A comprehensive three-dimensional model of the cochlea

Edward Givelberg and Julian Bunn (2003) A comprehensive three-dimensional model of the cochlea. Technical Report. Elsevier. [CaltechCACR:CACR-2003-199]

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Abstract

The human cochlea is a remarkable device, able to discern extremely small amplitude sound pressure waves, and discriminate between very close frequencies. Simulation of the cochlea is computationally challenging due to its complex geometry, intricate construction and small physical size.We have developed,and are continuing to refine,a detailed three-dimensional computational model based on an accurate cochlear geometry obtained from physical measurements. In the model,the immersed boundary method is used to calculate the structure interactions produced in response to incoming sound waves. The model includes a detailed and realistic description of the various elastic structures present. In this paper, we describe the computational model and its performance on the latest generation of shared memory servers from Hewlett Packard. Using compiler generated threads and OpenMP directives,we have achieved a high degree of parallelism in the executable, which has made possible several large scale numerical simulation experiments that study the interesting features of the cochlear system. We show several results from these simulations, reproducing some of the basic known characteristics of cochlear mechanics.

EPrint Type:	Monograph (Technical Report)
Additional Information:	[Alternate URL: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jcp]
Uncontrolled Keywords:	cochlea, immersed boundary method, navier-stokes equasions, parallel computation, shared memory
Subjects:	All Records
ID Code:	38
Deposited By:	Sarah M. Emery
Deposited On:	05 April 2004
Record Number:	CaltechCACR:CACR-2003-199
Official Persistent URL:	http://resolver.caltech.edu/
Usage Policy:	You are granted permission for individual, educational, research and non-commercial reproduction, distribution, display and performance of this work in any format.

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