Bi modal approach using spectroscopy and digital imaging to assist otitis media diagnosis

Otitis Media is characterized by inflammation of the middle ear region associated with middle ear fluid. This condition typically follows an upper respiratory infection, is commonly misdiagnosed by physicians and can potentially lead to the inappropriate use of microbial agents [1]. This paper describes the design of a novel device that utilizes spectroscopy and digital imaging to provide physicians with a unique representation of the middle ear by enhancing the characteristics of an infection. Eleven subjects, each with an infection in at least one of their middle ear regions, were observed to have otitis media. The spectral readings were plotted for each subject and were classified according to fluid retention, viscosity, and vascularity between the wavelengths of 560 and 760 nm. In this subject population, eight of the 22 ears were identified to be noneffusion normals. Reflectance of keratin, cerumen, and bone, with well defined blood vessels and contrast, allowed for better observation and diagnosis of the middle ear [2].