Laryngeal Endoscope with Calibrated Sizing Function

描述（由申请人提供）：喉视频内窥镜结合频闪镜检查现在是临床评估喉如何产生声音的主要手段。视频图像的评价目前仅限于主观的视觉判断，这可能导致可靠性降低。一种能够对图像进行尺寸校准并因此对重要的声音参数进行量化的方法，将极大地增强具有频闪镜的视频内窥镜的临床和研究能力。因此，建议的第二阶段工作的主要目标是开发一种基于激光的投影系统，用于喉部视频内窥镜图像的尺寸校准。刚完成的第一期研究，已清楚显示达到这个目标的可行性。 重点将是开发一种基于光学的对象尺寸测量系统，用于柔性经鼻和刚性经口喉镜。第二阶段的工作将包括：（1）构建经校准的内窥镜仪器的临床原型，以及（2）在马萨诸塞州眼耳医院（MEEI）对仪器进行广泛的临床测试。 拟定商业应用：在美国，用于喉视频频闪镜检查的用户友好型校准系统的市场潜力估计为几百台。用于上呼吸道（包括喉）内窥镜检查的更一般用途的类似系统的全球市场潜力高达几千台。 后一个市场反映了大量耳鼻喉科医生在常规临床实践中使用此类内窥镜。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): 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 Phase II effort is to develop a laser-based projection system for dimensional calibration of laryngeal videoendoscopic images. The Phase I study just completed has clearly shown the feasibility of achieving this goal. The focus will be to develop an optically based object sizing system for flexible transnasal as well as rigid transoral laryngoscopes. The Phase II effort will entail: (1) construction of clinical prototypes of the calibrated endoscopic instruments, and (2) extensive clinical testing of the instruments at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI). PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: The market potential for a user-friendly calibration system customized for laryngeal videostroboscopy is estimated to be several hundred units in the U.S. Similar systems for more general use 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 otolaryngologists that use such scopes in routine clinical practice.