Combination of optical coherence tomography and multispectral imaging for the diagnosis of middle ear infections in children


Project period |
Feb 01, 2023 – Feb 31, 2027 |
Sponsor |
Free State of Thuringia & Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) on the KaP@EAH x PüDE project |
Project Management |
Prof. Kristin Mitte (EAH Jena) |
Coordination |
Thomas Schmidt |
Budget |
– € |
Funding code |
03FHP175 |
Research partner |
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Popp (Friedrich Schiller University (FSU) Jena) |
The OCToScope project develops a multimodal optical imaging system for non-invasive, high-resolution diagnostics of middle ear diseases. Acute and chronic otitis media are among the most common infections in childhood, yet current diagnostic methods often fail to distinguish subtle structural and functional changes within the middle ear.

OCToScope addresses this limitation by combining Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Multispectral Imaging (MSI), and bright-field microscopy within a single optical platform to acquire complementary depth-resolved and spectrally resolved data.
By integrating these imaging modalities, the system enables the correlation of morphological depth information with spectroscopic tissue parameters, providing enhanced insight into the composition and condition of the tympanic membrane and adjacent structures. This multimodal approach facilitates the differentiation between healthy and pathological tissue, as well as the detection of bacteria and biofilms—critical factors in chronic infections. The result is a diagnostic tool that is objective, reproducible, and contact-free, significantly improving both diagnostic accuracy and patient comfort.

The system is designed to cover the spectral range of 400–1000 nm, accommodating the distinct optical requirements of each modality. Careful optical alignment and a compact mechanical layout ensure high image quality and system stability, while patient-specific anatomical variability is taken into account to guarantee robustness and usability in clinical environments.
The optical and mechanical designs have been completed, and the prototype is currently undergoing assembly and performance testing. Validation focuses on imaging quality, stability, and multimodal data integration. In the long term, OCToScope aims to establish a standardized multimodal imaging platform for otolaryngologic diagnostics, offering new possibilities for early detection, functional assessment, and personalized treatment of middle ear diseases.

Sven Urban
