Intraoperative Impedance-Based Estimation of Cochlear Implant Electrode Array Insertion Depth

Objective: Cochlear implant impedances are influenced by the intracochlear position of the electrodes. Herein, we present an intuitive approach to calculate tissue resistances from transimpedance recordings, ultimately enabling to estimate the insertion depth of cochlear implant electrodes. Methods: Electrode positions were measured in computed-tomography images of 20 subjects implanted with the same lateral wall cochlear implant model. The tissue resistances were estimated from intraoperative telemetry data using bivariate spline extrapolation from the transimpedance recordings. Using a phenomenological model, the electrode insertion depths were estimated. Results: The proposed method enabled the linear insertion depth of all electrodes to be estimated with an average error of 0.76 ± 0.53 mm. Conclusion: Intraoperative telemetry recordings correlate with the linear and angular depth of electrode insertion, enabling estimations with an accuracy that can be useful for clinical applications. Significance: The proposed method can be used to objectively assess surgical outcomes during and after cochlear implantation based on non-invasive and readily available telemetry recordings.