Innovative Techniques For Atraumatic And Precise Electrode Array Insertion In Cochlear Implantation

Innovative Techniques for Atraumatic and Precise Electrode Array Insertion in Cochlear Implantation

A Polymer Cochlear Electrode Array: Atraumatic Deep Insertion, Tripolar Stimulation, and Long-Term Reliability

This book describes the design, fabrication and evaluation of a polymer-based neural interface for a cochlear electrode array, reviewed in terms of fabrication process, functionality, and reliability. Polymer-based devices have attracted attention in the neural prosthetic field due to their flexibility and compatibility with micro-fabrication process. A liquid crystal polymer (LCP) is an inert, highly water-resistant polymer suitable for the encapsulation of electronic components and as a substrate material for fabricating neural interfaces. The author has designed, fabricated, and evaluated an LCP-based cochlear electrode array for an improved polymer-based cochlear implant. The thesis deals with 3 key topics: atraumatic deep insertion, tripolar stimulation, and long-term reliability. Atraumatic insertion of the intracochlear electrode and resulting preservation of residual hearing have become essential in state–of-the-art cochlear implantation. A novel tapered design of an LCP-based cochlear electrode array is presented to meet such goals. For high-density and pitch-recognizable cochlear implant, channel interaction should be avoided. Local tripolar stimulation using multi-layered electrode sites are shown to achieve highly focused electrical stimulation. This thesis addresses another vital issue in the polymer-based neural implants: the long-term reliability issue. After suggesting a new method of forming mechanical interlocking to improve polymer-metal adhesion, the author performs accelerating aging tests to verify the method’s efficacy. The aforementioned three topics have been thoroughly examined through various in vitro and in vivo studies. Verification foresees the development of LCP-based cochlear electrode array for an atraumatic deep insertion, advanced stimulation, and long-term clinical implant.

Pediatric Cochlear Implantation

This second edition text will provide updated information to professionals and students in fields relevant to cochlear implantation. The main objective of this book is to provide the latest information about pediatric candidacy evaluation, medical and vestibular evaluation, surgery, language and literacy outcomes, habilitation, spatial hearing, influence of family dynamics and educational needs. This text also expands upon newer indications including unilateral and asymmetric hearing loss, management of children with residual hearing, and management of children from families whose primary language is Spanish. Additional important new topics discussed include the role of interprofessional training to better serve children, the Australian hearing health care model to achieve early implantation and addressing global barriers to pediatric implantation. Pediatric Cochlear Implantation is ideal for both trainees and practicing otolaryngologists, otologists/neurotologists, audiologists, speech language pathologists, psychologists and educators who work with deaf and head of hearing children.