The UmboMic: A PVDF Cantilever Microphone

Fuente: arXiv
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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yeiser, Aaron J., Wawrzynek, Emma F., Zhang, John Z., Graf, Lukas, McHugh, Christopher I., Kymissis, Ioannis, Olson, Elizabeth S., Lang, Jeffrey H., Nakajima, Hideko Heidi
Format: Preprint
Published: 2023
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author Yeiser, Aaron J.
Wawrzynek, Emma F.
Zhang, John Z.
Graf, Lukas
McHugh, Christopher I.
Kymissis, Ioannis
Olson, Elizabeth S.
Lang, Jeffrey H.
Nakajima, Hideko Heidi
author_facet Yeiser, Aaron J.
Wawrzynek, Emma F.
Zhang, John Z.
Graf, Lukas
McHugh, Christopher I.
Kymissis, Ioannis
Olson, Elizabeth S.
Lang, Jeffrey H.
Nakajima, Hideko Heidi
contents Objective: We present the "UmboMic," a prototype piezoelectric cantilever microphone designed for future use with totally-implantable cochlear implants. Methods: The UmboMic sensor is made from polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) because of its low Young's modulus and biocompatibility. The sensor is designed to fit in the middle ear and measure the motion of the underside of the eardrum at the umbo. To maximize its performance, we developed a low noise charge amplifier in tandem with the UmboMic sensor. This paper presents the performance of the UmboMic sensor and amplifier in fresh cadaveric human temporal bones. Results: When tested in human temporal bones, the UmboMic apparatus achieves an equivalent input noise of 32.3 dB SPL over the frequency range 100 Hz to 7 kHz, good linearity, and a flat frequency response to within 10 dB from about 100 Hz to 6 kHz. Conclusion: These results demonstrate the feasibility of a PVDF-based microphone when paired with a low-noise amplifier. The reported UmboMic apparatus is comparable in performance to a conventional hearing aid microphone. Significance: The proof-of-concept UmboMic apparatus is a promising step towards creating a totally-implantable cochlear implant. A completely internal system would enhance the quality of life of cochlear implant users.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2312_14339
institution arXiv
publishDate 2023
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle The UmboMic: A PVDF Cantilever Microphone
Yeiser, Aaron J.
Wawrzynek, Emma F.
Zhang, John Z.
Graf, Lukas
McHugh, Christopher I.
Kymissis, Ioannis
Olson, Elizabeth S.
Lang, Jeffrey H.
Nakajima, Hideko Heidi
Audio and Speech Processing
Sound
Medical Physics
Objective: We present the "UmboMic," a prototype piezoelectric cantilever microphone designed for future use with totally-implantable cochlear implants. Methods: The UmboMic sensor is made from polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) because of its low Young's modulus and biocompatibility. The sensor is designed to fit in the middle ear and measure the motion of the underside of the eardrum at the umbo. To maximize its performance, we developed a low noise charge amplifier in tandem with the UmboMic sensor. This paper presents the performance of the UmboMic sensor and amplifier in fresh cadaveric human temporal bones. Results: When tested in human temporal bones, the UmboMic apparatus achieves an equivalent input noise of 32.3 dB SPL over the frequency range 100 Hz to 7 kHz, good linearity, and a flat frequency response to within 10 dB from about 100 Hz to 6 kHz. Conclusion: These results demonstrate the feasibility of a PVDF-based microphone when paired with a low-noise amplifier. The reported UmboMic apparatus is comparable in performance to a conventional hearing aid microphone. Significance: The proof-of-concept UmboMic apparatus is a promising step towards creating a totally-implantable cochlear implant. A completely internal system would enhance the quality of life of cochlear implant users.
title The UmboMic: A PVDF Cantilever Microphone
topic Audio and Speech Processing
Sound
Medical Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2312.14339