Endoscopic optical coherence tomography for imaging the tympanic membrane

Research output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/reportConference contributionContributedpeer-review

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging modality that enables micrometer-scale contactless subsurface imaging of biological tissue. Endoscopy, as another imaging method, has the potential of imaging tubular organs and cavities and therefore has opened up several application areas not accessible before. The combination of OCT and endoscopy uses the advantages of both methods and consequently allows additional imaging of structures beneath surfaces inside cavities. Currently, visual investigations on the surface of the human tympanic membrane are possible but only with expert eyes. up to now, visual imaging of the outer ear up to the tympanic membrane can be carried out by an otoscope, an operating microscope or an endoscope. In contrast to these devices, endoscopy has the advantage of imaging the whole tympanic membrane with one view. The intention of this research is the development of an endoscopic optical coherence tomography (EOCT) device for imaging the tympanic membrane depth-resolved and structures behind it. Detection of fluids in the middle ear, which function as an indicator for otitis media, could help to avoid the application of antibiotics. It is possible to detect a congeries of fluids with the otoscope but the ambition is to the early detection by OCT. The developed scanner head allows imaging in working distances in the range from zero up to 5 mm with a field of view of 2 mm. In the next step, the scanner head should be improved to increase the working distance and the field of view.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOptical Coherence Tomography and Coherence Techniques V
Publication statusPublished - 2011
Peer-reviewedYes

Publication series

SeriesProgress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
Volume8091
ISSN1605-7422

Conference

TitleOptical Coherence Tomography and Coherence Techniques V
Duration24 - 26 May 2011
CityMunich
CountryGermany

External IDs

Scopus 79960823820
ORCID /0000-0002-3061-0171/work/142241306
ORCID /0000-0003-0554-2178/work/142249853
ORCID /0000-0003-2292-5533/work/142256592

Keywords

Keywords

  • Endoscopic optical coherence tomography, otitis media, tympanic membrane