MEMS modeling of the Posterior Semicircular Canal for treating Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Abstract

In this paper, we study the Posterior Semicircular Canal of the Peripheral Vestibular system containing moving Otoconia (Calcium Carbonate crystals) which leads to the condition of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Using the governing equations of the affected semicircular canal we develop a novel MEMS device to mimic the pathophysiological condition wherein the kinocilia structure is modeled using PZT-2 micro-cantilever placed at various positions in the device to sense the position of the otoconia. The deflection produces a voltage of 0.416 mV indicating the proximity of the particles. Using this information we describe a functional block of this device that aids in treating BPPV via an audio assisted Canalith Repositioning Procedure (CRP).