Finite-element modelling of the human eardrum and middle-ear

S. Abou-Khalil
McGill University, Montreal, Canada

W.R.J. Funnell
McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Rene G. van Wijhe
McGill University, Montreal, Canada

W.F.S. Decraemer
University of Antwerp (RUCA), Antwerp, Belgium

J.J.J. Dirckx
University of Antwerp (RUCA), Antwerp, Belgium



A number of groups have recently presented finite-element models of
the human middle ear. In this work we present such a model which takes
advantage of our phase-shift moiré shape measurements to
precisely define the shape of the eardrum, as in our previous
modelling of the eardrum and middle ear of the cat (ARO 1996) and
gerbil (ARO 1999). The moiré measurements are made in the
presence of varying static pressures, which both provides a clear
definition of the boundaries of the eardrum, and provides displacement
measurements with which the model behaviour can be compared.

The middle-ear geometry is derived from histological serial sections
and from magnetic-resonance microscopy (MRM) data of the human ear.
The MRM data sets, having resolutions of tens of microns, are obtained
from UNC and The Center for In Vivo Microscopy(CIVM), Duke University.

We present simulation results from the model, including comparisons
with experimental measurements and simulations of clinical
pathological conditions such as ossicular erosion.


Supported by Medical Research Council (Canada), Natural Sciences and
Engineering Research Council (Canada), and the University of Antwerp.
We thank Drs. M.M. and O.W. Henson (UNC) and the CIVM for providing
the MRM data, and Dr. S.M. Khanna (Columbia University) for providing
the histological material.