Ultrasound tympanoscope
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for analyzing motion of the tympanic membrane, comprising:
- applying ultrasound to a moving tympanic membrane; and
analyzing echo signals resulting from the ultrasound to obtain information regarding the motion of the tympanic membrane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for examining a patient for an ear disorder. Reflectance ultrasound is applied to a portion of the ear to determine the presence of ear effusion in a middle ear. If ear effusion is present, motion of the tympanic membrane is induced and ultrasound is further applied to the moving tympanic membrane. Echo signals resulting from the ultrasound applied to the moving tympanic membrane are analyzed to obtain information regarding the motion of the tympanic membrane and is used to characterize the ear effusion.
24 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method for analyzing motion of the tympanic membrane, comprising:
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applying ultrasound to a moving tympanic membrane; and
analyzing echo signals resulting from the ultrasound to obtain information regarding the motion of the tympanic membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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5. The method of claim 5 wherein the liquid coupling medium comprises saline.
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10. A method for examining an ear of a patient, comprising:
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applying ultrasound to a portion of the ear;
detecting the presence of a substance in the middle ear from reflected ultrasound;
if a substance is detected, analyzing motion response of a tympanic membrane; and
categorizing the substance based on the motion response analysis. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for examining a patient for an ear disorder, comprising:
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applying reflectance ultrasound to determine the presence of ear effusion in a middle ear; and
applying Doppler ultrasound to characterize the ear effusion if present. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An ultrasound system for examining an ear of a patient, comprising:
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an ultrasound probe operable to provide ultrasound to a portion of the ear and receive echo signals therefrom;
an ultrasound signal processing circuit operable to process the echo signals to detect the presence of a substance in the middle ear, and if a substance is detected, analyze motion response of a tympanic membrane in motion to characterize the detected substance. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An ultrasound probe for examining an ear of a patient, comprising:
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a housing configured to fit in an ear canal;
an aperture in the housing through which a liquid is introduced into the ear canal;
a valve through which the liquid is removed from the ear canal; and
a transducer positioned in the housing and operable to provide ultrasound to a portion of the ear. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification