Smart platform for the analysis of cupula deformation caused by otoconia presence within SCCs

Abstract

In this paper, we first briefly describe the mechanical model of cupula deformation with the appropriate analytical solution. Then, we present the numerical solution of the same problem and compare it with the analytical one. Besides, we provide another numerical solution based on the Finite Element Method procedure, in an effort to encompass a more realistic approach to the problem such as considering the real geometry of the SCCs and the obstruction of the fluid flow during head movement due to the presence of otoconia. As a result, we obtain fifty solutions for a head rotation angle in a range from 0° to 120°, taking into account that such a manoeuvre lasts exactly 3 seconds. In the end, we present a mobile client–server application for visualising the finite element solutions in a way that is convenient for the clinical practice.

Keywords:

• finite element analysis
• fluid flow
• fluid-structure interaction
• mobile application

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 http://www.bioirc.ac.rs/index.php/projects-references?id=55

2 https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/110719_en.html

Additional information

Funding

This work was partially supported by the EMBalance project (FP7-ICT-2013-10, Project ID: 610454): “A Decision Support System incorporating a validated patient-specific, multi-scale Balance Hypermodel towards early diagnostic Evaluation and efficient Management plan formulation of Balance Disorders”.