title: Real-time imaging of in-vitro human middle ear using high frequency ultrasound.
abstract: Imaging techniques currently used in the clinic to inspect ears in patients are generally limited to views terminating at the tympanic membrane (TM) surface. For imaging past the TM, methods such as computed tomography are typically used, but in addition to disadvantages such as being costly, time consuming, and causing radiation exposure, these often do not provide sufficient resolution of the middle ear structures of interest. This study presents an investigation into the capability of high frequency ultrasound to image the middle ear with high resolution in real-time, as well as measure vibrations of TM and middle ear structures in response to sound stimuli. In unfixed cadaver ears, the TM, ossicles, and ossicular support tissues were all readily identifiable, with capabilities demonstrated for real-time imaging and video capture, and vibrometry of middle ear structures. Based on these results, we conclude that high frequency ultrasonography is a relatively simple and minimally invasive technology with great potential to provide clinicians with new tools for diagnosing and monitoring middle ear pathologies.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology, Capital District Health Authority, 3184 Dickson Building, QEII Health Sciences Centre, 5820 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, Dentistry Building, Dalhousie University, 5981 University Avenue, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada. Electronic address: tglandry@dal.ca.
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Landry
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology, Capital District Health Authority, 3184 Dickson Building, QEII Health Sciences Centre, 5820 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9, Canada; Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, VG Site, Room 8-845, Victoria Building, 1276 South Park Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9, Canada.
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Rainsbury
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology, Capital District Health Authority, 3184 Dickson Building, QEII Health Sciences Centre, 5820 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, Dentistry Building, Dalhousie University, 5981 University Avenue, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, VG Site, Room 8-845, Victoria Building, 1276 South Park Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9, Canada.
authors.forename: Robert B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Adamson
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology, Capital District Health Authority, 3184 Dickson Building, QEII Health Sciences Centre, 5820 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, Dentistry Building, Dalhousie University, 5981 University Avenue, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, VG Site, Room 8-845, Victoria Building, 1276 South Park Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9, Canada.
authors.forename: Manohar L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bance
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology, Capital District Health Authority, 3184 Dickson Building, QEII Health Sciences Centre, 5820 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, Dentistry Building, Dalhousie University, 5981 University Avenue, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, VG Site, Room 8-845, Victoria Building, 1276 South Park Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9, Canada.
authors.forename: Jeremy A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D002102:Cadaver; D003199:Computer Systems; D004429:Ear Ossicles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014732:Vibration