Seeing electrode movement in the cochlea: Micro-focus fluoroscopy - A great tool for electrode development

The aim of this study was to utilise micro-focus X-ray fluoroscopy for viewing electrode movement in the cochlea. Various prototypes of newly designed cochlear implant electrodes were evaluated during insertion studies on human cadaver temporal bones. The magnified fluoroscopic images were observed in real-time and recorded for retrospective studies. In 30 insertions of hearing preservation (Hybrid-L) arrays, fluoroscopy provided crucial information on the tip design, length of array and stiffening stylet. In 44 insertions of Contour Advance enhanced (CAe) arrays, the length, curvature, depth of insertion and degree of stiffness were assessed. CAe arrays were successfully inserted to the designated depth and positioned close to the modiolus. High quality microfocus fluoroscopic images of electrode movement in the cochlea greatly assisted in the validation of newly designed intra-cochlear electrode arrays.