Computational Investigation of Eustachian Tube Function

描述(申请人提供)：本申请的目的是调查咽鼓管(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。正常情况下，这一功能是通过ET的间歇性开放实现的，这是由于周围肌肉系统的收缩。临床和实验研究表明，这种开放机制的破坏会导致儿童最常见的疾病之一，渗出性中耳炎(OME)，以及相关的听力障碍。为了从根本上了解ET的结构-功能关系，我们建议创建一个能够模拟机械和解剖变化的计算模型。该模型将用于在不同的机械和解剖条件下对吞咽过程中的ET打开现象进行详细的模拟。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，实验测量的正常成年人的结构特性将被纳入模型中，以更好地理解“正常”的ET结构与功能的关系。本项目的具体目标是：1)建立一个二维计算模型，以研究吞咽过程中结构特性对ET开放现象的影响；2)建立ET的三维重建模式，并将其与2D近似进行比较，以确定三维几何变化的重要性；3)利用该计算模型来研究和量化正常成人的ET开放现象。这项拟议的工作将阐明ET的机械和解剖学性质如何影响开放现象。此外，我们将建立关于ET的机械和解剖结构的标准化数据。这些信息对这项研究的长期目标至关重要，该研究的长期目标是根据持续性OME的潜在结构缺陷制定有效的治疗策略。此外，拟议的研究结果将提供基本数据，可用作未来研究的比较数据库，这些研究将量化OME患者的ET结构-功能关系，通过计算评估各种临床治疗方法，并开发改进的计算和/或实验模型。

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.