Work

Simulations and Measurements of Human Middle Ear Vibrations Using Multi-Body Systems and Laser-Doppler Vibrometry with the Floating Mass Transducer

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: The transfer characteristic of the human middle ear with an applied middle ear implant (floating mass transducer) is examined computationally with a Multi-body System approach and compared with experimental results. For this purpose, the geometry of the middle ear was reconstructed from μ-computer tomography slice data and prepared for a Multi-body System simulation. The transfer function of the floating mass transducer, which is the ratio of the input voltage and the generated force, is derived based on a physical context. The numerical results obtained with the Multi-body System approach are compared with experimental results by Laser Doppler measurements of the stapes footplate velocities of five different specimens. Although slightly differing anatomical structures were used for the calculation and the measurement, a high correspondence with respect to the course of stapes footplate displacement along the frequency was found. Notably, a notch at frequencies just below 1 kHz occurred. Additionally, phase courses of stapes footplate displacements were determined computationally if possible and compared with experimental results. The examinations were undertaken to quantify stapes footplate displacements in the clinical practice of middle ear implants and, also, to develop fitting strategies on a physical basis for hearing impaired patients aided with middle ear implants.

Source: Materials

DOI: 10.3390/ma6104675

Authors: Frank Böhnke, Theodor Bretan, Stefan Lehner, Tobias Strenger

Institutions: TUM Klinikum, Technical University of Munich, Munich University of Applied Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Ear Surgery and Otitis Media

Subfield: Otorhinolaryngology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137

Funder: MED-EL Medical Electronics