Wavelength-specific optoacoustic-induced vibrations of the guinea pig tympanic membrane.

ABSTRACT:

Significance

Optoacoustic-induced vibrations of the hearing organ can potentially be used for a hearing device. To increase the efficiency of such a hearing device, the conversion of the light energy into vibration energy within each type of irradiated tissue has to be optimized.

Aim

To analyze the wavelength-dependency of optoacoustic-induced vibrations within the tympanic membrane (TM), and to define the most efficient and best-suited optical stimulation parameters for a novel auditory prosthesis.

Approach

Single nanosecond laser pulses, continuously tunable in a range of visible to near-infrared, were used to excite the guinea pig TM. The induced vibrations of the hearing organ were recorded at the malleus using a laser Doppler vibrometer.

Results

Our results indicate a strong wavelength-dependency of the vibration's amplitude correlating with the superposition of the absorption spectra of the different specific tissue components.

Conclusions

We investigated the spectrum of the vibrations of the hearing organ that were induced optoacoustically within a biological membrane embedded in air, in an animal model. First applications for these results can be envisioned for the optical stimulation of the peripheral hearing organ as well as for research purposes.

SUBMITTER: Heimann L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7934890 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature