Analysis of dynamic behavior of human middle ear using a finite-element method

Abstract

Applying the general-purpose finite-element package program (ISAP), a three-dimensional finite-element method (FEM) model of a human right middle ear, which included ossicles, was made and the mechanical properties and boundary conditions of the middle ear were determined by a comparison between the numerical results obtained from the FEM analysis and the measurement results of the fresh cadavers, normal subjects and patients, which were obtained by our developed sweep frequency middle ear analyzer (MEA). The "Elastic" boundary condition consisting of linear and torsional springs at the eardrum attachments to the annular ligament was more appropriate for the actual condition than "fully clamped" one. Rotational axis of the ossicular chain was assumed to be a fixed straight line from the anterior process of the malleus to the short process of the incus, and a load of the ossicular chain and cochlea was simplified to be expressed by the stiffness of the cochlea. Vibration patterns of the eardrum and ossicles at the first resonance frequency, obtained under these assumptions, were in agreement with the experimental results obtained by means of time-averaged holography and by using a video measuring system, except for the relatively large displacements at the tympanic ring.

Experimental and Modeling Study of Human Tympanic Membrane Motion in the Presence of Middle Ear Liquid

“…Funnell and Laszlo (1978) published the first study on the full-field motion of the cat eardrum model, and the eardrum was modeled by shell elements. Wada et al (1992) reported a preliminary study on FE modeling of the human TM vibration pattern (displacement amplitude) at two frequencies of 996 and 1,924 Hz. reported the TM motion as the displacement amplitude contour under middle ear static pressures (−2 and 2 kPa).…”

The Effect of Prosthesis Design on Vibration of the Reconstructed Ossicular Chain: A Comparative Finite Element Analysis of Four Prostheses

“…Material properties: The Young's modulus of the middle ear bones and ligaments were taken from Wada et al [9] and are shown in Fig. 2.…”

“…Finite element modelling has been used to analyze middle ear mechanics, the most comprehensive model being that of Wada et al [8,9]. It includes the ear-canal, tympanic membrane, ossicles, the various muscles and ligaments of the middle ear as well as the middle ear cavities.…”

Low-Frequency Finite-Element Modeling of the Gerbil Middle Ear

“…A number of groups have since used the finiteelement method to study the mechanics of the eardrum and ossicles in humans (Wada et al 1992;Beer et al 1999;Bornitz et al 1999;Prendergast et al 1999;Koike et al 2002;Sun et al 2002) and in cats (Funnell and Laszlo 1978;Funnell et al 1987;Ladak and Funnell 1996;Funnell et al 2005). The geometries have generally been oversimplified and material properties have often been based on curve fitting.…”