Local mechanical stimulation of the hearing organ by laser irradiation.
Light produces force when interacting with matter. Such radiation pressure may be used to accelerate small objects along the beam path of a laser. Here, we demonstrate that a moderately powerful laser can deliver enough force to locally stimulate the hearing organ, in the absence of conventional sound. Damped mechanical oscillations are observed following brief laser pulses, implying that the organ of Corti is locally resonant. This new method will be helpful for probing the mechanical properties of the hearing organ, which have crucial importance for the ear's ability to detect sound.
Fridberger
Anders
A
Center for Hearing and Communication Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. anders.fridberger@ki.se
Ren
Tianying
T
D000818:Animals; D001489:Basilar Membrane / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003055:Cochlear Microphonic Potentials / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005849:Gerbillinae; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007834:Lasers; D009925:Organ of Corti / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D013997:Time Factors