The cochlea, or inner ear, is a space fully enclosed within the temporal bone of the skull, except for two membrane-covered portals connecting it to the middle ear space. One of these portals is the round window, which is covered by the Round Window Membrane (RWM). A longstanding clinical goal is to reliably and precisely deliver therapeutics into the cochlea to treat a plethora of auditory and vestibular disorders.
Small Scale Mechanics Laboratory is working to develop the most precise microneedles with extremely high design freedom, out of materials that are strong and ductile. Using the methodologies developed, it is possible to meet the exacting requirements of the inner ear.
