positions are included, the measurements being feed back to a computer system controlling the mini robots. The computer system further comprises vision and motion planning.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible tool for handling small objects, as well as a method for handling small objects using the flexible tool. The flexible tool comprises one or more mini robots, such as a free arm robot and one or more hexapod(s) working in an internal workspace when performing operations on small objects. Furthermore, an external space can be used for storing the objects during non-operation. The hexapods are adapted to engage with a small object and to move a small object between the internal workspace and the external space, and the free arm robot is adapted to move one or more hexapod(s). Fast measurements of robot positions are included, the measurements being feed back to a computer system controlling the mini robots. The computer system further comprises vision and motion planning.