Improving cochlear implant properties through conductive hydrogel coatings.

Conductive hydrogel (CH) coatings for biomedical electrodes have shown considerable promise in improving electrode mechanical and charge transfer properties. While they have desirable properties as a bulk material, there is limited understanding of how these properties translate to a microelectrode array. This study evaluated the performance of CH coatings applied to Nucleus Contour Advance cochlear electrode arrays.

The long-term effects of modified electrode surfaces and intracochlear corticosteroids on postoperative impedances in cochlear implant patients.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the long-term effect of intraoperative application of steroid suspension and coating of the electrode contacts with a thin film of iridium oxide on the intracochlear impedance development after cochlear implantation and on the impedance difference before and after stimulation.

Design: Time-dependent development of intracochlear impedances was investigated in 4 different groups of adult patients up to 4 years after implantation. Additionally, during rehabilitation period just after first fitting, impedances before and after stimulation were measured as to investigate the influence of electrical stimulation on the impedances.

Changes of postoperative impedances in cochlear implant patients: the short-term effects of modified electrode surfaces and intracochlear corticosteroids.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of intraoperative application of steroid suspension and coating of the electrode contacts with a thin film of iridium oxide on the short-term, time-dependent development of the intracochlear impedance in adults implanted with the Nucleus 24 Contour electrode.

Study Design: The time-dependent development of intracochlear impedances was investigated in four different groups of adult patients at daily and later weekly intervals until the first fitting. The four groups were as follows: 1) standard Nucleus 24 Contour (control, n = 7); 2) standard Nucleus 24 Contour with intraoperative application of steroids (Group S, n = 6); 3) iridium-coated Nucleus 24 Contour control (Group I, n = 8); and 4) iridium-coated Nucleus 24 Contour with intraoperative application of steroids (Group I + S, n = 5).