Scala Tympani Phantom With Cochleostomy and Round Window Openings for Cochlear Implant Insertion Experiments

Abstract

Experiments with scalatympani (ST) phantoms are used to evaluate new electrode arrays and cochlearimplant insertion techniques. To date, phantoms have not accounted for clinical orientations and geometric differences between roundwindow (RW) insertions and anteroinferior cochleostomy insertions. For improved assessments of insertion experiments, we present a scalatympani phantom that offers three distinct benefits over previous phantoms: it mimics the standard otologic position, it accommodates for both roundwindow and anteroinferior cochleostomy insertions, and it incorporates a visual coordinate system based on industry consensus making standardized angular measurements possible.