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Flexible cochlear microendoscopy in the gerbil
Author(s) -
Campbell Adam P.,
Suberman Thomas A.,
Buchman Craig A.,
Fitzpatrick Douglas C.,
Adunka Oliver F.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.20979
Subject(s) - gerbil , endoscope , cochlear implant , biomedical engineering , animal model , cochlear implantation , visualization , anatomy , medicine , computer science , surgery , audiology , artificial intelligence , ischemia , cardiology , endocrinology
Objectives/Hypothesis: To validate the scientific utility of flexible cochlear microendoscopy in the gerbil. This model is currently being developed to study the effects of intracochlear electrode positioning on functional parameters. Study Design: Animal experiments. Methods: A flexible fiberoptic microendoscope featuring a light channel and an outer diameter of 0.4 mm was specially modified to allow intracochlear visualization. Specifically, the focus distance was reduced to 1 mm and the optical properties were modified so that visualization was adequate when submerged in perilymphatic fluid. This endoscope was used to view intracochlear contents and monitor the progress of electrode insertions in 11 gerbils. The endoscopic data estimating the site of damage were compared to postmortem microdissections. Results: The endoscope allowed for adequate visualization of intracochlear content in all animals. The site of electrode contact seen in the endoscope was confirmed in the microdissected cochleae in 10 of 11 cases, indicating the endoscope's ability to correctly identify the site of intracochlear trauma in this animal model. Conclusions: The current report demonstrates the feasibility of intracochlear microendoscopy in an animal model of hearing preservation cochlear implantation. Laryngoscope, 2010