Biomimetic Tympanic Membrane Replacement Made by Melt Electrowriting.

ABSTRACT: The tympanic membrane (TM) transfers sound waves from the air into mechanical motion for the ossicular chain. This requires a high sensitivity to small dynamic pressure changes and resistance to large quasi-static pressure differences. The TM achieves this by providing a layered structure of about 100µm in thickness, a low flexural stiffness, and a high tensile strength. Chronically infected middle ears require reconstruction of a large area of the TM. However, current clinical treatment can cause a reduction in hearing. With the novel additive manufacturing technique of melt electrowriting (MEW), it is for the first time possible to fabricate highly organized and biodegradable membranes within the dimensions of the TM. Scaffold designs of various fiber composition are analyzed mechanicall

SUBMITTER: von Witzleben M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11468533 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature