Computational Investigation of Eustachian Tube Function

咽鼓管功能的计算研究

• 批准号: 6801234
• 负责人: SAMIR N GHADIALI
• 金额: $ 7.02万
• 依托单位: LEHIGH UNIVERSITY
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2002
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2002-08-15 至 2005-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/6801234
• 关键词: biomechanics; cartilage; clinical research; computer simulation; elasticity; eustachian tube; exudate /transudate; fluid flow; histology; human data; human tissue; magnetic resonance imaging; mechanical pressure; middle ear; model design /development; morphology; muscle; otitis media; physiology; postmortem; swallowing

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective of this application is to investigate how the mechanical and anatomical (geometrical) structure of the Eustachian tube (ET) affects its ability to regulate Middle Ear (ME) pressure. Normally, this function is achieved by the intermittent opening of the ET due to the contraction of the surrounding musculature. Clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated that disruption of this opening mechanism results in one of the most common childhood diseases, otitis media with effusion (OME), and the associated hearing impairment. To obtain a fundamental understanding of the ET structure-function relationship, we propose to create a computational model that is capable of simulating both mechanical and anatomical variations. This model will be used to perform detailed simulations of ET opening phenomena during swallowing under various mechanical and anatomical conditions. As such, this work will elucidate how the interaction between mechanical and anatomical properties affects ET function. In addition, experimentally measured structural properties from normal adults will be incorporated into the model to obtain a better understanding of the "normal" ET structure-function relationship. The specific aims of this project are: 1) Develop a 2D computational model to investigate the influence of structural properties on ET opening phenomena during swallowing; 2) Develop and compare a 3D reconstructed mode of the ET with a 2D approximation to determine the importance of 3D geometrical variations; 3) Utilize the computational model to investigate and quantify ET opening phenomena in normal adults. The proposed work will elucidate how the mechanical and anatomical properties of the ET influence opening phenomena. In addition, we will establish normative data on the ET's mechanical and anatomical structure. This information is vital to the long term goal of this research which is to develop effective treatment strategies based upon the underlying structural deficiencies for persistent OME. Further, the results of the proposed research will provide the basic data which can be used as a comparative database for future studies that will quantify the ET structure-function relationship in OME patients, evaluate computationally various clinical therapies, and develop refined computational and/or experimental models.

描述（由申请人提供）：本申请的目的是研究咽鼓管（ET）的机械和解剖（几何）结构如何影响其调节中耳（ME）压力的能力。通常，该功能是通过由于周围肌肉组织的收缩而间歇性打开 ET 来实现的。临床和实验研究表明，这种开放机制的破坏会导致最常见的儿童疾病之一：渗出性中耳炎 (OME) 以及相关的听力障碍。为了获得对 ET 结构-功能关系的基本理解，我们建议创建一个能够模拟机械和解剖变化的计算模型。该模型将用于对各种机械和解剖条件下吞咽过程中 ET 打开现象进行详细模拟。因此，这项工作将阐明机械和解剖特性之间的相互作用如何影响 ET 功能。此外，通过实验测量的正常成年人的结构特性将被纳入模型中，以获得对“正常”ET结构-功能关系的更好理解。该项目的具体目标是：1）开发二维计算模型来研究吞咽过程中结构特性对 ET 打开现象的影响； 2) 开发 ET 的 3D 重建模式并将其与 2D 近似进行比较，以确定 3D 几何变化的重要性； 3) 利用计算模型来研究和量化正常成人的 ET 打开现象。拟议的工作将阐明 ET 的机械和解剖特性如何影响开放现象。此外，我们还将建立 ET 机械和解剖结构的规范数据。这些信息对于本研究的长期目标至关重要，即根据持续性 OME 的潜在结构缺陷制定有效的治疗策略。此外，拟议研究的结果将提供可用作未来研究的比较数据库的基础数据，这些研究将量化 OME 患者的 ET 结构-功能关系，评估计算上的各种临床疗法，并开发精细的计算和/或实验模型。