Methods and devices for membrane characterization with ultrasound and optical illumination
Inventors
Moehring, Mark A. • KREINDLER, Daniel • Corredor, Charlie • MacDonald, Chad Jason • Bahatt, Dar
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12156765-B2
Publication Date
2024-12-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device for measuring reflected ultrasound and optical signals may include: an optical source; an optical assembly comprising at least one lens, configured to focus reflected optical illumination from a target onto a detector; and an ultrasound transducer aligned to transmit and receive ultrasound radiation co-axially with the reflected optical illumination and wherein the ultrasound transducer at least partially obstructs a path of the reflected optical illumination. An obstruction may be distant from a focal spot of the optical assembly. The device for measuring reflected ultrasound and optical signals may be particularly useful for characterizing fluid behind an ear drum to diagnose otitis media.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to devices and methods for simultaneous ultrasound and optical reflected signal measurement for membrane characterization. An otoscope-based arrangement directs optical illumination toward a tympanic membrane so that reflected optical illumination is received by a detector, while a pneumatic excitation is transmitted to the tympanic membrane and an ultrasound transducer measures a response of the target to the pneumatic excitation.
A key structural concept is a space-efficient, coaxial arrangement in which the ultrasound transducer is centered relative to a distal end of the housing and is disposed between a distal end and a proximal end of the housing. A transducer mount assembly includes apertures configured to allow transmission of pneumatic excitation around the ultrasound transducer and an optically transparent region configured to allow transmission of the reflected optical illumination in an annular region around the ultrasound transducer.
In an otoscope implementation, optics including lens assemblies and relay optics are arranged to deliver and collect reflected optical illumination, while ultrasound and pneumatic excitation are delivered through the otoscope with pathways that remain pneumatically open. The arrangement supports determining a state or condition of a subject based on the reflected optical illumination and/or the measured response of the target.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims with a combined set of inventive features: a speculum configuration that enables pneumatic excitation transmission, reflected optical illumination reception, and ultrasound-based response measurement in a single lumen using a transducer mount assembly with apertures and an optically transparent annular region; and an otoscope method that directs optical illumination and pneumatic excitation, transmits annular reflected optical illumination around an ultrasound transducer, measures a response with the ultrasound transducer, and determines a subject state or condition from one or more of the optical or measured response signals.
Pneumatic excitation and reflected optical illumination in a lumen with an ultrasound transducer
A housing configured to be coupled to a handle, wherein the housing comprises a lumen, wherein the lumen is configured to receive reflected optical illumination from the tympanic membrane and to transmit a pneumatic excitation to the tympanic membrane, and an ultrasound transducer mounted within the lumen and centered relative to a distal end of the housing and disposed between a distal end and a proximal end of the housing.
Transducer mount assembly with pneumatic apertures and optically transparent annular region
A transducer mount assembly upon which the ultrasound transducer is mounted, wherein the transducer mount assembly comprises one or more apertures configured to allow transmission of a pneumatic excitation around the ultrasound transducer and an optically transparent region configured to allow transmission of the reflected optical illumination in an annular region around the ultrasound transducer, and wherein the reflected optical illumination is directed toward a detector configured to receive the reflected optical illumination.
Optoscope method directing optical illumination and pneumatic excitation to a target
Directing an optical illumination toward a target via the otoscope, wherein the optical illumination is reflected off the target as a reflected optical illumination, and directing a pneumatic excitation toward the target via the otoscope, wherein the pneumatic excitation is directed by transmission through one or more apertures of a transducer mount assembly upon which an ultrasound transducer is mounted.
Annular optical transmission around ultrasound transducer and ultrasound response measurement
Transmitting the reflected optical illumination in an annular region around the ultrasound transducer through an optically transparent region of the transducer mount assembly, receiving the reflected optical illumination from the target at a detector, and measuring a response of the target to the pneumatic excitation with the ultrasound transducer.
Determining subject state or condition from optical and/or measured response
Determining a state or condition of a subject based on one or more of the reflected optical illumination or the measured response.
Overall, the claims cover an otoscopic/speculum configuration that combines pneumatic excitation delivery and reflected optical illumination reception in a lumen with an ultrasound transducer positioned within that lumen, while using a transducer mount assembly that provides pneumatic excitation apertures and an optically transparent region for annular optical transmission around the ultrasound transducer. The method claims then use that arrangement to direct optical illumination and pneumatic excitation toward a target, transmit annular reflected optical illumination to a detector, measure a pneumatic-response with the ultrasound transducer, and determine a subject state or condition from the optical and/or ultrasound-derived response.
Stated Advantages
Enables determining a state or condition of a subject based on one or more of reflected optical illumination or a measured response.
Documented Applications
Otoscope use for measuring and characterizing a tympanic membrane response to pneumatic excitation using simultaneous reflected optical illumination and ultrasound measurement.
Diagnosing or assessing conditions involving middle ear effusion (MEE) and acute otitis media (AOM) by characterizing a tympanic membrane with fluid behind the ear drum.
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