Experimental study of an adjustable-length prosthesis in a temporal bone model.
CONCLUSIONS
This prosthesis has the advantage of rapid adjustment at the time of insertion in order to achieve optimal tension and, as a result, optimal sound transmission.


OBJECTIVE
To test the acoustic performance of a new, adjustable incus replacement prosthesis in a human temporal bone model.


METHODS
Experiments were performed in seven human temporal bones, before and after removal of the incus and insertion of the prosthesis. The input comprised 406 pure tones ranging in frequency between 0.1 and 10 kHz at an intensity of 80 dB SPL at the tympanic membrane. The output measurement was stapes footplate displacement, determined by means of a laser Doppler vibrometer. Three lengths of the prosthesis were investigated: optimal, optimal +0.2 mm and optimal +0.4 mm.


RESULTS
The optimal-length prosthesis produced similar results to those of an intact middle ear. The slightly longer prostheses decreased middle ear sound transmission at all test frequencies, except those near 1.5 kHz.
Zhao
Shouqin
S
Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Tongren Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Hato
Naohito
N
Goode
Richard L
RL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006801:Humans; D007188:Incus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D009998:Ossicular Prosthesis; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting / Q000295:instrumentation; D013016:Sound; D013199:Stapes / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014025:Titanium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014732:Vibration
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D014025:Titanium