Optical measuring system for diagnosing ear conditions
First Claim
1. A system for use in detecting and diagnosing ear related conditions, the system comprising:
- (a) a device capable of obtaining a spectrum of reflected light from an ear of a subject; and
(b) a processing unit in connection with said device which is capable of translating the obtained spectrum of reflected light to one or more output values related to the condition of the ear, the processing unit comprising a spectral analytical instrument in the form of a spectrometer, which receives said spectrum of reflected light and produces an analog signal indicative thereof, the processing unit being preprogrammed with certain models capable of analyzing the analog signal and converting it to at least one digital value presenting a spectrum vector indicative of a determined state of the ear, processing the spectrum vector by comparing to at least one predetermined reference value, and applying a classification model to the processed spectrum vector to thereby classify the determined state of the ear and generate output data indicative of one of the following ear conditions;
normal condition, serous otitis media condition, and otitis media condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for detecting and diagnosing ear related conditions. The system includes a device capable of obtaining a spectrum of reflected light from an ear of a subject and a processing unit in connection with the device, which is capable of translating the obtained spectrum of reflected light to one or more output values related to the condition of the ear. The invention further provides a method for detecting and diagnosing ear related conditions including the steps of illuminating inside the ear; inserting a device to the ear canal capable of conveying at least one spectrum of reflected light from the ear to a processing unit; and activating the processing unit thereby translating at least one spectrum of reflected light provided at the time of activating to one or more output values related to the condition of the ear.
36 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system for use in detecting and diagnosing ear related conditions, the system comprising:
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(a) a device capable of obtaining a spectrum of reflected light from an ear of a subject; and (b) a processing unit in connection with said device which is capable of translating the obtained spectrum of reflected light to one or more output values related to the condition of the ear, the processing unit comprising a spectral analytical instrument in the form of a spectrometer, which receives said spectrum of reflected light and produces an analog signal indicative thereof, the processing unit being preprogrammed with certain models capable of analyzing the analog signal and converting it to at least one digital value presenting a spectrum vector indicative of a determined state of the ear, processing the spectrum vector by comparing to at least one predetermined reference value, and applying a classification model to the processed spectrum vector to thereby classify the determined state of the ear and generate output data indicative of one of the following ear conditions;
normal condition, serous otitis media condition, and otitis media condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A system for use in detecting and diagnosing ear related conditions, the system comprising:
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(a) a device capable of obtaining a spectrum of reflected light from an ear of a subject; and (b) a processing unit in connection with said device which is capable of translating the obtained spectrum of reflected light to one or more output values related to the condition of the ear, the processing unit comprises a spectral analytical instrument in the form of a spectrometer for receiving said spectrum and producing an analog signal indicative thereof, the processing unit being preprogrammed with certain models capable of analyzing the analog signal and converting it to at least one digital value presenting a spectrum vector indicative of a determined state of the ear, processing the spectrum vector by comparing it to at least one predetermined reference value, and applying a classification model to the processed spectrum vector thereby classify the determined state of the ear and generate output data indicative of one of the following ear related conditions;
normal condition, serous otitis media condition, and otitis media condition, wherein said at least one digital value includes at least one digital value of a reflectance at wavelength of approximately 650–
700 nm, the processing unit being configured and operable for further comparing said value to a statistical reflectance at wavelength of approximately 650–
700 nm of a healthy ear thereby determining the redness degree of the tympanic membrane of said ear.
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26. A system for use in detecting and diagnosing ear related conditions, the system comprising:
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(a) a device capable of obtaining a spectrum of reflected light from an ear of a subject; and (b) a processing unit in connection with said device which is capable of translating the obtained spectrum of reflected light to one or more output values related to the condition of the ear, the processing unit comprises a spectral analytical instrument in the form of a spectrometer for receiving said spectrum and producing an analog signal indicative thereof, the processing unit being preprogrammed with certain models capable of analyzing the analog signal and converting it to at least one digital value presenting a spectrum vector indicative of a determined state of the ear, processing the spectrum vector by comparing it to at least one predetermined reference value, and applying a classification model to the processed spectrum vector to thereby classify the determined state of the ear and generate output data indicative of one of the following ear related conditions;
normal condition, serous otitis media condition, and otitis media condition, wherein said at least one digital value includes a digital value of a reflectance of wavelength of approximately 962 nm, the processing unit being configured and operable for further comparing said value to a statistical reflectance at wavelength of approximately 962 nm of a healthy ear thereby determining the effusion degree in the middle ear.
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Specification