title: Biomechanical study on the sensorial epithelium of otolithic organs for creating a biomimetic sensor.
abstract: This paper presents a biomechanical model of the sensorial cells in otolithic organs and a design of a 3D device that imitates the biological system. Starting from anatomical and physiological data, mechanical and structural parameters have been identified and a mechanical model has been formulated, by considering the cilia and kinocilium as a interconnected structure. The mechanical model was used to simulate the behavior of the system under known conditions. Furthermore, the behavior of a proximal link to the kinocilium were investigated for a better comprehension regarding the polymeric materials that could be used to model and manufacture the biological organs. The results obtained from the models were used to design a biomimetic organ.
authors.affiliation: Member, IEEE, PhD Student at the PhD School in Biorobotics Science and Engineering of the IMT Insitute of Advanced Studies, Lucca, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciaravella
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bennequin
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laschi
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002923:Cilia / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D012444:Saccule and Utricle / Q000502:physiology; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000502:physiology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical