Automated human temporal-bone experiments

Abstract

Abstract Temporal-bone (TB) experiments are useful for the investigation of middle-ear and inner-ear transfer properties, and the analysis and development of active or passive middleear prostheses or related devices. To acquire the mechanical middle-ear (ME) response, the Laser-Doppler vibrometry (LDV) is utilized as a preferred method. In most setups, the exact measurement point chosen on the biological structure of interest as well as the direction of the corresponding vibration measurement is not precisely defined and of unknown reproducibility. Hence, an automated setup controlling coordinates of TB and measurement direction is developed and tested. To test the reproducibility, TBs were measured with ER7C and ER10C probe microphones employing a small industrial robot to position the TB to the ME points of interest and align it to the laser beam. The position and vibration data acquired at the same locations at different points of time were processed and compared. Measured transfer functions indicate noticeable differences at some frequency ranges. Nonetheless, the reproducibility of positioning to repeatedly measured points proved itself relatively accurate, if no manipulations in the setup are made. In conclusion, the current study shows that automated LDV TB measurement system is in principle capable to adapt to the changes in setup during intermediate preparation steps. With more acquired data, the setup stability and reproducibility can be more precisely verified, and additional improvements can be made.