Investigating the Electrical Properties of Different Cochlear Implants.
Publication Date
2021-01Journal Title
Otol Neurotol
ISSN
1531-7129
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Volume
42
Issue
1
Pages
59-67
Language
eng
Type
Article
This Version
VoR
Physical Medium
Print
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Swaddiwudhipong, N., Jiang, C., Landry, T. G., & Bance, M. (2021). Investigating the Electrical Properties of Different Cochlear Implants.. Otol Neurotol, 42 (1), 59-67. https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000002861
Abstract
AIM: This study characterises and compares electrical properties and current spread across four different makes of cochlear implants with differing electrode designs using a 3D-printed artificial cochlear model. BACKGROUND: Cochlear implants are currently limited by current spread within the cochlea, which causes low spectral resolution of auditory nerve stimulation. Different cochlear implant makes vary in electrode size, shape, number, and configuration. How these differences affect cochlear implant current spread and function is not well known. METHOD: Each cochlear implant was inserted into a linear cochlear model containing recording electrodes along its length. Biphasic monopolar stimulation of each implant electrode was carried out, and the resultant waveform and transimpedance matrix (TIM) data obtained from the recording electrodes. This was repeated with each implant rotated 180 degrees in the cochlea model to examine the effects of electrode orientation. Impedance spectroscopy was also carried out at the apex, middle, and base of the model. RESULTS: The four cochlear implants displayed similar TIM profiles and waveforms. One hundred eighty degrees rotation of each cochlear implant made little difference to the TIM profiles. Impedance spectroscopy demonstrated broad similarities in amplitude and phase across the implants, but exhibited differences in certain electrical parameters. CONCLUSION: Implants with different designs demonstrate similar electrical performance, regardless of electrode size and spacing or electrode array dimension. In addition, rotatory maneuvers during cochlear implantation surgery are unlikely to change implant impedance properties.
Keywords
Cochlear Nerve, Cochlea, Humans, Cochlear Implantation, Electric Stimulation, Cochlear Implants
Sponsorship
The Wellcome Trust (204845/Z/16/Z), the Evelyn Trust, the Cambridge Hearing Trust
Funder references
Wellcome Trust (204845/Z/16/Z)
Cambridge Hearing Trust (Unknown)
Evelyn Trust (18-Sep)
Embargo Lift Date
2100-01-01
Identifiers
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000002861
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/309665
Rights
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY)
Licence URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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