A nonlinear finite-element model of the newborn ear canal

作者:Qi Li; Liu Hengjin; Lutfy Justyn; Robert W; Funnell J*; Daniel Sam J
来源:Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 2006, 120(6): 3789-3798.
DOI:10.1121/1.2363944

摘要

A three-dimensional nonlinear finite-element model of a 22-day-old newborn ear canal is presented. The geometry is based on a clinical x-ray CT scan. A nonlinear hyperelastic constitutive law is applied to model large deformations. The Young's modulus of the soft tissue is found to have a significant effect on the ear-canal volume change, which ranges from approximately 27% to 75% over the static-pressure range of 3kPa. The effects of Poisson's ratio and of the ratio CIO: CO, in the hyperelastic model are found to be small. The volume changes do not reach a plateau at high pressures, which implies that the newborn ear-canal wall would not be rigid in tympanometric measurements. The displacements and volume changes calculated from the model are compared with available experimental data.

  • 出版日期2006-12