基于自由场爆炸的小型猪内耳听觉损伤模型

A realistic blast injury model was developed for simulating auditory damage in the inner ears of miniature pigs under controlled explosion conditions to investigate the impact of varying blast shockwave pressures on auditory impairment. Fourteen healthy miniature pigs were selected and underwent auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing prior to exposure to explosions. A free-field explosion platform was constructed utilizing 1.9 kg and 8.0 kg of TNT, with the explosive source 1.8 meters above the ground. The pigs were securely fixed in protective devices, exposing only their head, and placed at varying distances from the blast source. Peak shockwave pressures were measured, and immediate mortality rates were calculated accordingly. Post-explosion ABR tests were conducted, followed by examination of cochlear tissues using scanning electron microscopy to analyze hair cell damage. Shockwave peak pressures ranged from 96.3 kPa to 628.3 kPa over a distance range of 1.8 m to 3.8 m, with pressure decreasing as distance increased. At a distance of 2.6 m, a peak pressure of 628.3 kPa resulted in a mortality ratio of 50%. ABR threshold comparisons before and after the explosion revealed significant increases across all tested frequencies (P ＜ 0.05), with the most notable changes at a frequency of 4 kHz. Scanning electron microscopy analysis demonstrated that inner hair cells exhibited greater susceptibility to damage compared to outer hair cells, with higher shockwave pressure leading to more sever damage. Blast shockwaves caused substantial auditory system damage to miniature pigs as evidenced by elevated ABR thresholds and destruction of cochlear hair cell. Inner hair cells proved more vulnerable to blast shockwaves. The established model can provide a valuable experimental foundation for further studies on blast injury mechanisms and protective strategies.