A Clinically Oriented Introduction and Review on Finite Element Models of the Human Cochlea

Abstract

Due to the inaccessibility of the inner ear, direct in vivo information on cochlear mechanics is difficult to obtain. Mathematical modelling is a promising way to provide insight into the physiology and pathology of the cochlea. Finite element method (FEM) is one of the most popular discrete mathematical modelling techniques, mainly used in engineering that has been increasingly used to model the cochlea and its elements. The aim of this overview is to provide a brief introduction to the use of FEM in modelling and predicting the behavior of the cochlea in normal and pathological conditions. It will focus on methodological issues, modelling assumptions, simulation of clinical scenarios, and pathologies.

A validated methodology for the 3D reconstruction of cochlea geometries using human microCT images

“…The most representative study where it can be used is the modeling of the cochlear mechanics and the subsequent coupling with the middle ear model. Indeed several studies have been presented to investigate the middle ear response to sound vibration [31][32][33][34] and recently some studies focus on inner ear mechanics [35]. However, an accurate reconstructed geometry of the cochlea will provide the best insight in ear mechanics especially if the mechanicalneural transduction processes have to be considered.…”

Understanding the impact of modiolus porosity on stimulation of spiral ganglion neurons by cochlear implants

“…A 'benchmark' human cochlea for studying all modelling scenarios is not plausible due to the myriad of interindividual anatomical variations of the cochlea 41,54 . As a compromise, depending on the requirements of a given study, cochlear anatomy can be often represented with a simplified volume-conductor model.…”

“…In-vivo or in-vitro protocols to address such questions require a theoretical foundation before investing in animal or human experiments of different pathology. In-silico studies prove invaluable in such a scenario due to the scope of parameterizing electrical properties, the flexibility of modelling study-specific cochlear morphology, and the ease of visualizing electric field distributions on the cochlear interfaces [41][42][43][44][45][46][47] . To date, the only inclusion of porosity of the modiolar bone in studies of CI-elicited neural excitation patterns is one in which the microstructure of RC was resolved in order to include the trajectories of the nerve fibres in the finite-element model 45 .…”

Extending inner-ear anatomical concepts in the Foundational Model of Anatomy (FMA) ontology

“…Therefore mathematical modelling is particularly attractive as a tool in researching the cochlea and its pathology. Mathematical models were introduced into the study of cochlear pathology and physiology, providing a useful tool in order to observe the system's behaviour, which was difficult in previous human in-vivo, in-vitro studies [4] [5]. The Finite Elements Method (FEM) -a mathematical framework -is assisting researchers in studying the structure-function relationship in normal and pathological cochlear.…”