title: Optical coherence tomography system requirements for clinical diagnostic middle ear imaging.
abstract: Noninvasive middle ear imaging using optical coherence tomography (OCT) presents some unique challenges for real-time, clinical use in humans. We present results from a two-dimensional/three-dimensional OCT system built to assess the imaging requirements of clinical middle ear imaging, and the technical challenges associated with them. These include the need to work at a low numerical aperture, the deleterious effects of transtympanic imaging on image quality at the ossicles, sensitivity requirements for clinical fidelity of images at real-time rates, and the high dynamic-range requirements of the ear. We validated the system by imaging cadaveric specimens with simulated disorders to show the clinical applicability of the images. We also provide additional insight into the likely role of OCT in clinical otology.
authors.affiliation: Dalhousie University, Faculties of Engineering and Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Dentistry Building, 5981 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: MacDougall
authors.affiliation: Dalhousie University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Victoria Building, 1276 South Park Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9, Canada.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rainsbury
authors.affiliation: Dalhousie University, Faculties of Engineering and Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Dentistry Building, 5981 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada.
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Dalhousie University, Faculties of Engineering and Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Dentistry Building, 5981 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, CanadabDalhousie University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Victoria Buil.
authors.forename: Manohar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bance
authors.affiliation: Dalhousie University, Faculties of Engineering and Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Dentistry Building, 5981 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Adamson
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000166:cytology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods