A method for accurate and reproducible specimen alignment for insertion tests of cochlear implant electrode arrays.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The trajectory along which the cochlear implant electrode array is inserted influences the insertion forces and the probability for intracochlear trauma. Controlling the trajectory is especially relevant for reproducible conditions in electrode insertion tests. Using ex vivo cochlear specimens, manual alignment of the invisibly embedded cochlea is imprecise and hardly reproducible. The aim of this study was to develop a method for creating a 3D printable pose setting adapter to align a specimen along a desired trajectory toward an insertion axis.

Methods

Planning points of the desired trajectory into the cochlea were set using CBCT images. A new custom-made algorithm processed these points for automated calculation of a pose setting adapter. Its shape ensures coaxial

SUBMITTER: Cramer J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11582122 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature