A 3D Microscaffold Cochlear Electrode Array for Steroid Elution
In cochlear implants, the electrode insertion trauma during surgery can cause damage residual hearing. Preserving the residual hearing is an important challenge and the localized administration of drugs, such as steroids, is one of the most promising ways, but remains a challenge. Here, a microscaffold cochlear electrode array (MiSCEA) consisting of a microfabricated flexible electrode array and a 3D microscaffold for steroid reservoir is reported. The MiSCEA without loaded drug is tested by measuring the electrically evoked auditory brainstem response of the cochlea in guinea pigs (n = 4). The scaffold is then coated with steroid (dexamethasone) encapsulated in polylactic-co-glycolic acid and the continuous release of the steroid into artificial perilymph during six weeks is monitored. The steroid-containing scaffolds are then implanted into guinea pigs (n = 4) and threshold shifts are analyzed for four weeks by measuring the acoustically evoked auditory brainstem response. The threshold shifts tend to be lower in the group implanted with the steroid-containing MiSCEAs. The feasibility of 3D MiSCEA opens up the development of potential next-generation cochlear electrode with improved steroid release dynamics into cochlea.
A 3D Microscaffold Cochlear Electrode Array for Steroid Elution.pdf
Publisher's version
restricted
4.86 MB
Adobe PDF
2c1a27a0090bf2bd104e7e83717addb8
supporting information.pdf
Publisher's version
restricted
1.36 MB
Adobe PDF
b80e4a1f8cb3de5bac565fd1570769c0