Robotic Cochlear Implant Delivery System for Precision Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cochlear implant surgery techniques lack precision in implant position and motion control, leading to potential damage to fragile cochlear structures and residual hearing loss due to manual insertion methods and high inter-operator variability.
Innovation Solution
A robotically assisted implantation system comprising an external positioning unit and a computerized control unit that enables precise robotic control of the cochlear implant's motion, including insertion rate, distance, and forces applied, to accurately position the implant and minimize trauma to undamaged cochlear regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual insertion methods are used for cochlear implant surgery, then the surgeon has flexibility in operation, but precision in implant position and motion control deteriorates leading to potential damage to fragile cochlear structures
Solution Approach 1:
A robotic system acts as an intermediary between the surgeon and the implant insertion process. The robotic system receives control inputs from the surgeon and executes them with high precision, mediating between human flexibility and machine precision to resolve the contradiction between ease of operation and manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical insertion system with a robotic system that uses computer-controlled mechanisms. This substitution maintains surgeon control while eliminating the precision limitations of manual operation, allowing flexible control with high positional accuracy
2Ease of manufacture
If manual insertion methods are used for cochlear implant surgery, then the surgical procedure is simple to perform, but reliability of the surgery deteriorates due to high inter-operator variability
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system serves as a standardized intermediary that all surgeons interface with in the same way. This eliminates variations in technique between different operators while maintaining procedural simplicity through consistent robotic execution of control inputs
Solution Approach 2:
The system standardizes critical surgical parameters such as insertion rate, distance, and forces applied through robotic control. By controlling these parameters consistently across different surgeons, the system improves reliability while maintaining ease of operation through the user-friendly robotic interface
3Loss of time
If manual insertion is used, then the surgical time is shorter with fewer setup requirements, but the risk of intracochlear trauma increases due to lack of precision in motion control
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is pre-programmed with optimal insertion parameters and safety protocols before the surgical procedure begins. This preliminary configuration enables precise motion control from the start of implant insertion, reducing trauma risk without requiring extensive intraoperative adjustments that would extend surgical time
Data Source
AI summary
This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for robotically assisted implantation of an implant in a patient. A system includes an external positioning unit configured to engage an elongate member of the implant, and a control console communicatively coupled to the external positioning unit. The control console may have a user interface that enables a user to input motion control instructions. The control console may generate a motion control signal, according to a specific motion control instruction, to control the external positioning unit to propel the implant into a target implant site. The system may be used to robotically control the delivery and positing of a cochlear implant during a hearing-preservation cochlear implant surgery.