A Partial Ossicular Replacement Prosthesis With a Concentric Ball Joint in the Headplate.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Otolaryngology
• Prosthetics Design

Background:

• Rigid passive middle ear prosthetics are used for ossicular chain reconstruction.
• Existing prostheses have limitations in replicating natural ossicular physiology.
• Pressure fluctuations can cause stress, dislocation, and unsatisfactory hearing outcomes with rigid prostheses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel passive middle ear prosthesis.
• To improve upon the physiological limitations of current rigid prostheses.
• To enhance sound transmission and stability under varying pressure conditions.

Main Methods:

• A new passive middle ear prosthesis with a centered ball joint was developed in collaboration with MED-EL.
• Sound transmission properties were compared to a standard rigid prosthesis.
• Laser-Doppler-Vibrometry measured stapes footplate velocity in response to acoustic stimuli.

Main Results:

• The new prosthesis demonstrated equivalent sound transmission to the standard rigid prosthesis.
• The ball joint allowed the prosthesis to compensate for pressure fluctuations.
• Good transmission properties were maintained even with tympanic membrane displacements.

Conclusions:

• The novel prosthesis represents an advancement in middle ear reconstruction.
• The design facilitates more physiological ossicular chain function.
• This development moves closer to achieving physiological reconstruction of the ossicular chain.