Improving round window stimulation via moldable coupler and impedance modeling

项目总结 传导性听力损失的常规治疗通常包括助听器或中耳手术，这 恢复听骨链的移动或连续性。然而，在传统手术是 不合适的或不成功的，而不是依赖于通过正常途径涉及听骨的声音传导 链式和椭圆形窗、圆形窗(RW)刺激已取得一定成功。一股水流 RW刺激的问题是不同患者之间设备的疗效差异很大。有效的 装置与RW膜的耦合对装置的运动传输有很大影响 到内耳，因此可能影响植入物的成功。其次，在解剖上的差异 内耳结构还可能影响设备的效能，因为它提供了沿 耳蜗骨。因此，了解中耳解剖的变异性和意义(对于Device-RW 耦合接口)和内耳结构(为了进一步了解RW刺激的基本科学知识) 在改进现有设备的努力中至关重要。为了实现这些目标，我们有三个主要目标。我们会 身体整体标本和组织学颞骨的综合解剖学研究 在目标1中，我们将开发和测试一种有效的RW刺激设备，它将安全地 并有效地将设备振动耦合到内耳。这将在身体的颞骨上进行测试 通过测量胫骨的速度和内耳压力对刺激的响应变化来测量骨骼 RW。最后，在目标3中，我们将利用所获得的计算阻抗来开发计算模型 通过我们的实验测量，有助于了解RW刺激的机制。这款车型将 解释了气导刺激和RW刺激中的阻抗。整体而言，建议的 对新鲜人体身体标本的中耳和内耳研究将提供新的和深入的 了解RW并开发出详细的人类耳蜗阻抗模型。建议数 研究可以导致一种安全有效的RW刺激装置，它将改善听力和生活质量 传导性和混合性听力损失患者。

PROJECT SUMMARY Conventional treatment for conductive hearing loss normally includes hearing aids or middle ear surgery, which restores movement or continuity of the ossicular chain. However, in cases where conventional surgery is unsuitable or unsuccessful, instead of relying on sound transduction via the normal path involving the ossicular chain and the oval window, round window (RW) stimulation has been attempted with some success. A current issue with RW stimulation is the large variability in efficacy of the device between patients. The effective coupling of the device to the RW membrane has a big influence on the transmission of motion from the device to the inner ear, and may therefore affect the success of an implant. Secondly, difference in the anatomy of inner ear structures may also affect the efficacy of a device by providing paths for acoustic leak along the cochlea. Therefore, understanding the variability and significance of middle ear anatomy (for device-RW coupling interface) and inner ear structures (to further fundamental scientific knowledge on RW stimulation) is essential in the effort to improve current devices. To achieve these goals, we have three main aims. We will comprehensively study the anatomy with cadaveric whole specimens as well as histological temporal bone slide sections in Aim 1. In Aim 2, we will develop and test an effective RW stimulation device that will safely and efficiently couple the device vibration to the inner-ear. This will be tested on cadaveric human temporal bones by measuring the stapes velocity and changes in inner ear pressures in response to the stimulation at the RW. Finally, in Aim 3, we will develop a computational model utilizing the calculated impedance obtained by our experiment measurements, to aid in understanding the mechanism of RW stimulation. This model will account for the impedances both in air conduction stimulation and RW stimulation. Overall, the proposed middle and inner ear research in fresh human cadaveric specimens will provide new and thorough understanding of the RW and develop a detailed impedance model of the human cochlea. The proposed research can lead to a safe and effective RW stimulation device that will improve hearing and quality of life for patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss.