Researchers at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, have developed an ultrasound device that can travel from the eardrum through the middle ear before resting against the inner ear to provide images of the basilier membrane as at it vibrates. The device then sends messages to the brain as it interprets sound. “We’ve been taking what’s called a ‘bench-top to bedside’ approach,” says Jeremy Brown, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, who collaborated with ear surgeon Manohar Bance on the invention. “I’d have no idea if this was possible unless I was paired with a surgeon,” adds Brown, whose research is designed to improve hearing reconstruction methods and develop new prostheses. The device measures only two millimeters in diameter but contains 150 elements — tiny transducers that vibrate when electric signals are applied. Once planted deep within the ear through a minor surgical procedure, the probe could detect scarring from implants in the middle ear or inner ear disorders such as Meniere’s disease, which causes episodes of vertigo. The next step is to build on prototypes that have been tested successfully in mice. Funding from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation’s Leaders Opportunity Fund and a matching grant from the Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Trust will allow the researchers to acquire equipment developed by the semi-conductor industry to build and further refine the miniature devices. Brown and Bance are collaborating on a second project to develop tiny, surgically implanted hearing aids.

Go to: Science Centric

Posted December 17th, 2008 under Innovation of the Week, Tech Transfer

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