Advances in the development of the interferometric otoscope

Present measurement techniques for middle ear function have inherent limitations because they are either spatially insensitive (acoustic immittance) or descriptive and qualitative in nature (otoscopy). By integrating advances in electrooptic technology (fiber optics, miniature diode lasers, solid-state detector arrays) and digital processing, further advances are possible. On the basis of measurements taken with electronic speckle-pattern interferometry on human temporal bones and models, we demonstrate quantitative static and dynamic vibration/displacement characteristics of the tympanic membrane with high spatial resolution. Our presentation emphasizes advantages of optically based methods and demonstrates computerized signal processing capable of fringe localization, enhancement, and counting. Miniaturization and real-time digital image processing in the clinical setting is the goal of this research.