In passive middle ear prosthetics, rigid implants have proven successful in reconstructing the ossicular chain. However, these cannot fully replicate the physiology of the ossicular chain. Pressure fluctuations cause high loads in rigid passive prostheses, which can lead to dislocation, extrusion and unsatisfactory hearing results.
In collaboration with MED-EL, we developed a new passive middle ear prosthesis that features a balanced, centered microsphere joint between the headplate and prosthesis shaft. The sound transmission properties of this new prosthesis were compared with those of a rigid prosthesis. For this purpose, the sound-induced velocity of the stapes footplate was measured by laser Doppler vibrometry in temporal bones. In addition, we evaluated the prosthesis response to pressure fluctuations using wideband tympanometry.
The novel prosthesis showed equivalent sound transmission characteristics compared to the rigid prosthesis. In addition, it can compensate for pressure fluctuations due to its microsphere joint, thus ensuring good transmission properties even in chronic middle ear disease.
This development is a further step towards the physiological reconstruction of the ossicular chain.
Conflict of Interest Der Erstautor weist auf folgenden Interessenkonflikt hin Das Projekt wurde durch MED-EL teilfinanziert.
