Abstract
Background: The relationship between utricle diseases and structural lesions is not very clear in the clinic due to the complexity and delicacy of the utricle structure. Therefore, it is necessary to study the perception mechanism of the utricle. Methods: Imitating the sensory cells in the macula of the utricle, a symmetrical metal core PVDF fiber (SMPF) was designed as a bionic hair sensor to fabricate a bionic macula (BM), a bionic macula with sand (BMS) and a bionic utricle (BU). Then experiments were carried out on them. Results: This indicated the SMPF sensor can sense its bending deformation, which was similar to the sensory cell. The amplitude of the output charges of the SMPF in BMS and BU were significantly improved. The SMPF, whose electrode boundary was perpendicular to the impact direction, exhibited the largest output charges. Conclusion: The presence of otoliths and endolymph can improve the sensing ability of the utricle. The human brain can judge the direction of head linear accelerations based on the location of the sensory cell in the macula that produces the largest nerve signals. This provides a possibility of studying utricle abnormal functions in vitro in the future.
Highlights
The inner ear on one side of the human head is composed of three semicircular canals and otoliths [1]
After being cut to the required length, the fiber embryo was placed in hot silicone oil, and a DC voltage was applied on the metal wire and the surface electrodes to polarize the PVDF layer, and an symmetrical metal core PVDF fiber (SMPF) sensor can be fabricated
Q = Q0 × U0 × sin δ where Q is the output electric charge of the SMPF sensor, Q0 is a parameter that is determined by the SMPF-R, and U0 is the amplitude of the impact oscillation
Summary
The inner ear (vestibular system) on one side of the human head is composed of three semicircular canals and otoliths (utricle and saccule) [1]. In the above artificial vestibular systems, the devices to detect head velocities and accelerations were all solid inertial element sensors Their structures and working principles were completely different from those of human physiological otoliths; they were not very helpful in researching the vestibular system [25]. Sensors with structures and sensing mechanisms similar to those of sensory hair cells can better imitate the human utricle. A surface symmetrical electrode PVDF (polyvinylidene difluoride) fiber with a metal core (SMPF) sensor was prepared by imitating the structure and sensing function of sensory cells in a human utricle, its sensing function was verified, and a mathematical model of its sensing process was established. Based on the results obtained, the perception mechanism of the human utricle and the influence of structure on function are explored and inferred
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