Static analysis of tympanic membrane in aero-otitis media by three-dimensional model of the middle ear

Abstract

The three-dimensional (3D) model of the middle ear is of great significance to the research of middle ear related diseases. The particular focus of this work is to simulate the impact of aircraft altitude and speed changes on the tympanic membrane (TM) during the descent phase, so as to analyze the pathogenesis of aero-otitis media and the mechanical response characteristics of TM under static pressure. The simulations showed that the stress and strain of TM increase as the altitude difference and speed of the aircraft increase, and the maximum stress and strain areas are consistent with the clinical observation of TM hyperemia. Therefore, among many prevention and treatment measures of aero-otitis media, it is a therapeutic method to directly balance the pressure difference between the inner and outer TM.

Keywords

• Aero-otitis media
• The middle ear
• Numerical simulation
• Statics calculation
• Tympanostomy tube placement