The tympanic membrane is one of the major structures of the ear that aids in the hearing process, giving humans one of the five major senses. It is hypothesized that sound induced displacements of the membrane, which allow humans to hear, are directly related to the membrane’s medial layer which is comprised of a network of collagen fibers. Limitations in available medical imaging techniques have thus far inhibited the further study of these fibers. In this paper we detail an imaging system that we developed with the capability to quantitatively and noninvasively image the internal structures of biological tissues in vitro through spatial domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). By utilizing spatial OCT, we can correlate the characteristics of internal collagen fibers to sound induced displacements in the tympanic membrane. This will eventually lead to improved modeling of the middle-ear and a better understanding of hearing mechanics.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Thyden, Michael John
• Rutledge, Cory Scott

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042412-121551

Advisor

• Furlong-Vazquez, Cosme

Year

• 2012

Sponsor

• Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

Date created

• 2012-04-24

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

License

• All rights reserved