Registration of a validated mechanical atlas of middle ear for surgical simulation.

This paper is centered on the development of a new training and rehearsal simulation system for middle ear surgery. First, we have developed and validated a mechanical atlas based on finite element method of the human middle ear. The atlas is based on a microMRI. Its mechanical behavior computed in real-time has been successfully validated. In addition, we propose a method for the registration of the mechanical atlas on patient imagery. The simulation can be used for a rehearsal surgery with the geometrical anatomy of a given patient and with mechanical data that are validated. Moreover, this process does not necessitate a complete re-built of the model.