Soft Impact in a Biomechanical System With Shape Memory Element

Abstract

The analysis of the shape memory prosthesis (SMP) of the middle ear is presented in this paper. The shape memory prosthesis permits the adjustment of its length to individual patient needs, but sometimes the prosthesis cannot be properly fixed to the stapes. In this case, the impact between the prosthesis and stapes is important. Therefore, the reconstructed middle ear is modeled as a two degree-of-freedom system with a nonlinear shape memory element and soft impact to represent its behavior when the prosthesis is not properly placed or fixed. The properties of the shape memory prosthesis, in the form of a helical spring, are represented by a polynomial function. The system exhibits advisable periodic and undesirable aperiodic and irregular behavior depending on the excitation amplitude, the frequency, and the prosthesis length. The prosthesis length can change, resulting in a modification of the distance between the prosthesis and the stapes. The results of this study provide an answer in terms of how the prosthesis length, which produces the ossicular chain tension, influences the system dynamics and its implication in medical practice.