Optical properties of the human round window membrane

authored by
Martin Höhl, Daphne Detemple, Stefan Lyutenski, Georg Leuteritz, Arthur Varkentin, Heike Andrea Schmitt, Thomas Lenarz, Bernhard Roth, Merve Meinhardt-Wollweber, Uwe Morgner
Abstract

Optical techniques are effective tools for diagnostic applications in medicine and are particularly attractive for the noninvasive analysis of biological tissues and fluids in vivo. Noninvasive examinations of substances via a fiber optic probe need to consider the optical properties of biological tissues obstructing the optical path. This applies to the analysis of the human perilymph, which is located behind the round window membrane. The composition of this inner ear liquid is directly correlated to inner ear hearing loss. In this work, experimental methods for studying the optical properties of the human round window membrane ex vivo are presented. For the first time, a comprehensive investigation of this tissue is performed, including optical transmission, forward scattering, and Raman scattering. The results obtained suggest the application of visible wavelengths (>400nm) for investigating the perilymph behind the round window membrane in future.

Organisation(s)
Institute of Quantum Optics
Hannover Centre for Optical Technologies (HOT)
External Organisation(s)
Hannover Medical School (MHH)
Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all
Type
Article
Journal
Journal of biomedical optics
Volume
22
ISSN
1083-3668
Publication date
01.10.2017
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Biomaterials, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Biomedical Engineering
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.22.10.105007 (Access: Open)