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In the field of hearing research, strain measurements are scarce. Such measurements can however provide valuable data on several middle ear pathologies. They could also help to gain a better understanding of the properties of the eardrum and further validate middle ear finite element models. We built a digital image correlation setup in order to assess three dimensional deformation and strain measurements of an intact eardrum. Different types of speckle pattern were evaluated. We then measured the deformation and strain of an eardrum subjected to large static pressures. The results illustrate that the application of digital image correlation to measure deformation and strain in intact eardrums is feasible. In the future, the setup will be further developed and eardrum strain measurements will be performed for different pathologies.

Static pressure changes can alter the configuration and mechanical behavior of the chain of ossicles, which may affect the acoustic transfer function. In mammals, the Eustachian tube plays an important role in restoring ambient middle ear pressure, hence restoring the acoustic transfer function and excluding barotrauma of the middle and inner ear. Ambient pressure fluctuations can be potentially extreme in birds and due to the simple structure of the avian middle ear (one ossicle, one muscle), regulation of the middle ear pressure via reflexive opening of the pharyngotympanic tube appears all the more important. In this study the deformations of the chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) middle ear structures, as a result of middle ear pressure alterations, are quantified, using micro-CT scanning. It was experimentally tested whether reflexive opening of the pharyngotympanic tube to restore ambient middle ear pressure is present in chicken and mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and whether this mechanism depends on sensing middle ear pressure indirectly via deformations of the middle ear components or sensing the middle ear pressure directly. A translation of the columella footplate was observed when middle ear pressure was kept at 1 kPa and -1 kPa relative to ambient pressure. Deformation of the tympanic membrane was larger than the columella footplate translation. Bending and deformation of the extracolumella was observed. Opening of the pharyngotympanic tube occurred at random pressure for both chicken and mallard when middle ear pressure was raised and lowered by 1.5 kPa relative to ambient pressure. We also did not find a difference in middle ear venting rate when middle ear pressure was held constant at 0.5, 1, 1.5, -0.5, -1 and -1.5 kPa for chickens and at 1, 2, 4, -1, -2 and -4 kPa for mallards. As a result, no statement can be made about pressure within the avian middle ear being measured directly or indirectly. Our experiments do not support the presence of a short-loop reflexive control of pressure equilibration via the pharyngotympanic tube. However, it is still possible that triggering this loop requires additional sensorial input (e.g. visual, vestibular) or that it occurs voluntarily (being controlled at a higher brain level).

Ossicular fixation through otosclerosis, chronic otitis media and other pathologies, especially tympanosclerosis, are treated by surgery if hearing aids fail as an alternative. However, the best hearing outcome is often based on knowledge of the degree and location of the fixation. Objective methods to quantify the degree and position of the fixation are largely lacking. Laser vibrometry is a known method to detect ossicular fixation but clinical applicability remains limited. A new method, minimally invasive laser vibrometry (MIVIB), is presented to quantify ossicle mobility using laser vibrometry measurement through the ear canal after elevating the tympanic membrane, thus making the method feasible in minimally invasive explorative surgery. A floating mass transducer provides a clinically relevant transducer to drive ossicular vibration. This device was attached to the manubrium and drove vibrations at the same angle as the longitudinal axis of the stapes and was therefore used to assess ossicular chain mobility in a fresh-frozen temporal bone model with and without stapes fixation. The ratio between the umbo and incus long process was shown to be useful in assessing stapes fixation. The incus-to-umbo velocity ratio decreased by 15 dB when comparing the unfixated situation to stapes fixation up to 2.5 kHz. Such quantification of ossicular fixation using the incus-to-umbo velocity ratio would allow quick and objective analysis of ossicular chain fixations which will assist the surgeon in surgical planning and optimize hearing outcomes.

An implementation of updating techniques similar to finite element updating in structural dynamics is developed for thermal material inspection using adaptive response surfaces to approximate experimental parameters. In general, thermal models contain high nonlinearities in their parameters, which influences updating accuracies. This is further investigated in this work. Several adaptive response surface regression methods are compared: interpolation, piecewise spline and polynomial regression functions. Next, the influence of the choice of optimisation parameters is discussed and compared with several global and local optimisation routines. Finally, a well-suited regression technique is investigated which transforms the dataset to a smaller, focused response model in each optimisation loop and delivers a proper regression accuracy. This results in data-reduction for the model to be optimised.

Changes in shape and size of the leaves are driven by several transient growth parameters. Being able to assess resulting changes at a high temporal and spatial resolution is a necessary tool for studying biochemical principles of leaf development, and for construction of leaf growth models. In this short communication, a technique based on the use of 2D digital image correlation (DIC) is presented to track leaf growth. A speckle pattern with orange fluorescent paint was applied on three leaves of the sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) at an arbitrary point in growth. For ten consecutive days, images of the growing leaves were analyzed with DIC, revealing leaf growth patterns. The patterns were similar for three leaves, and results corresponded both with literature data of leaf growth and with leaf area measurements using manual segmentation of leaf images. We demonstrate that DIC can be applied for tracking leaf growth. Based on the results, a detailed macro-model for leaf growth can be developed or environmental effects on leaf growth can be assessed, amongst other possible applications.

For the validation of modelling results or the comparison of middle ear interventions, such as prostheses placement, average responses of middle ear vibrations are needed. One such response is the amplitude and phase of the vibration of the stapes footplate as a function of frequency. Average responses and their standard deviation are commonly obtained by calculating the mean of a number of measured responses at each frequency. A typical middle ear magnitude response curve shows a number of distinct peaks, and the location of these peaks varies between ears. By simply taking an average along the magnitude or phase response axis, the typical fine structure of the response curve is flattened out, delivering an average curve which no longer has the typical morphology of an individual response curve. This paper introduces methods to avoid this problem by first aligning the typical curve features along the frequency axis prior to calculating the average along the magnitude or phase axis, resulting in average magnitude and phase curves which maintain the typical morphology of the curve obtained for an individual ear. In the method, landmark points on the response magnitude curves are defined and the frequencies at which these points occur are averaged. Next, these average frequencies are used to align the landmark points between curves, prior to averaging values along the magnitude or phase axes. Methods for semi-automatic and manual assignment of landmark points and curve alignment are presented. After alignment, the correspondence between the original landmark frequencies and aligned frequencies is obtained together with the warping function which maps each original magnitude curve to its aligned version. The phase curves are aligned using the warping functions determined from the corresponding magnitude curves. Finally, a method is proposed to compare the data set of an individual measurement or model result to an aligned average curve in terms of magnitude and frequency by applying the alignment procedure to the individual curve.

In 1964, just a few years after the invention of the laser, a fluid velocity measurement based on the frequency shift of scattered light was made and the laser Doppler technique was born. This comprehensive review paper charts advances in the development and applications of laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) since those first pioneering experiments. Consideration is first given to the challenges that continue to be posed by laser speckle. Scanning LDV is introduced and its significant influence in the field of experimental modal analysis described. Applications in structural health monitoring and MEMS serve to demonstrate LDV's applicability on structures of all sizes. Rotor vibrations and hearing are explored as examples of the classic applications. Applications in acoustics recognise the versatility of LDV as demonstrated by visualisation of sound fields. The paper concludes with thoughts on future developments, using examples of new multi-component and multi-channel instruments.

High sound pressure levels (> 120 dB) cause damage or death of the hair cells of the inner ear, hence causing hearing loss. Vocalization differences are present between hens and roosters. Crowing in roosters is reported to produce sound pressure levels of 100 dB measured at a distance of 1 m. In this study we measured the sound pressure levels that exist at the entrance of the outer ear canal. We hypothesize that roosters may benefit from a passive protective mechanism while hens do not require such a mechanism. Audio recordings at the level of the entrance of the outer ear canal of crowing roosters, made in this study, indeed show that a protective mechanism is needed as sound pressure levels can reach amplitudes of 142.3 dB. Audio recordings made at varying distances from the crowing rooster show that at a distance of 0.5 m sound pressure levels already drop to 102 dB. Micro-CT scans of a rooster and chicken head show that in roosters the auditory canal closes when the beak is opened. In hens the diameter of the auditory canal only narrows but does not close completely. A morphological difference between the sexes in shape of a bursa-like slit which occurs in the outer ear canal causes the outer ear canal to close in roosters but not in hens.

Two methods are especially suited for tomographic imaging with histological detail of macroscopic samples that consist of multiple tissue types (bone, muscle, nerve or fat): Light sheet (based) fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Micro-CT requires staining with heavy chemical elements (and thus fixation and sometimes dehydration) in order to make soft tissue imageable when measured alongside denser structures. LSMF requires fixation, decalcification, dehydration, clearing and staining with a fluorescent dye. The specimen preparation of both imaging methods is prone to shrinkage, which is often not mentioned, let alone quantified. In this paper the presence and degree of shrinkage are quantitatively identified for the selected preparation methods/stains. LSFM delivers a volume shrinkage of 17% for bone, 56% for muscle and 62% for brain tissue. The three most popular micro-CT stains (phosphotungstic acid, iodine with potassium iodide, and iodine in absolute ethanol) deliver a volume shrinkage ranging from 10 to 56% for muscle and 27–66% for brain, while bone does not shrink in micro-CT preparation.

A new anatomically-accurate Finite Element (FE) model of the tympanic membrane (TM) and malleus was combined with measurements of the sound-induced motion of the TM surface and the bony manubrium, in an isolated TM-malleus preparation. Using the results, we were able to address two issues related to how sound is coupled to the ossicular chain: (i) Estimate the viscous damping within the tympanic membrane itself, the presence of which may help smooth the broadband response of a potentially highly resonant TM, and (ii) Investigate the function of a peculiar feature of human middle-ear anatomy, the thin mucosal epithelial fold that couples the mid part of the human manubrium to the TM. Sound induced motions of the surface of ex vivo human eardrums and mallei were measured with stroboscopic holography, which yields maps of the amplitude and phase of the displacement of the entire membrane surface at selected frequencies. The results of these measurements were similar, but not identical to measurements made in intact ears. The holography measurements were complemented by laser-Doppler vibrometer measurements of sound-induced umbo velocity, which were made with fine-frequency resolution. Comparisons of these measurements to predictions from a new anatomically accurate FE model with varied membrane characteristics suggest the TM contains viscous elements, which provide relatively low damping, and that the epithelial fold that connects the central section of the human manubrium to the TM only loosely couples the TM to the manubrium. The laser-Doppler measurements in two preparations also suggested the presence of significant variation in the complex modulus of the TM between specimens. Some animations illustrating the model results are available at our website (www.uantwerp.be/en/rg/bimef/downloads/tympanic-membrane-motion).

Full-field strain maps of intact rabbit eardrums subjected to static pressures are presented. A stochastic intensity pattern was applied to 12 eardrums, and strain maps were measured at the medial site using a stereoscopic digital image correlation setup for pressures between -2 and 2 kPa. Ear canal overpressures induced circumferential orientated positive strains between manubrium and the eardrum border that increased almost linearly with pressure. Radially orientated negative strains were found at the border and manubrium. Ear canal underpressures caused negative circumferential strains between manubrium and the tympanic annulus but radially orientated positive strains at the borders. The magnitudes of these negative strains at underpressures were larger than those of positive strains at overpressures and were nonlinearly proportional to pressure. In three ears, strains were calculated with intact and removed cochlea. The effect of cochlea removal on the peak-to-peak strain was found to be no more than 3%. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In 3D optical metrology, single-shot structured light profilometry techniques have inherent advantages over their multi-shot counterparts in terms of measurement speed, optical setup simplicity, and robustness to motion artifacts. In this paper. we present a new approach to extract height information from single deformed fringe patterns. based entirely on deep learning. By training a fully convolutional neural network on a large set of simulated height maps with corresponding deformed fringe patterns, we demonstrate the ability of the network to obtain full-field height information from previously unseen fringe patterns with high accuracy. As an added benefit. intermediate data processing steps such as background masking, noise reduction and phase unwrapping that are otherwise required in classic demodulation strategies, can be learned directly by the network as part of its mapping function. (C) 2019 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement

Attempts to lower the noise of electrical machines in general and the noise of transformers in particular have gained more attention during the last years. The deformation of the magnetised ferromagnetic materials, known as magnetostriction, is a significant contributor to this noise. The aim of this work is to model such deformation by means of numerical tools. To this end, first the magnetostrictive behaviour of the material is required to apply it further for the calculations. We start with an overview of the magnetostriction strain measurement setups developed at the Electrical Energy Laboratory of Ghent University. A recently developed setup using a heterodyne laser interferometer is compared with a strain gauge setup that has been developed in the past. The results obtained by the laser setup prove to have a higher accuracy than those obtained by the strain gauge setup. In the next step, the laser measurement results are applied to the numerical magnetostrictive deformation technique. Such technique is based on finite element approach and requires a model of the magnetostrictive behaviour of the core material, which is made on the basis of the experimental results. For the computation, continuum description of magnetoelastic materials based on Chu model formulations is considered. In this method, a set of forces are introduced, which in fact induce the same strain in the material as the magnetostriction does. Applying the measurement results obtained by the laser setup in the computation method enables us to better identify the core deformation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Image acquisition is an important step to study cytoskeleton organization. As visual interpretations and manual measurements of the digital images are prone to errors and require a great amount of time, a freely available software package named MicroFilament Analyzer (MFA) was developed. The goal was to provide a tool that facilitates high-throughput analysis to determine the orientation of filamentous structures on digital images in a more standardized, objective and repeatable way. Here, the rationale and applicability of the program is demonstrated by analyzing the microtubule patterns in epidermal cells of control and gravistimulated Arabidopsis thaliana roots. Differential expansion of cells on either side of the root results in a downward bending of the root tip. As cell expansion depends on the properties of the cell wall, this could imply a differential orientation of cellulose microfibrils. As cellulose deposition is orchestrated by cortical microtubules, the microtubule patterns were analyzed. The MFA program detects the filamentous structures on the image and identifies the main orientation(s) within individual cells. This revealed four distinguishable microtubule patterns in root epidermal cells. The analysis indicated that gravitropic stimulation and developmental age are both significant factors that determine microtubule orientation. Moreover, the data show that an altered microtubule pattern does not precede differential expansion. Other possible applications are illustrated as well, including field emission scanning electron micrographs (FESEM) of cellulose microfibrils in plant cell walls and images of fluorescent actin.

Deformation of the tympanic membrane is known to contribute to the pressure regulation processes in the middle ear cleft. In this paper we investigated pressure variations in the rabbit middle ear in response to sinusoidal varying pressures applied to the ear canal, with frequencies ranging from 0.5 Hz to 50 Hz and pressure amplitudes ranging between 0.25 kPa and 1 kPa. The transtympanic pressure difference was found to be smallest in the quasi-static range, and quickly increased as a function of frequency. The response curves showed asymmetry, with larger transtympanic pressures when positive pressures were applied in the ear canal. Normalized transtympanic pressure amplitudes remained fairly constant as a function of input pressure, with values in the range of 60%-70% relative to the applied pressure. The total harmonic distortion of the middle ear pressure signal was calculated and was found to be very small (

Background Despite continuing advances in finite element software, the realistic simulation of middle ear response under acoustic stimulation continues to be challenging. One reason for this is the wide range of possible choices that can be made during the definition of a model. Therefore, an explorative study of the relative influences of some of these choices is potentially very helpful. Method Three finite element models of the human middle ear were constructed, based on high-resolution micro-computed tomography scans from three different human temporal bones. Interesting variations in modeling definitions and parameter values were selected and their influences on middle ear transmission were evaluated. The models were compared against different experimental validation criteria, both from the literature and from our own measurements. Simulation conditions were restricted to the frequency range 0.1–10 kHz. Results Modeling the three geometries with the same modeling definitions and parameters produces stapes footplate response curves that exhibit similar shapes, but quantitative differences of 4 dB in the lower frequencies and up to 6 dB around the resonance peaks. The model properties with the largest influences on our model outcomes are the tympanic membrane (TM) damping and stiffness and the cochlear load. Model changes with a small to negligible influence include the isotropy or orthotropy of the TM, the geometry of the connection between the TM and the malleus, the microstructure of the incudostapedial joint, and the length of the tensor tympani tendon. Conclusion The presented results provide insights into the importance of different features in middle ear finite element modeling. The application of three different individual middle ear geometries in a single study reduces the possibility that the conclusions are strongly affected by geometrical abnormalities. Some modeling variations that were hypothesized to be influential turned out to be of minor importance. Furthermore, it could be confirmed that different geometries, simulated using the same parameters and definitions, can produce significantly different responses.

Saxophonists are limited by their physiology. In this paper, we hypothesise that a biomechanical change, induced through strengthening the respiratory muscles, influences saxophone performance. Sixteen musicians participated in a low resistive breathing (placebo) and a high resistive breathing training programme with small and large resistive loads during in- and expiration with no washout period. We observed a significant increase in respiratory muscle strength and a changed saxophone timbre in the long term. Only the high resistive breathing training programme induced a significant decrease in flow use during saxophone performance. The immediate training effects were an increased flow during saxophone performance and a changed saxophone timbre.

An otological profilometry device based on real-time structured light triangulation is presented. A clinical otoscope head is mounted onto a custom-handheld unit containing both a small digital light projector and a high-speed digital camera. Digital fringe patterns are projected onto the eardrum surface and are recorded at a rate of 120 unique frames per second. The relative angle between projection and camera axes causes the projected patterns to appear deformed by the eardrum shape, allowing its full-field three-dimensional (3-D) surface map to be reconstructed. By combining hardware triggering between projector and camera with a dedicated parallel processing pipeline, the proposed system is capable of acquiring a live stream of point clouds of over 300,000 data points per frame at a rate of 40 Hz. Real-time eardrum profilometry adds an additional dimension of depth to the standard two-dimensional otoscopy image and provides a noninvasive tool to enhance the qualitative depth perception of the clinical operator with quantitative 3-D data. Visualization of the eardrum from different perspectives can improve the diagnosis of existing and the detection of impending middle ear pathology. The capability of the device to detect small middle ear pressure changes by monitoring eardrum deformation in real time is demonstrated.

It is well known that one of the features of a laser diode is its wavelength tunability which can be modulated with a variable injection current and/or temperature of its active region. For many industrial and scientific applications it is desirable that the laser gets stabilized. In this paper, on the contrary, the laser diode is turned on-off for a short period of time. The generated peak variations of voltage and temperature will cause a modulation of its wavelength. This modulation is used to add phase-shifts in an unbalanced Twyman-Green interferometer and by using Carre algorithm the phase of the resulting interference wave will be retrieved.

A need for screening methods for arteriosclerosis led to the development of several approaches to measure pulse wave velocity (PWV) being indicative of arterial stiffness. Carotid-femoral PWV (cfPWV) can be measured between common carotid artery (CCA) and femoral artery (FA) displaying the physiologically important stiffness of the conduit arteries. However, this measurement approach has several disadvantages, and a local PWV-measurement of CCA-stiffness has been proposed as an alternative in the past. In the presented pilot study, laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) is used to measure PWV locally in the CCA (PWVLDV) in 48 patients aged between 48 and 70, with known atherosclerotic arterial disease: stabilized coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebro-vascular disease (CVD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD). Additionally, cfPWV, CCA distensibility coefficient (DC), CCA intima-media thickness (IMT), blood pressure (BP) and age were evaluated. LDV is a valid method for local PWV-measurement. The method is potentially easy to use, and causes no discomfort to the patient. PWVLDV correlates with age (R = 0.432; p = 0.002) as reported in related studies using other techniques, and measured values lay between 2.5 and 5.8 m s(-1), which is well in line with literature measures of local PWV in the CCA. In conclusion, PWVLDV potentially is a marker for arterial health, but more research in a larger and more homogeneous patient population is mandatory. In future studies, blood velocity measurements should be incorporated, as well as a reference method such as pulse wave imaging (PWI) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The tympanic membrane is a key component of the human auditory apparatus. Good estimates of tympanic membrane mechanical properties are important to obtain realistic models of middle ear mechanics. Current literature values are almost all derived from direct mechanical tests on cut-out strips. For a biomedical specimen like the tympanic membrane, it is not always possible to harvest strips of uniform and manageable geometry and well-defined size suitable for such mechanical tests. In this work, elastic and viscoelastic properties of human tympanic membrane were determined through indentation testing on the tympanic membrane in situ. Indentation experiments were performed on three specimens with a custom-built apparatus that was also used in previously published works. Two types of indentation tests were performed on each specimen: (i) sinusoidal indentation at 0.2 Hz yielding the quasi-static Young's modulus and (ii) step indentation tests yielding viscoelastic properties in the quasi-static regime (020 Hz). In the cyclic indentation experiments (type i), the indentation depth and resulting needle force were recorded. The unloaded shape of the tympanic membrane and the membrane thickness were measured and used to create a specimen-specific finite element model of the experiment. The Young's modulus was then found through optimization of the error between model and experimental data; the values that were found for the three different samples are 2.1 MPa, 4.4 MPa and 2.3 MPa. A sensitivity analysis showed that these values are very sensitive to the thickness used in the models. In the step indentation tests (type ii), force relaxation was measured during 120 s and the relaxation curves were fitted with a 5 parameter Maxwell viscoelastic model. The relaxation curves in the time domain were transformed to complex moduli in the frequency domain, yielding viscoelastic properties in the quasi-static regime only.

The accuracy of fringe projection profilometry strongly depends on the setup. In this article different setups are discussed, and compared using custom-made freeware simulation software. The best suited geometry for aberration-free measurements on small objects is implemented in a practical setup. By using specific telecentric lenses and different grid periods, both for projection and observation, we obtain a close to aberration-free phase-shifting projection moire profilometer. In combination with liquid crystal display panels, the setup becomes practical, versatile and user-friendly.

The tympanic membrane transfers sound waves in the ear canal to mechanical vibrations in the middle ear and cochlea. Good estimates of the mechanical properties of the tympanic membrane are important to obtain realistic models. Up till now, only limited resources about tympanic membrane viscoelastic properties are available in the literature. This study aimed to quantify the viscoelastic properties of gerbil tympanic membrane. Step indentations were applied with a custom indenter on four fresh, intact tympanic membranes and the resulting force relaxation was measured. The reduced relaxation functions were then fitted with two viscoelastic model representations: a 5-parameter Maxwell model and a model with a continuous relaxation spectrum. The average relaxation function is described by an initial rapid decrease of 6.5% with characteristic time 0.77 s, followed by a long term decrease with characteristic time 46 s that gradually tends stable till a total relaxation of 15%. The relaxation curves in the time domain were transformed to complex moduli in the frequency domain. It was found that these transformations yield information on strain-rate dependence only from quasi-static to the very lowest acoustic frequencies. Finally, relaxation and hysteresis were simulated in a finite element model with viscoelastic material properties.

The effects of slight atmospheric pressure fluctuations (APFs) within two ranges of periods attributed mostly to far infrasound (3 s–120 s) and internal gravity waves (120 s–1200 s) on human behaviour related to injury occurrences, within the one-year interval, are examined. Special interest is paid to the analysis of combined effects of APFs and geomagnetic activity (GMA) attributed to low and moderate levels. The relations between the daily number of emergency transport events due to sport injuries (EEI) and daily mean of APF integral amplitudes within the two ranges (DHAI and DHAG, resp.) along with the planetary geomagnetic index Ap are analysed using the regression models based on categorization. As shown, the high DHAI is a rather strong meteorotropic factor, being of relevance to increase in the incidence of sport injuries. The high DHAG appears to be of opposite sense on the background of low DHAI, promoting the decreased EEI number. The consideration of combined effects of the APF and GMA reveals that the negative effects of high DHAI are more pronounced in combination with low Ap levels. The results are discussed from the viewpoint of the necessity of further medico-meteorological studies using databases of most disturbed geophysical conditions.

An accurate estimation of tympanic membrane stiffness is important for realistic modelling of middle ear mechanics. Tympanic membrane stiffness has been investigated extensively under either quasi-static or dynamic loading conditions. It is known that biological tissues are sensitive to strain rate. Therefore, in this work, the mechanical behaviour of the tympanic membrane was studied under both quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. Experiments were performed on the pars tensa of four gerbil tympanic membranes. A custom-built indentation apparatus was used to perform in situ tissue indentations and testing was done applying both quasi-static and dynamic sinusoidal indentations up to 8.2 Hz. The unloaded shape of the tympanic membrane was measured and used to create specimen-specific finite element models to simulate the experiments. The frequency dependent Youngs modulus of each specimen was then estimated by an inverse analysis in which the error between experimental and simulated indentation data was optimised for each indentation frequency separately. Using an 8 μm central region thickness, we found Youngs moduli between 71 and 106 MPa (n = 4) at 0.2 Hz indentation frequency. A standard linear viscoelastic model and a viscoelastic model with a continuous relaxation spectrum were used to derive a complex modulus in the frequency domain. Due to experimental limitations, the indentation frequency upper limit was 8.2 Hz. The average relative modulus increase in this domain was 14% and the increase was the strongest below 6 Hz.

Despite the large number of studies devoted to the evolution of beak shape in Darwin's finches, surprisingly little is known about the morphology of the skull and jaw musculature in these birds. Moreover, it remains currently unclear whether Darwin's finches are unusual in their cranial morphology compared with other seed-cracking birds. Here, we provide a detailed description of the morphology of the cranial system in the medium ground finch (Geospiza fortis) and compare it with that of another seed-cracking bird of similar overall size and appearance, the Java finch (Padda oryzivora). Our data show an overall similarity in beak size and cranial morphology. Yet, differences in the jaw adductor size and corresponding attachments to the cranium and mandible are prominent, with the medium ground finch having much more robust jaw-closing muscles. This is reflected in differences in bite forces, with the medium ground finch biting much harder than the Java finch. These data suggest similarities in the evolution of the feeding system in birds specializing in the cracking of hard seeds, but also show the uniqueness of the cranial morphology and bite force of the medium ground finch compared with other seed-cracking birds.

In order to improve realism in middle ear (ME) finite-element modeling (FEM), comprehensive and precise morphological data are needed. To date, micro-scale X-ray computed tomography (μCT) recordings have been used as geometric input data for FEM models of the ME ossicles. Previously, attempts were made to obtain these data on ME soft tissue structures as well. However, due to low X-ray absorption of soft tissue, quality of these images is limited. Another popular approach is using histological sections as data for 3D models, delivering high in-plane resolution for the sections, but the technique is destructive in nature and registration of the sections is difficult. We combine data from high-resolution μCT recordings with data from high-resolution orthogonal-plane fluorescence optical-sectioning microscopy (OPFOS), both obtained on the same gerbil specimen. State-of-the-art μCT delivers high-resolution data on the 3D shape of ossicles and other ME bony structures, while the OPFOS setup generates data of unprecedented quality both on bone and soft tissue ME structures. Each of these techniques is tomographic and non-destructive and delivers sets of automatically aligned virtual sections. The datasets coming from different techniques need to be registered with respect to each other. By combining both datasets, we obtain a complete high-resolution morphological model of all functional components in the gerbil ME. The resulting 3D model can be readily imported in FEM software and is made freely available to the research community. In this paper, we discuss the methods used, present the resulting merged model, and discuss the morphological properties of the soft tissue structures, such as muscles and ligaments.

Darwin's finches are a model system in ecological and evolutionary research, but surprisingly little is known about their skull morphology and development. Indeed, only the early beak development and external variation in adult beak shape has been studied. Understanding the development of the skull from embryo up to the adult is important to gain insights into how selection acts upon, and drives, variation in beak shape. Here, we provide a detailed description of the skeletal development of the skull in the medium ground finch (Geospiza fortis). Although the ossification sequence of the cranial elements is broadly similar to that observed for other birds, some differences can be observed. Unexpectedly, our data show that large changes in skull shape take place between the nestling and the juvenile phases. The reorientation of the beak, the orbit and the formation of well-developed processes and cristae suggest that these changes are likely related to the use of the beak after leaving the nest. This suggests that the active use of the jaw muscles during seed cracking plays an important role in shaping the adult skull morphology and may be driving some of the intra-specific variation observed in species such as G. fortis. Investigating the development of the jaw muscles and their interaction with the observed ossification and formation of the skull and lower jaw would allow further insights into the ecology and evolution of beak morphology in Darwin's finches.

The pars flaccida of the Meriones unguiculatus (Mongolian gerbil) was in previous studies shown to bulge almost spherically when pressurized, a behavior suggesting that it is suspended by a fixed circular boundary. The question arises whether this functional boundary is based on an underlying circular anatomical boundary, an important issue for modeling the middle-ear mechanics. In this article, the boundaries of the Mongolian gerbil pars flaccida were visualized in situ with otomicroscopy and in slides with light microscopy and by micro-CT radiology. For the major part of its circumference, the pars flaccida was found to be suspended by rigid bone, that is, the tympanic legs. The remaining boundary is made up of the terminal portion of the handle of the malleus and the soft tissue of the terminal arches. The attachment to these structures is simple and uncomplicated, and the geometry is regular and symmetric: deviating by only 3.5% from a perfect circular shape. The findings justify the use of a fixed circular boundary as a good approximation for the modeling of pars flaccida deformation in the Mongolian gerbil.

Aim For decades, monophasic square wave pulses have been used for intravesical electrical stimulation (IVES) in diagnosis and treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction. The use of other waveforms, more preferred by patients or more effective for neural stimulation, has hardly been studied before. This study compares the effect of several waveforms and derived parameters in IVES. Methods IVES, performed in eight female Sprague–Dawley rats, was given for 300 sec with constant frequency (10 Hz) and current amplitude (6 mA) with unipolar square, biphasic square, asymmetric biphasic square, double square, unipolar exponential rise, biphasic exponential rise, and double-exponential rise wavepulses with different pulse durations (2 × 5 msec, 20 msec, or 2 × 20 msec). Bladder pressure was recorded. Average current and average power were calculated. Results Stimulations with the different waveforms resulted in the same maximal pressure rise (all P > 0.1). The average charge was zero for biphasic waveforms. For exponential rise pulse waveforms the total injected charge was lower than that for the monophasic square pulse waveform. The average power was the highest for biphasic waveforms and the lowest for monophasic double-exponential rise pulses waveform. Conclusions Charge-balanced waveforms, which are more preferred by patients, are equally effective in evoking IVES-induced detrusor contraction as monophasic square pulse waveforms. Thus, it can be beneficial in clinical practice to replace the monophasic square pulse waveform for IVES by charge-balanced waveforms. Furthermore, the stimulation power and thus the requested energy can be reduced by changing the waveform. This can be important for electrical stimulation using implanted batteries. Neurourol. Urodyn. 30:169–173, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

In hearing science, finite element modelling is used commonly to study the mechanical behaviour of the middle ear. Correct quantitative elasticity parameters are an important input in these models. However, up till now, no large deformation elastic characterization of the pars flaccida, a small part of the tympanic membrane, has been carried out. In this paper, an elastic characterization of the gerbil pars flaccida is presented. The gerbil is used frequently as animal model in middle ear mechanics research. Characterization was done via inverse analysis of in situ static pressure inflation experiments. As a first approach, the pars flaccida was modelled as a linear homogeneous isotropic elastic membrane, which resulted in an average Young’s modulus of \({\left\langle E \right\rangle = (41.0 \pm 0.4)\,{\rm kPa}}\). It was found that linear elastic modelling cannot describe inflation stagnation at high pressures. Therefore, in a second approach, the Veronda–Westmann hyperelastic model was introduced. This was able to describe curve stagnation, the mean parameters that were found are \({\left\langle C_1 \right\rangle = (3.1 \pm 0.4)\,{\rm kPa}}\) and \({\left\langle C_2 \right\rangle = (2.5 \pm 0.2)}\). Finally, in situ strain was considered in the finite element models which resulted in a better description of the behaviour for small pressures. Incorporating this, the optimal Veronda–Westmann parameters are \({\left\langle C_1^{\varepsilon_R}\right\rangle = (2.6 \pm 0.6)\,{\rm kPa}}\), \({\left\langle C_2^{\varepsilon_R}\right\rangle = (1.4 \pm 0.2)}\) for a radial in situ strain of \({\left\langle \varepsilon_R \right\rangle = (12 \pm 2)}\). In conclusion, this paper shows that a linear elastic material is not appropriate to describe pars flaccida’s behaviour in the quasi-static pressure regime, that the currently used membrane stiffness estimates do not hold for large deformations and that incorporating an in situ strain in the models is necessary for a good description for small static pressures.

Udgivelsesdato: 2010 HYPOTHESIS:: Middle ear pressure (MEP) is actively regulated by both the Eustachian tube and the mastoid air cell system. BACKGROUND:: MEP is a highly significant factor involved in many clinical conditions related to otitis media. Basic knowledge on its overall regulation remains insufficient, but the Eustachian tube and mastoid gas exchange are important factors. The main focus has been aimed at the tube; however, evidence points to the mastoid as equally important. More detailed methods are demanded to study their complementary functions. METHODS:: A catheter was inserted into the mastoid of 12 human volunteers (patients for parotidectomy). This enabled monitoring MEP directly, and experiments were performed with volume displacements of +/-50, 100, and 200 mul resulting in a range of overpressure and underpressure. The following counter-regulation was recorded over 10 minutes. RESULTS:: In some cases, MEP counter-regulation presented as Eustachian tube openings with steep and fast pressure changes toward 0 Pa, whereas in others, gradual and slow pressure changes presented related to the mastoid; these changes sometimes crossed 0 Pa into opposite pressures. In many cases, combinations of these distinct mechanisms were found. CONCLUSION:: The human mastoid as well as the Eustachian tube was capable of active counter-regulation of the MEP in short-term experimental pressure changes in healthy ears. Thus, these 2 systems seemed to function in a complementary way, where the mastoid was related to continuous regulation of smaller pressures, whereas the tube was related to intermittent regulation of higher pressures.

The elasticity parameters of membranes can be obtained from tensile experiments on strips if adequate quantities of the material are available. For biomedical specimens, however, it is not always possible to harvest strips of uniform and manageable geometry suitable for tensile tests. A typical example is the human tympanic membrane. This small structure has a complex conical shape. In such case, elasticity parameters need to be measured in situ. A possible way to determine elasticity parameters of complex surfaces is the use of point indentation measurements. In this paper, this characterization procedure was applied on a scaled phantom model of the tympanic membrane. The model was built of natural latex rubber. In the characterization procedure, a point indentation is carried out on the membrane surface while forces and three-dimensional shapes are measured. Afterwards, a finite element simulation of the experiment is performed and parameters are found using an optimization routine. For validation purposes, the rubber was also subjected to a uniaxial tensile test. Several hyperelastic constitutive models are available to describe rubber-like behaviour. Among these, Mooney–Rivlin and Ogden models are the most popular. We used a low order Mooney–Rivlin and a higher order Ogden model to describe our experiments. Results show that there is a reasonable agreement between the tensile experiments output and the output of the inverse modelling of the indentation experiments.

A long standing debate on perfusion/diffusion limitations in the context of middle ear (ME) gas exchange was revisited using data obtained from previous iso-pressure gas-exchange measurements in different mammals. We tried to determine whether the exchange of CO2 in the ME is limited by perfusion or by diffusion by comparing the mass specific cardiac output ( ms Q ˙ ) and the mass specific initial CO2 flow rate into air-washed MEs ( ms V i ˙ CO 2 ) of rabbits and rats. Based on previously published allometry at rest, the ms Q ˙ was 0.154 mL/(min g) in rabbits (mean body weight: 2800 g) and 0.259 mL/(min g) in rats (mean body weight: 179.1 g); ms V i ˙ CO 2 (Δt = 0) was 0.109 ± 0.047 μL/(h g) in rabbits (n = 16) and 0.170 ± 0.094 μL/(h g) in rats (n = 9). Similar ratios were found when an allometric comparison was made between the ratio of ms V i ˙ CO 2 (Δt = 0) (∼0.64), and the ratio of ms Q ˙ s (∼0.59) in rabbits and rats. If the active mucosal surface areas of MEs of rabbits and rats are directly proportional to their masses as are the masses of their hearts and if their ms Q ˙ s are proportional to the rates of blood flows in the ME mucosa, these results support the assumption that the exchange of CO2 in the ME of mammals is mainly perfusion (and not diffusion) dependent.

For the purpose of creating a finite element model of the middle ear, the ossicles can be modelled as rigid bodies or as linear elastic materials. The general elasticity parameters used are usually measured on larger bones like the femur. In order to obtain a highly realistic model, the actual elastic modulus (Young’s modulus) of the ossicles themselves is needed. We developed a novel 2-needle indentation method of determining the Young’s modulus of small samples based on Sneddon’s solution. We introduce the second needle in such a way that small specimens can be clamped between the two needles and a symmetry plane is obtained, so that geometry-dependent sample deformations are avoided. A finite element calculated correction factor is used to compensate for the small thickness of the samples. The system was tested on several materials with known parameters in order to validate the technique, and was then used to determine the elasticity parameters of incus and malleus in rabbit. No significant differences between measurement locations were found, and we found an average Young’s modulus of 16 ± 3 GPa .

In phase-shifting moiré profilometry, grid lines are projected onto an object, and the deformed projection is imaged onto a second grid to obtain moiré fringes. Grid noise is removed by translating both grids simultaneously in their own plane, and fringe phase-shifts are obtained by changing the relative distance between the two grids. From three or more phase-shifted moiré fringe patterns, object surface height is calculated on all pixel points of the camera which records the moiré fringe patterns. Classically, translation of the grids is performed mechanically. Recently, we have introduced a method using two liquid crystal light modulators to perform high-resolution phase-shifting moiré topography without any mechanically moving parts. We now describe, how this new method can be implemented using a low-cost consumer product LCD projector. We show how the different LCD panels can be addressed, and how fast grid noise averaging can be implemented using a standard computer graphics board. Resolution measurements and application examples are presented on objects of different sizes.

When studying complex vibrations, simultaneous measurements at several points are indispensable if one is dealing with objects whose vibrational behavior is not guaranteed to be stable over longer periods of time, such as biological specimens, micro-mechanical elements or objects characterized by nearly resonant normal modes with different vibrational patterns. Obviously, both amplitude and phase need to be measured at each point to obtain a full characterization of the vibration. We introduce birefringent beam displacers as a highly efficient beam multiplying method to create a system of four heterodyne interferometers operating in parallel from a single laser source. The design and the performance characteristics (resolution, cross-talk) of the instrument will be discussed. The system revealed the existence of running vibrational modes on an electrically driven plate clamped along its outer edge.

Different methods exist to quantify non-linearity, and recently a new method was proposed that uses multisines to determine output response level, noise level, and level of non-linear distortions simultaneously from one single short experiment. We used heterodyne vibrometry to measure the vibration of a membrane while it is stimulated acoustically, and to determine the non-linear distortions in its response with this new method of analysis. We demonstrate the method on an electrically driven earphone. Analysis of the sound output and optically measured vibration deliver comparable results, and clearly detect non-linear distortions. Next, we apply the method on an acoustically driven elastic membrane. At vibration amplitudes of the same magnitude as on the earphone, non-linear distortions are much smaller, as to be expected on an elastic membrane, but they can still be detected with the vibrometer. This technique can be used to investigate the non-linearity of acoustically driven systems such as the middle ear.

Conclusions. Important information about the basic reparative process of tympanic membrane (TM) healing is shown, which can be incorporated for further clinical understanding. This provides a basis for the exploration of stem cell treatment for TM perforations and holds promise for future improvements. Objectives. This study aimed to analyse the healing of TM perforation by using stem cells and the stiffness of the membrane was tested in an acute and long-term study. Materials and methods. Sprague-Dawley rats were used in a model of TM perforation. The perforation was performed with a laser system. Stem cells were applied and the healing time and morphological analysis were performed with light and transmission electron microscope. Stiffness was examined by moire interferometry. Results. The stiffness of the perforated and healed TM was restored after just 2 weeks. In the chronic perforation model, mesenchymal stem cells enhanced the healing.

Objectives: The tympanic membrane (TM) represents a pressure buffer, which contributes to the overall pressure regulation of the middle ear (ME). This buffer capacity is based on its viscoelastic properties combined with those of the attached ossicular chain, muscles and ligaments. The current work presents a set of in vivo recordings of the ME pressure variations normally occurring in common life: elevator motion. This is defined as a situation of smooth ambient pressure increase or decrease on a limited range and at a low rate of pressure change. Based on these recordings, the purpose was a quantitative analysis of the TM buffer capacity including the TM compliance. Methods: The pressure changes in seven normal adult ME's with intact TM's were continuously recorded directly inside the ME cavity during four different elevator trips using a high precision instrument. The TM buffer capacity was determined by the ratio between the changes in ME and the ambient pressure. Further, the ME volumes were calculated by Boyle's Law from pressure recordings during inflation deflation tests; subsequently the TM compliance could also be calculated. Finally, the correlation between the ME volume and buffer function was determined. Results: Twenty-one elevator trips could be used for the analysis. The overall mean TM pressure buffering capacity was 23.3% (SEM = 3.4), whereas the mean overall compliance was 28.9 x 10(-3) mu L/Pa (SEM = 4.8). A strong negative linear correlation was found between the TM buffer capacity and the ME volumes (R-2 = 0.92). Conclusions: These results were in fair agreement with the literature obtained in clinical as well as temporal bone experiments, and they provide an in vivo reference for the normal ME function as well as for ME modeling. The TM buffer capacity was found more efficient in smaller mastoids. Possible clinical implications are discussed. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cardiovascular diseases (CD) are the leading cause of death worldwide and their prevalence is expected to rise. Important in the etiology of CD is the stiffening of the large arteries (arteriosclerosis) and plaque formation (atherosclerosis) in the common carotid artery (CCA). Increasing evidence shows that both arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis can be detected by assessing pulse wave velocity (PWV) in the CCA, and several techniques focus on the detection of PWV in this structure. In previous studies, laser doppler vibrometry (LDV) was proposed as an approach to detect arterial stiffness. In the present work, a compact four-channel LDV system is introduced for PWV detection. Four phantom arteries were assessed mimicking real life cardiovascular pathologies. Due to the high sensitivity and the increased spatial and temporal resolution of the LDV system, PWV could be assessed, and even local changes in phantom architecture could be detected. The system could potentially be used to detect arteriosclerosis and arterial plaque during cardiovascular screening.

In aggressive battles, the extremely large male stag beetle jaws have to withstand strongly elevated bite forces. We found several adaptations of the maleCyclommatus metalliferjaw morphology for enhanced robustness that conspecific females lack. As a result, males improve their grip on opponents and they maintain their safety factor (5.2–7.2) at the same level as that of females (6.8), despite their strongly elevated bite muscle force (3.9 times stronger). Males have a higher second moment of area and torsion constant than females, owing to an enhanced cross-sectional area and shape. These parameters also increase faster with increasing bending moment towards the jaw base in males than in females. Male jaws are more bending resistant against the bite reaction force than against perpendicular forces (which remain lower in battles). Because of the triangular cross section of the male jaw base, it twists more easily than it bends. This torsional flexibility creates a safety system against overload that, at the same time, secures a firm grip on rivals. We found no structural mechanical function of the large teeth halfway along the male jaws. Therefore, it appears that the main purpose of these teeth is a further improvement of grip on rivals.

Cardiovascular diseases (CD) are the most important cause of death in the world and their prevalence is only rising. A significant aspect in the etiology of CD is the stiffening of the large arteries (arteriosclerosis) and plaque formation (atherosclerosis) in the common carotid artery (CCA) in the neck. As shown by increasing evidence, both conditions can be detected by assessing pulse wave velocity (PWV) in the CCA, and several approaches allow local detection of PWV, including ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In previous studies, laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) was introduced as an approach to assess arterial stiffness. In the present work, a new, compact four channel LDV system is used for PWV detection in four phantom arteries mimicking real life CCA conditions. The high sensitivity of the LDV system allowed PWV to be assessed, and even local changes in phantom architecture could be detected. This method has potential for cardiovascular screening, as it allows arteriosclerosis assessment and plaque detection.

A low-cost and fully automated process for phase-shifting interferometry by continuously changing and turning on-off the input voltage of a laser diode under the scheme of an unbalanced Twyman-Green interferometer setup is presented. The input signal of a laser diode is controlled by a Data Acquisition (NI-DAQ) device which permits to change its wavelength according to its tunability features. The automation and data analysis will be done using LabVIEW in combination with MATLAB. By using Carre algorithm the phase map is obtained. Measurements of visibility and phase-shift to verify the PSI requirements are also shown.

This paper presents an inverse modeling approach to estimate mechanical properties of asphalt concrete (i.e. Young's modulus E, Poisson ratio v and damping coefficients). Modal analysis was performed on an asphalt slab using a shaker to excite the specimen and an optical measurement system (a Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer or SLDV) to measure the velocity of a measurement grid on the surface of the slab. The SLDV has the ability to measure the vibration pattern of an object with high accuracy, short testing time and without making any contact. The measured data were used as inputs for a frequency domain model parameter estimation method (the Polymax estimator). Meanwhile, natural frequencies and damping ratios of the system were calculated using a Finite Element Modeling (FEM) method. Then, the Modal Assurance Criterion (MAC) was used to pair the mode shapes of the structure determined by measurements and estimated by FEM. By changing the inputs of the FEM analysis (E, v and damping coefficients of the material) iteratively and minimizing the discrepancy between paired natural frequencies and damping ratios of the system estimated using the Polymax estimator and calculated by FEM, the Young's modulus, Poisson ratio and damping coefficients of the asphalt slab were estimated.

The jaws of different species of stag beetles show a large variety of shapes and sizes. The male jaws are used as weapons in fights, and they may exert a very forceful bite in some species. We investigated in 16 species whether and how the forcefulness of their bite is reflected in their jaw morphology. We found a large range of maximal muscle forces (1.833 N; factor of 18). Species investing in large bite muscles also have disproportionately large jaw volumes. They use this additional jaw volume to elongate their jaws, increasing their chances of winning in battles. The fact that this also decreases the mechanical advantage is largely compensated for by elongated in-levers. As a result, high muscle forces are correlated with elevated bite forces (0.277.6 N; factor of 28). Despite the large difference in the forcefulness of their bite, all investigated species experience similar Von Mises stresses in their jaws while biting (29114 MPa; factor of 4.0; calculated with finite element simulations). Hence, stag beetles have successfully adapted their jaw anatomy according to their bite force in fights.

Hypothesis: The short-term healing scar that forms after experimental laser myringotomy will revert to a normal lamina propria in the long run. The mechanical stiffness will stay normal. Background: Recent studies have shown severe structural changes in the fibrous layer in the early course after experimental laser myringotomy, whereas the scar quickly restored the strength of the tympanic membrane (TM). A reorganization of the fiber layer is expected to occur. Methods: Potassium titanyl phosphate laser myringotomy was made on one side of the TM in Sprague-Dawley rats. The ear of the other side was untouched and used for control. After half a year of observation, the stiffness and strength of the healed TNls were measured with moire interferometry and examined with otomicroscopy and light and electron microscopy. Results: The interferometry readings showed a slightly reduced strength in the myringotomized and healed TMs. After half a year, still there were immense structural changes including increased thickness over a wide area of the pars tensa with increased amounts of fibers. An obvious reorganization of the fiber layer was lacking. Conclusion: Laser myringotomy causes profound, long-standing, or permanent structural changes in the lamina propria of the pars tensa, whereas the strength of the TM may become slightly reduced.

Atmospheric pressure fluctuations (APF) might induce mechanical effects in the pars flaccida (PF) of the eardrum. To clarify these effects, different kinds of pressure oscillations (PO), chosen within the range of naturally occurring APF, were applied to the middle ears (ME) of gerbils. The linear displacement of the PF during a PO in the ME was measured by laser interferometry. The compliance of the PF to PO was calculated as the ratio of the amplitude of a PF oscillation to the amplitude of a PO. The displacement of the PF traced the PO in the entire range of frequencies (from 10 mHz to 200 mHz) and amplitudes (from 10 Pa to 110 Pa) applied to the ME. Moreover, the PF is found to be displaced by pressure pulses of a few pascals only using a PO with a complex shape. The differences found in the compliance of the PF due to PO with low (less than 20 Pa) and high (more than 90 Pa) amplitude point out that the mechanism of pressure regulation in the ME through the mechanical reaction of the PF in gerbil ears is better adapted to ordinary levels of natural APF than to extraordinary levels. The implications of these findings for the physiology of the human ME with respect to adaptation to natural APF are discussed.

A novel X-ray stereoscopy technique, using greyscale information obtained from moving markers, was used to study the 3D motion in both gerbil and rabbit middle ear ossicles in the quasi-static pressure regime. The motion can be measured without visually exposing the ossicles. The ossicles showed non-linear behaviour as a function of both pressure and frequency. For instance, about 80% of the maximum umbo displacement occurs at a 1 kPa (peak-to-peak) pressure load, while a limited increase of the amplitude is noticed when the pressure goes to 2 kPa. In rabbit the ratio of stapes to umbo motion amplitude was 0.35 for a pressure of 2 kPa (peak-to-peak) at 0.5 Hz. From two stereoscopic projections of the marker paths, 3D motion of the ossicles could be calculated. This motion is demonstrated on high-resolution computer models in order to visualize ossicular chain behaviour.