Abstract
We present an experimental model for a semicircular canal with canalithiasis. Canalithiasis is a pathological condition where free-floating particles disturb the flow field in the semicircular canals. It may lead to a specific form of vertigo known as BPPV or top-shelf vertigo. A careful scaling of the physical and geometrical parameters allows us to study the mechanics of this disease on an enlarged model of a single semicircular canal with laser vibrometry and video particle tracking. Early results confirm the proper operation of the model canal and support the current theories on the mechanisms of BPPV.
Highlights
The semicircular canals (SCC) located in the inner ear (Figure 1) are part of the balance sense and are our primary sensors for angular motion
We present an experimental model for a semicircular canal with canalithiasis
It may lead to a specific form of vertigo known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) or top-shelf vertigo
Summary
The semicircular canals (SCC) located in the inner ear (Figure 1) are part of the balance sense and are our primary sensors for angular motion. The inertia of the endolymph will lead to a flow relative to the moving SCC. This flow deflects the cupula which is an elastic structure that effectively obstructs the flow through the SCC. BPPV due to canalithiasis has been studied theoretically and numerically by several authors (House and Honrubia, 2003; Rajguru et al, 2005; Squires et al, 2004; Obrist and Hegemann, 2008). These in-vitro models are usually scaled up while it must be ensured that this scaling does not alter the relevant physical processes It is the goal of the present work to design a properly scaled experimental model, to validate this model thoroughly and to demonstrate its use for the study of SCC with canalithiasis
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