Optimum design method for artificial ear ossicles based on a high-precision vibration analysis model

Abstract

In this study, we propose a topology optimization approach aimed at designing an optimal artificial auditory ossicle to enhance hearing restoration in the sound conduction reconstruction of a damaged human middle ear. The primary objective of our design is to maximize the vibration displacement of the stapes footplate by employing the concept of mutual mean compliance. Using this method, we can determine the optimal topology configurations of the artificial component based on topology sensitivity, which we theoretically derive in this paper. To demonstrate the effectiveness and practical utility of our proposed approach, we present a design example of artificial auditory ossicles utilized in tympanoplasty procedures.

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