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Project

Comprehending the biomechanics of the eardrum through advanced finite element modeling and newly developed stroboscopic digital holography.

The eardrum or tympanic membrane (TM) collects energy from incoming sound waves and converts it into vibration energy of the ossicle bones. One of the most remarkable features of the eardrum is that sounds waves are transmitted with high efficiency, regardless of the frequency and without sharp resonances. The importance of possible traveling waves on the TM has been suggested, but fundamental insight on how energy is transferred is lacking. These questions can only be answered through a multidisciplinary approach combining advanced optical measurement techniques and computer modeling to solve biomechanical and physiologic questions.This project aims to examine the mechanical properties of the TM by constructing a finite element model of the middle ear that agrees more with reality than any other model before. This will be achieved by a number of experimental methods and a new elasticity model. I will use data from OCT, μCT and histologic sectioning to enhance the geometry of existing models and a new technique based on stroboscopic holography to determine material parameters.The engineering analysis technique called power flow will be adapted and expanded to be applicable for the TM, which is unprecedented. This will result in unique information about how and where energy is transported on the TM. This analysis will be applied on vibration data from both experiments and the model and will enable me to answer a number of fundamental questions about the mechanics and physiology of the middle ear.
Date:1 Oct 2013 →  30 Sep 2015
Keywords:FINITE-ELEMENTS MODEL, HOLOGRAPHY, MIDDLE EAR MECHANICS
Disciplines:Classical physics, Elementary particle and high energy physics, Other physical sciences, Biomechanics