Refined process model for robotic middle and inner ear access

A recent clinical trial has demonstrated the feasibility of robotic cochlear implantation. From the surface of the mastoid a robotically drilled tunnel to the inner ear allows to insert the electrode array directly through the tunnel into the cochlea. The current robotic workflow can be optimized with regard to preoperative planning, surgical process flow and intraoperative interventions. In order to ensure a reproducible retention of residual hearing in cochlear implantation, a method for consistent planning and atraumatic access to the inner ear is required. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of a refined process model for robotic middle and inner ear access. A verification of the model has been conducted by analysing the data from robotically drilled human cadaveric head specimen