The mechanical properties of cochlear fresh basilar membrane in miniature pigs

IF 2.4 3区医学 Q3 BIOPHYSICS

Journal of biomechanics Pub Date : 2025-07-23 DOI:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2025.112879

Songbo Xue , Yang Zhao , Xu Tian , Huiying Sun , Xiao Qin , Zhiqiang Gao , Guodong Feng

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Abstract

This study investigates miniature pig basilar membrane (BM) biomechanics to optimize cochlear implant electrode design and surgical safety. Using 16 miniature pig cochleae, BM rupture force and Young’s modulus were evaluated via nanoindentation and rupture testing. A 90 µm probe advanced at 0.1 mm/s recorded force–displacement curves, while nanoindentation measured elasticity at four cochlear angles (90°, 180°, 270°, 360°). Rupture forces varied significantly across regions: median values were 56 mN (90°), 27.5 mN (180°), and 20 mN (270°), with extremes of 120 mN (90°) and 9 mN (270°), indicating heightened distal fragility. Young’s modulus followed analogous trends, showing medians of 1.53 MPa (90°), 1.41 MPa (180°), 1.65 MPa (270°), and 1.30 MPa (360°). Both metrics decreased distally, reflecting progressive BM flexibility and susceptibility to insertion trauma. These results highlight the need for electrode designs that reduce insertion forces in vulnerable distal regions to preserve residual hearing. The biomechanical dataset provides critical benchmarks for refining surgical protocols and developing automated/robotic electrode insertion systems, prioritizing minimal mechanical trauma. This work advances strategies for safer cochlear implantation by aligning electrode mechanical properties with region-specific BM thresholds.

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小型猪耳蜗新鲜基底膜的力学特性

研究微型猪基底膜生物力学，优化人工耳蜗电极设计和手术安全性。以16只微型猪耳蜗为实验对象，通过纳米压痕和破裂试验对BM的破裂力和杨氏模量进行了评价。以0.1 mm/s的速度前进的90µm探针记录了力-位移曲线，而纳米压痕测量了四个耳蜗角度（90°，180°，270°，360°）的弹性。破裂力在不同地区差异很大：中位数为56 mN（90°）、27.5 mN（180°）和20 mN（270°），极值为120 mN（90°）和9 mN（270°），表明远端脆性加剧。杨氏模量也有类似的趋势，中值分别为1.53 MPa（90°）、1.41 MPa（180°）、1.65 MPa（270°）和1.30 MPa（360°）。这两个指标在远端都有所下降，反映了BM的灵活性和对插入性创伤的易感性。这些结果强调需要电极设计，以减少插入力在脆弱的远端区域，以保持残余听力。生物力学数据集为改进手术方案和开发自动化/机器人电极插入系统提供了关键基准，优先考虑最小的机械创伤。这项工作通过调整电极机械性能与区域特异性脑电阈值，提出了更安全的人工耳蜗植入策略。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of biomechanics 生物-工程：生物医学

CiteScore

5.10

自引率

4.20%

发文量

345

审稿时长

1 months

期刊介绍： The Journal of Biomechanics publishes reports of original and substantial findings using the principles of mechanics to explore biological problems. Analytical, as well as experimental papers may be submitted, and the journal accepts original articles, surveys and perspective articles (usually by Editorial invitation only), book reviews and letters to the Editor. The criteria for acceptance of manuscripts include excellence, novelty, significance, clarity, conciseness and interest to the readership. Papers published in the journal may cover a wide range of topics in biomechanics, including, but not limited to: -Fundamental Topics - Biomechanics of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, mechanics of hard and soft tissues, biofluid mechanics, mechanics of prostheses and implant-tissue interfaces, mechanics of cells. -Cardiovascular and Respiratory Biomechanics - Mechanics of blood-flow, air-flow, mechanics of the soft tissues, flow-tissue or flow-prosthesis interactions. -Cell Biomechanics - Biomechanic analyses of cells, membranes and sub-cellular structures; the relationship of the mechanical environment to cell and tissue response. -Dental Biomechanics - Design and analysis of dental tissues and prostheses, mechanics of chewing. -Functional Tissue Engineering - The role of biomechanical factors in engineered tissue replacements and regenerative medicine. -Injury Biomechanics - Mechanics of impact and trauma, dynamics of man-machine interaction. -Molecular Biomechanics - Mechanical analyses of biomolecules. -Orthopedic Biomechanics - Mechanics of fracture and fracture fixation, mechanics of implants and implant fixation, mechanics of bones and joints, wear of natural and artificial joints. -Rehabilitation Biomechanics - Analyses of gait, mechanics of prosthetics and orthotics. -Sports Biomechanics - Mechanical analyses of sports performance.