2017 Volume 19 Issue 2 Pages 74-82
An endoscope with assisting mechanism of Cochlear implant (hereinafter called “CI”) insertion in water for endoscopic ear surgery has been successfully fabricated and evaluated. This device consists of an endoscope with an imaging and a perfusion system and a CI insertion assisting mechanism at a tip of the endoscope. Outer and inner diameters of the endoscope shaft are 3.75 mm and 3.19 mm, respectively. A rod lens for an imager, optical fiber bundle for light guide and a silicone rubber tube are assembled into the shaft. The CI insertion assisting mechanism has not only insertion assistance function but also CI removal function. For the CI insertion assistance, a polyimide tube has been used as a sheath. For removal assistance, two kinds of mechanisms have been proposed. One is rotational mechanism and the other is opening mechanism using shape memory alloy wire actuator. Using the fabricated endoscope and the assisting mechanisms, CI insertion operation has been demonstrated by a medical doctor, and their functions and advantages were evaluated.
