Cochlear Fluids Simulator V 1.6h
Released April 28, 2003
Washington University Cochlear Fluids Simulation
Program
Available for download free from this site
Introduction
The simulation program allows a variety of processes in the inner ear fluids
to be calculated, including drug delivery by the round window, perilymph perfusion
and perilymph sampling. It is useful in planning or interpreting experiments
performed on the cochlea. It takes a little time to get used to how the model
works, but after this it is fairly straightforward to use. If you have any
trouble or want advice on what settings to use then free to contact me and
I will work with you on it.
Examples of Model Output
This animation shows the calculated spread of a substance in the endolymphatic
space of the guinea pig (shown uncoiled) during iontophoretic injection into
the second turn. A period of 60 mins injection is being simulated. Note
that diffusion along the length of the space is relatively slow, so that significant
concentration differences occur between different locations. The model allows
spread of drugs and other solutes in the cochlear fluids to be calculated,
taking account of the volumes and geometry of the cochlear scalae and the
major biophysical processes involved (diffusion, longitudinal flow, clearance,
etc)
Shown below is the "standard" simulator display (click on it for a full
size image) in which the spread of solute is calculated for entry through
the round window membrane and for iontophoresis into endolymph of the guinea
pig cochlea
This program is intended for use by researchers in the field of cochlear
fluid physiology. It allows drug and other solute movements to be simulated
in the inner ear under a variety of experimental conditions, including application
to the round window membrane, delivery by mini-osmotic pump, perilymphatic
perfusion, pressure injection, bolus injection and iontophoresis. Simulations
incorporate the changing cross-sectional areas of the scalae as a function
of distance and a number of solute dispersal processes, including diffusion,
volume fluid flow, and clearance. Calculations can be performed based on
the cochlear dimensions of any of seven species that we have available cochlear
size vs distance data, including human, guinea pig, chinchilla, bat, rat,
mouse and gerbil.
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More examples of simulator output
Comments, problems or requests for assistance can be sent by e-mail tosalta@msnotes.wustl.edu If you
need any help getting the simulator started, or if you need advice on how
to set parameters, please feel free to contact me. Similarly, if you have
a specific experimental condition or clinical situation you want to simulate
then I would be pleased to help you set it up. Your feedback, including suggestions
for program modifications, is appreciated.
Development of this Simulator program was supported
by research grant DC 01368 from the National Institute on Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health.
Mini Osmotic Pump Simulation in the
Guinea Pig