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A microelectromechanical system artificial basilar membrane based on a piezoelectric cantilever array and its
Jongmoon Jang1, JangWoo Lee2, Seongyong Woo1
11] Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Department of Robotics Engineering, Daegu, 711-873, South Korea [2] DGIST, DGIST-ETH Microrobot Research Center, Daegu, 711-873, South Korea.
Scientific Reports
|August 1, 2015
Summary
A novel piezoelectric artificial basilar membrane (ABM) mimics cochlear tonotopy for hearing restoration. This microelectromechanical system successfully generated neural stimuli in an animal model, paving the way for advanced cochlear implants.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Materials Science
Background:
- The human cochlea exhibits tonotopy, a frequency-selective organization crucial for hearing.
- Current cochlear implants stimulate neurons directly, but replicating the cochlea's natural frequency processing remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a piezoelectric artificial basilar membrane (ABM) for potential cochlear implant applications.
- To mimic the tonotopic organization and mechanoelectric transduction of the natural cochlea.
- To assess the ABM's performance as a front-end device for auditory neural stimulation.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) cantilever array forming the piezoelectric ABM.
- Characterization of the ABM's tonotopy and frequency selectivity in the audible range (2.92–12.6 kHz).
- In vivo testing using deafened guinea pigs, converting ABM piezoelectric output to electrical stimuli for auditory neurons via an intra-cochlear electrode array.
- Measurement of electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses (EABRs) to assess stimulus efficacy and frequency selectivity.
Main Results:
- The fabricated ABM demonstrated clear tonotopy across the tested audible frequency range.
- Electrical stimuli generated by the ABM successfully elicited EABRs in deafened guinea pigs.
- EABR magnitude correlated with applied sound pressure levels (75–95 dB SPL).
- Frequency selectivity of the ABM was confirmed by EABR measurements at resonance and off-resonance frequencies.
Conclusions:
- A novel piezoelectric artificial basilar membrane (ABM) was successfully developed and demonstrated.
- The ABM effectively mimics cochlear tonotopy and performs mechanoelectric transduction.
- The study verified the ABM's potential as a front-end processor for next-generation cochlear implants, showing functional auditory neural stimulation in an animal model.
