Evaluation of biocompatibility and stimulation parameters of implantable electrode arrays for tinnitus suppression – project INTAKT

A profound hearing loss is often accompanied by a pronounced tinnitus sensation, associated with a high level of distress for the affected individuals. Electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve after cochlear implantation often leads to a significant reduction in tinnitus perception, but a comparable therapeutic approach for normal-hearing tinnitus patients does not yet exist. Within the INTAKT project, the application of an electrical neurostimulator was evaluated in clinical and preclinical studies. In the presented studies, the application-specific parameters implantability, stimulation properties and biocompatibility of the electrode array were investigated electrophysiologically and histologically in the guinea pig animal model. The electrode array was implanted into the middle ear of the animals and the electrode contacts (monopolar or bipolar) were placed at the round window to ensure optimal stimulation of the neuronal structures of the cochlea. Electrical stimulation was able to elicit evoked field potentials of the ascending auditory pathway, with bipolar stimulation showing significant stimulus responses below the threshold for eliciting myogenic potentials compared to monopolar stimulation. In further chronic implantation experiments, the biocompatibility of the electrode arrays used was investigated. In these investigations (implantation period 12 weeks), there were no indications of leukocyte infiltration, inflammatory processes or tissue degeneration in the structures involved with regard to long-term stability. (supported by BMBF, network INTAKT)

gefördert durch das BMBF, Netzwerk INTAKT

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
12. Mai 2023