PROJECT TEAM
Kasper Linde:
Medical Doctor, Biomedical Design Novo Nordisk Foundation Fellowship Programme Alumni 2019/20 and CSO, Zeta Diagnostics
Kristian Klok Pedersen:
Software & Management, CEO, Zeta Diagnostics
Danny Bøjstrup Pedersen:
Health Technology Engineer, CTO/CCO, Zeta Diagnostics
Project website: https://zetadiagnostics.com
THE NEED
ETD is typically diagnosed too late – after years of discomfort and multiple specialist visits. Delayed diagnosis leads to complications and avoidable middle-ear surgeries.
THE SOLUTION
A discreet earbud-like device enables long-term monitoring of middle-ear pressure. An algorithm processes the data to assess ETD in a single visit, improving speed and accuracy of diagnosis.
Identifying Eustachian Tube Dysfunction – AUH
Call 3 – 2023
GRANT: 250,000 DKK
Clinical Area
ENT, Otology
Technology
Medical Device, Digital Biomarkers, Algorithmic Diagnostics
PROJECT SUMMARY
This project targets Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD), which causes 80% of surgically treated middle-ear conditions. ETD is often diagnosed too late, after years of discomfort and repeat examinations. Existing diagnostics only offer a short snapshot of a dynamic system.
This new device, worn like an earbud, uses natural ear canal physiology to collect long-term pressure data while the patient listens to music or a podcast. An algorithm analyses the data and provides clinicians with a one-page summary, enabling diagnosis at the first visit. This innovation could help clinicians intervene earlier, reduce surgical burden, and improve outcomes for patients.
CLINICAL IMPACT
Earlier ETD diagnosis can reduce demand for surgeries, preserve hearing, free up staff resources, and improve quality of life for patients by treating the root cause of disease earlier.