The Otoscope

The otoscope is a medical device which is used to look in the ears. The astronauts who will be going on the Mars Mission can use the otoscope to screen for illness and also to investigate ear symptoms. The otoscope lets the doctor get a good look at your ears and the light helps spot any problems, like fluid in your ear that could be an infection. Fluid in the ear can cause mild ear pain that comes and goes, hearing loss, delayed development in speech and language skills, delayed gross motor skills, and balance problems. The device has a long handle, usually textured for easy gripping. It will be printed out in stainless steel for the mission. At one end, the handle has a bright light(which can be 3D printable) and a magnifying glass.The doctor inserts a disposable speculum into the otoscope, straightens the patient's ear canal by pulling on the the ear, and inserts the otoscope to look inside. The otoscope potentially gives a view of the ear canal and tympanic membrane or eardrum.

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