PNIPU, PSMU named after E.A. Wagner and MGMSU named after A.I. Evdokimova: Silicone auricle for bionic ear prosthesis

Main article: Bionic prostheses

2024: Creation of the auricle

Scientists from Perm Moscow and created the ear auricle bionic prosthesis. This was PNIPU announced on January 16, 2024.

source = PNIPU

Bionic prostheses are electronic mechanical devices that can function instead of a lost organ under the control of nerve impulses. Their development and implementation is one of the most promising areas of world-class medicine. Bionic ear prostheses return hearing to people with partial or complete impairment.

The appearance of prostheses remains an important side of the question, since some patients with noticeable defects in the auricle experience stress because of this, their quality of life decreases. Scientists of PNIPU, PSMU named after E.A. Wagner and MGMSU named after A.I. Evdokimova developed a technology for the manufacture of a silicone auricle for a bionic ear prosthesis so that it is not only functional, but also aesthetic, can mask an existing defect.

The development was carried out with the financial support of the Government of the Perm Territory within the framework of the scientific project "Development of a bionic ear prosthesis based on intellectual and medical 3D technologies."

For several years, scientists of the Perm Polytechnic University, together with colleagues from the Wagner State Medical University and the Evdokimov Moscow State Medical University, developed the design of a bionic ear prosthesis and improved the technology of its manufacture in order to combine both functionality and natural appearance in one device.

To give the bionic prosthesis a resemblance to a real ear, scientists have created an epithesis of the auricle - a structure that repeats the relief of the missing part of the body. As the basis for creating a model of a silicone auricle, they took a cloud of points obtained from a three-dimensional scan of a large number of auricles. Using special software, they edited the model to place the electronic components of the prosthesis in it. With the help of layer-by-layer 3D printing, the frame of the electronics compartment was formed from a special elastic material.

Then the researchers printed 3D printer on the primary model of the auricle (the process takes about a day). It was immersed in the casting composition, and after hardening, it was removed, resulting in a hollow flexible shape for pouring silicone.

The filling took place in two stages. At the first, scientists filled the form by 80%, then placed in it a printed frame with dummies of electronic components of the prosthesis, which repeat the original details in terms of size and weight. At the next stage, the mold was topped up with silicone. After that, the dummies were removed, the original components of the prosthesis were installed in the vacant space, electrical connections were welded.

The developed epithesis of the auricle is aesthetic, meets the requirements of naturalness, can be repaired in case of damage. The silicone from which it is made is hypoallergenic, successfully imitates the texture and color of the skin, - said Igor Bezukladnikov, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Automation and Telemechanics at PNIPU.

A bionic prosthesis can be used in anotia. This pathology is accompanied by a partial or complete absence of the auricle, external ear canal and hearing impairment. The prosthesis compensates for these disorders. In addition, the patient will not have to go through a surgical operation to create an artificial ear canal, which has a high risk of complications and relapses of pathology. To install a prosthesis, attachment implants are implanted into the skull, this operation is simple and takes place under general anesthesia, "said Alexei Yelovikov, head of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, PGMU named after Academician E.A. Wagner.

The electronics of the bionic prosthesis will be made in series, and the silicone epithesis - individually, based on scanning a healthy human auricle. If both auricles are absent, then they will be selected from the base large data (digital library), which is being formed in stages, - sums up the head of the Department of Digital Dentistry of the Moscow State Medical University named after A.I. Evdokimova Professor Sergey Arutyunov.

Scientists of PNIPU, PSMU named after E.A. Wagner and MGMSU named after A.I. Evdokimova improved the design of a bionic ear prosthesis. The next stage of development is clinical trials and further optimization of the design (if necessary), after which the technology will be able to go beyond the framework of scientific laboratories, will begin to return lost hearing and self-confidence to people.

A large team worked on the project of the ear prosthesis - 16 representatives of universities and IT companies, including:

• Astashina Natalia Borisovna, project manager, head of the Department of Orthopedic Dentistry, PSMU named after Academician E.A. Wagner;
• Sergey Darchoevich Harutyunov, Head of the Department of Digital Dentistry, A.I. Evdokimova;
• Alexey Mikhailovich Yelovikov, Head of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, PSMU named after Academician E.A. Wagner;
• Baidarov Andrey Alexandrovich, Head of the Department of Medical Informatics and Management of Medical Systems, PSMU named after Academician E.A. Wagner;
• Alexander Anatolyevich Yuzhakov, Head of the Department of Automation and Telemechanics of PNIPU;
• Bezukladnikov Igor Igorevich, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Automation and Telemechanics of PNIPU.