人内耳半规管嵴顶时间常数的定量分析

目的 通过数值仿真和实验定量探究人内耳前庭半规管中的嵴顶时间常数，明确半规管编码角运动的时间过程。方法 建立人双耳半规管数值模型，通过流固耦合数值模拟嵴顶的生物力学响应，进而计算嵴顶的力学松弛时间常数。同时，对志愿者进行前庭眼反射实验，根据志愿者的眼震慢相角速度计算嵴顶的时间常数。结果 通过人内耳半规管数值模型计算得出的嵴顶力学松弛时间常数为3.75 s。通过实验测量得出平均嵴顶时间常数约为4.86 s。数值模型和实验中的结果近似保持一致。结论 人内耳前庭半规管中的嵴顶时间常数大约为4.86 s，反映了嵴顶力学松弛和半规管传入神经适应性的联合作用效果，体现了半规管编码角运动的时间过程。

Quantitative Analysis on Cupula Time Constant of Semicircular Canals in Human Inner Ear

Objective To quantitatively investigate the cupula time constant in vestibular semicircular canals of human inner ear by numerical simulation and experiment, and to clarify the time process of coding angular motion by semicircular canals. Methods The numerical model of bilateral semicircular canals in human inner ear was constructed, and then biomechanical responses of the cupula were simulated by fluid-structure interaction to calculate the mechanical relaxation time constant of the cupula. Meanwhile, cupula time constant of the volunteers was calculated based on their nystagmus slow-phase velocity obtained in vestibulo-ocular reflex experiment. Results The mechanical relaxation time constant of the cupula calculated by numerical model of semicircular canals in human inner ear was 3.75 s. The average cupula time constant was approximately 4.86 s measured by experiment. The result in numerical model was approximately consistent with that in experiment. Conclusions The cupula time constant in vestibular semicircular canals of human inner ear was approximately 4.86 s, which reflected a combined effect of mechanical relaxation of the cupula and afferent adaptation of semicircular canals, as well as revealed the time process of coding angular motion by semicircular canals.