WO2000064328A1 - Ear-reflectometer - Google Patents

Ear-reflectometer Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000064328A1
WO2000064328A1 PCT/EP2000/003207 EP0003207W WO0064328A1 WO 2000064328 A1 WO2000064328 A1 WO 2000064328A1 EP 0003207 W EP0003207 W EP 0003207W WO 0064328 A1 WO0064328 A1 WO 0064328A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ear
reflectometer
light guide
measuring tip
light
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PCT/EP2000/003207
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Bernhard Kraus
Alexander KLÖS
Elke Kahler
Horst Mannebach
Original Assignee
Braun Gmbh
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Publication date
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Publication of WO2000064328A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000064328A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/227—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for ears, i.e. otoscopes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/12—Audiometering
    • A61B5/121—Audiometering evaluating hearing capacity
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
    • A61B5/6801—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
    • A61B5/6813—Specially adapted to be attached to a specific body part
    • A61B5/6814—Head
    • A61B5/6815—Ear
    • A61B5/6817—Ear canal

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an ear reflectometer with an observation device.
  • a conventional ear reflectometer measures the condition of the middle ear by emitting sound waves with different frequencies and registering the sound waves reflected on the eardrum. It usually has a measuring tip in which a sound source and a microphone are arranged in such a way that when the reflectometer is used, sound waves are emitted by the sound source through an end of the measuring tip on the auditory canal side in the direction of the eardrum and receive reflected sound waves from there through the microphone can be. In this way, the impedance of the eardrum can be measured.
  • the impedance of the middle ear changes with the amount of fluid that has accumulated in the middle ear.
  • the measurement result is noticeably determined by the respective geometry of an ear canal.
  • Bends can prevent the direct propagation of sound towards the eardrum, the impedance of which is to be determined.
  • Subjectively correct seating of the measuring tip in the ear is no guarantee of correct alignment of the loudspeaker and the microphone with the eardrum.
  • partial coverage of the field of view of the loudspeaker and the microphone leads to a strong directional dependence of the measured or reflected sound waves and thus to gross incorrect measurements with poor reproducibility.
  • a device for ear examination in which a sound source and a light source are arranged in a measuring tip.
  • the eardrum vibrates by emitting sound waves. Visible light emitted by the light source into the ear canal is reflected by the vibrating eardrum.
  • the reflected light is fed via a beam splitter to a photodetector and an eyepiece, so that the ear canal can be viewed and the measuring tip can be aligned in the direction of the eardrum.
  • US Pat. No. 5,239,984 describes an additional device for an otoscope, by means of which the image information supplied by the otoscope is supplied on the one hand to the eyepiece of the additional device and on the other hand through a beam splitter to a video camera. This makes it possible the attending physician to have the image information available in a practical way on a viewing device, which facilitates the alignment of the measuring tip in the ear canal.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide an ear reflectometer in which the correct alignment of the measuring tip in the ear canal can be checked.
  • an ear reflectometer according to the invention is provided with an observation device which preferably has an optical fiber.
  • a particularly advantageous light guide for an ear reflectometer according to the invention is a glass fiber bundle which extends from the front end of the measuring tip to an eyepiece or an image recording device and through which the ear canal can be viewed.
  • a lens is arranged at the front end of the measuring tip, to which the light guide is coupled at one end. The other end of the light guide is connected to the eyepiece and / or the image recording device.
  • An ear reflectometer according to the invention preferably also contains a light source for illuminating the ear canal, which is advantageously arranged in the measuring tip, so that light can enter the ear canal through an opening provided at the front end of the measuring tip.
  • the light guide has a coupling point at which light emitted by the light source can be coupled into the light guide.
  • the light guide then transmits the light to its front end and emits it into the ear canal.
  • the image information available on the eyepiece can advantageously be fed to a screen via a video camera by using a beam splitter or the like. The invention thus enables images of the inner ear canal and the eardrum during the treatment.
  • FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an ear reflectometer according to the invention, in which the light source is connected to the light guide via a branch;
  • Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of an ear reflectometer according to the invention, in which the light source is arranged independently of the light guide in the measuring tip.
  • the ear reflectometer 10 has a measuring tip 1 with a sound outlet opening at its front end which, as shown in use, is inserted into the auditory canal 20 in order to determine the sound impedance of the eardrum 30.
  • a sound source 2 for example a loudspeaker, and a microphone 3 in miniature size are installed in the reflectometer 10 in a manner known per se, by means of which the impedance of the eardrum can be measured over a specific sound frequency range.
  • the auditory canal is illuminated by visible light from a light source 4, which is coupled into a light guide 5 via a branch.
  • the light guide 5 on the auditory canal side At the end of the light guide 5 on the auditory canal side, it is coupled to a lens 6.
  • the light cone 7 emerging through the lens 6 illuminates the auditory canal 20. A large part of the light reflected back from there arrives again through the lens 6 and is focused by the latter onto the light guide 5.
  • the light guide 5 is coupled at its end opposite the end on the auditory canal side to an eyepiece 8 through which the auditory canal and the alignment of the measuring tip 1 in the auditory canal can be viewed. However, it can also be provided, as indicated by an arrow, to feed the image information present on the eyepiece 8 to a viewing device 9, for example a screen, via a video camera.
  • the light source 4 is arranged separately in the measuring tip 1.
  • the inner walls of the measuring tip 1 are designed to be reflective.
  • the light source 4 can also be inserted in a suitable manner outside the measuring tip 1 together with the measuring tip 1 into the auditory canal. The latter is more complex to use, since the light source 4 must always be adjusted. However, this offers more possibilities in the positioning of the light source 4 and the preferred illumination of certain parts of the auditory canal.
  • the radiation from the light source 4 does not necessarily have to be in the visible spectral range.
  • an infrared-emitting light source can also be used, for example. If necessary or desirable, it is also possible to arrange a plurality of light sources whose emitted light radiation according to the first exemplary embodiment can be coupled into the light guide through a plurality of branches.
  • the light guide which can consist of a flexible or rigid glass fiber bundle, thus forms an endoscope according to the present invention, at one end of which the lens 6 is located and at the other end of which the eyepiece 8 is coupled.
  • the endoscope With a correspondingly large opening angle of the lens 6 and optimal illumination of the ear canal, the endoscope enables a direct view into the ear canal.
  • the lens 6 is preferably not significantly larger than the diameter of the light guide, so that there is still enough space for the sound outlet opening at the front end of the measuring tip.
  • the ear reflectometer In the ear reflectometer according to the invention, video recordings of the ear canal and the eardrum can be made, which can also be saved for possible later evaluations. This enables a direct examination of the ear canal and its morphology. Questions about the curvature of the ear canal and the amount of ear wax can be clarified. It can be investigated to what extent these factors influence an impedance measurement or how an impedance measurement can be improved. At the same time as measuring the impedance of the eardrum, an additional examination method is provided by looking directly into the ear canal. This makes it easier to diagnose pathological changes (e.g. fluid accumulation in the middle ear). The treating person also has the opportunity to show the patient pictures of his own ear canal and eardrum. B. Explain and present diagnosis and therapy in a more understandable way. With the arrangement according to the invention, it is also possible to detect a gross incorrect measurement, such as occurs, for example, when the measuring tip is placed directly on tissue.

Abstract

The invention relates to an ear-reflectometer, having a measuring tip which can be inserted into an auditory canal and a device for observing said auditory canal.

Description

Ohr-ReflektometerEar reflectometer
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Ohr-Reflektometer mit Beobachtungseinrichtung.The invention relates to an ear reflectometer with an observation device.
Ein konventionelles Ohr-Reflektometer mißt den Zustand des Mittelohrs durch Aussendung von Schallwellen mit verschiedenen Frequenzen und Registrierung der am Trommelfell reflektierten Schallwellen. Es weist üblicherweise eine Meßspitze auf, in der eine Schallquelle und ein Mikrophon derart angeordnet sind, daß im Gebrauch des Reflektometers von der Schallquelle Schallwellen durch ein gehörgangsseitiges Ende der Meßspitze in Richtung auf das Trommelfell des Ohrs ausgesandt und von dort reflektierte Schallwellen durch das Mikrophon empfangen werden können. Hierdurch kann die Impedanz des Trommelfells gemessen werden. Die Impedanz des Mittelohres ändert sich mit der Menge der Flüssigkeit, die sich im Mittelohr angesammelt hat. Bei der Anwendung eines konventionellen Ohr-Reflektometers wird das Meßergebnis merklich durch die jeweilige Geometrie eines Gehörgangs bestimmt. Biegungen können die direkte Schallausbreitung in Richtung auf das Trommelfell, dessen Impedanz bestimmt werden soll, verhindern. Dabei ist ein subjektiv korrekter Sitz der Meßspitze im Ohr keine Garantie für eine korrekte Ausrichtung des Lautsprechers sowie des Mikrophons auf das Trommelfell. Im ungünstigsten Fall führt eine teilweise Abdeckung des Blickfelds des Lautsprechers und des Mikrophons durch beispielsweise eine Hautfalte zu einer starken Richtungsabhängigkeit der gemessenen bzw. reflektierten Schallwellen und damit zu groben Fehlmessungen mit schlechter Reproduzierbarkeit.A conventional ear reflectometer measures the condition of the middle ear by emitting sound waves with different frequencies and registering the sound waves reflected on the eardrum. It usually has a measuring tip in which a sound source and a microphone are arranged in such a way that when the reflectometer is used, sound waves are emitted by the sound source through an end of the measuring tip on the auditory canal side in the direction of the eardrum and receive reflected sound waves from there through the microphone can be. In this way, the impedance of the eardrum can be measured. The impedance of the middle ear changes with the amount of fluid that has accumulated in the middle ear. When using a conventional ear reflectometer, the measurement result is noticeably determined by the respective geometry of an ear canal. Bends can prevent the direct propagation of sound towards the eardrum, the impedance of which is to be determined. Subjectively correct seating of the measuring tip in the ear is no guarantee of correct alignment of the loudspeaker and the microphone with the eardrum. In the worst case, partial coverage of the field of view of the loudspeaker and the microphone, for example by a skin fold, leads to a strong directional dependence of the measured or reflected sound waves and thus to gross incorrect measurements with poor reproducibility.
Aus der US-A-4,434,800 ist ein Gerät zur Ohr-Untersuchung bekannt, bei dem in einer Meßspitze eine Schallquelle und eine Lichtquelle angeordnet sind. Durch Aussenden von Schallwellen wird das Trommelfell in Schwingungen versetzt. Von der Lichtquelle in den Gehörgang ausgesendetes sichtbares Licht wird durch das schwingende Trommelfell reflektiert. Das reflektierte Licht wird über einen Strahlteiler einem Photodetektor und einem Okular zugeführt, sodaß der Gehörgang betrachtet und die Meßspitze in Richtung auf das Trommelfell ausgerichtet werden kann.From US-A-4,434,800 a device for ear examination is known in which a sound source and a light source are arranged in a measuring tip. The eardrum vibrates by emitting sound waves. Visible light emitted by the light source into the ear canal is reflected by the vibrating eardrum. The reflected light is fed via a beam splitter to a photodetector and an eyepiece, so that the ear canal can be viewed and the measuring tip can be aligned in the direction of the eardrum.
In der US-A-5,239,984 wird eine Zusatzeinrichtung für ein Otoskop beschrieben, durch die die vom Otoskop gelieferte Bildinformation einerseits dem Okular der Zusatzeinrichtung und andererseits durch einen Strahlteiler einer Videokamera zugeführt wird. Dies ermöglicht es dem behandelnden Arzt, die Bildinformation in praktischer Weise auf einem Sichtgerät zur Verfügung zu haben, wodurch die Ausrichtung der Meßspitze im Ohrkanal erleichtert wird.US Pat. No. 5,239,984 describes an additional device for an otoscope, by means of which the image information supplied by the otoscope is supplied on the one hand to the eyepiece of the additional device and on the other hand through a beam splitter to a video camera. This makes it possible the attending physician to have the image information available in a practical way on a viewing device, which facilitates the alignment of the measuring tip in the ear canal.
Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Ohr-Reflektometer anzugeben, bei welchem die korrekte Ausrichtung der Meßspitze im Gehörgang kontrolliert werden kann.The object of the present invention is to provide an ear reflectometer in which the correct alignment of the measuring tip in the ear canal can be checked.
Diese Aufgabe wird dadurch gelöst, daß ein erfindungsgemäßes Ohr-Reflektometer mit einer Beobachtungseinrichtung versehen ist, die vorzugsweise einen Lichtleiter aufweist. Ein besonders vorteilhafter Lichtleiter für ein erfindungsgemäßes Ohr-Reflektometer ist ein Glasfaserbündel, das sich vom vorderen Ende der Meßspitze bis zu einem Okular oder einem Bildaufnahmegerät erstreckt, und durch das der Ohrkanal betrachtet werden kann. Bei einer bevorzugten Ausführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Ohr-Reflektometers ist am vorderen Ende der Meßspitze eine Linse angeordnet, an die der Lichtleiter mit seinem einen Ende angekoppelt ist. Das andere Ende des Lichtleiters ist mit dem Okular und/oder dem Bildaufnahmegerät verbunden. Ein erfindungsgemäßes Ohr-Reflektometer enthält vorzugsweise ferner eine Lichtquelle zur Beleuchtung des Ohrkanals, die vorteilhafterweise in der Meßspitze angeordnet ist, sodaß durch eine am vorderen Ende der Meßspitze vorhandene Öffnung Licht in den Gehörgang gelangen kann.This object is achieved in that an ear reflectometer according to the invention is provided with an observation device which preferably has an optical fiber. A particularly advantageous light guide for an ear reflectometer according to the invention is a glass fiber bundle which extends from the front end of the measuring tip to an eyepiece or an image recording device and through which the ear canal can be viewed. In a preferred embodiment of an ear reflectometer according to the invention, a lens is arranged at the front end of the measuring tip, to which the light guide is coupled at one end. The other end of the light guide is connected to the eyepiece and / or the image recording device. An ear reflectometer according to the invention preferably also contains a light source for illuminating the ear canal, which is advantageously arranged in the measuring tip, so that light can enter the ear canal through an opening provided at the front end of the measuring tip.
Bei einer anderen Ausführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Ohr-Reflektometers weist der Lichtleiter eine Koppelstelle auf, an der von der Lichtquelle emittiertes Licht in den Lichtleiter eingekoppelt werden kann. Der Lichtleiter leitet das Licht dann bis zu seinem vorderen Ende weiter und strahlt es in den Ohrkanal ab.In another embodiment of an ear reflectometer according to the invention, the light guide has a coupling point at which light emitted by the light source can be coupled into the light guide. The light guide then transmits the light to its front end and emits it into the ear canal.
Vom Ohrkanal ausgesandtes Licht wird durch die Linse aufgenommen und durch den Lichtleiter bis zum Okular geführt. Dadurch ist es einer behandelnden Person möglich, die Meßspitze im Ohrkanal richtig auszurichten, sodaß Impedanzmessungen zuverlässig und reproduzierbar durchgeführt werden können. Die an dem Okular zur Verfügung stehende Bildinformation kann vorteilhafterweise durch Einsatz eines Strahlteilers oder dergleichen über eine Videokamera einem Bildschirm zugeführt werden. Die Erfindung ermöglicht somit Bildaufnahmen vom inneren Gehörgang und vom Trommelfell während der Behandlung.Light emitted by the ear canal is absorbed by the lens and guided through the light guide to the eyepiece. This makes it possible for a treating person to correctly align the measuring tip in the ear canal, so that impedance measurements can be carried out reliably and reproducibly. The image information available on the eyepiece can advantageously be fed to a screen via a video camera by using a beam splitter or the like. The invention thus enables images of the inner ear canal and the eardrum during the treatment.
Nachfolgend werden Ausführungsbeispiele der vorliegenden Erfindung anhand der Figuren näher erläutert. Es zeigen in schematischer Darstellung: Fig. 1 ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Ohr-Reflektometers, bei welchem die Lichtquelle über eine Verzweigung an den Lichtleiter angeschlossen ist;Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. In a schematic representation: 1 shows a first embodiment of an ear reflectometer according to the invention, in which the light source is connected to the light guide via a branch;
Fig. 2 ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Ohr-Reflektometers, bei dem die Lichtquelle unabhängig von dem Lichtleiter in der Meßspitze angeordnet ist.Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of an ear reflectometer according to the invention, in which the light source is arranged independently of the light guide in the measuring tip.
In Fig. 1 ist der prinzipielle Aufbau eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels der vorliegenden Erfindung dargestellt. Das erfindungsgemäße Ohr-Reflektometer 10 weist eine Meßspitze 1 mit einer Schallaustrittsöffnung an ihrem vorderen Ende auf, welches wie dargestellt im Gebrauch in den Gehörgang 20 eingeschoben wird, um die Schallimpedanz des Trommelfells 30 zu bestimmen. Zu diesem Zweck sind in dem Reflektometer 10 in an sich bekannter Weise eine Schallquelle 2, beispielsweise ein Lautsprecher, und ein Mikrophon 3 in Miniaturgröße eingebaut, durch die die Impedanz des Trommelfells über einen bestimmten Schallfrequenzbereich ausgemessen werden kann. Der Gehörgang wird durch sichtbares Licht einer Lichtquelle 4 ausgeleuchtet, das über eine Verzweigung in einen Lichtleiter 5 eingekoppelt wird. An dem gehörgangsseitigen Ende des Lichtleiters 5 ist dieser mit einer Linse 6 gekoppelt. Der durch die Linse 6 austretende Lichtkegel 7 leuchtet den Gehörgang 20 aus. Das von dort zurückgeworfene Licht trifft zu einem großen Teil wieder durch die Linse 6 ein, und wird von dieser auf den Lichtleiter 5 fokussiert. Der Lichtleiter 5 ist an seinem dem gehörgangsseitigen Ende gegenüberliegenden Ende mit einem Okular 8 gekoppelt, durch welches der Gehörgang und die Ausrichtung der Meßspitze 1 im Gehörgang betrachtet werden können. Es kann aber auch - wie durch einen Pfeil angedeutet - vorgesehen sein, die auf dem Okular 8 vorhandene Bildinformation über einer Videokamera einem Sichtgerät 9, beispielsweise einem Bildschirm zuzuführen.1 shows the basic structure of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The ear reflectometer 10 according to the invention has a measuring tip 1 with a sound outlet opening at its front end which, as shown in use, is inserted into the auditory canal 20 in order to determine the sound impedance of the eardrum 30. For this purpose, a sound source 2, for example a loudspeaker, and a microphone 3 in miniature size are installed in the reflectometer 10 in a manner known per se, by means of which the impedance of the eardrum can be measured over a specific sound frequency range. The auditory canal is illuminated by visible light from a light source 4, which is coupled into a light guide 5 via a branch. At the end of the light guide 5 on the auditory canal side, it is coupled to a lens 6. The light cone 7 emerging through the lens 6 illuminates the auditory canal 20. A large part of the light reflected back from there arrives again through the lens 6 and is focused by the latter onto the light guide 5. The light guide 5 is coupled at its end opposite the end on the auditory canal side to an eyepiece 8 through which the auditory canal and the alignment of the measuring tip 1 in the auditory canal can be viewed. However, it can also be provided, as indicated by an arrow, to feed the image information present on the eyepiece 8 to a viewing device 9, for example a screen, via a video camera.
In Fig. 2 ist eine zweite Ausführungsform eines Ohr-Reflektometers 10 dargestellt, in der die Lichtquelle 4 separat in der Meßspitze 1 angeordnet ist. In diesem Fall ist es vorteilhaft, wenn die Innenwände der Meßspitze 1 reflektierend ausgebildet sind. Die Lichtquelle 4 kann jedoch im Prinzip auch außerhalb der Meßspitze 1 in geeigneter Weise zusammen mit der Meßspitze 1 in den Gehörgang eingeführt werden. Letzteres ist zwar im Gebrauch aufwendiger, da stets die Lichtquelle 4 justiert werden muß. Es bieten sich dadurch aber mehr Möglichkeiten in der Positionierung der Lichtquelle 4 und der bevorzugten Ausleuchtung bestimmter Partien des Gehörgangs. Die Strahlung der Lichtquelle 4 muß nicht notwendigerweise im sichtbaren Spektralbereich liegen. Wenn zum Beispiel auf die direkte Sichtkontrolle durch das Okular verzichtet wird und die Bildinformation ausschließlich elektronisch weiterverarbeitet und auf einem Sichtgerät angezeigt oder von einer Videokamera aufgezeichnet wird, kann zum Beispiel auch eine infrarotemittierende Lichtquelle verwendet werden. Falls erforderlich oder wünschenswert, können auch mehrere Lichtquellen angeordnet werden, deren emittierte Lichtstrahlung gemäß dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel durch mehrere Verzweigungen in den Lichtleiter eingekoppelt werden kann.2 shows a second embodiment of an ear reflectometer 10, in which the light source 4 is arranged separately in the measuring tip 1. In this case, it is advantageous if the inner walls of the measuring tip 1 are designed to be reflective. In principle, however, the light source 4 can also be inserted in a suitable manner outside the measuring tip 1 together with the measuring tip 1 into the auditory canal. The latter is more complex to use, since the light source 4 must always be adjusted. However, this offers more possibilities in the positioning of the light source 4 and the preferred illumination of certain parts of the auditory canal. The radiation from the light source 4 does not necessarily have to be in the visible spectral range. If, for example, direct visual control through the eyepiece is dispensed with and the image information is only processed electronically and displayed on a viewing device or recorded by a video camera, an infrared-emitting light source can also be used, for example. If necessary or desirable, it is also possible to arrange a plurality of light sources whose emitted light radiation according to the first exemplary embodiment can be coupled into the light guide through a plurality of branches.
Durch den Lichtleiter, der aus einem flexiblen oder steifen Glasfaserbündel bestehen kann, wird somit gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung ein Endoskop gebildet, an dessen einem Ende sich die Linse 6 befindet und an dessen anderem Ende das Okular 8 angekoppelt ist. Bei entsprechend großem Öffnungswinkel der Linse 6 und optimaler Ausleuchtung des Gehörgangs ermöglicht das Endoskop einen direkten Blick in den Gehörgang. Die Linse 6 ist vorzugsweise nicht wesentlich größer als der Durchmesser des Lichtleiters, damit am vorderen Ende der Meßspitze noch genügend Platz für die Schallaustrittsöffnung bleibt.The light guide, which can consist of a flexible or rigid glass fiber bundle, thus forms an endoscope according to the present invention, at one end of which the lens 6 is located and at the other end of which the eyepiece 8 is coupled. With a correspondingly large opening angle of the lens 6 and optimal illumination of the ear canal, the endoscope enables a direct view into the ear canal. The lens 6 is preferably not significantly larger than the diameter of the light guide, so that there is still enough space for the sound outlet opening at the front end of the measuring tip.
Beim erfindungsgemäßen Ohr-Reflektometer können Videoaufnahmen vom Gehörgang und vom Trommelfell gemacht werden, die zudem für eventuelle spätere Auswertungen gespeichert werden können. Eine direkte Untersuchung des Gehörgangs und dessen Morphologie wird dadurch möglich. Fragen nach der Krümmung des Ohrkanals und der Menge des Ohrenschmalzes können geklärt werden. Es kann untersucht werden, inwieweit diese Faktoren eine Impedanzmessung beeinflussen bzw. wie eine Impedanzmessung verbessert werden kann. Gleichzeitig zur Impedanzmessung des Trommelfells wird durch die direkte Sicht in den Gehörgang eine zusätzliche Untersuchungsmethode bereitgestellt. Eine Diagnose krankhafter Veränderungen (z. B. eine Flüssigkeitsansammlung im Mittelohr) ist dadurch sicherer möglich. Die behandelnde Person hat zudem die Möglichkeit, dem Patienten Bilder seines eigenen Gehörgangs und Trommelfells zu zeigen und so z. B. Diagnose und Therapie verständlicher zu erklären und darzustellen. Bei der erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung ist es zudem möglich, eine grobe Fehlmessung, wie sie beispielsweise beim direkten Aufsetzen der Meßspitze auf Gewebe entsteht, zu erkennen. In the ear reflectometer according to the invention, video recordings of the ear canal and the eardrum can be made, which can also be saved for possible later evaluations. This enables a direct examination of the ear canal and its morphology. Questions about the curvature of the ear canal and the amount of ear wax can be clarified. It can be investigated to what extent these factors influence an impedance measurement or how an impedance measurement can be improved. At the same time as measuring the impedance of the eardrum, an additional examination method is provided by looking directly into the ear canal. This makes it easier to diagnose pathological changes (e.g. fluid accumulation in the middle ear). The treating person also has the opportunity to show the patient pictures of his own ear canal and eardrum. B. Explain and present diagnosis and therapy in a more understandable way. With the arrangement according to the invention, it is also possible to detect a gross incorrect measurement, such as occurs, for example, when the measuring tip is placed directly on tissue.

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1. Ohr-Reflektometer mit einer in einen Ohrkanal einführbaren Meßspitze und einer Einrichtung zur Beobachtung des Ohrkanals, die vorzugsweise einen Lichtleiter (5) aufweist.1. ear reflectometer with a measuring tip that can be inserted into an ear canal and a device for observing the ear canal, which preferably has a light guide (5).
2. Ohr-Reflektometer nach Anspruch 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Beobachtungseinrichtung mindestens eine Linse (6) aufweist, die an einem vorderen Ende der Meßspitze (1) angeordnet ist, und daß der Lichtleiter (5) mit seinem einen Ende an die Linse (6) angekoppelt ist.2. ear reflectometer according to claim 1, characterized in that the observation device has at least one lens (6) which is arranged at a front end of the measuring tip (1), and that the light guide (5) with one end to the lens (6) is coupled.
3. Ohr-Reflektometer nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Lichtleiter (5) mit seinem anderen Ende mit einem Okular (8) und/oder einem Bildaufnahmegerät (9) verbunden ist.3. ear reflectometer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the light guide (5) is connected at its other end to an eyepiece (8) and / or an image recording device (9).
4. Ohr-Reflektometer nach Anspruch 1 , 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es eine Lichtquelle (4) zur Beleuchtung des Ohrkanals aufweist.4. ear reflectometer according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it has a light source (4) for illuminating the ear canal.
5. Ohr-Reflektometer nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Lichtleiter (5) eine Koppelstelle aufweist, an der von der Lichtquelle (4) emittiertes Licht in den Lichtleiter (5) einkoppelbar und durch den Lichtleiter (5) in den Gehörgang abstrahlbar ist. 5. ear reflectometer according to claim 4, characterized in that the light guide (5) has a coupling point at which light emitted by the light source (4) can be coupled into the light guide (5) and can be emitted through the light guide (5) into the auditory canal is.
PCT/EP2000/003207 1999-04-22 2000-04-11 Ear-reflectometer WO2000064328A1 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE1999118288 DE19918288A1 (en) 1999-04-22 1999-04-22 Ear reflectometer; has measuring point to fit in ear canal and device to observe ear canal, which includes light conductor coupled between lens at measuring point and eye piece or viewing device
DE19918288.4 1999-04-22

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