Three-dimensional biomechanical model of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in the semi-circular canal

Abstract

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common vestibular disorders occuring due to the presence of basophilic particles in the semicircular canals (SCC). Three-dimensional biomechanical model of the SCC is described with full 3D fluid-structure interaction of particles, wall, cupula deformation and endolymph fluid flow. The model of the SCC with parametric defined dimension and fully 3D three SCC from patient specific 3D reconstruction is presented. Navier-Stokes equations with continuity equations described fluid flow while Arbitrary-Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) formulation is used for mesh motion. Fluid-structure interaction for fluid coupling with cupula deformation is used. Particle tracking algorithm has been used for particle motion. Different size and number of particles with their full interaction between themselves, wall and cupula deformation are used. Velocity distribution, shear stress and force from endolymph side are presented for parametric one SCC and patient specific three SCC. All the models are used for correlation with the same experimental protocols with head moving and nystagmus eye tracking. Full fluid-structure interaction of otoconia particles, wall, cupula deflection and endolymph flow in three-dimension give more details and understanding of the pathology of the specific patient in standard clinical diagnostic and therapy procedure for BPPV.

Keywords

• biomechanical model
• BPPV
• fluid-structure interaction
• semi-circular canals
• sedimenting particle