Apparatus and method for characterization of acute otitis media
Inventors
Moehring, Mark A. • Gates, George A. • Kreindler, Daniel M. • Chesavage, Jay A. • Singh, Rahul
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12167934-B2
Publication Date
2024-12-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
An ultrasound signal processor uses an excitation generator to cause displacement of a tympanic membrane while a series of ultrasound pulses are applied to the tympanic membrane. Phase differences between a transmitted signal and received signal are examined to determine the movement of the tympanic membrane in response to the applied excitation. An examination of the phase response of the tympanic membrane provides a determination as to whether the fluid type behind the tympanic membrane is one of: no fluid, serum fluid, or purulent fluid.
Core Innovation
A device is provided for characterizing a surface by applying an excitation that includes a pressure modulation in air to cause displacement of the surface. An excitation generator produces the pressure modulation in air for application to the surface. A transducer transmits acoustic waves through the air towards the surface during a transmit interval and receives reflected acoustic waves from the surface during a receive interval.
The device includes a phase and amplitude detector configured to receive the phase and the amplitude of the reflected acoustic waves. The detector compares a phase of the transmitted acoustic waves to the phase of the reflected acoustic waves and generates a phase output. A response analyzer compares the phase output to the excitation.
Based on the comparison, the response analyzer determines one or more of a viscosity of a fluid adjacent to the surface or a mobility of the surface. In the described approach for tympanic membrane characterization in acute otitis media and middle ear effusion, an effusion metric is formed from analyzed phase and amplitude response to indicate fluid presence and fluid characterization behind the tympanic membrane, including no fluid, serous/watery fluid, or purulent fluid, and to support viscosity estimation for fluid characterization.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set includes 1 independent claim. The claim covers a device architecture that uses air pressure modulation excitation to cause surface displacement, acoustic transmit/receive intervals, and phase and amplitude detection to infer one or more properties via comparison of a generated phase output to the excitation.
Air pressure modulation excitation causing displacement
An excitation generator configured to produce an excitation comprising a pressure modulation in air for application to the surface to cause a displacement.
Acoustic transmit/receive through air with reflected waves
A transducer configured to transmit acoustic waves through the air and towards the surface during a transmit interval and to receive reflected acoustic waves from the surface during a receive interval.
Phase and amplitude comparison producing a phase output
A phase and amplitude detector configured to receive a phase and an amplitude of the reflected acoustic waves, compare a phase of the transmitted acoustic waves to the phase of the reflected acoustic waves, and generate a phase output.
Response analysis to determine adjacent fluid viscosity or surface mobility
A response analyzer configured to compare the phase output to the excitation and determine one or more of a viscosity of a fluid adjacent to the surface or a mobility of the surface based on the comparison.
Across the independent claim, the core coverage is the combination of air pressure modulation excitation, acoustic transmit/receive through air, phase and amplitude detection with transmitted-versus-reflected phase comparison, and response analysis to determine viscosity of an adjacent fluid and/or mobility of the surface.
Stated Advantages
Enables determination of one or more of viscosity of a fluid adjacent to the surface or mobility of the surface based on comparison of phase output to the excitation.
Documented Applications
Tympanic membrane characterization for acute otitis media and middle ear effusion by forming an effusion metric indicating fluid presence and fluid characterization behind the tympanic membrane, including no fluid, serous/watery fluid, or purulent fluid, and supporting viscosity estimation for effusion fluid characterization.
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