Surgical Care


Surgical Care solutions help enhance patient outcomes through actionable intraoperative insights that optimize device placement.


An audiologist conducts a hearing test with a patient

What you will find on this page

  • How Cochlear's intraoperative tools can optimize your surgical outcomes

  • The Nucleus® SmartNav System

Optimizing surgical care

We understand the importance of your role in delivering the best possible hearing outcomes to your patients. That’s why we continue to pioneer new technology and develop solutions that are designed to improve the surgical experience for you and your patients.

With Surgical Care solutions, patient outcomes can be enhanced through intraoperative tools and insights. With increased confidence in device placement, you can optimize surgical outcomes as well as post-operative clinical performance.

The Nucleus® SmartNav system

The Nucleus® SmartNav system sets a new benchmark in intraoperative measurement, providing wireless, real-time insights during surgery to support the navigation of electrode insertion for cochlear implant patients. This iPad®-based solution and off-the-ear processor provides an intuitive workflow to help you in surgery, giving you real time feedback to support in-theatre decision making. Nucleus® SmartNav helps you track and monitor electrode insertion to provide confidence in implant placement and help ensure your patient has the best possible opportunity to maximize outcomes.

The Nucleus® SmartNav intraoperative metrics include:

  • Placement Check – provides valuable information on final electrode placement and is designed to reduce the need for intraoperative imaging post electrode insertion.1-3
  • Angular insertion depth – provides real-time measurement of angular insertion depth and final electrode position of lateral wall electrodes.4-6
  • Speed of insertion – provides feedback on speed and consistency of the electrode insertion.7-8
  • Impedance and AutoNRT® measurements – provides assurance that the implant is operating as intended, prior to leaving the operating room.9-10
An audiologist conducts a hearing test with a patient

More information

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Connecting people with hearing care

Connected Care helps you achieve the best possible outcomes for your patients through Surgical Care, In-clinic Care, Remote Care and Self-managed Care solutions.

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In-clinic Care

In-clinic Care gives you the tools you need to ensure every clinic appointment delivers the best result for your patient.

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Contact us

Have a question? We're here to help. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Disclaimer

This material is intended for health professionals. If you are a consumer, please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.

SmartNav offers a variety of measurements. These insights are one source of information and do not guarantee clinical outcomes.

Apple, the Apple logo, Apple Watch, FaceTime, Made for iPad logo, Made for iPhone logo, Made for iPod logo, iPhone, iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

References
  1. Cochlear Limited. D1653452 V1 SEP19. Execution of Electrode Array Tip Fold Over Detection Algorithm Sensitivity Validation.
  2. Cochlear Limited. D1639507 V1 OCT19. Clinical Investigation Report (CLTD5663 Volta Study).
  3. Cochlear Limited. D1640845 V1 OCT19. Clinical Investigation Report (CLTD5676 study).
  4. Morrel, W. G., Holder, J. T., Dawant, B. M., et al. Effect of Scala Tympani Height on Insertion Depth of Straight Cochlear Implant Electrodes. Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. (2020); 194599820904941. Available from https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599820904941.
  5. Skarzynski H, Lorens A,Matusiak M, Porowski M, Skarzynski PH, James CJ. Cochlear implantation with the Nucleus slim straight electrode in subjects with residual low-frequency hearing. Ear Hear (2014); 35(2):e33-43.
  6. Heutink, F.,de Rijk, S. R., Verbist, B. M., Huinck, W. J., & Mylanus, E. A. M. Angular Electrode Insertion Depth and Speech Perception in Adults With a Cochlear Implant: A Systematic Review. Otology & Neurotology. (2019). 40(7):900–910. Available from https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000002298.
  7. Kontorinis G, Lenarz T, Stöver T, Paasche G. Impact of the insertion speed of cochlear implant electrodes on the insertion forces. Otol Neurotol. (2011 Jun); 32(4):565-70.
  8. Todt I, Mittmann P, Ernst A. Intracochlear fluid pressure changes related to the insertional speed of a CI electrode. Biomed Res Int (2014); 2014:507241.
  9. Page JC, Cox MD, Hollowoa B, Bonilla-Velez J, Trinidade A, Dornhoffer JL. Trends in Intraoperative Testing During Cochlear Implantation. Otol Neurotol. (2018 Mar); 39(3):294-298.
  10. Botros et al. AutoNRTTM: An automated system that measures ECAP thresholds with the Nucleus® FreedomTM cochlear implant via machine intelligence. Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (2007) 40, 15—28.