Evaluation of dynamic behavior of the human middle ear with nonhomogeneity by finite element method

The object of this paper is to perform vibration analysis of a human middle ear considering the nonhomogeneity of the middle ear bones by finite element method. A micro CT is used to check the nonhomogeneity and produces 480 similar to 942 pictures with 21.3 mum x 21.3 mum pixel size. The fine details of the components of the middle ear, namely, malleus, incus and stapes can be modeled by constructing 3-D images from the CT outputs. The nonhomogencity is divided into 5 classes upon the values of the pixels and the corresponding elastic constants are designated. Also the model includes the ligaments, tendons, and I-S (Incus-Stapes) joints which connect the components of the middle car. The umbo and stapes displacements from the finite element analysis are compared with the results of other researchers.