Ear imaging system
Systems and methods are described for performing diagnostic procedures, such as vibrometric diagnostic procedures. An example system includes a handheld vibrometric device, a handheld controller, and a control and processing console. The handheld controller includes an input receiving mechanism for controlling the handheld vibrometric device and/or controlling a user interface generated by the console. The handheld controller is configured such that when the handheld vibrometric diagnostic device is supported by a first hand of an operator and the handheld controller is supported by a second hand of the operator, the input receiving mechanism is capable of being actuated by a digit of the second hand while maintaining support of the handheld controller by the second hand, in the absence of contact with the control and processing console and the handheld vibrometric diagnostic device, thereby facilitating control of the handheld vibrometric diagnostic device without mechanically perturbing the handheld vibrometric diagnostic device.
1 . A computer-implemented method for displaying in a graphical user interface (GUI) real-time information about a tympanic membrane acquired by a vibrometric diagnostic device in an operative position within an ear, the method comprising:
generating, via a processor, a first image of the tympanic membrane based on the real-time information acquired by the vibrometric diagnostic device;
displaying, via the processor, the first image in a first area of the GUI displayed on a display connected to a computing device, the computing device being separate from but in communication with the vibrometric diagnostic device;
displaying, via the processor, a first line overlaid on the first image in the first area of the GUI, the first line corresponding to a selected slice of the first image and the tympanic membrane;
generating, via the processor, a B-mode image of the tympanic membrane based on the real-time information acquired by the vibrometric diagnostic device, a location of the B-mode image corresponding to the first line;
displaying, via the processor, the B-mode image in a second area of the GUI; and
displaying, via the processor, a second line and a third line overlaid on the B-mode image in the second area, the second line and the third line corresponding to depth selection indicators illustrating depth selected for imaging in the B-mode image.
2 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
generating, via the processor, a Doppler image of the tympanic membrane based on the real-time information acquired by the vibrometric diagnostic device associated with the depth selection indicators;
displaying, via the processor, the Doppler image in a third area of the GUI; and
displaying, via the processor, a fourth line and a fifth line overlaid on the Doppler image in the third area, the fourth line and the fifth line corresponding to Doppler selection indicators defining a region with vibration displacement amplitude information.
3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , further comprising displaying, via the processor, a legend overlaid on the Doppler image in the third area for interpreting the vibration displacement amplitude information.
4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying, via the processor, one or more indicia in a fourth area of the GUI.
5 . The computer-implemented method of claim 4 , wherein the one or more indicia correspond to one or more indicators on the vibrometric diagnostic device, on a controller separate from the vibrometric diagnostic device and in communication with the computing device, or on a combination thereof.
6 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the first image is an infrared first image.
7 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying, via the processor, one or more indicia in a fourth area of the GUI for performing one or more functions of capturing still otoscopic images; capturing otoscopic video; capturing B-mode images; capturing B-mode video; selecting B-mode slices; selecting slice orientation; performing volumetric data acquisitions; rendering and displaying 3D data; rotating, panning, and zooming through the 3D data; initiating a sound stimulus; selecting a frequency of the sound stimulus; selecting a duration of the sound stimulus; selecting a line in Doppler optical coherence tomography; initiating capture of Doppler optical coherence tomography data; reviewing recorded data; and entering patient information.