title: Parameters for novel incus replacement prostheses.
abstract: Prostheses replacing the incus in its normal position and equipped with two joints might transfer sound as effectively as the intact ossicular chain and allow adjustment to quasi-static pressure changes. A prerequisite for prostheses development is the access to dimensions and distances of the ossicular chain which are necessary to conceptualize shape and size. Fifteen cadaveric human temporal bone specimens were investigated by means of micro-CT followed by 3D analysis. Each specimen was scanned three times: after removal of incus, after additional removal of the malleus head, and after approaching the umbo to the promontory. Artificial umbo medialization as a surrogate for quasi-static pressure changes leads to relevant variations in the distance between the upper part of the malleus and the stapes. Prostheses replacing the incus in its normal position should be equipped with a sliding ball joint or similar construction to allow adjustment to quasi-static pressure changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Medicine, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University, Walther-Rathenau-Str. 43-45, 17475, Greifswald, Germany. holger.kaftan@uni-greifswald.de.
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaftan
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Rostock, Friedrich-Barnewitz-Str. 4, 18119, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Böhme
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Rostock, Friedrich-Barnewitz-Str. 4, 18119, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Heiner
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007188:Incus / Q000601:surgery*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009998:Ossicular Prosthesis; D019933:Ossicular Replacement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013201:Stapes Surgery / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000379:methods
keywords: Malleus; Micro-computed tomography; Ossicular chain reconstruction; Prostheses; Stapes