Geometrically accurate real-time volumetric visualization of the middle ear using optical coherence tomography

Abstract

We introduce a novel system for geometrically accurate , continuous, live, volumetric middle ear optical coherence tomography imaging over a 13 mm × 30° × 30° field of view from a handheld imaging probe. The system employs a discretized spiral scanning (DC-SC) pattern to rapidly collect volumetric data and applies real-time scan conversion and lateral angular distortion correction to reduce geometric inaccuracies to below the system’s lateral resolution over 91% of the field of view. We validate the geometric accuracy of the resulting images through comparison with co-registered micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) volumes of a phantom target and a cadaveric middle ear. The system’s real-time volumetric imaging capabilities are assessed by imaging the ear of a healthy subject while performing dynamic pressurization of the middle ear in a Valsalva maneuver.