Healthcare / Medical Devices
Oral Screening Camera Probe: Handheld Intraoral Camera Streaming over BLE 5.2, Wi-Fi and UVC
For a Hyderabad medical-device client we designed a handheld camera probe that helps clinicians examine the mouth for oral cancer, streaming video over BLE 5.2, dual-band Wi-Fi and USB UVC on a low-cost BOM. Completed by early 2025.
What we did: We designed the probe's electronics and firmware: a custom camera module with real-time encoding, three video paths (BLE 5.2, dual-band Wi-Fi and a driverless USB Video Class interface), an image-enhancement pipeline, battery power management and a compact, ergonomic handheld form factor, with the BOM optimised for cost.
Medical-device client, Hyderabad, India8 monthsTeam of 5
Published Last reviewed:
Illustrative imageThe Challenge
The client needed a handheld camera probe that dentists and oral-cancer specialists can use to look inside the mouth and share the video. It had to stream over several links, keep the bill of materials (BOM) as low as possible for the Indian market, and stay small and comfortable to hold during long examinations.
Three ways to stream video
The probe had to stream over BLE, Wi-Fi and USB Video Class (UVC), so it works with a phone, a remote viewer or a PC without special drivers.
Impact: Multi-protocol videoImage quality with low latency
Clinicians need a clear, responsive image to examine tissue; lag or poor image quality makes the tool hard to use.
Impact: Real-time encodingLowest possible BOM
The device had to be affordable for Indian clinics, so every part choice was driven by cost.
Impact: Cost-optimised BOMComfortable to hold
A compact, lightweight handheld form factor was needed for use during long procedures.
Impact: Ergonomic handheldOur Solution
We built the probe around a custom camera module with real-time encoding, then gave it three video paths: BLE 5.2 for low-power, short-range streaming, dual-band Wi-Fi for higher-bandwidth and remote viewing, and a UVC-compliant USB interface that works as a standard webcam. An image-enhancement pipeline improves how lesions and abnormalities look on screen, and battery power management extends use on a single charge.
System Architecture
One camera, three output paths, one battery.
Imaging
- Custom-designed camera module
- Real-time video encoding
- AI-assisted image enhancement for on-screen visualisation
Video links
- BLE 5.2 for low-power, short-range streaming
- Dual-band Wi-Fi for higher-bandwidth and remote viewing
- UVC-compliant USB: plug-and-play video, no extra driver
- Video can feed telemedicine software for remote review
Power and mechanics
- Battery-efficient power management
- Compact, lightweight handheld form factor
- BOM optimised for the Indian market
Key Design Points
| Camera | Custom module, real-time encoding |
| Low-power link | BLE 5.2 |
| High-bandwidth link | Dual-band Wi-Fi |
| Wired link | USB Video Class (UVC) |
| Power | Rechargeable battery, managed power |
| Form factor | Handheld, ergonomic |
What We Delivered
- Camera module design and real-time encoding
- BLE 5.2 streaming path
- Dual-band Wi-Fi streaming path
- UVC-compliant USB device firmware
- AI-assisted image-enhancement pipeline
- Battery and power management
- Cost-optimised BOM
- Compact handheld electronics packaging
Outcome
The probe streams video over all three links while keeping the BOM low, and the UVC path lets any standard PC or telemedicine software show the video without a driver. At hand-over the prototype was ready for the client's own clinical evaluation. The probe is an imaging aid for clinicians; this page makes no claim about diagnostic accuracy.
Video links
BLE 5.2 + Wi-Fi + UVC
Multi-protocol streaming achieved on a cost-optimised BOM
Driverless video
UVC
Works as a standard USB camera with PCs and telemedicine software
Design duration
8 months
Team of 5
Status at hand-over
Prototype
Ready for the client's clinical evaluation
Technologies Used
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