Flexible mechanosensors with a high sensitivity and fast response speed may advance the wearable and implantable applications of healthcare devices, such as real-time heart rate, pulse, and respiration monitoring. In ...Flexible mechanosensors with a high sensitivity and fast response speed may advance the wearable and implantable applications of healthcare devices, such as real-time heart rate, pulse, and respiration monitoring. In this paper, we introduce a novel flexible electronic eardrum （EE） based on single-walled carbon nanotubes, polyethylene, and polydimethylsiloxane with micro-structured pyramid arrays. The EE device shows a high sensitivity, high signal-to-noise ratio （approximately 55 dB）, and fast response time （76.9 μs） in detecting and recording sound within a frequency domain of 20-13,000 Hz. The mechanism for sound detection is investigated and the sensitivity is determined using the micro-structure, thickness, and strain state. We also demonstrated that the device is able to distinguish human voices. This unprecedented performance of the flexible electronic eardrum has implications for many applications such as implantable acoustical bioelectronics and personal voice recognition.展开更多
Twelve volunteers with normal hearing (9 males and 3 females) participated in this work The sound transfer functions (STFS) from diffuse sound field to the subject's eardrums were measured and correlated...Twelve volunteers with normal hearing (9 males and 3 females) participated in this work The sound transfer functions (STFS) from diffuse sound field to the subject's eardrums were measured and correlated to the temporary threshold shift (TTS) due to fiffuse-exposure.A probe tube with a miniature microphone was used for STF measurements in which successive 1/3 oct bandwidth random noise with central frequency from 0.25 kKz to 8 kHz were used. The subjects were divided into two groups, with the STF maxima at 2 kHz and 4 kHz respectively Pre- and post- exposure sweep Bekesy audiograms were recorded and the temporary thresh old shift calctilated as the difference between the two. Frequency of the maximum TTS was correlated to that of the maximum STF. The average TTS was very small or zero at frequen cies below the band noise exposure , but was noticeable even at the highest measured frequency (8 kHz) for beyond the noise band. Also individual differences in STF were found at frequencies between 2 kHz and 4 kHz展开更多
Whereas for smaller animals the eardrums are well-characterized as excitable membranes or drums, some animals such as several archosaurs feature, as a first approximation, a rather stiff elastic shell supported by an ...Whereas for smaller animals the eardrums are well-characterized as excitable membranes or drums, some animals such as several archosaurs feature, as a first approximation, a rather stiff elastic shell supported by an elastic ring. Mathematically, the theory of plates and shells is applicable but its governing equations overly complicate the modeling. Here the notion of tympanic structure is introduced as a generalization of “ordinary” tympanic membranes so as to account for sound perception as it occurs in archosaurs, such as birds and crocodilians. A mathematical model for the tympanic structure in many archosaurs called two-spring model implements this notion. The model is exactly soluble and solutions are presented in closed form and as a series expansion. Special emphasis is put onto offering an easy-to-apply model for describing experiments and performing numerical studies. The analytic treatment is supplemented by a discussion of the applicability of the two-spring model in auditory research. An elasticity-theoretic perspective of the two-spring model is given in the Appendix.展开更多
A human middle ear consists of an eardrum and three ossicles which are linked by each other, and connect with the eardrum and an inner ear. The inner ear consists of a cochlea and a vestibular system. An abnormality o...A human middle ear consists of an eardrum and three ossicles which are linked by each other, and connect with the eardrum and an inner ear. The inner ear consists of a cochlea and a vestibular system. An abnormality of the human middle ear such as ossicular dislocation may cause conductive hearing loss. The conductive hearing loss is generally treated by surgery using artificial ossicles. The treatments of conductive hearing loss require a better understanding of characteristics and dynamic behaviors of the human middle ear when the sounds transmit from outer inner to inner ear. The purpose of this research is to simulate the dynamic behaviors of a human ear system comprising the middle ear and the cochlea in the inner ear using the finite element method (FEM). Firstly, the eigen-value analysis was performed to obtain the natural frequencies and vibration modes of the total ear system. Secondly, the frequency response analysis was carried out. Thirdly, the time history response analyses were performed using human voices as the external forces. In the time history response analyses, the sounds created as input sound pressures were used. Human voices, for example vowels “I”, “u” and “e” as input sound pressures were created by using the sound pressures downloaded from the opening samples of human voices as wav files in a website. Then it was clarified that the high frequency components of sounds are reduced by the middle ear system.展开更多
目的分析高空迅速减压对中耳和听力的影响。方法对因意外导致的某运-8飞机12名机组人员在7 000 m高空爆舱2天后行耳内镜检查和纯音测听、声导抗测试。结果发生飞机舱内迅速减压时,12人均曾有耳痛、耳鸣,均经做吞咽动作数秒钟后症状缓解...目的分析高空迅速减压对中耳和听力的影响。方法对因意外导致的某运-8飞机12名机组人员在7 000 m高空爆舱2天后行耳内镜检查和纯音测听、声导抗测试。结果发生飞机舱内迅速减压时,12人均曾有耳痛、耳鸣,均经做吞咽动作数秒钟后症状缓解,着陆后无听力下降感。耳内镜检查示2人双侧鼓膜Ⅱ度充血,10例鼓膜正常;纯音测听示1人右耳中高频区感音神经性听力损失(平均听阈35 dB HL),其余23耳气骨导听阈均≤25 dB HL;鼓室导抗图11人22耳A型,1人双耳Ad型,12人24耳耳声反射均正常。10人飞行合格,2名轻度耳气压伤者经对症处理1周后痊愈,恢复飞行。随访1年,12名机组人员均在继续飞行。结论本次高空迅速减压对中耳和听力损伤程度轻,与高空爆舱的不可控因素(飞行高度相对低和迅速减压速率相对慢)及可控因素(飞行员快速下降飞机飞行高度和机组人员采用咽鼓管主动开放动作等应对措施)密切相关。展开更多
基金We acknowledge the funding support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 61574163）, the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation （No. 2015M571837） and the Foundation Research Project of Jiangsu Province （No. BK20150364）.
文摘Flexible mechanosensors with a high sensitivity and fast response speed may advance the wearable and implantable applications of healthcare devices, such as real-time heart rate, pulse, and respiration monitoring. In this paper, we introduce a novel flexible electronic eardrum （EE） based on single-walled carbon nanotubes, polyethylene, and polydimethylsiloxane with micro-structured pyramid arrays. The EE device shows a high sensitivity, high signal-to-noise ratio （approximately 55 dB）, and fast response time （76.9 μs） in detecting and recording sound within a frequency domain of 20-13,000 Hz. The mechanism for sound detection is investigated and the sensitivity is determined using the micro-structure, thickness, and strain state. We also demonstrated that the device is able to distinguish human voices. This unprecedented performance of the flexible electronic eardrum has implications for many applications such as implantable acoustical bioelectronics and personal voice recognition.
文摘Twelve volunteers with normal hearing (9 males and 3 females) participated in this work The sound transfer functions (STFS) from diffuse sound field to the subject's eardrums were measured and correlated to the temporary threshold shift (TTS) due to fiffuse-exposure.A probe tube with a miniature microphone was used for STF measurements in which successive 1/3 oct bandwidth random noise with central frequency from 0.25 kKz to 8 kHz were used. The subjects were divided into two groups, with the STF maxima at 2 kHz and 4 kHz respectively Pre- and post- exposure sweep Bekesy audiograms were recorded and the temporary thresh old shift calctilated as the difference between the two. Frequency of the maximum TTS was correlated to that of the maximum STF. The average TTS was very small or zero at frequen cies below the band noise exposure , but was noticeable even at the highest measured frequency (8 kHz) for beyond the noise band. Also individual differences in STF were found at frequencies between 2 kHz and 4 kHz
文摘Whereas for smaller animals the eardrums are well-characterized as excitable membranes or drums, some animals such as several archosaurs feature, as a first approximation, a rather stiff elastic shell supported by an elastic ring. Mathematically, the theory of plates and shells is applicable but its governing equations overly complicate the modeling. Here the notion of tympanic structure is introduced as a generalization of “ordinary” tympanic membranes so as to account for sound perception as it occurs in archosaurs, such as birds and crocodilians. A mathematical model for the tympanic structure in many archosaurs called two-spring model implements this notion. The model is exactly soluble and solutions are presented in closed form and as a series expansion. Special emphasis is put onto offering an easy-to-apply model for describing experiments and performing numerical studies. The analytic treatment is supplemented by a discussion of the applicability of the two-spring model in auditory research. An elasticity-theoretic perspective of the two-spring model is given in the Appendix.
文摘A human middle ear consists of an eardrum and three ossicles which are linked by each other, and connect with the eardrum and an inner ear. The inner ear consists of a cochlea and a vestibular system. An abnormality of the human middle ear such as ossicular dislocation may cause conductive hearing loss. The conductive hearing loss is generally treated by surgery using artificial ossicles. The treatments of conductive hearing loss require a better understanding of characteristics and dynamic behaviors of the human middle ear when the sounds transmit from outer inner to inner ear. The purpose of this research is to simulate the dynamic behaviors of a human ear system comprising the middle ear and the cochlea in the inner ear using the finite element method (FEM). Firstly, the eigen-value analysis was performed to obtain the natural frequencies and vibration modes of the total ear system. Secondly, the frequency response analysis was carried out. Thirdly, the time history response analyses were performed using human voices as the external forces. In the time history response analyses, the sounds created as input sound pressures were used. Human voices, for example vowels “I”, “u” and “e” as input sound pressures were created by using the sound pressures downloaded from the opening samples of human voices as wav files in a website. Then it was clarified that the high frequency components of sounds are reduced by the middle ear system.
文摘目的分析高空迅速减压对中耳和听力的影响。方法对因意外导致的某运-8飞机12名机组人员在7 000 m高空爆舱2天后行耳内镜检查和纯音测听、声导抗测试。结果发生飞机舱内迅速减压时,12人均曾有耳痛、耳鸣,均经做吞咽动作数秒钟后症状缓解,着陆后无听力下降感。耳内镜检查示2人双侧鼓膜Ⅱ度充血,10例鼓膜正常;纯音测听示1人右耳中高频区感音神经性听力损失(平均听阈35 dB HL),其余23耳气骨导听阈均≤25 dB HL;鼓室导抗图11人22耳A型,1人双耳Ad型,12人24耳耳声反射均正常。10人飞行合格,2名轻度耳气压伤者经对症处理1周后痊愈,恢复飞行。随访1年,12名机组人员均在继续飞行。结论本次高空迅速减压对中耳和听力损伤程度轻,与高空爆舱的不可控因素(飞行高度相对低和迅速减压速率相对慢)及可控因素(飞行员快速下降飞机飞行高度和机组人员采用咽鼓管主动开放动作等应对措施)密切相关。
