Three-Dimensional Surface Reconstruction of the Human Cochlear Nucleus: Implications for Auditory Brain Stem Implant Design.

ABSTRACT: Objective  The auditory brain stem implant (ABI) is a neuroprosthesis placed on the surface of the cochlear nucleus (CN) to provide hearing sensations in children and adults who are not candidates for cochlear implantation. Contemporary ABI arrays are stiff and do not conform to the curved brain stem surface. Recent advancements in microfabrication techniques have enabled the development of flexible surface arrays, but these have only been applied in animal models. Herein, we measure the surface curvature of the human CN and adjoining regions to assist in the design and placement of next-generation conformable clinical ABI arrays. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions from ultrahigh T1-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences and histologic reconstructions based on

SUBMITTER: Tarabichi O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7082162 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature