Development of a Microportable Imaging System for Otoscopy and Nasoendoscopy Evaluations

Abstract

Objective: Imaging systems for patients with cleft palate typically are not portable, but are essential to obtain an audiovisual record of nasoendoscopy and otoscopy procedures. Practitioners who evaluate patients in rural, remote, or otherwise medically underserved areas are expected to obtain audiovisual recordings of these procedures as part of standard clinical practice. Therefore, patients must travel substantial distances to medical facilities that have standard recording equipment. This project describes the specific components, strengths and weaknesses of an MPEG-4 digital recording system for otoscopy/nasoendoscopy evaluation of patients with cleft palate that is both portable and compatible with store-and-forward telemedicine applications. Materials: Three digital recording configurations (TabletPC, handheld digital video recorder, and an 8-mm digital camcorder) were used to record the audio/ video signal from an analog video scope system. Results: The handheld digital video recorder was most effective at capturing audio/video and displaying procedures in real time. The system described was particularly easy to use, because it required no postrecording file capture or compression for later review, transfer, and/or archiving. Conclusions: The handheld digital recording system was assembled from commercially available components. The portability and the telemedicine compatibility of the handheld digital video recorder offers a viable solution for the documentation of nasoendosocopy and otoscopy procedures in remote, rural, or other locations where reduced medical access precludes the use of larger component audio/video systems.