Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39953541›Full record

ArticleBiomedical engineering online2025

Preclinical evaluation of a hydraulic actuation system with guide tube for robotic cochlear implant electrode insertion.

Jakob Cramer, Rolf Salcher, Max Fröhlich, Georg Böttcher-Rebmann, Eralp Artukarslan, Thomas Lenarz, Thomas S Rau

Abstract readEvaluation Study
In one paragraph

Article in Biomedical engineering online, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Jakob CramerDepartment of Otolaryngology and Cluster of Excellence EXC 2177/1 "Hearing4all", Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany. cramer.jakob@mh-hannover.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3921-7963
Rolf SalcherDepartment of Otolaryngology and Cluster of Excellence EXC 2177/1 "Hearing4all", Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
Max FröhlichDepartment of Otolaryngology and Cluster of Excellence EXC 2177/1 "Hearing4all", Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9821-6090
Georg Böttcher-RebmannDepartment of Otolaryngology and Cluster of Excellence EXC 2177/1 "Hearing4all", Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3821-2194
Eralp ArtukarslanDepartment of Otolaryngology and Cluster of Excellence EXC 2177/1 "Hearing4all", Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5742-6825
Thomas LenarzDepartment of Otolaryngology and Cluster of Excellence EXC 2177/1 "Hearing4all", Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9307-5989
Thomas S RauDepartment of Otolaryngology and Cluster of Excellence EXC 2177/1 "Hearing4all", Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7223-3618

Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft 390895286
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAutomated insertion of the cochlear implant electrode array can reduce the risk of intracochlear trauma. To address this, our group previously developed a hydraulic electrode insertion device, the Cochlea Hydrodrive (CHD), which automates the process using a syringe piston driven by an infusion pump. This study aims to characterize the hydraulic actuation process of the CHD and to preclinically evaluate its design.

methodsA camera-based motion tracking test setup was developed to obtain hydraulic motion profiles. Various syringes were evaluated for their actuation properties and the optimal syringe was selected. The CHD design was adapted based on the selected syringe, incorporating a slotted stainless steel guide tube to surround the electrode during insertion. This enhanced design was tested in ex vivo insertion trials into human head specimens.

resultsThe final design of the CHD demonstrated smooth and steady motion profiles at all tested velocities (0.4 mm/s, 0.1 mm/s, 0.03 mm/s). Ex vivo insertion trials confirmed these findings, with the guide tube facilitating easy alignment of the CHD in front of the round window and preventing electrode buckling.

conclusionOur study validates that the CHD provides reliably smooth actuation properties despite its low complexity. The use of a guide tube appears promising and could further enhance the standardization of automated electrode insertion.

Indexed as

Cochlear ImplantationCochlear ImplantsRobotic Surgical ProceduresEquipment DesignHumansMechanical PhenomenaAutomated electrode insertionAutomated vs manual actuationEx vivo insertion trialsGuide tubeMotion tracking systemSurgical tool

Identifiers

PMID39953541
PMCPMC11829445

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.