Non-invasive assessment of bacterial biofilm in the middle ear using low-coherence interferometry/optical coherence tomography and acoustic measurements

Otitis media (OM) is a middle ear infection caused by bacterial growth between the tympanic membrane (TM) and the inner ear. Children with chronic OM, including OM with effusion and recurrent OM, often have conductive hearing loss and communication difficulties, and need surgical treatment. Recent clinical studies have shown strong evidence that there is a one-to-one correspondence between chronic OM and the presence of a bacterial biofilm behind the TM. This thesis proposes an approach to investigate bacterial biofilm in the middle ear using two methods, low coherence interferometry (LCI)/optical coherent tomography (OCT) and acoustic measurements. Portable systems were constructed by integrating LCI/OCT techniques with a standard video otoscope to provide depth-resolved optical scattering properties of the middle ear. An automatic algorithm was written to classify the LCI/OCT data to detect the presence of biofilm behind the TM and therefore distinguish the chronic infection. The acoustic measurement provides multi-frequency reflectance and impedance characteristics of the middle ear. These acoustic measurements are then represented by pole-zero plots, which are then analyzed to determine physical acoustic characteristics and to synthesize models of the middle ear.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical & Computer Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Nguyen, Cac

Contributors dc:contributor

• Boppart, Stephen A.
• Blahut, Richard E.
• Allen, Jont B.
• Novak, Michael A.

• Middle ear infection
• Bacterial biofilm
• Low coherence interferometry
• Optical coherence tomography

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2012 Cac Nguyen

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/34215

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/34215