Damage to the eardrum causes pain and hearing loss and can be difficult to treat.
The eardrum is a thin,a round piece of living tissue that vibrates in response to sound waves and converts them into electrical signals that are sent to and interpreted by the brain. However, the membrane cannot do this job if it is punctured. This can occur as a result of injury from foreign objects such as cotton swabs or injury from extremely loud noises.
To make matters worse, it also opens up a barrier for viruses and bacteria that can enter the inner ear and cause serious infection.
Currently the best treatment method isis tympanoplasty – restoration of the hole using grafts from the patient’s own tissues. But “patch” does not transmit sound as well as a healthy eardrum. The procedure requires an incision behind the ear and is often unsuccessful.
Developed by Harvard Researchersthe PhonoGraft system is designed to solve these problems. The implant mimics the complex shape of a natural eardrum and is made from special synthetic ink based on 3D printing polymers.
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In addition to restoring hearing, the implant servesthe basis for the regeneration of the recipient's own cells. Trials in chinchillas, which have ear anatomy and hearing range similar to humans, have proven promising.
As an added bonus, PhonoGraft can be injected through the ear canal, making the process less invasive.
Source: newatlas
Illustrations: Harvard
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