Method and apparatus for cochlear implant surgery

Abstract

A system for cochlear implant surgery includes a reference device having at least a portion adapted to be arranged at a fixed position relative to a cochlea of a patient to provide a reference position, an image acquisition and processing system adapted to acquire an image of at least a portion of the cochlea relative to the reference position and to provide an implant plan based at least partially on the acquired image, and an implant system adapted for implanting a cochlear lead array using the reference position and the implant plan.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A reference device comprising a spring structure such that said reference device has a size and shape to be insertable into and removable from an opening made during at least one of a cochleostomy or mastoidectomy surgical procedure while said spring structure is in a compressed configuration and said reference device is fixed in position while said spring structure is in a restored configuration. 
     
     
         32 . A reference device according to  claim 31 , wherein said spring structure has indents defined therein to receive a compression tool. 
     
     
         33 . A reference device according to  claim 31 , wherein said fiducial marker device defines a slot for alternately receiving and imaging probe and a stylet for implanting a lead array. 
     
     
         34 . A method of surgically implanting a prosthetic device in a patient's cochlea, comprising:
 providing a fiducial reference at a spatially fixed position relative to said patient's cochlea;   acquiring an image of at least a portion of said patient's cochlea relative to said fiducial reference;   processing said image to determine a surgical implant plan; and   providing results of said surgical implant plan for a surgeon to implant at least a portion of said prosthetic device using said implant plan and said fiducial reference.   
     
     
         35 . A method of surgically implanting a prosthetic device in a patient's cochlea according to  claim 34 , further comprising implanting a lead array in said patient's cochlea. 
     
     
         36 . A method of surgically implanting a prosthetic device in a patient's cochlea according to  claim 34 , wherein said providing a fiducial reference comprises surgically fixing a removable fiducial marker device to said patient. 
     
     
         37 . A method of surgically implanting a prosthetic device in a patient's cochlea according to  claim 35 , wherein said providing a fiducial reference comprises controlling a guide assembly comprising a fiducial marker device such that said fiducial marker device is held in a substantially known position during said acquiring said image and during said implanting.