The influence of muscles activation on the dynamical behaviour of the tympano-ossicular system of the middle ear

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Fernanda Gentil (Author) Other; Marco Parente (Author) FEUP; Pedro Martins (Author) FEUP; Carolina Garbe (Author) Other; João Paço (Author) Other; António J. M. Ferreira (Author) FEUP; João Manuel R. S. Tavares (Author) FEUP; Renato Natal Jorge (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering

Vol. 16 No. 4

Pages: 392-402

ISSN: 1025-5842

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 19 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 23 Citations

COMPENDEX

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Computer and information sciences

CORDIS: Technological sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-005-1Y8

DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2011.623674

Abstract (EN): The human ear is a complex biomechanical system and is divided into three parts: outer, middle and inner ear. The middle ear is formed by ossicles (malleus, incus and stapes), ligaments, muscles and tendons, which transfers sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear, linking with mastoid and Eustachian tube. In this work, a finite element modelling of the tympano-ossicular system of the middle ear was developed. A dynamic study based on a structural response to harmonic vibrations, for a sound pressure level (SPL) of 110, 120 and 130dB SPL applied in the eardrum, is presented. The connection between the ossicles is made using a contact formulation. The model includes the different ligaments considering its hyperelastic behaviour. The activation of the muscles is based on the constitutive model proposed by previous work. The harmonic responses of displacement and pressure obtained on the stapes footplate, for a frequency range between 100Hz and 10kHz, are obtained simulating the muscle activation. The results are compared considering the passive and active states. The results are discussed and they are in accordance with audiological data published with reference to the effects of the middle ear muscles contraction.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11