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In-vivo sensing of the vibrations and thickness of the human tympanum with real-time profilometry using low-cost line-field spectral domain optical coherence tomography

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Abstract

In middle ear ailments, the thickness of tympanic membrane (TM) could change due to biofilm depositions. It is useful to measure the vibrations of the TM as well as its thickness and curvature. In the presence of unavoidable human motion, this becomes challenging and requires the use of expensive devices. We demonstrate a low-cost method for measuring these in real-time using a custom-built line-field spectral-domain optical coherence tomography device. Linearity of the amplitude response of the TM as well as its frequency response over the 1–2.5 kHz region is demonstrated. While an in-vivo sensitivity of 2 nm is achieved for the TM, a sensitivity of 200 pm is demonstrated on a membrane phantom. Our device enables a depth range of 6.2 mm using a line-field B-scan that covers a lateral extent of 3 mm with a lateral and depth resolution of 18 µm each.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the founder chancellor of their university, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, for the constant source of inspiration and all the research facilities provided.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam, Sri Sathya Sai District, Andhra Pradesh, 515134, India

    Denny Melkay M George, Hari Nandakumar, V Koushik, Sai Prashanth Josyula, Prajal Chettri & Shailesh Srivastava

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  1. Denny Melkay M George
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  2. Hari Nandakumar
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Correspondence to Denny Melkay M George.

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George, D.M.M., Nandakumar, H., Koushik, V. et al. In-vivo sensing of the vibrations and thickness of the human tympanum with real-time profilometry using low-cost line-field spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Sādhanā 49, 122 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-024-02473-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-024-02473-4

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