Design of Nasal Ultrasound

Abstract

An A-scan ultrasound gives us one dimensional information about the area of interest in the body being examined. Paranasal sinuses are empty air-filled cavities whose functions are to support the weight of the skull, introduce resonance to voice and condition the respired air. They are located in the nasal cavity -maxillary sinuses, above the eyes-frontal sinuses, between the eyes -ethmoidal sinuses and behind the ethmoids- sphenoidal sinuses. The objective of our project is to design an A-mode ultrasound system for the detection of paranasal sinusitis, primarily maxillary sinus. The existent conventionally used methods for detection of paranasal sinuses are the X-ray and CT methods. This amounts to large radiation dose every time the patient undergoes an examination and is more expensive. The reasons behind choosing to use the ultrasound method are that it is relatively inexpensive and can be made portable. It is safe as no ionizing radiation is used. Since the ultrasound technique has limited bone penetration which restricts its use to maxillary sinuses alone.