3D Otoscope: toward an extra diagnostic dimension for middle-ear related issues

We present an industrially manufacturable digital otoscope designed to measure the three-dimensional shape of the tympanic membrane while being compatible with standard examination procedures. The system employs optical profilometry and overcomes the limitations of previous work by integrating single-shot surface reconstruction strategies-from classical Fourier profilometry to modern deep learning methods-thereby eliminating the need for multi-pattern projection and, in the latter case, even phase unwrapping. A full-field three-dimensional surface map enables the assessment of the tympanic membrane's conical shape and mobility - both early indicators of pathologies such as local spots of high or low compliance, inflammation, or Eustachian tube dysfunction. This approach enables a drastically simplified hardware setup. As a result, the technology could in the future even be integrated into existing diagnostic instruments. This paper describes the optical and design considerations that guided the development of the prototype. Integration of the optical engine and simplified projection unit into a demonstrator device marks a crucial step toward dynamic deformation and volumetric displacement measurements of the tympanic membrane in clinical practice.