US5699809A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device and process for generating and measuring the shape of an acoustic reflectance curve of an ear
Assignee: Innovia Medical LLC
•
Filing: 1996-01-26
•
Granted: 1997-12-23
•
Expires: 2016-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A device and a process for analysis of acoustic reflectance of components of an ear directs into the ear canal acoustic waves covering a range of frequencies including resonance frequencies of ear components such as the tympanic membrane. Measurements are made without pressurizing the ear canal and contact between the device and the ear does not need to be air-tight. Accordingly, the patient experiences essentially no discomfort from use of the device. The device detects and combines the incident and reflected waves to produce what is called an acoustic reflectance curve. The shape of a region of the acoustic reflectance curve is electronically measured in order to obtain an indicator of ear condition which is substantially independent of a line of sight between a sound source and the tympanic membrane. This indicator is based on a measurement of the resonance characteristic, or freedom of motion, of the tympanic membrane or other ear component being analyzed. One such measurement is the rate of change of the acoustic reflectance with respect to frequency. Since resonance typically causes a null to appear in the acoustic reflectance curve, this measurement of the rate of change is particularly informative if measured around the null. The rate of change measured around the null may be presented as an angle measurement, a gradient or slope measurement, a width measurement, or other form of measurement of the shape of the null. In one embodiment, the steepest slopes on either side of a null are used to define an angle, herein called a spectral gradient. Diagnosis of an ear pathology, such as abnormal pressure or presence of fluid in the middle ear or such as conductive hearing loss, may be based on this measure alone. Because of the rate of change of an acoustic reflectance measurement is relatively constant for a given ear, regardless of the quality of the line of sight to the tympanic membrane, the effect, if any, of user training on such measurements is significantly reduced. Accordingly, the process and device of the invention are useful in many kinds of diagnostic situations with respect to ear pathology, but particularly in those involving screening of the ears of young children for common pathologies such as Otitis Media, even by untrained personnel.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerome T. Combs
- 👤 Hugh W. Busey
- 👤 Kresimir Ukraincik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/12; A61B5/121; G; G01; G01H; G01H15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A device for analyzing acoustic reflectance of an ear having a tympanic membrane, comprising: means for measuring acoustic reflectance of components of the ear for a plurality of frequencies by directing sound from a sound source to the tympanic membrane and by detecting reflected sound, wherein the measured acoustic reflectance has a shape; and means for electronically measuring the shape of a region of the measured acoustic reflectance to obtain an indicator of a condition of the ear, wherein the indicator is substantially independent of a line of sight from the sound source to the tympanic membrane.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A device for analyzing acoustic reflectance of an ear having a tympanic membrane, comprising: means for measuring acoustic reflectance of components of the ear for a plurality of frequencies by directing sound from a sound source to the tympanic membrane and by detecting reflected sound, wherein the measured acoustic reflectance has a shape; and means for electronically measuring the shape of a region of the measured acoustic reflectance to obtain an indicator of a condition of the ear, wherein the indicator is substantially independent of a line of sight from the sound source to the tympanic membrane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the means for measuring includes means for measuring a rate of change of the acoustic reflectance with respect to frequency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 2, wherein the measured acoustic reflectance has a null indicative of resonance of the tympanic membrane at a given frequency and amplitude, and wherein the means for measuring measures the rate of change around the null.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the means for measuring acoustic reflectance comprises: means for generating a plurality of incident sound waves, wherein each incident sound wave has a different fundamental frequency; a transducer for receiving and for combining sound waves from the sound source and sound waves reflected by the ear from the sound source, wherein the transducer generates an electrical signal indicative of a sum of the received sound waves; means for detecting an envelope of the electrical signal from the transducer to provide the measured acoustic reflectance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 4, wherein the means for detecting the envelope includes means for determining frequency domain components of the electrical signal from the transducer corresponding to the frequency of the incident sound waves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 5, wherein the means for determining frequency domain components includes means for computing the energy of the electrical signal corresponding to the first coefficient of a Fourier series representing the electrical signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 4, wherein the means for measuring the shape of a region of the measured acoustic reflectance includes means for measuring a rate of change of a frequency domain component of the electrical signal from the transducer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 7, wherein the frequency domain component is a first coefficient of a Fourier series defining the electrical signal from the transducer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the means for measuring the shape of a region of the measured acoustic reflectance includes means for measuring a rate of change of a frequency domain component of the measured acoustic reflectance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 9, wherein the frequency domain component is a first coefficient of a Fourier series defining the measured acoustic reflectance.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the means for electronically measuring comprises: means for electronically measuring a steepest slope of the measured acoustic reflectance on each side of the null; means for determining an indicator of a condition of the ear according to the steepest slopes on each side of the null, wherein the indicator is substantially independent of a line of sight from the sound source to the tympanic membrane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: means for comparing the indicator to a threshold to provide an indication of a suggested diagnosis based solely on the electronically measured indicator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the means for measuring acoustic reflectance comprises: means for normalizing the detected reflected sound by scaling the detected reflected sound by a frequency response of open air.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
93 words
A process for analyzing acoustic reflectance of an ear having a tympanic membrane, comprising the steps of: measuring acoustic reflectance of components of the ear for a plurality of frequencies by directing sound from a sound source to the tympanic membrane and by detecting reflected sound, wherein the measured acoustic reflectance has a shape; and electronically measuring the shape of the measured acoustic reflectance to obtain an indicator of a condition of the ear, wherein the indicator is substantially independent of a line of sight from the sound source to the tympanic membrane.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
93 words
A process for analyzing acoustic reflectance of an ear having a tympanic membrane, comprising the steps of: measuring acoustic reflectance of components of the ear for a plurality of frequencies by directing sound from a sound source to the tympanic membrane and by detecting reflected sound, wherein the measured acoustic reflectance has a shape; and electronically measuring the shape of the measured acoustic reflectance to obtain an indicator of a condition of the ear, wherein the indicator is substantially independent of a line of sight from the sound source to the tympanic membrane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 14, wherein the means for measuring includes means for measuring a rate of change of the acoustic reflectance with respect to frequency.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 15, wherein the measured acoustic reflectance has a null indicative of resonance of the tympanic membrane at a given frequency and amplitude, and wherein the means for measuring measures the rate of change around the null.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
88 words
The process of claim 14, wherein the step of measuring acoustic reflectance comprises the steps of: generating a plurality of incident sound waves, wherein each incident sound wave has a different fundamental frequency; receiving and combining sound waves from the sound source and sound waves reflected by the ear from the sound source with a transducer, wherein the transducer generates an electrical signal indicative of a sum of the received sound waves; detecting an envelope of the electrical signal from the transducer to provide the measured acoustic reflectance.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 17, wherein the step of detecting the envelope includes the step of determining frequency domain components of the electrical signal from the transducer corresponding to the frequency of the incident sound waves.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 18, wherein the step of determining frequency domain components includes the step of computing the energy of the electrical signal corresponding to the first coefficient of a Fourier series representing the electrical signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 17, wherein the step of measuring the shape of a region of the measured acoustic reflectance includes the step of measuring a rate of change of a frequency domain component of the electrical signal from the transducer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 20, wherein the frequency domain component is a first coefficient of a Fourier series defining the electrical signal from the transducer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 14, wherein the step of measuring the shape of a region of the measured acoustic reflectance includes the step of measuring a rate of change of a frequency domain component of the measured acoustic reflectance.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 22, wherein the frequency domain component is a first coefficient of a Fourier series defining the measured acoustic reflectance.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
70 words
The process of claim 14, wherein the step of electronically measuring comprises the steps of: electronically measuring a steepest slope of the measured acoustic reflectance on each side of the null; determining an indicator of a condition of the ear according to the steepest slopes on each side of the null, wherein the indicator is substantially independent of a line of sight from the sound source to the tympanic membrane.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 14, further comprising the steps of: comparing the indicator to a threshold to provide an indication of a suggested diagnosis based solely on the electronically measured indicator.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 14, wherein the steps of measuring acoustic reflectance comprises the step of: normalizing the detected reflected sound by scaling the detected reflected sound by a frequency response of open air.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
96 words
A device for analyzing acoustic reflectance of an ear having a tympanic membrane, comprising: an acoustic reflectance measurement system which directs sound of a plurality of frequencies to the tympanic membrane and which detects sound reflected by components of the ear to provide a measured acoustic reflectance having a shape; and a signal shape analyzer having an input connected to receive the measured acoustic reflectance and an output providing an indicator of a condition of the ear, wherein the indicator is substantially independent of a line of sight from the sound source to the tympanic membrane.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
96 words
A device for analyzing acoustic reflectance of an ear having a tympanic membrane, comprising: an acoustic reflectance measurement system which directs sound of a plurality of frequencies to the tympanic membrane and which detects sound reflected by components of the ear to provide a measured acoustic reflectance having a shape; and a signal shape analyzer having an input connected to receive the measured acoustic reflectance and an output providing an indicator of a condition of the ear, wherein the indicator is substantially independent of a line of sight from the sound source to the tympanic membrane.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 27, wherein the signal shape analyzer includes means for measuring a rate of change of the acoustic reflectance with respect to frequency.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 28, wherein the measured acoustic reflectance has a null indicative of resonance of the tympanic membrane at a given frequency and amplitude, and wherein the means for measuring measures the rate of change around the null.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
92 words
The device of claim 27, wherein the acoustic reflectance measurement system comprises: a sound source which generates a plurality of incident sound waves, wherein each incident sound wave has a different fundamental frequency; a transducer position and constructed to receive and combine sound waves from the sound source and sound waves reflected by the ear, wherein the transducer generates an electrical signal indicative of a sum of the received sound waves; and an envelope detector connected to receive the electrical signal from the transducer and an output providing the measured acoustic reflectance.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 30, wherein the envelope detector includes means for determining frequency domain components of the electrical signal from the transducer corresponding to the frequency of the incident sound waves.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 31, wherein means for determining frequency domain components includes the means for computing the energy of the electrical signal corresponding to the first coefficient of a Fourier series representing the electrical signal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 30, wherein the signal shape analyzer includes means for measuring a rate of change of a frequency domain component of the electrical signal from the transducer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 33, wherein the frequency domain component is a first coefficient of a Fourier series defining the electrical signal from the transducer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 27, wherein the shape analyzer includes means for measuring a rate of change of a frequency domain component of the measured acoustic reflectance.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 35, wherein the frequency domain component is a first coefficient of a Fourier series defining the measured acoustic reflectance.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
72 words
The device of claim 27, wherein the signal shape and analyzer comprises: means for electronically measuring a steepest slope of the measured acoustic reflectance on each side of the null; and means for determining an indicator of a condition of the ear according to the steepest slopes on each side of the null, wherein the indicator is substantially independent of a line of sight from the sound source to the tympanic membrane.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 27, further comprising: means for comparing the output of the signal shape analyzer to a threshold to provide an indication of a suggested diagnosis based solely on the electronically measured indicator.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 27, wherein the acoustic reflectance measurement system comprises: means for normalizing the detected reflected sound by scaling the detected reflected sound by a frequency response of open air.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
85 words
A device for analyzing acoustic reflectance of an ear having a tympanic membrane, comprising: means for measuring acoustic reflectance of components of the ear for a plurality of frequencies by directing sound from a sound source to the tympanic membrane and by detecting reflected sound, wherein the measured acoustic reflectance has a null indicative of resonance of the tympanic membrane at a given frequency and amplitude; and means for electronically measuring a steepest slope of the measured acoustic reflectance on each side of the null.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
85 words
A device for analyzing acoustic reflectance of an ear having a tympanic membrane, comprising: means for measuring acoustic reflectance of components of the ear for a plurality of frequencies by directing sound from a sound source to the tympanic membrane and by detecting reflected sound, wherein the measured acoustic reflectance has a null indicative of resonance of the tympanic membrane at a given frequency and amplitude; and means for electronically measuring a steepest slope of the measured acoustic reflectance on each side of the null.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device of claim 40, further comprising: means for determining an indicator of a condition of the ear according to the steepest slopes on each side of the null, wherein the indicator is substantially independent of a line of sight from the sound source to the tympanic membrane.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
84 words
A process for analyzing acoustic reflectance of an ear having a tympanic membrane, comprising the steps of: measuring acoustic reflectance of components of the ear for a plurality of frequencies by directing sound from a sound source to the tympanic membrane and by detecting reflected sound, wherein the measured acoustic reflectance has a null indicative of resonance of the tympanic membrane at a given frequency and amplitude; and electronically measuring a steepest slope of the measured acoustic reflectance on each side of the null.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
84 words
A process for analyzing acoustic reflectance of an ear having a tympanic membrane, comprising the steps of: measuring acoustic reflectance of components of the ear for a plurality of frequencies by directing sound from a sound source to the tympanic membrane and by detecting reflected sound, wherein the measured acoustic reflectance has a null indicative of resonance of the tympanic membrane at a given frequency and amplitude; and electronically measuring a steepest slope of the measured acoustic reflectance on each side of the null.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process of claim 42, further comprising: determining an indicator of a condition of the ear according to the steepest slopes on each side of the null, wherein the indicator is substantially independent of a line of sight from the sound source to the tympanic membrane.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for obtaining information about a condition of an ear having a tympanic membrane, comprising: a sound source for generating a sound wave containing components at a plurality of frequencies and for directing the sound wave towards the tympanic membrane; a transducer for receiving sound waves both from the sound source and from the ear and for generating an electrical signal indicative of a sum of the received sound waves, an envelope detector for receiving the electrical signal from the transducer and providing an output signal indicative of acoustic reflectance of the ear, and a signal shape analyzer for receiving the output signal of the envelope detector and measuring the shape of the output signal to provide an indicator of a condition of the ear, wherein the output from the shape analyzer is substantially independent of a line of sight from the sound source to the tympanic membrane.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for obtaining information about a condition of an ear having a tympanic membrane, comprising: a sound source for generating a sound wave containing components at a plurality of frequencies and for directing the sound wave towards the tympanic membrane; a transducer for receiving sound waves both from the sound source and from the ear and for generating an electrical signal indicative of a sum of the received sound waves, an envelope detector for receiving the electrical signal from the transducer and providing an output signal indicative of acoustic reflectance of the ear, and a signal shape analyzer for receiving the output signal of the envelope detector and measuring the shape of the output signal to provide an indicator of a condition of the ear, wherein the output from the shape analyzer is substantially independent of a line of sight from the sound source to the tympanic membrane.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
127 words
A process for generating information about a condition of an ear having a tympanic membrane from acoustic reflectance information, comprising steps of: generating a plurality of sound waves with a sound source, wherein each sound wave has a different fundamental frequency, receiving and combining sound waves from both the sound source and from the ear as reflected from the tympanic membrane to generate an electrical signal indicative of a sum of the received sound waves, detecting an envelope of the signal indicative of acoustic reflectance of the ear, and electronically measuring the shape of a region of the acoustic reflectance signal to obtain information indicative of a condition of the ear and substantially independent of a line of sight from the sound source to the tympanic membrane.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
127 words
A process for generating information about a condition of an ear having a tympanic membrane from acoustic reflectance information, comprising steps of: generating a plurality of sound waves with a sound source, wherein each sound wave has a different fundamental frequency, receiving and combining sound waves from both the sound source and from the ear as reflected from the tympanic membrane to generate an electrical signal indicative of a sum of the received sound waves, detecting an envelope of the signal indicative of acoustic reflectance of the ear, and electronically measuring the shape of a region of the acoustic reflectance signal to obtain information indicative of a condition of the ear and substantially independent of a line of sight from the sound source to the tympanic membrane.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for obtaining a measure of acoustic reflectance of an ear having a tympanic membrane, including: a sound source for generating a sound wave containing components at a plurality of frequencies and for directing the sound wave towards the tympanic membrane, a transducer for receiving sound waves both from the sound source and as reflected from the ear and for generating an electrical signal indicative of a sum of the received sound waves, and an envelope detector for receiving the electrical signal from the transducer and for selecting at least one frequency domain component of the electrical signal corresponding to the frequency of the incident wave as an indicator of an envelope of the electrical signal representative of the acoustic reflectance of the ear.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for obtaining a measure of acoustic reflectance of an ear having a tympanic membrane, including: a sound source for generating a sound wave containing components at a plurality of frequencies and for directing the sound wave towards the tympanic membrane, a transducer for receiving sound waves both from the sound source and as reflected from the ear and for generating an electrical signal indicative of a sum of the received sound waves, and an envelope detector for receiving the electrical signal from the transducer and for selecting at least one frequency domain component of the electrical signal corresponding to the frequency of the incident wave as an indicator of an envelope of the electrical signal representative of the acoustic reflectance of the ear.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
106 words
Method for obtaining a measure of acoustic reflectance of an ear having a tympanic membrane, including: generating, using a sound source, a sound wave containing components at a plurality of frequencies and for directing the sound wave towards the tympanic membrane, receiving sound waves both from the sound source and as reflected from the ear, generating an electrical signal indicative of a sum of the received sound waves, and selecting at least one frequency domain component of the electrical signal corresponding to the frequency of the incident wave as an indicator of an envelope of the electrical signal representative of the acoustic reflectance of the ear.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
106 words
Method for obtaining a measure of acoustic reflectance of an ear having a tympanic membrane, including: generating, using a sound source, a sound wave containing components at a plurality of frequencies and for directing the sound wave towards the tympanic membrane, receiving sound waves both from the sound source and as reflected from the ear, generating an electrical signal indicative of a sum of the received sound waves, and selecting at least one frequency domain component of the electrical signal corresponding to the frequency of the incident wave as an indicator of an envelope of the electrical signal representative of the acoustic reflectance of the ear.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3294193A
Cited
US3395697A
Cited
US3757769A
Cited
US3882848A
Cited
US3949735A
Cited
US4079198A
Cited
US4009707A
Cited
US4002161A
Cited
US4057051A
Cited
US4201225A
Cited
US4374526A
Cited
WO1979000614A1
Cited
US4378809A
Cited
US4251686A
Cited
US4289143A
Cited
US4237905A
Cited
US4601295A
Cited
US4586194A
Cited
US4674123A
Cited
USD286814S
Cited
US4677679A
Cited
US4763753A
Cited
US4754748A
Cited
US4615007A
Cited
US4596252A
Cited
US4748598A
Cited
US4819753A
Cited
US4688582A
Cited
US4841986A
Cited
US4966160A
Cited
US4884447A
Cited
US4809708A
Cited
US4813430A
Cited
US5105822A
Cited
US5063946A
Cited
US5526819A
Cited
US5267571A
Cited
US5413114A
Cited
US5348002A
Cited
US5230344A
Cited
US5402493A
Cited
US5372142A
Cited
US5421818A
Cited
US5445144A
Cited
US5594174A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-12-22 | 2001-06-23 | 2001-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-22 | 2005-06-23 | 2005-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-22 | 2009-06-23 | 2009-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |