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A 3D Microscaffold Cochlear Electrode Array for Steroid Elution
Author(s) -
Jang Jongmoon,
Kim Jinyoung,
Kim Yeong Cheol,
Kim Sangwon,
Chou Namsun,
Lee Seungmin,
Choung YunHoon,
Kim Sohee,
Brugger Juergen,
Choi Hongsoo,
Jang Jeong Hun
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced healthcare materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.288
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 2192-2659
pISSN - 2192-2640
DOI - 10.1002/adhm.201900379
Subject(s) - perilymph , cochlea , steroid , auditory brainstem response , electrode array , dexamethasone , brainstem , electrode , polylactic acid , inner ear , cochlear implant , materials science , biomedical engineering , chemistry , medicine , hearing loss , audiology , anatomy , hormone , composite material , polymer
In cochlear implants, the electrode insertion trauma during surgery can cause damage residual hearing. Preserving the residual hearing is an important challenge and the localized administration of drugs, such as steroids, is one of the most promising ways, but remains a challenge. Here, a microscaffold cochlear electrode array (MiSCEA) consisting of a microfabricated flexible electrode array and a 3D microscaffold for steroid reservoir is reported. The MiSCEA without loaded drug is tested by measuring the electrically evoked auditory brainstem response of the cochlea in guinea pigs ( n = 4). The scaffold is then coated with steroid (dexamethasone) encapsulated in polylactic‐ co ‐glycolic acid and the continuous release of the steroid into artificial perilymph during six weeks is monitored. The steroid‐containing scaffolds are then implanted into guinea pigs ( n = 4) and threshold shifts are analyzed for four weeks by measuring the acoustically evoked auditory brainstem response. The threshold shifts tend to be lower in the group implanted with the steroid‐containing MiSCEAs. The feasibility of 3D MiSCEA opens up the development of potential next‐generation cochlear electrode with improved steroid release dynamics into cochlea.