LARYNGEAL ENDOSCOPE WITH CALIBRATED SIZING FUNCTION

描述(逐字摘自申请者摘要)：喉部视频内窥镜检查 结合频闪镜检查现在是临床评估如何 喉部的功能是发声。对视频图像的评估目前 仅限于主观的视觉判断，可能会导致 可靠性。一种能够对图像进行尺寸校准的方法，因此 对重要的发声参数进行量化，将大大提高 视频内窥镜与频闪镜的临床和研究能力。因此， 拟议项目的主要目标是调查以下项目的可行性 激光投影仪尺寸标定系统的研制 喉部视频内窥镜图像。更长期的目标是发展 广泛适用于上呼吸道柔性内窥镜检查的技术 (包括喉部)。 近期的重点将是开发一种基于光学的物体尺寸测量系统 用于柔性纤维鼻咽镜。第一阶段的任务是 所完成的工作包括：(1)开发了一种小型化的参考光束设计 与所需的小口径和灵活性相兼容的传送渠道 鼻咽镜，(2)规定对参考光束激光器的要求 与频闪操作兼容的照明源，(3) 量化利用这样的系统可实现的物体测量精度，以及 (4)制定适合的完整系统的初步工程设计 用于临床研究。第二阶段的工作将包括：(1)建造 校准的内窥镜系统的完整临床原型，以及(2) 该系统在马萨诸塞州眼耳科的广泛临床测试 医务室(MEEI)。 建议的商业应用： 为喉部定制的用户友好的校准系统的市场潜力 视频频闪检查在美国估计有数百个单位。 更普遍地使用柔性内窥镜检查上呼吸道(包括喉部)有可能 全球市场销量高达数千台。后者的市场反映了大的 在常规临床实践中使用这种内窥镜的耳鼻喉科医生的数量。

DESCRIPTION (Verbatim from the Applicant's Abstract): Laryngeal videoendoscopy combined with stroboscopy is now a mainstay for clinically assessing how the larynx functions to produce voice. Evaluation of the video imagery is currently limited to subjective visual judgments that can result in diminished reliability. A method enabling dimensional calibration of the images, and thus quantification of important vocal parameters, would greatly enhance the clinical and research capabilities of videoendoscopy with stroboscopy. Thus, the main goal of the proposed project is to investigate the feasibility of developing a laser-based projection system for dimensional calibration of laryngeal videoendoscopic images. The longer-term objective is to develop technology that is widely applicable to flexible endoscopy of the upper airway (including larynx). The near-term focus will be to develop an optical-based object sizing system for a flexible fiberoptic transnasal nasopharyngoscope. The Phase I tasks to be performed include: (1) developing a miniaturized design for a reference beam delivery channel compatible with the small caliber and flexibility required of a nasopharyngoscope, (2) specifying requirements for a reference beam laser illumination source compatible with videostroboscopic operation, (3) quantifying the object measurement accuracy achievable with such a system, and (4) developing a preliminary engineering design for a complete system suitable for clinical investigations. The Phase II effort would entail: (1) construction of a complete clinical prototype of the calibrated endoscope system, and (2) extensive clinical testing of the system at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI). PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: The market potential for a user-friendly calibration system customized for laryngeal video-stroboscopy is estimated to be several hundred units in the U.S. Similar systems for more general use flexible endoscopy of the upper airway (including larynx) have a potential worldwide market of up to several thousand units. The latter market reflects the large number of ototolaryngologists that use such scopes in routine clinical practice.