Geometrical ana
Geometrical
analysis of temporal bones for bone conduction implants (BCI)
Siavash Esmaeili Fashtakeh
M.Sc. in Biomedical
Engineering, Division of Signal Processing and Biomedical Engineering,
Department of Signals and Systems, Chalmers University of Technology,
Gothenburg, Sweden.[email protected]
Abstract: The
study aims at assessing the feasibility of implanting a novel, transcutaneous,
bone conduction implant (BCI) in the temporal bone of subjects with conductive
or mixed hearing loss. A number of axial, high-resolution, computed-tomography
(CT) images were acquired and categorized with reference to age, gender, and
history of infection. Classification was implemented to avoid any undesirable
impacts on the statistical analysis due to the diversity of human temporal
bones. A reference plane was defined, decisive landmarks were designated, and
critical distances and areas were measured at specified depths with respect to
the reference plane. Virtual implantation of the BCI was performed in the
mastoid bone based on statistically-attained data. Validation of the study was
examined through 3D virtual implantation. It was found that, on average,
the bottom surface of the transducer can be attached at a depth of 6 mm in the
top portion of the mastoid bone and at a depth of 8 mm in the bottom portion in
adult men, whereas the corresponding depths for women were 4 mm (top) and 6 mm
(bottom), respectively. The results for children showed that, on average, the
transducer can be implanted at a depth of 8 mm in the top site and at a depth
of 6 mm depth in the bottom site. It was concluded that the method used to
determine the size of temporal bone as a pre-operative investigation for BCI
implantation was simple, effective, and provided results that were
reproducible. The bottom site had more space, so it could be used in most
patients with the present dimensions of the transducer. If the dimensions of
the transducer were decreased, the top site also could be considered in most
patients. The study should be performed on more subjects to attain more
conclusive results by reducing ambiguities. [Siavash Esmaeili Fashtakeh. Geometrical
analysis of temporal bones for bone conduction implants (BCI). J Am
Sci2012;8(10):331-336]. (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.jofamericanscience.org. 48
Keywords: Temporal bone, Bone conduction implant (BCI), Computed
tomography (CT), Geometrical analysis, Preoperative assessment Full Text 48
