Abstract: A detector for characterizing at least one of a middle ear fluid and a middle ear biofilm includes a handheld probe outputting near-infrared and visible light, an OCT system to obtain A-scans at a plurality of positions on a tympanic membrane, and a camera to obtain surface sub-images at the plurality of positions. A-scans and surface sub-images are synchronized and the surface sub-images are mosaicked to generate a surface image of the tympanic membrane. Cross-sectional scan images or a thickness map are generated from the synchronized A-scans and segmented to extract a plurality of specified features. The specified features are then classified to characterize at least one of the middle ear fluid and the middle ear biofilm. The detector, including handheld probe with camera, OCT system, and a laptop computer, is sized to fit into a handheld, portable, compact, foam-padded briefcase weighing less than 10 kg.

Abstract: A detector for characterizing at least one of a middle ear fluid and a middle ear biofilm includes a handheld probe outputting near-infrared and visible light, an OCT system to obtain A-scans at a plurality of positions on a tympanic membrane, and a camera to obtain surface sub-images at the plurality of positions. A-scans and surface sub-images are synchronized and the surface sub-images are mosaicked to generate a surface image of the tympanic membrane. Cross-sectional scan images or a thickness map are generated from the synchronized A-scans and segmented to extract a plurality of specified features. The specified features are then classified to characterize at least one of the middle ear fluid and the middle ear biofilm. The detector, including handheld probe with camera, OCT system, and a laptop computer, is sized to fit into a handheld, portable, compact, foam-padded briefcase weighing less than 10 kg.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for combining a low coherence interferometry (LCI) technique for single-point thickness measurement with videootoscopy for recording the image of a tissue such as the tympanic membrane (TM). TM thickness distribution maps are obtained by mapping the LCI imaging sites onto an anatomically accurate wide-field image of the TM, generated by mosaicking a sequence of multiple small field-of-view video-otoscopy images.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ascertaining a relative viscosity characterizing a fluid sample. The fluid sample is illuminated through a scattering membrane adjacent to the fluid with broadband radiation. Scattering from particles within the fluid sample characterized by a distribution of characteristic dimensions spanning at least two orders of magnitude is detected, generating a detector signal as a function of depth relative to a specified surface of the scattering membrane at a plurality of temporal delays. A cross-correlation function of at least one of amplitude, phase and intensity of a scattered optical field is derived for a plurality of depths relative to the specified surface. A mean cross-correlation function is then derived for each depth and fit to obtain a diffusion coefficient, from which a relative viscosity characterizing the fluid is derived.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ascertaining a relative viscosity characterizing a fluid sample. The fluid sample is illuminated through a scattering membrane adjacent to the fluid with broadband radiation. Scattering from particles within the fluid sample characterized by a distribution of characteristic dimensions spanning at least two orders of magnitude is detected, generating a detector signal as a function of depth relative to a specified surface of the scattering membrane at a plurality of temporal delays. A cross-correlation function of at least one of amplitude, phase and intensity of a scattered optical field is derived for a plurality of depths relative to the specified surface. A mean cross-correlation function is then derived for each depth and fit to obtain a diffusion coefficient, from which a relative viscosity characterizing the fluid is derived.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for combining a low coherence interferometry (LCI) technique for single-point thickness measurement with videootoscopy for recording the image of a tissue such as the tympanic membrane (TM). TM thickness distribution maps are obtained by mapping the LCI imaging sites onto an anatomically accurate wide-field image of the TM, generated by mosaicking a sequence of multiple small field-of-view video-otoscopy images.