Finite element modelling of the human middle ear using synchrotron-radiation phase-contrast imaging

Caleb W Thompson; Seyed A Rohani; Joris J Dirckx; Sumit K Agrawal; Hanif M Ladak

doi:10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.106747

Finite element modelling of the human middle ear using synchrotron-radiation phase-contrast imaging

Comput Biol Med. 2023 May:157:106747. doi: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.106747. Epub 2023 Mar 7.

Authors

Caleb W Thompson¹, Seyed A Rohani², Joris J Dirckx³, Sumit K Agrawal², Hanif M Ladak⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: cthom72@uwo.ca.
² Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
³ Laboratory of Biomedical Physics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
⁴ Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.

PMID: 36907036
DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.106747

Abstract

Finite element (FE) models of the middle ear often lack accurate geometry of soft tissue structures, such as the suspensory ligaments, as they can be difficult to discern using conventional imaging modalities, such as computed tomography. Synchrotron-radiation phase-contrast imaging (SR-PCI) is a non-destructive imaging modality that has been shown to produce excellent visualization of soft tissue structures without the need for extensive sample preparation. The objectives of the investigation were to firstly use SR-PCI to create and evaluate a biomechanical FE model of the human middle ear that includes all soft tissue structures, and secondly, to investigate how modelling assumptions and simplifications of ligament representations affect the simulated biomechanical response of the FE model. The FE model included the suspensory ligaments, ossicular chain, tympanic membrane, the incudostapedial and incudomalleal joints, and the ear canal. Frequency responses obtained from the SR-PCI-based FE model agreed well with published laser doppler vibrometer measurements on cadaveric samples. Revised models with exclusion of the superior malleal ligament (SML), simplification of the SML, and modification of the stapedial annular ligament were studied, as these revised models represented modelling assumptions that have been made in literature.

Keywords: Finite element modelling; Middle ear; Synchrotron-radiation phase-contrast imaging.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Ear, Middle / diagnostic imaging
Ear, Middle / physiology
Finite Element Analysis
Humans
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention*
Stapes / physiology
Synchrotrons*