title: Towards quantitative diagnosis of ossicular fixation: Measurement of stapes fixations using magnetically driven ossicles in human temporal bones.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  Information on the degree of stapes fixation can be found by measuring the ratio of stapes to umbo and stapes to incus velocity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a method of quantifying ossicular fixation in an ear with elevated tympanic membrane.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurements were made on four fresh-frozen human temporal bones. After elevating the tympanic membrane, a small magnet was attached to the manubrium and an electromagnetic excitation coil was used to vibrate the ossicles. The vibration response of the umbo, the tip of the incus long process, and the posterior crus of the stapes were measured before and after partially fixing the footplate with luting cement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The velocities at the different measurement points were unequally affected by the fixation. The difference in the velocity ratio between different points provides an indication of the degree of footplate fixation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biomedical Physics, University of Antwerp , Antwerp , Belgium.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peacock
authors.forename: Joris
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dirckx
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: von Unge
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D002102:Cadaver; D004429:Ear Ossicles / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D059346:Magnets; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Otitis media; laser vibrometry; otosclerosis