Gentil F, Parente M, Martins P, Garbe C, Jorge R N, Ferreira A, Tavares João Manuel R S
Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Clinica ORL, ESTSP, WIDEX, Porto, Portugal.
Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2011 Jan;225(1):68-76. doi: 10.1243/09544119JEIM783.
The interest in computer modelling of biomechanical systems, mainly by using the finite element method (FEM), has been increasing, in particular for analysis of the mechanical behaviour of the human ear. In this work, a finite element model of the middle ear was developed to study the dynamic structural response to harmonic vibrations for distinct sound pressure levels applied on the eardrum. The model includes different ligaments and muscle tendons with elastic and hyperelastic behaviour for these supportive structures. Additionally, the nonlinear behaviour of the ligaments and muscle tendons was investigated, as they are the connection between ossicles by contact formulation. Harmonic responses of the umbo and stapes footplate displacements, between 100 Hz and 10 kHz, were obtained and compared with previously published work. The stress state of ligaments (superior, lateral, and anterior of malleus and superior and posterior of incus) was analysed, with the focus on balance of the supportive structures of the middle ear, as ligaments make the link between the ossicular chain and the walls of the tympanic cavity. The results obtained in this work highlight the importance of using hyperelastic models to simulate the mechanical behaviour for the ligaments and tendons.
人们对生物力学系统的计算机建模的兴趣一直在增加，主要是通过使用有限元方法（FEM），尤其是在分析人耳的力学行为方面。在这项工作中，开发了一个中耳的有限元模型，以研究在鼓膜上施加不同声压级时对谐波振动的动态结构响应。该模型包括不同的韧带和肌腱，这些支撑结构具有弹性和超弹性行为。此外，还研究了韧带和肌腱的非线性行为，因为它们通过接触公式连接听小骨。获得了100Hz至10kHz之间鼓膜脐和镫骨足板位移的谐波响应，并与先前发表的工作进行了比较。分析了韧带（锤骨的上、外侧和前侧以及砧骨的上、后侧）的应力状态，重点是中耳支撑结构的平衡，因为韧带连接听骨链和鼓腔壁。这项工作获得的结果突出了使用超弹性模型来模拟韧带和肌腱力学行为的重要性。
