In vivo dynamic characterization of the human tympanic membrane using pneumatic optical coherence tomography. Issue 4 (18th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Won, Jungeun; Porter, Ryan G.; Novak, Michael A.; Youakim, Jon; Sum, Ada; Barkalifa, Ronit; Aksamitiene, Edita; Zhang, Anqi; Nolan, Ryan; Shelton, Ryan; Boppart, Stephen A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of biophotonics. Volume 14:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-08-18
• Subjects: biomechanics -- optical coherence tomography -- otitis media -- tympanic membrane -- viscoelasticity; Photonics -- Periodicals; Optical materials -- Periodicals; Optics -- Periodicals; Medical instruments and apparatus -- Periodicals; 621.3605
• DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202000215
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1864-063X

Abstract

Abstract: Decreased mobility of the human eardrum, the tympanic membrane (TM), is an essential indicator of a prevalent middle ear infection. The current diagnostic method to assess TM mobility is via pneumatic otoscopy, which provides subjective and qualitative information of subtle motion. In this study, a handheld spectral‐domain pneumatic optical coherence tomography system was developed to simultaneously measure the displacement of the TM, air pressure inputs applied to a sealed ear canal, and to perform digital pneumatic otoscopy. A novel approach based on quantitative parameters is presented to characterize spatial and temporal variations of the dynamic TM motion. Furthermore, the TM motions of normal middle ears are compared with those of ears with middle ear infections. The capability of noninvasively measuring the rapid motion of the TM is beneficial to understand the complex dynamics of the human TM, and can ultimately lead to improved diagnosis and management of middle ear infections. Abstract : A handheld pneumatic optical coherence tomography system was developed to noninvasively measure the mobility of the human eardrum, that is, tympanic membrane (TM). The displacement of the TM induced by bidirectional pressure variations in a sealed ear canal was measured to generate a pseudo‐colored pneumatic stiffness map of the TM. The measurements showed the spatial and temporal dependence of the TM mobility. Quantitative comparison between healthy middle ears and ears with middle ear infections revealed an increased pneumatic stiffness and a significant temporal response delay when a middle ear effusion was present during a middle ear infection.