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Noninvasive optical diagnosis of bacteria causing otitis media
Author(s) -
Werkhaven J. A.,
Reinisch L.,
Sorrell M.,
Tribble J.,
Ossoff R. H.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-199403000-00004
Subject(s) - otitis , fluorescence , bacteria , biomedical engineering , medicine , optics , materials science , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , surgery , physics , genetics
Currently, the identification of the bacteria responsible for acute otitis media requires a painful invasive procedure: tympanocentesis. To develop a rapid and noninvasive technique for bacterial diagnosis, the fluorescence profiles of four common pathogens and the optical characteristics of the tympanic membrane have been investigated. Each bacterium produces a unique in vitro fluorescence profile when measured in a saline suspension. Also, spectrally resolved transmission measurements from the chinchilla tympanic membrane demonstrate an optical window that will transmit sufficient light for in vivo measurement of the fluorescence profiles. Thus, we have established the precept for a fluorescence‐based bacterial diagnosis technique to be used in otitis media. This paper presents the theory, optical data, and a discussion of the device engineering involved in the technique.