DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/WGNZ-CC43
Defense Date
2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Biomedical Engineering
First Advisor
Martin Lenhardt
Abstract
The eyes are acoustically continuous with the brain and inner ear tissues in regard to matched impedances, based on tissue densities, thus, vibration of one site will be reflected in all sites. With this being the case, the vibrational energy response of the eye due to an external source can be used to determine a correlation or draw a conclusion concerning the vibrational energy response of the brain would be. And since there is a correlation between the vibrational energies, any changes in the acoustical energy in the eye can possibly be used to determine the changes in acoustical energy in the brain. Such an assertion was tested using the eye/balloon model, in which frequency specific tones can be used to analyze the vibrational response of the eye and the coupled brain. Changes in the intracranial pressure via the vibrational response induce changes in the intraocular pressure via the vibrational principle. Further, the model supports the observation that vibration delivered to the eye can be perceived as sound, if of sufficient intensity, resulting in an eye audiogram similar in degree to that obtained conventionally by bone conduction on the mastoid or forehead. The literature is suggestive that there is no positive correlation between IOP and ICP in terms of pressure, but there is a correlation when acoustical response is measured. This supports the possibility of measuring the changes in acoustical properties on the eye and within the cranium due to any external disruptions. The eye can therefore be considered an acoustical window to the brain and inner ear.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
May 2012