Integrated Force Sensor in a Cochlear Implant for Hearing Preservation Surgery

Arvind N. Vadivelu, Zhengyong Liu, Dinusha S. Gunawardena, Bernard Chen, Hwa Yaw Tam, Stephen O'Leary, Denny Oetomo

Research output: Chapter in book / Conference proceedingConference article published in proceeding or bookAcademic researchpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cochlear Implant is used for patients with severe hearing loss. It is a neural-prosthesis that stimulates the nerve endings within the cochlea, which is the organ of hearing. The surgical technique involves inserting the electrode array of the implant into a very small 'snail-like' spiral structure. During this insertion process, the surgeon's finger tip is not able to perceive the resistance from the contact of the implant and the cochlea's internal structure, below the internal rupture threshold. This can potentially damage vital structures and result in the worsening of residual hearing and poor speech perception. Currently, there is no clinically and commercially available intra-operative force feedback system. A custom made sensor is therefore proposed, integrated within the implant to enable real-time force readings. The device will provide surgeons with the vital force feedback information related to the implants' position within the cochlea. This paper concentrates on demonstrating that the proposed sensor is capable of measuring the contact force below the rupture threshold of the cochlea's internal structure.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2019 41st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2019
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages3819-3822
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9781538613115
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2019
Event41st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2019 - Berlin, Germany
Duration: 23 Jul 201927 Jul 2019

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBS
ISSN (Print)1557-170X

Conference

Conference41st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2019
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityBerlin
Period23/07/1927/07/19

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Signal Processing
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
  • Health Informatics

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