Abstract: An improved indication of a condition of an ear of a subject, such as a human or other mammal, is provided by combining two or more measurements such as body temperature, detection of fluid in the ear (for example by acoustic reflectance), and/or a characteristic of any fluid in the ear. Results of any two of these measurements may be combined to provide improved diagnostic information. The combination of measured body temperature and a determined likelihood that fluid is present in the ear provides improved diagnostic information regarding the risk of an ear infection. In particular, if a subject has an elevated body temperature and the likelihood is high that fluid is present in the ear, an indication of a risk of ear infection may be provided by the device. The presence of fluid may be detected using acoustic reflectometry, tympanometry, pneumatic otoscopy, otoacoustic emissions or other mechanism.

Abstract: A device provides an indication of a condition of an ear by combining measurements of temperature in the ear, acoustic reflectance of the ear, and/or a characteristic of any fluid in the ear. Any two of these measurements may be combined in the same device to provide improved diagnostic information. For example, chemical sensing of fluid may be combined with acoustic reflectometry or temperature sensing, or both, to provide improved diagnosis of ear pathologies. Acoustic reflectometry also may be combined with temperature sensing. Chemical sensing determines a characteristic of the fluid, such as whether a bacterium or a virus is present. The device may provide diagnostic information from sensed characteristics of the fluid, measured acoustic reflectance and/or measured temperature to indicate the risk of an ear infection. For example, the device may determine if any fluid present is infected. The device also may identify bacteria in the fluid.

Abstract: A radiation thermometer and acoustic reflectometer are combined in the same device. The combined instrumentation can be used to improve alignment between a device and the tympanic membrane, thus improving the accuracy of measurements. In addition, the device can provide diagnostic information based on both the measured temperature and the determined likelihood that fluid is present in the middle of the ear, to indicate the risk of an ear infection. The medical instrument analyzes an ear of a subject, using an acoustic reflectometer and a radiation thermometer. The acoustic reflectometer includes an acoustic transducer for generating acoustic waves at a plurality of frequencies and a microphone for receiving an acoustic signal corresponding to acoustic signals reflected from the ear to provide an output signal. The radiation sensor detects thermal radiation from the ear and provides a signal indicative thereof.

Abstract: A device and a process for analysis of acoustic reflectance directs acoustic energy for a range of frequencies including resonance frequencies of the object being analyzed. The device detects waves reflected by the object to produce what is called an acoustic reflectance curve. The electronic signal applied to an acoustic transducer at each frequency is gradually increased in amplitude to a desired amplitude. After applying the signal for a period of time at the desired amplitude, the amplitude is gradually decreased. This technique reduces noise that would otherwise occur if a signal of the desired amplitude was applied directly. The signal applied to the acoustic transducer also may be scaled according to a measured response of the device to open air, i.e., without any expected reflectance. Normalizing the signal applied to the acoustic transducer rather than the signal received from a microphone increases the dynamic range of the device.

Abstract: A device and a process for analysis of an ear directs into the ear acoustic waves Measurements may be made without pressurizing the ear canal and contact between the device and the ear does not need to be air-tight. The patient experiences essentially no discomfort from use of the device. The device detects the reflected waves to produce what is called an acoustic reflectance curve. The shape of a region of the acoustic reflectance curve is electronically measured in order to obtain an indicator of ear condition which is substantially independent of a line of sight between a sound source and the ear. This indicator may be based on a measurement of the resonance characteristic, or freedom of motion, of the tympanic membrane or other ear component being analyzed. One such measurement is the rate of change of the acoustic reflectance with respect to frequency.

Abstract: A device and a process for analysis of acoustic reflectance of components of an ear directs into the ear canal acoustic waves covering a range of frequencies including resonance frequencies of ear components such as the tympanic membrane. Measurements are made without pressurizing the ear canal and contact between the device and the ear does not need to be air-tight. Accordingly, the patient experiences essentially no discomfort from use of the device. The device detects and combines the incident and reflected waves to produce what is called an acoustic reflectance curve. The shape of a region of the acoustic reflectance curve is electronically measured in order to obtain an indicator of ear condition which is substantially independent of a line of sight between a sound source and the tympanic membrane. This indicator is based on a measurement of the resonance characteristic, or freedom of motion, of the tympanic membrane or other ear component being analyzed.