Are you getting the most out of your Kay stroboscopy system? Components used for stroboscopy (e.g., light source, CCD camera, lens/adaptor, VCR, monitor, printer) can also be used for other endoscopic procedures. An increasingly popular one is video-otoscopy.

Otolaryngologists routinely perform otoscopic exams to evaluate the ear canal and tympanic membrane. For physicians who would like a convenient means of sharing their observations with their patients, or for educating residents at teaching hospitals, video-otoscopy provides a large, clear image of the structures of interest on the video monitor for all to see. The physician can point to critical findings in the otoscopic exam and be certain that all are observing the same features. The exam can be video recorded for later viewing (e.g., after treatment) or used for pedagogical purposes at a later time. Hard copy color prints can be placed in the patient's chart or sent to a referring physician.

Kay's stroboscopy systems (both the Basic and Computerized) contain all of the components, except the rod otoscope, to perform video-otoscopy. However, Kay now offers a rod otoscope, and others are available from a number of manufacturers. These otoscopes contain a rod lens for transmitting the image and a circumferential fiberoptic bundle which transmits light for structure illumination. Most commercially available devices are easily coupled to the standard lens/adaptor eyepiece used for other rigid and flexible endoscopes.

Kay's Computerized System has the added advantage of allowing image digitization for storage in the computer. Left ear versus right ear can be placed side by side on the screen and annotated to clarify specific findings.

Remember that components of your stroboscopy system can be shared across a variety of endoscopic applications.