Cone Beam and Micro-Computed Tomography Validation of Manual Array Insertion for Minimally Invasive Cochlear Implantation

Delivering cochlear implants through a minimally invasive tunnel (1.8 mm in diameter) from the mastoid surface to the inner ear is referred to as direct cochlear access (DCA). Based on cone beam as well as micro-computed tomography imaging, this in vitro study evaluates the feasibility and efficacy of manual cochlear electrode array insertions via DCA. Free-fitting electrode arrays were inserted in 8 temporal bone specimens with previously drilled DCA tunnels. The insertion depth angle, procedural time, tunnel alignment as well as the inserted scala and intracochlear trauma were assessed. Seven of the 8 insertions were full insertions, with insertion depth angles higher than 520°. Three cases of atraumatic scala tympani insertion, 3 cases of probable basilar membrane rupture and 1 case of dislocation into the scala vestibuli were observed (1 specimen was damaged during extraction). Manual electrode array insertion following a DCA procedure seems to be feasible and safe and is a further step toward clinical application of image-guided otological microsurgery.

Manual Electrode Array Insertion Through a Robot-assisted Minimal Invasive Cochleostomy: Feasibility and Comparison of Two Different Electrode Array Subtypes.

HYPOTHESIS To evaluate the feasibility and the results of insertion of two types of electrode arrays in a robotically assisted surgical approach. BACKGROUND Recent publications demonstrated that robot-assisted surgery allows the implantation of free-fitting electrode arrays through a cochleostomy drilled via a narrow bony tunnel (DCA). We investigated if electrode arrays from different manufacturers could be used with this approach. METHODS Cone-beam CT imaging was performed on fivecadaveric heads after placement of fiducial screws. Relevant anatomical structures were segmented and the DCA trajectory, including the position of the cochleostomy, was defined to target the center of the scala tympani while reducing the risk of lesions to the facial nerve. Med-El Flex 28 and Cochlear CI422 electrodes were implanted on both sides, and their position was verified by cone-beam CT. Finally, temporal bones were dissected to assess the occurrence of damage to anatomical structures during DCA drilling. RESULTS The cochleostomy site was directed in the scala tympani in 9 of 10 cases. The insertion of electrode arrays was successful in 19 of 20 attempts. No facial nerve damage was observed. The average difference between the planned and the postoperative trajectory was 0.17 ± 0.19 mm at the level of the facial nerve. The average depth of insertion was 305.5 ± 55.2 and 243 ± 32.1 degrees with Med-El and Cochlear arrays, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Robot-assisted surgery is a reliable tool to allow cochlear implantation through a cochleostomy. Technical solutions must be developed to improve the electrode array insertion using this approach.

MeV ion beam lithography of biocompatible halogenated Parylenes using aperture masks

Parylenes are poly(p-xylylene) polymers that are widely used as moisture barriers and in biomedicine because of their good biocompatibility. We have investigated MeV ion beam lithography using 16O+ ions for writing defined patterns in Parylene-C, which is evaluated as a coating material for the Cochlear Implant (CI) electrode array, a neuroprosthesis to treat some forms of deafness. Parylene-C and -F on silicon and glass substrates as well as 50 μm thick PTFE were irradiated to different fluences (1×1013-1×10161×1013-1×1016 1 MeV 16O+ ions cm−2) through aperture masks under high vacuum and a low pressure (<10−3 mbar) oxygen atmosphere. Biocompatibility of the irradiated and unirradiated surfaces was tested by cell-counting to determine the proliferation of murine spiral ganglion cells. The results reveal that an oxygen ion beam can be used to pattern Parylene-C and -F without using a liquid solvent developer in a similar manner to PTFE but with a ∼25× smaller removal rate. Biocompatibility tests showed no difference in cell adhesion between irradiated and unirradiated areas or ion fluence dependence. Coating the Parylene surface with an adhesion-promoting protein mixture had a much greater effect on cell proliferation.

Transient behavior of a system composed of conductive thin wire structures excited by harmonic and lightning type signals

The transient response of a system of independent electrodes buried in a semi-infinite conducting medium is studied. Using a simple and versatile numerical scheme written by the authors and based on the Electric Field Integral Equation (EFIE), the effect caused by harmonic signals ranging on frequency from Hz to hundred of MHz, and also by lightning type driving signal striking at a remote point far from the conductors, is extensively studied. The value of the scalar potential appearing on the electrodes as a function of the frequency of the applied signal is one of the variables investigated. Other features such as the input impedance at the injection point of the signal and the Ground Potential Rise (GPR) over the electrode system are also discussed

Different approaches to grounding resistance. Calculation for thin wire structures at low frequency energization

The present paper deals with the calculation of grounding resistance of an electrode composed of thin wires, that we consider here as perfect electric conductors (PEC) e.g. with null internal resistance, when buried in a soil of uniform resistivity. The potential profile at the ground surface is also calculated when the electrode is energized with low frequency current. The classic treatment by using leakage currents, called Charge Simulated Method (CSM), is compared with that using a set of steady currents along the axis of the wires, here called the Longitudinal Currents Method (LCM), to solve the Maxwell equations. The method of moments is applied to obtain a numerical approximation of the solution by using rectangular basis functions. Both methods are applied to two types of electrodes and the results are also compared with those obtained using a thirth approach, the Average Potential Method (APM), later described in the text. From the analysis performed, we can estimate a value of the error in the determination of grounding resistance as a function of the number of segments in which the electrodes are divided.

Paul–Straubel–Kingdon trap for true zero-point confinement of an individual ion and reservoir

A modification of the Paul–Straubel trap previously described by us may profitably be operated in a Paul–Straubel–Kingdon (PSK) mode during the initial loading of an individual ion into the trap. Thereby the coating of the trap ring electrode by the atomic beam directed upon it in earlier experiments is eliminated, as is the ionization of an already trapped ion. Coating created serious problems as it spot-wise changed the work function of the ring electrode, which caused large, uncontrolled dc fields in the trap center that prevented zero-point confinement. Operating the Paul–Straubel trap with a small negative bias on the ring electrode wire is all that is required to realize the PSK mode. In this mode the tiny ring trap in the center of the long, straight wire section is surrounded by a second trapping well shaped like a long, thin-walled cylindrical shell and extending to the end-caps. There, ions may be conveniently created in this well without danger of coating the ring with barium. In addition, the long second well is useful as a multi-ion reservoir.

Electron beam induced electronic transport in alkyl amine-intercalated VOx nanotubes

The electron beam induced electronic transport in primary alkyl amine-intercalated V2O5 nanotubes is investigated where the organic amine molecules are employed as molecular conductive wires to an aminosilanized substrate surface and contacted to Au interdigitated electrode contacts. The results demonstrate that the high conductivity of the nanotubes is related to the non-resonant tunnelling through the amine molecules and a reduced polaron hopping conduction through the vanadium oxide itself. Both nanotube networks and individual nanotubes exhibit similarly high conductivities where the minority carrier transport is bias dependent and nanotube diameter invariant.

Simplified PRBMs of spatial compliant multi-beam modules for planar motion

PRBMs (pseudo-rigid-body models) have been becoming important engineering technologies/methods in the field of compliant mechanisms to simplify the design and analysis through the use of the knowledge body of rigid-body mechanisms coupling with springs. This article addresses the PRBMs of spatial multi-beam modules for planar motion, which are composed of three or more symmetrical wire/slender beams parallel to each other where the planar twisting DOF (degree of freedom) is assumed to be very small for specific applications/loading conditions. Simplified PRBMs are firstly proposed through replacing each beam in spatial multi-beam module with a rigid-body link plus two identical spherical joints at its two ends. The characteristics factor, bending stiffness and twisting stiffness for the spherical joint are determined. Load-displacement equations are then derived for a class of spatial multi-beam modules and general spatial multi-beam modules using the virtual work principle and kinematic relationships. Finally, nonlinear FEA (finite element analysis) is employed with comparisons with the PRBMs. The present PRBMs have shown the ability to predict the primary nonlinear constraint characteristics such as load-stiffening effect, cross-axis coupling in the two primary translational directions and buckling load.

A novel graphene nanodots inlaid porous gold electrode for electrochemically controlled drug release

A uniform graphene nanodots inlaid porous gold electrode was prepared via ion beam sputtering deposition (IBSD) and mild corrosion chemistry. HRTEM, SEM, AFM and XPS analyses revealed the successful fabrication of graphene nanodots inlaid porous gold electrode. The as-prepared porous electrode was used as π-orbital-rich drug loading platform to fabricate an electrochemically controlled drug release system with high performance. π-orbital-rich drugs with amino mioety, like doxorubicin (DOX) and tetracycline (TC), were loaded into the graphene nanodots inlaid porous gold electrode via non-covalent π-π stacking interaction. The amino groups in DOX and TC can be easily protonated at acidic medium to become positively-charged NH3(+), which allow these drug molecules to be desorbed from the porous electrode surface via electrostatic repulsion when positive potential is applied at the electrode. The drug loading and release experiment indicated that this graphene nanodots inlaid porous gold electrode can be used to conveniently and efficiently control the drug release electrochemically. Not only did our work provide a benign method to electrochemically controlled drug release via electrostatic repulsion process, it also enlighten the promising practical applications of micro electrode as a drug carrier for precisely and efficiently controlled drug release via embedding in the body.

Wire EDM mechanism of MMCs with the variation of reinforced particle size

The size of reinforced particles notably affects the electro-discharge machining (EDM) of metal matrix composites (MMCs). This paper explores the mechanism of wire EDM of MMCs with different sizes of reinforced particles as well as the corresponding unreinforced matrix material. The mechanisms of material removal, surface generation, and taper kerf formation were investigated. This study shows that the particles’ ability to protect matrix materials from the intense heat of electric arc controls the material removal rate, surface generation, and taper of kerf. The low melting point matrix material is removed very easily, but the heat resistance reinforced particles delay the removal of material and facilitate the transfer of the workpiece material to wire electrode and vice versa. Thus, the material stays longer in touch with intense heat and affects the surface generation, wire electrode wear, and width of the kerf.