초록
Biomimetic artificial basilar membrane being a core part of artificial cochlear requires performance evaluation through aging test. To evaluate the aging properties of PVDF piezoelectric membrane used for artificial basilar membrane, its mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elastic modulus and piezoelectric property such as piezoelectric constant were measured. The aging test conditions and acceleration constants were calculated based on Arrhenius model. The changes in tensile strengths and elastic moduli measured were less than 10~20% after aging test equivalent for 10 years. The piezoelectric constants were decreased drastically to 80% of its initial value in the early stage of the aging test and expected to decrease slowly down to 65% over 10 years. The experimental results show the reliability of totally implantable novel artificial cochlear and will contribute its commercialization.