Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate the ability of a novel steerable distal chip endoscope to traverse the Eustachian tube and provide diagnostic quality images of the human middle ear. PATIENTS: Three cadaveric temporal bone specimens were used in this work. INTERVENTION: Diagnostic transeustachian endoscopy of the middle ear was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Diagnostic image quality. RESULTS: A novel 1.62 mm steerable endoscope successfully cannulated the Eustachian tube of three human cadaveric temporal bone specimens to reveal intact middle ear anatomy with high optical clarity. CONCLUSIONS: A steerable endoscope can be designed to traverse the human Eustachian tube and provide diagnostic quality images of middle ear anatomy.