Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Assessment Through Tympanic Cavity Air Exchange Sensor

摘要

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) is an ailment many people suffer, yet the exact cause of the problem is a subject for research. A tympanic cavity air exchange sensor is designed and used for monitoring the air exchange during operation of the Eustachian tube. Observation of EMG activity of muscles together with the observation of air exchange activity of Eustachian Tube while the Eustachian Tube opens, have revealed important information about the state of Eustachian Tube and the ETD problem. Early results suggest the possibility of a new way of identifying deteriorating status of the Eustachian Tube before it becomes totally dysfunctional and even classifying ETD dysfunction levels according to the output provided by the Tympanic Cavity Air Exchange sensor. This paper intends to provide the design details of the air exchange sensor used in the experiments and explain how the sensor was used to get information about the state of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction problem.