Cochlear Implant Electrode Trajectory Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cochlear implant electrode arrays often become misaligned or malpositioned within the cochlea, leading to suboptimal performance and difficulty in identifying the cause of malfunction, especially in cases of anatomical anomalies, where conventional imaging techniques like CT scans may not be readily available.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrical field imaging to generate electrical field spread curves for each electrode and create a graphical representation of the intracochlear trajectory, facilitating the identification of misalignment and anatomical anomalies affecting the electrode array's performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrical field imaging is used to generate electrical field spread curves for each electrode, then measurement precision of electrode positioning is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for additional imaging equipment and processing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electrical field imaging as an intermediary technique to indirectly measure electrode positioning. Instead of directly visualizing electrode locations, the system measures electrical field spread curves generated by each electrode, which serve as mediators to infer positional information. This approach achieves high measurement precision while avoiding the need for complex direct imaging equipment.
2Measurement precision
If CT scans are used to identify causes of electrode array malfunction, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the requirement of special equipment not available in clinician's office
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the cochlear implant system itself to perform diagnostic functions by generating electrical field spread curves and creating graphical representations of intracochlear trajectories. The system serves its own diagnostic needs without requiring external CT scanning equipment, making malfunction identification accessible to clinicians in their offices. The implantable device captures, processes, and presents diagnostic information autonomously.
3Ease of operation
If graphical representation of intracochlear trajectory is generated from electrical field spread curves, then ease of operation is improved by facilitating identification of misalignment, but loss of information increases due to transformation of raw electrical data into visual representations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms one-dimensional electrical field spread curve data into two-dimensional graphical representations of intracochlear trajectories. This dimensional transformation makes the data more visually interpretable and easier to analyze for misalignment, while preserving the essential positional information through careful mapping of electrical field characteristics to spatial coordinates.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for accurate analysis of electrode positioning and function, enabling clinicians to adjust the electrode array during surgery or fitting, thereby improving sound perception and reducing malfunctions in cochlear implant systems.
Implementation Method 1
Cochlear implant systems bypass the hair cells in the cochlea by presenting electrical stimulation directly to the auditory nerve fibers
Implementation Method 2
Exemplary methods include using electrical field imaging to generate an electrical field spread curve for each of a plurality of electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary methods and systems of generating a graphical representation of an intracochlear trajectory of electrodes include using electrical field imaging to generate an electrical field spread curve for each of a plurality of electrodes contained within an electrode array at least partially inserted within a cochlear implant patient and generating a graphical representation of an intracochlear trajectory of the electrodes based on the electrical field spread curves.