Laser vibrometry for investigation of tympanic membrane implant materials

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Thomas Zahnert - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (Author)
  • Manfred Küster - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Uwe Vogel - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Gert Hofmann - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Karl Bernd Hüttenbrink - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)

Abstract

The human tympanic membrane has reasonably good sound sensing properties. A destroyed tympanic membrane due to middle ear diseases or traumata may be repaired by different types of grafts. Middle ear surgery mostly uses autologous temporal fascia, cartilage, or cartilage perichondrium transplants. We have investigated the acoustical and mechanical properties of these materials and compared them with human tympanic membrane by constructing an ear canal model completed by an artificial tympanic membrane. Circular stretched human fascia, perichondrium, and cartilage preparations were exposed to static pressures up to 4 kPa and white noise sound pressure levels of 70 dB. The vibrational amplitudes and displacements due to static pressure of the graft material were measured by laser Doppler vibrometry and compared. The thin materials temporal fascia and perichondrium show similar amplitude frequency responses compared to the tympanic membrane for dynamic excitation. The displacement of these materials at static pressures above 4 kPA yields a higher compliance than tympanic membrane. The acoustical and mechanical properties of cartilage transplants change with the thickness of the slices. However, the thinner the cartilage slice combined with lower stability, the more similar is the frequency response with the intact tympanic membrane. The vibration amplitudes decrease more and more for layer thicknesses above 500μm. Cartilage acts as an excellent transplant material which provides a better prognosis than different materials in cases of ventilation disorders with long-term middle ear pressure changes. Large cartilage slice transplants should not exceed layer thicknesses of 500μm in order to prevent drawbacks to the transfer characteristics of the tympanic membrane.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)11-18
Number of pages8
Journal Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume2927
Publication statusPublished - 1996
Peer-reviewedYes

Conference

TitleEuropean Biomedical Optics Week 1996
SubtitleOptical and Imaging Techniques for Biomonitoring II
Abbreviated titleBiOS Europe '96
Duration7 September 1996
CityVienna
CountryAustria

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0003-3894-1175/work/148603880

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Implant materials, Laser vibrometry, Sound transfer, Static pressure, Tympanic membrane