Semi-autonomous robotic control of a self-shaping cochlear implant
File(s)ICRA_2023.pdf (5.91 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Cochlear implants (CIs) can improve hearing in patients suffering from sensorineural hearing loss via an electrode array (EA) carefully inserted in the scala tympani. Current EAs can cause trauma during insertion, threatening hearing preservation; hence we proposed a pre-curved thermally drawn EA that curls into the cochlea under the influence of body temperature. However, the additional surgical skill required to insert pre-curved EAs usually produces worse surgical outcomes. Medical robots can offer an effective solution to assist surgeons in improving surgical outcomes and reducing outliers. This work proposes a collaborative approach to insert our EA where manageable tasks are automated using a vision-based system. The insertion strategy presented allowed us to insert our EA successfully. The feasibility study showed that we can insert EAs following the defined control strategy while keeping the exerted contact forces within safe levels. The teleoperated robotic system and robotic vision approach to control a self-shaping CI has thus shown potential to provide the tools for a more delicate and atraumatic approach.
Date Issued
2023-05-29
Date Acceptance
2023-05-01
Citation
2023 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), 2023, pp.6823-6829
Publisher
IEEE
Start Page
6823
End Page
6829
Journal / Book Title
2023 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA)
Copyright Statement
© 2023 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.
Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/icra48891.2023.10161565
Source
2023 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA)
Publication Status
Published
Start Date
2023-05-29
Finish Date
2023-06-02
Coverage Spatial
London, UK