Finite element modelling of the surgical procedure for placement of a straight electrode array: Mechanical and clinical consequences

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Areias, B (Author) Other; Parente, MPL (Author) FEUP; Gentil, F (Author) Other; Renato Natal Jorge (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Biomechanics

Vol. 129

ISSN: 0021-9290

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00V-JKH

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110812

Abstract (EN): A cochlear implant is an electronic device implanted into the cochlea to directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Such device is used in patients with severe-to-profound hearing loss. The cochlear implant surgery is safe, but involves some risks, such as infections, device malfunction or damage of the facial nerve and it can result on a poor hearing outcome, due to the destruction of any present residual hearing. Future improvements in cochlear implant surgery will necessarily involve the decrease of the intra-cochlear damage. Several implant related variables, such as materials, geometrical design, processor and surgical techniques can be optimized in order for the patients to partially recover their hearing capacities The straight electrode is a type of cochlear implant that many authors indicate as being the less traumatic. From the finite element analysis conducted in this work, the influence of the insertion speed, the friction coefficient between the cochlear wall and the electrode array, and several configurations of the cochlear implant tip were studied. The numerical simulations of the implantation showed the same pattern of the insertion force against insertion depth, thus indicating the different phases of the insertion. Results demonstrated that lower insertion speeds, friction coefficients and tip stiffness, led to a reduction on the contact pressures and insertion force. It is expected that these improved configurations will allow to preserve the residual hearing while reducing surgical complications.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6