Active positioning device for a perimodiolar cochlear electrode array

The authors report on an actuated positioning device for a cochlear prosthesis insertion procedure. The device consists of multiple high-aspect ratio fluidic actuator chambers integrated with a high-density silicon cochlear electrode array and manufactured in a tapered-helix form. Actuation chambers with cross-sectional sizes as small as 40 × 200 μm and lengths of 30 mm have been fabricated using flexible polymers. The device will allow for low-resistance basilar insertion of a stimulating electrode array into the cochlea providing for deep, perimodiolar position considered most beneficial for auditory nerve stimulation, while minimizing intracochlear trauma. Experimental measurements, FEA analysis, and modeling demonstrate a viable and appropriate actuation method for a cochlear implant procedure.

[1]  J. J. Grote,et al.  The Importance of Human Cochlear Anatomy for the Results of Modiolus-Hugging Multichannel Cochlear Implants , 2001, Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology.

[2]  D W Kennedy,et al.  Multichannel intracochlear electrodes: Mechanism of insertion trauma , 1987, The Laryngoscope.

[3]  J. Nedzelski,et al.  Depth and quality of electrode insertion: a radiologic and pitch scaling assessment of two cochlear implant systems. , 1999, The American journal of otology.

[4]  G. M. Clark,et al.  Electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve: The effect of electrode position on neural excitation , 1993, Hearing Research.

[5]  S. Timoshenko.  Theory of Elastic Stability , 1936 .

[6]  F A Spelman,et al.  Three-dimensional reconstruction of the cochlea from two-dimensional images of optical sections. , 1995, Computerized medical imaging and graphics : the official journal of the Computerized Medical Imaging Society.

[7]  S. B. Brummer,et al.  Electrochemical Considerations for Safe Electrical Stimulation of the Nervous System with Platinum Electrodes , 1977, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.