Optoacoustic induced vibrations within the inner ear.
An acoustic transient can be generated inside an absorbing tissue as a result of laser-tissue interaction after pulsed laser irradiation. Herein we report a novel application of this physical process, the optoacoustic wave generation in the inner ear and subsequently the induction of basilar membrane vibrations. These laser induced vibrations show a direct correlation to the laser energy and an indirect correlation to the distance from the irradiation focus. Through these characteristics they may be used, in a new generation of cochlear implants, to improve the frequency specific cochlear activation and consequently improve speech perception in hearing impaired patients with residual hearing.
Zhang
K Y
KY
Laser Center Hannover, Hollerithallee 8, 30419 Hannover, Germany. z.kaiyin@gmail.com
Wenzel
G I
GI
Balster
S
S
Lim
H H
HH
Lubatschowski
H
H
Lenarz
T
T
Ertmer
W
W
Reuter
G
G
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D001489:Basilar Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*; D009038:Motion; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D014732:Vibration